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The Vegetable Shop at Chino Family Farm
The Vegetable Shop at Chino Family Farm
Organic goodness in farmland north of San Diego
For a farmers’ market feel without the once-a-week schedule, this friendly destination in Rancho Santa Fe is the perfect find—it’s open every day but Monday. About a half-hour drive north of the city bustle, this is the place to discover new varieties of familiar produce, including multiple kinds of tomatoes, beans, melons, and squash, plus white corn so sweet and delicious you might just move here. Try unusual offerings—strawberry figs, salsify, Jerusalem artichokes, red carrots, and candy lime mint. Keep your eyes peeled too; the shop is a favorite haunt of leading chefs and is on the radar of Alice Waters, considered the leading force behind California’s focus on fresh, seasonal, local ingredients.
Windansea Beach by Myles McGuinness
Southern California
Southern California
Discover San Diego County
Imagine 112 kilometres of sun-drenched coast, an inviting ocean, and a year-round daily forecast of 70°F/21°C, and you’ll understand why this southernmost stretch of the state is all about outdoor fun. Discover top theme parks and attractions like SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and LEGOLAND California.
The first European explorer to land in California, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, came ashore in San Diego in 1542.
Relax at legendary retreats like Hotel del Coronado, find art and culture in San Diego and surrounding cities like luxurious La Jolla, and enjoy world-class golf at Torrey Pines, and enjoy culture and diversity, all at the edge of a sparkling blue sea.
Courtesy of L’Auberge Del Mar
L’Auberge Del Mar
Beachy vibes meet high-end elegance at this luxury resort just north of San Diego
L’Auberge Del Mar creates the illusion that you’re staying at your personal seaside villa, but it has all the amenities of a...
Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Elegance reigns at this San Diego resort
Boasting old-world ambience and a foodie-magnet restaurant, San Diego’s Fairmont...
Get California Fit
Hollywood trainer Erin Oprea shares her top tricks for getting your summer beach body
Trainer to the stars Erin Oprea is known for sculpting some famous physiques. The...
Rpac78/Shutterstock
Spotlight: Balboa Park
Visit a historic gem called the “Smithsonian of the West"
Larger than New York’s Central Park and Chicago’s Millennium Park combined, San Diego’s Balboa Park...
Danita Delimont/Alamy
Spotlight: Pacific Crest Trail
How to hike (a part of) the spectacular trail in California
The Pacific Crest Trail extends for a whopping 4,265 kilometres from Mexico...
Vacationland
4 Fantastic Resorts in San Diego County
Find luxury living with a touch of Southern California cool at these exclusive hotels
With a temperate climate and beautiful Pacific beaches, it’s no wonder San Diego is one of the nation’s top holiday destinations....
San Diego County’s Best Beaches
Surf, swim, and sunbathe at one of these five postcard-worthy beaches
One hundred and twelve kilometres of coastline makes San Diego County a shining destination for lovers of sand and surf. And with...
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa
Pack your days with tennis, golf, or yoga—or melt into a customized spa treatment—at this elegant San Diego County resort
Mornings at Rancho Valencia start with fresh-squeezed orange juice...
Joe Polillio/Getty Images
Oceanside
Find exceptional restaurants, inventive breweries, and a thriving local art scene in Northern San Diego County
It doesn’t take an etymologist to figure out how Oceanside got its name:...
Cultura/Alamy
Encinitas
Head north of downtown San Diego to experience one of the best surfing cities in the world
Encinitas isn’t just a city; it’s a vibe. Visit the coastal community 40km north of downtown San Diego and you’ll instantly get a...
ZUMA Press/Alamy
Del Mar
This San Diego County beach town is home to blissful ocean views—but it also knows how to throw a party
Despite Del Mar’s idyllic oceanfront setting, this little town just north of San Diego was, in many ways, born around horses. The...
Roy Bartels/Getty Images
Chula Vista
San Diego County’s second largest city boasts authentic Mexican food, a burgeoning craft beer scene, and outdoor activities galore
About seven miles from downtown San Diego in one direction and the Mexican border in another, Chula Vista is quickly developing its own strong...
San Diego Skyline by John Bahu
Spotlight: San Diego
California dreamers, endless coastline & sunshine
As if all that sunshine isn’t enough, here’s a waterfront city brushed by perfect breezes, the light just right, the beer perfectly hoppy after a...
Stretching 1,942 feet, the historic Oceanside Pier is the longest wooden pier on the Pacific Ocean.
Giraffes at the San Diego Zoo
Spotlight: San Diego Zoo
See rare and endangered species
Visiting this expansive zoo in San Diego’s Balboa Park is more than a chance to see animals from all over the world: it’s a chance to see one of...
Too darned pretty. Everywhere you look out there, everything's just too danged pretty! I'm usually the prettiest thing!
Courtesy of SeaWorld San Diego
Spotlight: SeaWorld San Diego
Amazing undersea attractions, thrilling rides, and interactive animal shows
From swooshing and swooping rides to interactive animal experiences and world-class attractions,...
Your trip begins in California’s largest city. L.A. has nonstop action and things to do, but it can be a challenge to navigate, so planning your trip in advance is a big plus. Start in the coastal city of Santa Monica, with a wide, uncrowded beach, a signature pier topped by carnival rides and...
Famous for their giant sequoias, soaring mountains, deep canyons, and roaring rivers, this tandem set of parks have plenty to see, even though they are less well known than Yosemite, roughly 75 miles/120 kilometres north. Within the borders of Sequoia & Kings Canyon are Mount Whitney, the...
La Jolla
La Jolla
Find something for everyone in this multi-faceted seaside jewel
Although technically part of San Diego, the community of La Jolla...
SPECIAL FEATURE
Discover quintessential sun and fun at these coastal charmers
Take one part water, one part sand, one part sun-soaked coastal charm, and you’ve got the recipe for some of California’s most appealing destinations. The Golden State’s beach towns stand out for...
La Jolla by Lucas Himovitz
Gwynne Spann
Where to eat, what to drink
Endless Sun, Oceanfront Dining & Craft Breweries
With its endless sun and oceanfront location, as well as strong influences from Mexico, San Diego offers plenty of dining options—from flaky fish...
SPECIAL FEATURE
Kid-friendly fun zones, special kids' menus & amazing wine for the grownups
Sure wine country is romantic, but now it’s a surprisingly great destination for families too, with a growing number of vineyards trading in elegant tasting rooms for kid-friendly fun zones that...
John/ Flickr
SPECIAL FEATURE
Check these amazing experiences off your bucket list
Kiss a beluga, see cool movie props, and learn about Walt’s secret hideaway on exclusive and behind-the-scenes tours at California’s theme parks and attractions. Here’s a roundup of worth-the-...
Photo by Michael Saechang/Flickr
Legoland California by Lucas Himovitz
Spotlight: Legoland California
Magical Recreations, Rollercoasters & Smiles
It’s hard to say who enjoys Legoland more: the little ones running around in a magical world created by 60 million Lego plastic bricks, or their...
SPECIAL FEATURE
Unleash the kid within at California’s ultimate play lands
From Disneyland classics to beachfront carousels, the Golden State’s best-in-class theme parks deliver something for everyone. Take a tram ride to tour movie back lots at Universal Studios...
Lucas Himovitz
The historic 101 Café in Oceanside is the oldest continuously-operating restaurant on historic Highway 101.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park by Miller
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Find out where the wild things are
Like a journey to Africa, a day at this spectacular park lets you see some of the world’s most magnificent—and endangered—animals at close range...
SPECIAL FEATURE
Farm-fresh produce, culinary adventures
Juicy heirloom tomatoes and just-picked strawberries. Super-sweet peaches shaped like mini UFOs. Artisanal cheeses, emerald-green olive oils, local wildflower honey—California’s farmers’ markets...
Laura Flippen
Thanks be to God, I arrived here...at this Port of San Diego. It is beautiful to behold, and does not belie its reputation.
SPECIAL FEATURE
Make memories at some of California's family-favorite beaches
Sand, water, and kids—it’s a natural combination for easy family fun. This sandy dozen offers appealing, family-friendly features, such as calm water for new swimmers, tide pools for intrepid...
Alex Farnum
San Diego by Dave Lauridsen
San Diego Surfing & Surf Culture
Try your hand at hangin’ 10—or at least get the look
Sometimes it seems as if everyone surfs in San Diego County. When the surf is up, there’s a steady stream of dudes (and plenty of dudettes, too)...
SPECIAL FEATURE
From north to south, beer is booming in California
With more than 900 breweries statewide according to the California Craft Brewers Association (...
Dave Lauridsen
SPECIAL FEATURE
World-class accommodations in world-class locations
Head to the heart of California’s cities for luxurious stays at world-class accommodations. From San Francisco’s historic hotels to celebrity hot spots in Hollywood and Beverly Hills, California’s...
Lynn Gately/Flickr
November
Local and international talent gathers at the gustatory tribute to all that’s good about wine & food (and there’s beer too); the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is San Diego’s largest ...
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival by Kevin Hulett
Trip 5-7 days 10 stops
Highway One Classic
Take the trip that captures the heart and soul of the Golden State
Start in one of California’s sunniest destinations, not just in terms of the weather, but also in attitude. In the heart of the city, shop in Horton Plaza, or catch a baseball game at ...
Finish your trip in one of the world’s great cities. For a novel way to visit “the City by the Bay” park your car and explore San Francisco by foot, bike, and unique public transportation. Pedal bikes across the ...
SPECIAL FEATURE
Taste the delicious dishes from these amazing California chefs
From a candy-coloured pastry shop to Michelin-starred dining rooms, top restaurants run by celebrity chefs dot the Golden State. And even if you don’t know these chefs from the TV...
Torrey Pines by Dave Lauridsen
San Diego Golf
Get your daily dose of greens at oceanfront courses
Perfect weather, challenging course, and incredible settings make San Diego County a golfer’s dream destination. It’s not surprising that many of...
Julian by Dave Lauridsen
Julian
Visit a surprising mountain town that’s as American as apple pie
Poised between the desert and the coast, a little more than an hour’s drive east of San Diego, this surprising mountain town makes a great day...
The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.
Spotlight: Yosemite National Park
It costs a bundle to spend the night, but there’s no charge for wandering inside, taking in the splendour of this 1920s-era hotel. This National Historic Landmark in...
Discover Orange County
At the base of a cliff on Laguna Beach’s secluded Victoria Beach sits a mysterious 60-foot landmark named “La Tour”—nicknamed “Pirate Tower” by locals. Erected in...
