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San Diego Vacation: The 5 Coolest Spots to See in America's Finest City

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San Diego is often overshadowed by Los Angeles as the premier tourist destination in California, but the city has many benefits that make it an equally desirable destination. For one thing, it is more laid back and generally not as expensive as LA. It also has more Western charm that harkens back to the days of the Gold Rush, and a mix of eclectic and vibrant neighborhoods that each have a personality all their own. If a good last minute flight deal to San Diego shows up in your GoLastMinute fare alerts email, we’ve got a few reasons why you shouldn’t pass on it. Here are our picks for the coolest spots to explore during a vacation in San Diego.

Beaches Galore

Waves crash on an empty beach

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One of the biggest draws for a city like San Diego is the many beautiful beaches. Whether you are into sunbathing, swimming, watersports, volleyball, or any other beach activity, there are plenty of places you can do it. This is especially important for anyone traveling on a budget, as a day at the beach costs you nothing more than the price of your sunscreen(which you should definitely not forget!). San Onofre State Beach is the most popular beach and is great for surfing. Families can head to Torrey Pines State Park, where their beach has great amenities and lifeguards to make sure the kids are safe. Or if you want something secluded, try to find Solana Beach, which is tougher to get to but features high cliffs lining the water’s edge!

The Gaslamp Quarter

The iconic Gaslamp Quarter welcome sign hangs over the street, greeting tourists who visit

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Spanning from Broadway to Harbor Drive and from 4th to 6th Avenue, the Gaslamp Quarter is a historic district characterized by its Victorian architecture and vibrant nightlife. Here you will find a plethora of bars, restaurants, and shops to explore housed in the 90+ historic buildings. This is not only a great place to grab a souvenir or two, it is practically unmissable for anyone trying to bolster their Instagram with stunning photos, as the streets are lined with impressive photo ops. There are also often festivals and events going on, so check the schedule on the official page to see what’s happening!

Balboa Park

Copious bloom and a shimmering reflecting pool adorn the courtyard in front of a massive aviary

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Balboa Park is another great historic site in San Diego, referred to as an urban cultural park. It has existed for over a century and a half, and encompasses more than 1,200 acres of land. Admire the astounding Spanish Colonial architecture that is heightened in beauty by the reflecting pools placed around the park. It is home to more than a dozen museums, even more gardens, and a seemingly endless list of other attractions and venues. Here you can play sports like golf or tennis, take the kids on rides like the Balboa Park Carousel, or see animals at the San Diego Zoo. With so much to do, you could easily spend your whole vacation here!

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Para gliders fly high about Torrey Pines State Beach

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We already mentioned Torrey Pines as a beach destination, but this 2,000 acre nature reserve is so much more than just a beach. Here you can walk along 8 miles of trails through mostly undisturbed wilderness and admire towering cliffs overlooking untamed bushland. Keep an eye out for wildlife like coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes, seabirds, and more. During whale migration in late fall, you may even be able to see humpback or gray whales out on the horizon. As a bonus, the Torrey Pines Golf Course sits right to the south of the reserve, where you can play on 36 holes with stunning views of the ocean as your backdrop. 

Old Town San Diego

A fountain sprays water in the air in the middle of a courtyard in Old Town

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This historic neighborhood is the oldest settled area in San Diego, and was the original seat of government for San Diego county when the town had less than 700 residents. Many historic buildings can be found here and local businesses pay homage to the history of the area as well. With 32 restaurants and more than 100 specialty shops, you could easily spend all day here window shopping and dining out. There are also many annual festivals held here, especially during holidays like Christmas and Cinco de Mayo. Visit one of their museums to learn more about San Diego history or hang out at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and Presidio Park to be transported back to the days of the Old West!

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