Sunny San Diego

How to make the most of your San Diego Weekend

San Diego, aka “America’s Finest City”. From the city itself, the views, the ocean and the outdoor adventures, there are plenty of options to keep you occupied and enjoying what the city has to offer. Here is a Locals Guide to make the most of your San Diego weekend trip.

Day 1 of the San Diego Weekend

When arriving in San Diego, you will have your fair share of places to stay. I would recommend choosing one the thousands that AirBnB has to offer. A personal favorite is a little studio apartment that we rented in Little Italy. If you have never been to San Diego, Little Italy is very fun and cute part of San Diego. From the Italian restaurants to the local food joints, you’ll find whatever you are looking for.

Queenstown Public House

After we checked into our apartment and got situated, the first thing we did was to hit up our absolute favorite spot and hidden gem of San Diego, Queenstown. This New Zealand themed eatery which from the outside looks like a festive gingerbread house nestled in the brush of a forest, has delicious and fresh fares. Our personal favorite is to get their happy hour deals, which features half off drinks and sliders. As for a drink, I would highly recommend you try their Pimms Cups. To die for! Trust me.

San Diego Harbor

After dinner, it’s always nice to take in the scenery of San Diego at night. A great place for this is the San Diego Harbor. The harbor features the US Midway, a WWII aircraft carrier, the Star of India, restaurants, shops, and walking path along the bay. Located behind city hall, you will find this is a great way to enjoy a slow night in Sa Diego. Take in some sights, get a nice walk in, and feel the crisp ocean breeze.

Day 2 of the San Diego Weekend

Breakfast Republic

Saturdays in San Diego are best spent outdoors. To kick off you day, grab a good breakfast from Breakfast Republic. The breakfast eatery has a few locations, downtown, Ocean Beach, and North Park. This establishment, filled with catchy T-shirts, and a sign stating Walkens only, with a picture of the actor Christopher Walken, is a great place to get your day started. My personal favorite, is their breakfast burrito. Highly recommend especially if you like to share. This is a great way to start of day 2 of you San Diego weekend.

Mission Trails Regional Park

There is no better way to get that outdoor feel and explore some San Diego nature than hiking on of San Diegos 5 peaks located at Mission Trails Regional Park. MTRP is a 72,000 acre recreational area located about 20 minutes east of San Diego’s downtown via the freeway. This recreation area features 5 major peaks you can choose from. If you are feeling adventurous you can try all 5, but I recommend one at a time. So for your visit it would be best to choose one or two.

Cowles Mountian: Elevation 1,529 ft. It offers a great view of San Diego and is also it highest peak. The hike is very popular so expect some others on the trail with you.

Pyles Peak: Elevation 1,379 ft. This peak cannot be accessed by it’s own as it shares a trail with Cowles. If you plan on doing Cowles, I suggest going a little further and knocking this one of your list.

Kwaay Peak: Elevation 1,194 ft. The peak sits between the Cowles/Pyles trails and the North/South Fortuna peaks.

South Fortuna: Elevation 1,094 ft. The shortest trail of the entire system is South Fortuna but offers the steepest trails

North Fortuna: Elevation 1,291 ft. Located near South Fortuna, these peaks used to be classified as one until surveyors separated the two peaks.

Whichever peaks or peak you choose to do, this Saturday will be well spent. Each peak offers different views and refreshing feels you’ll need. You can’t go wrong with this adventure to your San Diego weekend trip.

Tacos and a sunset

After returning form your exhausting yet fulfilling hikes, you’ll need to fuel up and wind down for the night. There is no better thing to do than grabbing some Taco’s from Oscar’s and chilling at Calumet Park and watching the stunning San Diego sunset.

Oscar’s is a hole in the wall seafood and taco joint located at the northern of Pacific Beach just south of La Jolla. Fan favorites include the fresh ceviche, and the fish tacos. If you’re not a fish lover, Oscar’s offers other fares as well.

Take in the sunset at Calumet park. Calumet park offers a great place to relax and take in the scenery. It does tend to get a little crowded, not uncomfortable or too much, but I do suggest getting there about 30-45 minutes prior to sunset to get a prime grass spot. This combination will not disappoint.

Day 3 of your San Diego Weekend

Sunday is Beach Day in SD

Spend Your Day in Ocean Beach or “OB”

OB is located just across the bay from downtown, and just past Point Loma. This San Diego gem is your typical So Cal beach area. Surfers, skate boarders, beer, fresh grub, and the natives that spend their time on the beach doing yoga, volleyball and other fun activities.

Ocean Beach offers a small getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city and the freeways. OB has 2 main beaches. One for your leisurely pleasure and family fun, and a dog beach (my personal favorite since we have 2 pups) to the right of the beach. No dogs allowed on the main beach until after 4pm. Both beaches offer views and plenty of space to set up for the day and enjoy your last day of your San Diego weekend.

OB Brewing and Newport Ave is crucial for a San Diego Weekend

Break up your beach day with some good drinks and good food. A great local watering hole is Ocean Beach Brewing. OB Brewing, located on Newport Ave, OB’s main strip, features a downstairs bar, shuffle board and foosball, and roof top bar and seating for a great view of sunset and the town to the rear.

Newport Ave offers a wide variety of shops, bars, restaurants, and breweries. One time up the street and you’ll be hooked. As for food, OB Brewing offers an amazing hummus and veggie platter, as well at tacos, and nachos. Great for a sunny day at the beach.

Sunset Cliffs and Sunset

Just beyond Ocean Beach lies Sunset Cliffs. Sunset Cliffs features a walking path “Sunset Trails” along the cliffs from OB to the main park. Walking trails run about a mile or so down the road to the stairs leading down to the beach. Take in the scenery and gorgeous houses just across the street as you make your way to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.

Based just below Point Loma Nazarene University, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a great outdoor activity to go along with your beach. The park offers narrow canyons, walking trails, paths the edge of the cliffs, and access to Sunsets Cliff beach via a staircase at the beginning, or for most surfers, a path down the cliffs.

Be sure to not stand too close to the edge of any cliffs here, as they may be unstable and are prone to collapse with enough weight. Hike out to the end of the walking trail and you will see a man made swing where the path ends. This is a great spot to catch the sunset and wind down your San Diego beach day.

Additional activities to add to your San Diego weekend:

Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market:

Located in the heart of little Italy is the farmers market. A local food, shops, and arts market hosted every Saturday morning. Great was to get out and enjoy and enjoy what San Diego has to offer. If you have your furry friends with you, it is pet friendly with a large open dog park right at the north of the Farmers Market.

Hike Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve:

Arguably San Diego’s most popular hiking destination. Torrey Pines is located in La Jolla, about a 20 minute drive up the I-5 from downtown and nestled right on the cliffs of the San Diego shore. You will get amazing views, and a great of the fresh crisp ocean breeze to go along with it.

Hike the Ho Chi Mihn Trail:

Located in La Jolla, this trail begins in a housing development of well, mansions. Walk down the path to the reach the trail. They trail features a steep decline, narrow canyon passages, and rope at the end to back your way down to the beautiful beach lying below.

Check out the Torrey Pines Glider Port:

Just off Torrey Pines Golf Course, home of the Farmers Insurance Open every year, and above the beaches, is the glider port. Take a flight or pick a sport to sit and eat and watch as many adventurous individuals take a shot at gliding above the stunning Pacific Ocean.

Balboa Park:

Right in the heart of San Diego sits Balboa Park. This park, larger than Central Park in NYC is a great place for golfing, hiking, picnics, sports, museums, food, and a gorgeous Botanical Garden. If you likes travel with our pups, there is a large and exciting dog park located at the entrance of the park. For your little guys to get their running in.

Check out the Cabrillo National Monument, the Tide pools, and The Old Point Loma Lighthouse:

Cabrillo is the site of where the first Europeans set foot on the West Coast back in 1542. It offers a breathtaking view of all of San Diego down to Chula Vista and into Tijuana. Cabrillo’s Tide pools are a great place for a fun family outing. The Point Loma lighthouse is the site of the first lighthouse on the west coast.

Catch a Padres Game at Petco Park

Petco Park is by far one of the best MLB Stadiums and seeing a game there is a ton of fun. The stadium has a pets in the park day to bring your little furry friends. They offer all the local San Diego beers, foods, and offer indoor dining areas fixed with bars, billiards, and fun. Plus the Padres are finally good, so it makes for a great atmosphere.

San Diego Zoo

Arguably the best zoo in the United States, the San Diego Zoo is an amazing family friendly park with endless amounts of fun! Any animal you could imagine, Pandas and Elephants being my favorites. You could even feed a giraffe. Definitely a great experience.

And that my friends, is a great San Diego Weekend

So the next time you find your self in “America’s Finest City” and want to explore like a local, use this guide and you will have a great time!