San Diego Holidays

San Diego Holidays

Deals from £832 per person

Steeped in history, drenched in sunshine and crammed with culture, San Diego certainly lives up to its nickname as America’s Finest City. Part of California, it’s often upstaged by its famous Los Angeles neighbour, but don’t be fooled into thinking that there’s not much going on here. This laid-back city has plenty to do! Step foot on its 70-mile-long coastline, wander its charming quarters, and indulge in the mouthwatering food scene. Or if you're heading here as a family, hit its big-name attractions. From a must-visit zoo and Legoland®  to baseball games and whale watching tours - San Diego holidays will leave you wanting more.

Miles upon miles of coastal beauty 

San Diego has a beach village feel with surfers and families all flocking to its golden sands. You’ve got tons of shores to choose from, but Ocean Beach is San Diego’s longest and most popular choice. Just a short stroll from the downtown area, it's a great introduction to the city’s coastline, whether you want watersports or prefer to kick-back in the sun.

For something a little more scenic, La Jolla Cove is adored for its striking cliffs and sea lions,  who are often spotted sunbathing on the rocks. Or for fun on the shore, Mission Beach doubles up as an amusement park meaning you can hit the rides before cooling off in the sea. Just across the water, you’ll also find the family-friendly Coronado Beach with its soft, immaculate, white sand. Stay for the evening and make a beeline for one of the waterside fire pits.  

Must-visit museums 
 
Holidays to San Diego wouldn’t be complete without ticking off its many museums. And there’s something for all tastes too! Whether you’re into space, science, art, comic books or natural history - you’ll find it all right here. Balboa Park has 18 museums alone including the must-visit Comic-Con Museum, which is home to everything from film props to vintage video games and real-life drawings.

Prefer to witness a piece of history without having to pay an admission fee? Head to San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. Step inside this open-air museum to admire its stunning Victorian style buildings and beautifully preserved 1920s theatre, where you can still catch performances today. We recommend taking a walking tour so you don’t miss any of the best sights. 

Activities, attractions and so much more

You won’t be stuck for things to do in San Diego! Little Lego fans will be in their element as they explore Lego replicas of major cities, while wildlife fans shouldn’t miss a trip to San Diego Zoo for a chance to observe lions, koalas, and even polar bears. 
Those looking for a place to shop, drink and dine, will love Little Italy. From its pizzeria to its Italian market, It’s perfect for those craving a slice of Europe across the pond. After all that indulging, no trip to America would be complete without visiting a baseball stadium. Make sure you squeeze in a game at Petco Park, found at the edge of the Gaslamp Quarter - and one of the best ballparks in the USA. And when you’re not watching the on-field action, you’ve got tons of gourmet eats to choose from. 

If you’re hoping to stay active during your stay in San Diego, you won’t have a problem finding ways to increase your heart rate. Pack your hiking boots and take advantage of the many coastal trails, some with amazing views across the Pacific. Or if you don’t fancy travelling by foot, there’s plenty of cycling routes with equally as beautiful views.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: California | Chicago | Florida | Hawaii | Las Vegas | Los Angeles | Miami | New England | New York City | New York State | North East Corridor | Oregon State | Texas | The Deep South | Utah State | Washingston State

 

Map of San Diego

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10°C - 25°C

With consistently warm weather all year, expect rainy mild winters and hot dry summers.

View live forecast

Around 12 hours
Fly to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or San Diego International Airport (SAN).

San Diego is best for...

Beach lovers: Whether you’re a keen surfer, like to lay down your towel and relax on the sand, or prefer to take a refreshing dip in the ocean - you won’t be short of beaches to choose from. 

Culture fans: Not only is San Diego home to tons of cultural attractions, but it’s also adored for its events with plenty of festivals celebrating the city’s diverse population. 

Foodies: The food scene in San Diego is second to none. Head to Little Italy for a taste of Rome, before making your way through the top California wines. And being so close to the Mexican border means you get to indulge in the most authentic tacos too.
 

Fast facts for San Diego

Language: English is the official language, while Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language. 

Currency: The currency used is US Dollars ($).

Local time: California is 8 hours behind GMT/UK time.

Fly to: LAX, San Francisco International Airport, or San Diego International Airport. Transfer times can vary from 20 minutes to 1 hour depending on where you fly into and the transport option you choose. 

Flight time from the UK: The flight time to California is around 11 - 12 hours.

Tourist Information: Further San Diego tourist information is available from San Diego’s official tourism website
 

Getting around San Diego

By taxi: You won’t struggle to find a taxi in San Diego with stands outside the airport, top attractions, and even some hotels. 

By hire car: A hire car is perfect for those hoping to explore outside of the downtown area, while giving you the freedom to travel at your own pace. Remember the minimum age to rent a car in America is 21.

By trolley: You can’t miss these bright red trolleys. Covering 50 plus miles, they’re a great option for getting around the town.

Events in San Diego

San Diego Comic-Con: As America’s largest comic and pop culture event, attracting celebrities, writers and artists, it's no wonder people flock from all over the world to attend this three-day event in July.

San Diego Food & Wine Festival: Taking place along the waterfront from 2nd to 10th November, get ready for the city’s tastiest event. Celebrity chefs, gourmet treats, craft beer tastings, and 200 plus wines - now that’s what we call a culinary celebration. 

San Diego weather

The weather in San Diego is comfortably mild most of the year. Summer conditions typically last from July to October and peak in August when temperatures hover around 25°C. The weather starts to turn a lot cooler by the end of November through to April, but you can still experience highs of 20°C during these months. This is also when you’re likely to see the most rainfall with increased showers during the month of February.

Best hotels in San Diego