San Diego Must-Sees

*Collaborative Post

San Diego is the bright, exciting city right at the bottom of Southern California, bumping up against the Mexican border and the glittering lights of Tijuana. With perfect weather all year round, this beautiful beachside city has a lot going for it, with sun, sea and sand perfectly complimented by a diverse urban culture and a fantastic food scene. Here are some of the must-sees that you can’t miss if you’re in San Diego for a cruise.

Balboa Park

San Diego’s landmark open air green space is an amazing place to wander and explore, over 1,200 acres of trees, gardens and attractions for all ages. The main event is probably the world-famous San Diego Zoo, but equally brilliant are the Sunken Butterfly Garden, the California Tower, and the amazing range of museums including the San Diego Air & Space Museum, the San Diego Museum of Man, and the San Diego Museum of Art.

La Jolla

San Diego is the perfect endpoint for a California road trip, and nowhere is more quintessentially California than La Jolla Beach. The beach offers some spectacular breaks for surfers, and the opportunity to swim with leopard sharks in the shallow waters, while the La Jolla Sea Caves are an amazing destination for explorers and adventurers. Don’t miss Sunny Jim, which can only be accessed via a tunnel in the back of the La Jolla Cave Store!

Try the food

San Diego has a magnificent food scene, with a wonderful blend of Mexican street food, eclectic modern cuisine and fine dining. Any visit to the city should include an exploration of it’s diverse and exciting eating joints. Juniper and Ivy is a must-visit for true foodies (don’t miss The Yodel from the dessert menu for an extraordinary explosion of chocolate deliciousness), while Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub is the place for seafood and sushi. When it comes to Mexican food, there are authentic, delicious taco stands around the city that will leave you full to bursting.

Take a photo at Potato Chip Rock

Just outside the city towers the majestic summit of Mount Woodson, and at the top is one of San Diego’s most recognisable photo opportunities, Potato Chip Rock. This surprising geological formation looks almost paper-thin, hence the name, but is strong enough to easily support the weight of a person. Strike a pose and grab a snap, you will have earned it after a tough climb!

Explore Torrey Pines

The wonderful landscape of Torrey Pines State Nature Reserve is a haven for hikers and nature lovers alike. As well as an abundance of wildlife, and some stunning landscapes and scenery, the nature reserve is home to the Torrey Pine, a rare species of pine tree native to the area. There are loads of hiking trails suitable for all levels and abilities, as well as guided tours on the weekends. Just make sure you take enough water and comfortable shoes!

San Diego makes a great weekend city break, as well as a longer vacation destination, and has loads of things to see and do all year round. The sights above are just a taste of what this excellent city has to offer!

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.