San Diego
Welcome to America's Finest City
Somewhere between strolling along San Diego’s 70 miles of coastline, making room for that last fish taco, kayaking with sea lions in La Jolla, and catching a show in the historic Gaslamp Quarter, you can see how this Californian outpost has earned the moniker, ‘America’s Finest City’. In fact, this is not San Diego’s only crowning title. The city is known as the ‘Craft Beer Capital of America’, as well as being home to the largest urban cultural park in the US, the largest pop-culture convention in the world, and the pioneering San Diego Zoo.
Top California Holidays
Luxury Holidays in San Diego
Whilst giving off an air of relaxed barefoot charm, San Diego is also a sophisticated hub for business and leisure. Check yourself in at one of the city’s most exclusive resorts and peruse a bevy of luxury experiences. Indulge in some retail therapy at the upscale boutiques in La Jolla. Hire a Duffy boat to sail across San Diego Bay. Watch the sun setting over the water from Coasterra restaurant whilst enjoying an extraordinary meal. In terms of comfort, refinement and, moreover, unforgettable moments, San Diego is your oyster.
5 Reasons to visit San Diego
Around The World – Get a sense of San Diego’s Mexican heritage at the Old Town, with its authentic eateries serving mouth-watering burritos, and an array of historical buildings, museums and shops. Also be sure to take advantage of the number of annual events representing the diversity in San Diego, including the Asian Film Festival and Precious Festa – the largest Italian festival in Western USA, in gastronomic hotspot, Little Italy.
Active Adventures – Those who enjoy picking up the pace in the great outdoors will fall head over heels for San Diego and its epic surrounds. Brilliant beaches are a surf and sail paradise, whilst land lovers should head to Torrey Pines Natural Reserve, Cowles Mountain, or Sunset Cliffs Natural Park for some unbelievable hiking trails. San Diego is a fantastic golfing destination with over 90 courses, meanwhile cyclists will have plenty of ground to cover around San Diego Bay.
Family Friendly – San Diego has theme parks and family-friendly activities galore. Beyond the entertainment giants that are Legoland, SeaWorld, USS Midway, and The Zoo, there are also some fantastic lesser-known attractions to frequent. Visit Belmont Park to experience a historic wooden rollercoaster, go to the Children’s Pool at La Jolla for child-proof wildlife watching, watch a San Diego Padres Baseball Game, or even take a group surfing lesson.
Bottoms up – San Diego hosts over 150 local breweries and 115 dynamic wineries, as well as being a gateway for some of the finest vineyards in both California and Mexico. Coupled with an amazing beer and wine industry, San Diego also offers a buzzing nightlife. Start your night at a world-class tap room and end in Downtown’s lively Gaslamp Quarter, where 16 city blocks await, packed with rooftop bars, jazz bars, and VIP nightclubs.
Beachcombing – From snorkelling and swimming to beach volleyball and simply soaking up the radiant sunshine, San Diego’s varied and vibrant coastline is undeniably attractive. A staggering number of beaches invite all kinds of aquatic exploration, whilst we can’t forget perhaps the largest waterpark of its kind in the world: Mission Bay Park. Comprised of 4,200 stunning acres and 27 miles of golden beaches, Mission Bay is a beach lover’s dream.
Things to do on holiday in San Diego
Spice Things Up – Being so close physically to Mexico, San Diego is the prime destination in America for discovering the joys of Latino cuisine. Hunt for the perfect fish taco, the most piquant jalapeno margaritas, or the birthplace of the carne asada burrito. We recommend grabbing a table at Puesto in Seaport Village, where the atmosphere and décor is superseded only by the punchiness of their flavours.
Art in the Park – A trip to Balboa Park is a definite highlight, from lavish gardens and magnificent backdrops to performing arts, museums, restaurants and a wealth of attractions, including the San Diego Zoo. El Prado oozes character, awash with tropical vegetation, swaying palm trees, and Spanish colonial buildings, it’s the perfect place for a picnic or a romantic evening stroll.
Get Wild – If animals are your thing then a trip to the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park or SeaWorld should be top of your list. Get up close and personal with whales, polar bears, sharks and penguins at SeaWorld before seeing the giant panda family, elephants and monkeys at San Diego Zoo, all surrounded by exotic plants and landscapes.
Escape the City – Take the quick trip across the San Diego Bay to Coronado Island, where you’ll find a stunning beach and the legendary Hotel Del Coronado, which serves a legendary Sunday brunch. Travel up into the mountains and you’ll encounter the historic mining town of Julian, where you can try some of the best apple pie in America. Julian is also home to a range of old western style streets as well as antique shops.
San Diego Weather
The weather in San Diego is phenomenal, characterised by warm dry summers, mild winters and low rainfall. With on average 201 days a year with temperatures 21°C and above, it’s the perfect holiday hotspot in terms of climate.
San Diego Facts
• State - California
• Area - 372.4 sq. miles
• Population - 1,301,607
Twin Centre & Multi Centre
America’s golden west coast is a treasure trove of beautiful beaches and the laid back lifestyle that they inspire. San Diego is ideally positioned to the south of both LA and San Francisco, meaning a multi-centre trip visiting them both doesn’t have to involve going back on yourself. LA is perfect for a dual-centre excursion, being only a short flight or around 2 – 3 hours’ drive away.
San Diego Holidays 2024 / 2025
Please avoid disappointment and book early for your 2024 / 2025 holidays in the USA. With Kenwood Travel you’ll find bespoke luxury holidays at fantastic value. Explore your options for an exclusive escape to San Diego with one of our travel experts. With over 45 years’ worth of experience, we are well-equipped to help you find the holiday of a lifetime.
Top Picks
Hotel del Coronado
A symbol of Victorian elegance, this San Diego resort boasts 28 acres of oceanfront property. Its iconic red-roofed towers and secluded Beach Village houses 679 rooms.
Pendry San Diego
Embodying the sun-kissed spirit of San Diego, this 5* resort located in the historic Gaslamp Quarter enjoys proximity to many key area attractions, as well as fantastic quality.
The US Grant
Set in the Gaslamp Quarter, this Art Deco-style hotel is elegance at its finest, featuring an art work collection worth $6.5M and an award winning restaurant.
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Useful information
Destination map
Things to do
Tour the USS Midway
Placed in the heart of downtown San Diego, the USS Midway was once the longest-serving aircraft carrier in America. Now it is a museum, with fantastic interactive exhibits ideal for groups or families to explore. Over 200,000 men served on this behemoth over its lifetime, and you can learn what life was like for them, from the flight deck with its 29 aircraft to flight simulators that let you take a glimpse into the experiences of these pilots.
Visit Balboa Park & San Diego Zoo
An absolutely enormous park within the city, Balboa sprawls across 1200 acres, holding dozens of attractions within. From the 65 miles of walking trails to enjoy the beauty of the gardens, to the 16 museums, there is no shortage of reasons to visit Balboa Park. Perhaps the most famous attraction here is the world-famous San Diego zoo, whose expanse holds 4000 animals from more than 600 species. This zoo is so massive that it requires a day trip to make the best of, and it's worth the effort: playing a major role in conservation of threatened species, this zoo is a must-see for any animal lover.
Wander the Gaslamp Quarter
A famous downtown district of San Diego, the Gaslamp Quarter is called the 'historic heart' of the city, presenting an unforgettable ambience and limitless list of attractions and activities. Visit the outdoor entertainment hub of Horton Plaza Park and the iconic ornate lamps, sample local cuisine in whichever restaurant calls to you, and visit museums like the Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House and San Diego Chinese Historical Museum.
