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Carol Highsmith
Southern California
Southern California
Discover San Diego County
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Imagine 70 miles of sun-drenched coast, an inviting ocean, and a year-round daily forecast of 70°F, 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.
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Courtesy of Cross Border Xpress
Cross Border Xpress
Cross the world’s first bi-national skybridge and speed through the Mexico-United States border
California travelers arriving from China, South America, or Mexico may want to consider San Diego’s alternative airport,...
John Bahu
Spotlight: San Diego
California dreamers, endless coastline & sunshine
As if all that sunshine weren’t enough, San Diego is a waterfront city with top-notch...
Courtesy of Visit California
Why San Diego is the Perfect Wellness Destination
Healthy, sustainable activities and attractions abound in this coastal community
California has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to healthy living. Today there’s no better place to experience the best of wellness...
Oct 1 - Oct 31
October
Planning a fall family vacation? Save money and head to San Diego, where kids eat, stay, and play ...
Freiheit/Alamy
Rpac78/Shutterstock
Spotlight: Balboa Park
Visit a historic gem called the “Smithsonian of the West"
Courtesy of Visit California
Insider’s Guide to La Jolla
Come see why San Diego County’s “Jewel” is such a special destination
Warwick’s
The nation’s oldest continuously family-owned and -operated bookstore is...
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...
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...
Courtesy of Visit California
3 Cool Places to Shop in San Diego
Engage in a little retail therapy during your next visit to California’s southwest corner
The nation’s oldest continuously family-owned and -...
Courtesy of Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Elegance reigns at this San Diego resort—with golf, horses, and contemporary French cuisine
Boasting old-world ambience and a foodie-magnet restaurant, San Diego’s Fairmont...
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:...
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 2,650 miles from Mexico to...
Courtesy of Visit California
5 Great Restaurants in San Diego County
Sample these diverse culinary offerings, ranging from tasty tacos to high-end seafood
San Diego County’s Best Beaches
Surf, swim, and sunbathe at one of these five postcard-worthy beaches
Seventy miles of coastline makes San Diego County a shining destination for...
Steve Skinnery/Getty Images
Carlsbad
This family-friendly coastal town has feel-good appeal
Carlsbad’s legacy as a tourist hot spot dates back to the 1880s, when a local farmer tapped into mineral springs and a spa town...
Courtesy of Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa
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...
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 25 miles north of downtown San Diego and you’ll instantly get a sense of ...
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...
George Ostertag/Alamy
Escondido
Explore the craft breweries, culinary scene, and adventurous outdoors of this unique San Diego city
About 30 miles northeast of downtown San Diego, Escondido is the best little...
Photograph by Peggy Sirota
California Questionnaire: Annie Lawless
The Suja Juice co-founder, yoga instructor, and wellness aficionado is passionate about her Southern California home
As one of the founders of the nation’s leading organic juice brand, Annie Lawless knows a thing or two about living a healthy lifestyle. She...
Courtesy of Cohn Restaurant Group
Coasterra
Book a table at this San Diego waterfront knockout
Got a boat? That’s the only way you’ll get a better view of San Diego’s waterfront skyline...
SPECIAL FEATURE
The chef's favorite things to do around the Golden State
While probably most recognizable as the winner of Bravo’s Top Chef: All-Stars, Richard Blais is also the wildly creative and irreverent executive chef of San Diego’s Juniper & Ivy and...
Heidi Geldhauser
Steve Skinner/Getty Images
Where to Watch a La Jolla Sunset
Want to nail your sunset shot? Our expert has six sensational recommendations to match any mood
As a San Diego concierge for more than a decade, Brett Hamblen is well versed in sunset recommendations. For his role as the chief concierge at...
Stretching 1,942 feet, the historic Oceanside Pier is the longest wooden pier on the Pacific Ocean.
This San Diego music festival combines A-list acts with local flavor and upscale beach culture
You don’t need a high tolerance for open fields, concession-stand dining, or possibly mud to enjoy KAABOO Del Mar, a unique weekend...
C Flanigan/Getty Images
Courtesy of San Diego Zoo
Spotlight: San Diego Zoo
See rare and endangered species
Visiting the San Diego Zoo in San...
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,...
Dave Lauridsen
La Jolla
Find something for everyone in this multi-faceted seaside jewel
Although technically part of San Diego, the community of La Jolla...
Lucas Himovitz
Spotlight: Legoland California
Tiny-brick creations galore, yes, but also a world-class aquarium, a water park, and rides wow kids and grownups alike
It’s hard to say who enjoys LEGOLAND California more: the little ones running...
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 the Golden State’s most appealing destinations....
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-...
Michael Saechang/Flickr
SPECIAL FEATURE
Unleash the kid within at California’s ultimate playgrounds
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.
Alexa 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, golden-green olive oils, local wildflower honey—California’s farmers markets are...
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
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
Joey Hernandez/SD Bay Wine & Food Fest
Dave Lauridsen
Mission & San Diego Bays
Visit waterfront parks for boating, biking, and coaster rides
Mission Bay and...
San Diego is one of California’s sunniest destinations. This waterfront city is overflowing with exceptional dining and craft beer experiences, outdoor adventures, family fun, and great shopping. Explore diverse neighborhoods like Little Italy, the ...
Famous for grand-dame Victorians, classic cable cars, dynamic diversity, trend-defining, Michelin-starred cuisine, a beautiful waterfront, and a soaring crimson bridge, San Francisco, aka the “City by the Bay”, truly has it all and stands...
SPECIAL FEATURE
Taste the delicious dishes from these amazing California chefs
From a candy-colored 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...
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...
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.
California
With its inviting destinations and uncrowded wilderness, this region feels like an insider’s secret amid the bustling excitement of Southern California.
...
California
Snow-covered peaks in winter, gushing waterfalls in spring, wildflower meadows and glistening lakes in summer, vibrant colors in fall—this is a land of dramatic and wild...
Spotlight: San Diego
History: Though most people wouldn't think to combine tiki and speakeasy themes, it really works for this...