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Crystal blue skies stretch across seventy miles of gorgeous beach, a warm Mediterranean-like breeze at your back. Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, and the Laguna Mountains surround you. You must be in San Diego; welcome to paradise on the west coast. The second largest city in California and buried deep in the gorgeous south corner of the country, this city is the quintessential vacation destination. The beaches are what draws people here. The whole west side of the city faces the Pacific Ocean. Combine that with the fact that the weather is sunny and warm the majority of the year and you have the perfect excuse for a beach day. Remember, bring a few swimsuits when you come here because there are so many fun water related activities for you to choose. San Diego is also home to the Pacific Fleet of the US Navy and is a export hub. Rich in culture from its Spanish and Mexican roots and ethnic flare (being right next to Tijuana), San Diego is calling your name. Book your cheap flight now!

San Diego Pictures

Things to do in San Diego

Coastal temperatures in San Diego rarely dip below the mid seventies just in case you are concerned. Surfing, sailing, wake boarding, scuba diving, and hang gliding are just some of the fun in the sun activities you should definitely try. Surf schools are as frequent as ice cream stands along the beaches. You could spend the day learning on the sand in the sun and then take another day to test out your gnarly surfing skills. Every February California’s grey whales migrate south along the coast. This is the best time to go on a whale watching tour. Or, at Point Loma you may get lucky and see the whales swimming closer to shore. The San Diego Chargers and San Diego Padres are fun to watch if you visit during football or baseball season. Although since these two sports take up most of the year with their seasons, you have a pretty good shot of catching a game at home. If you are a college student looking to see a game, plan ahead and book your cheap flights and hotels early. The San Diego Zoo is a very popular day trip and Sea World is here as well. Both are easy to fit in together for one day of animal fun. Old Town has many preserved buildings dating back to when the Spanish were in control of the city. Downtown San Diego, however, is where college students will want to go for all the action; shopping, food, and nightlife.

Nightlife in San Diego

The nightlife in San Diego is alive and electrifying. These people sure know how to party it up after the sun sets on the gorgeous coast. A day at the beach and then a night partying at a club; what more could you ask for? While the clubs and bars are permitted to stay open past 2am, that is the last call for drinks. And there is NO public drinking allowed here or anywhere in the US. Generally you will find yourself paying around $4-5 USD per drink. Downtown is the best place to look for nightlife. College students looking for a good deal head to Fumari Hookah Lounge, Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, Cafe Noir, and Minus 1 Lounge. Pacific Beach is really close by and has the craziest nightlife of California. Here their clubs are second only to their beaches. The crowd is young, mainly college students or spring breakers. Garnet Ave has the best clubs and bars. Most of them are open until around 3am. Moondoggies and Bar West are always crowded and a lot of fun. Froggy’s or the Australian Pub is a bit more laid back.

Dining in San Diego

There is a wide variety of food. Like any other metropolitan city you can have your pizza, sushi, or kebabs. Although if you really want something local-like Mexican food is probably the closest you are going to get. Seafood is also popular because of the location. Many restaurants in Mission Beach have outdoor seating. Some overlook the water. Bare Back Grill is a good choice for a night out to eat. The Fishery serves all types of seafood. Cotija’s serves mainly Mexican cuisine. Fred’s is your spot for burgers and fries and all the homey foods. Every Tuesday is “Kiss Me Tuesday” and there are food and drink specials. In Downtown look to Anthony’s Fish Grotto, The Field, Buster’s Beach House, Le Cake Chateau, and Indigo Grill. Bottom line is you really can’t go wrong. You just have to think about your budget and get a delicious meal. None of these restaurants will steer you wrong.

Shopping in San Diego

Go to Horton Plaza. It is like nothing you’ve ever seen before and will probably be the coolest shopping experience you’ve had. It’s a massive five story shopping building. But here’s the cool part, it’s all outdoors. There are lots of visually appealing architectural designs and bright colors. There are 200 stores and restaurants to keep your attention. Plus the outdoor escalators are an interesting sight. From March to October a farmer’s market takes place every Thursday here. Seaport Village has good shopping too and overlooks the ocean. The Seaport Fudge Factory is a fun activity for shopping. All candies and fudges are made daily on site and are reasonably priced.

San Diego travel tips

• The ‘Go San Diego’ card and the CityPass allow entry into over 50 different places in the city.
• Don’t travel alone after dark in some neighborhoods.
• The climate is humid and warm.