San Diego:
America’s finest city
a travel guide
san diego is my hometown and its also known as america’s finest city, which- trust me, it totally is. remind me why i left? easy access ocean views, perfect year-round weather, well-manicured parks—an overall calmness exudes here. it’s the quintessential home of chill. it’s about 2.5 hours from los angeles and maybe half hour away from tijuana, mexico. this border city is a melting pot of surf & skate culture, a colorful mexican influence, & just california love. enjoy my “surfy surf” spotify mix while on your way to the beach. let that california sunshine pour over you like gold dust & watch the palm trees wave a friendly hello from these truly crystal blue skies!
what to pack
multiple swimsuits! - I enjoy high quality and colorful bikinis from one one swimwear & triangl
pack comfortable sandals like birkenstocks for easy slip-on and off action at the beach.
cruise fashion valley mall or utc, which is closer to la jolla. both are outdoor and have every brand imaginable.
consider renting a convertible if you plan on driving here. trust me, i own one and its the best damn feeling.
where to stay
check out the newest boutique hotel to come to la jolla, the orli hotel by local town natives, the waitt siblings.
stay at the pendry downtown and enjoy their rooftop pool for cocktails & apps or the pink palace called la valencia for a seaside vintage luxury experience where the old hollywood stars used to hideaway.
la estancia is a gorgeous hacienda style getaway tucked in the seaside hills of la jolla. spa and pool included.
visit / stay at the iconic hotel del coronado where marilyn monroe filmed ‘some like it hot’.
what to do
cruise through windansea beach in la jolla and catch the afternoon sunset. pack a picnic & watch the surfers catch a wave- simply iconic. walk around the village of coronado and enchant yourself by this emerald city. the author of the wizard of oz lived here while he wrote it and his experience there inspired the emerald city.
stoll through balboa park and get a taste of san diego’s rich history. this park was originally built for a world’s fair named the Panama-California Convention. The park became a success and was further developed into what is it today. Home to several museums, the zoo, an indoor and outdoor theatre, Japanese friendship garden, organ pavilion and more!
defintely explore north park and south park neighborhoods! cute coffee shops, cozy restaurants, vintage shops and several small owned businesses. i used to live in south park and it was such a dream! i loved it so much. check out bad madge for vintage, booty bassment at the whistle stop, pigment gift stop & plant design store, dark horse coffee, artelexia for fun handmade mexican gifts and alexander’s on 30th for romantic italian.
visit little italy day or night, you really can’t go wrong here. its home to several chic restaurants including ironside fish & oyster, barbusa for modern italian, great gatsby reminiscent steakhouse born & raised, or new kid on the block crudo cevicheria. eccentric farmer’s market every wednesday and saturday. for dessert you can’t miss salt & straw for creative ice cream concoctions. go dancing at camino riviera, its like a little slice of tulum in your backyard.
brunch at morning glory and order their souffle pancakes if you have a sweet tooth and the fried rice with egg if you need a little savory contrast (pro-tip: go during the week! weekends are a crazy wait). hash house a go go is a tried and true classic brunch spot. they also get very busy, so also try during the week! great maple has some of the best freshly baked maple bacon donuts, hardy breakfast dishes & fruity cocktails.
for the best scenic views don’t miss mister a’s / bali hai / island prime / coasterra
drive up to encinitas and relax at moonlight beach, stroll by dave’s rock museum and then have a cozy dinner at valentina’s. the next beach town over is carlsbad with plenty of local places to enjoy, check out jeune et jolie for chic french appeal / or campfire for a california glamping dining experience.
go paragliding in torrey pines near ucsd. float over the pacific ocean, wave hi to the golfers at torrey pines golf course & alicia keys if she’s home in her multi-million dollar residence.