It’s no secret that San Diego is one of the nation’s most appealing vacation destinations--for so many reasons. Combining year-round, near perfect weather with a spectacular natural setting, the region is home to exciting theme parks, world-class arts and culture, unlimited outdoor recreation, a vibrant downtown, eclectic dining options, top-rated resorts and spas, a rich history dating back to the 18th century, a dazzling variety of shopping opportunities, and 70 miles of glorious beaches, just to name just a few of its attractions!

In fact, San Diego is home to such a plethora of exciting things to see and do for persons of every age and budget, it can be overwhelming for a potential visitor to choose from such a wealth of options. To put some fun and ease into the planning process, check out some sample itineraries in the PHOTO GALLERY below and enjoy my recommendations for a fun-filled day or two (or more!) in beautiful San Diego.

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Life's A Beach

Take a stroll along any one of San Diego's 70 miles of beaches; rent a kayak and explore La Jolla's shoreline and caves; take a surfing or scuba diving lesson; don a snorkel and marvel at the colorful world beneath the waves; walk along ocean tide pools and discover fascinating sea creatures among the rocks; stay dry and explore the fabulous underwater world at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps.

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Balboa Park Magic

Delight your senses with a tour of Balboa Park, located just a mile from downtown San Diego. Photograph the unique architecture and fauna; explore the parks many museums; hear a free organ concert; watch an IMAX film; take a stroll through the Japanese Friendship Garden; meander through miles of hiking trails; attend a performance at the historic Old Globe Theatre; learn about different cultures and countries at the International Cottages

Desert Delights

Hike the palm canyon in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; discover the badlands of Borrego Springs in a customized jeep tour; play a round of golf surrounded by majestic mountains; horseback ride through the canyons; stroll through the colorful desert flower fields in spring; bike along the desert floors scenic routes and trails

Sunny Days, Sizzling Nights

Party the night away in a Gaslamp Quarter club; fine dine at an elegant restaurant; enjoy a theatrical performance or Broadway show; sip an after-dinner drink on a rooftop bar with a view over the sparkling San Diego skyline; listen to jazz in a cozy nightclub; raise a glass in one of San Diego's many micro-breweries; kindle romance in a hip boutique hotel

Hike and Bike

Hike the ocean view paths of Torrey Pines State Reserve; ride a mountain bike down the face of Mt. Palomar; view a San Diego panorama from the peak of Cowles Mountain; bike endlessly around Mission Bay and Coronado; backpack along the rugged trails of Mission Trails Regional Park, a mere 8 miles from downtown San Diego

Swing It

Play a round of golf high on a cliff overlooking the Pacific; swing a tennis racket in a court surrounded by palms; hit volleyball barefoot in the sand; play another round of golf at spectacular locations throughout San Diego County

Local Eats

Snack on guacamole and chips; order lime with your beer; devour fish tacos on the beach; savor seared ahi tuna fresh from the sea; snack on a just-picked orange or grapefruit; enjoy a Roman feast in Little Italy; sample international cuisine at farmers markets and food trucks throughout the neighborhoods; dining is always a delight in San Diego

Wind, Wine, Unwind

Glide through the air at sunset in a hot air balloon; sail off the cliffs in La Jolla in a hang glider for the ride of your life; sip delicious local wines at several North County wineries, tour the chateaus and vineyards of the neighboring Temecula wine country

Sail Away for the Day

Grab the rudder, take a sailing lesson and steer a straight course to aquatic fun on San Diego Bay; be part of the crew on an America's Cup racing yacht; thrill to close encounters with California grey whales on a whale-watching cruise; race across the water in a sailboat, motorboat, or catamaran; go on an exciting sport fishing trip; savor a gourmet dinner on a harbor tour yacht while watching the sun set over the horizon

Nurture Your Nature

Rejuvenate at a luxurious spa; indulge in an herbal wrap; refresh your body and spirit with a relaxing facial; unwind with a full body massage; relax on the beach for a dose of vitamin D and a natural tan

Festival Fun

Experience one of San Diego's 300+ annual festivals and celebrations; enjoy special events and farmers markets held year-round in San Diego's charming neighborhoods

Military Magic

Relive military history on board the USS Midway Museum; soar above the clouds in a WWII aircraft; view San Diego's active naval fleet from the deck of a harbor cruise boat; view a collection of air and spacecraft at the San Diego Air & Space Museum; marvel at aviator skills at the MCAS Miramar Air Show and Airshow at East County's Gillespie Field

Museum Medly

Fuel your mind and soul at one of San Diego's many museums; enjoy classic or contemporary art; study vintage planes, model trains and flashy automobiles from yesteryear; learn about the history of music; admire the work of famous photographers; take the kids to the downtown Children's Museum for an interactive venure

Touring the Town

Discover downtown San Diego in the red trolley or on colorful tour bus; cruise through the city in a Go Car; make a splash on a land/sea amphibious tour; zip through the walkways on a Segway; rent a pedicab for a drive along the picturesque Embarcadero

Create Family Memories

Treat your family to an unforgettable day at the World-Famous San Diego Zoo; marvel at the miniature world on display at LEGOLAND California; get an up-close and personal encounter with marine mammals at SeaWorld San Diego; tour an 1,800-acre sanctuary with over 300 species of animals at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Shop the World

Find colorful treasures in Old Town; stroll through the unique retail shops of downtown's Horton Plaza; discover Italian art in the shops of Little Italy; revel in the high-end designer shops of La Jolla; go bargain hunting in local retail outlet stores; enjoy shopping for souvenirs in Seaport Village; uncover the many shopping venues in San Diego's Mission Valley

Train Tour

Ride the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner to San Diego's North County and beyond for breath-taking views of the coastline; rent bikes to take on the trip and peddle through seaside towns en route; take the red San Diego Trolley to San Ysidro and spend the day in Tijuana Mexico

Immerse Yourself in History

Visit 18th Century missions; see where San Diego began in colorful Old Town; learn about San Diego's first settlers at the Serra Museum on the Presidio; admire the 19th century architecture of the Gaslamp Quarter; visit the historic gold-rush town of Julian in the Cuyamaca mountains; take in the sweeping view of San Diego city and bay from the Cabrillo National Monument