San Diego is a wonderful destination to visit at any time of the year. It particularly shines during the winter season with warm and pleasant weather.
This city in southern California has a lot to offer, including amazing golf courses, endless stretches of beautiful Pacific Ocean beaches, a charming historic district, an exceptional zoo, and top-notch dining options. Moreover, San Diego serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the surrounding areas.
Whether you want to venture into the desert, visit local wineries, or even cross the Mexican border to Tijuana, San Diego has the perfect location for day trips. Without a doubt, this city and its nearby attractions cater to a wide range of interests and preferences.
6. Temecula Wine Country
If you love wine, you must visit Temecula Wine Country in Riverside County, just an hour away from San Diego. The wine country in Southern California is famous for its delicious wines, with over 50 different types to choose from. Whether you prefer white, red, or something in between, you’re guaranteed to find a wine that suits your taste.
The tasting rooms are open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., allowing you to try wines made from the winery’s own vineyards. Keep in mind that many tasting rooms charge a fee for wine sampling.
5. Borrego Springs
Borrego Springs is a small town in northeast San Diego County where people go to take a break from busy city life. Unlike other towns, it doesn’t have big-box stores and the closest traffic light is 50 miles away. The town is surrounded by the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, making it the only desert community in the county.
In the open areas, you can see amazing, large metal sculptures of prehistoric animals created by sculptor Ricardo Breceda and funded by Dennis Avery. These unique sculptures have become a popular tourist attraction.
4. San Diego Whale Watching
If you have a strong tolerance for being on the sea, you might consider taking a cruise into the Pacific Ocean for a whale-watching trip.
Although whales can be spotted along the San Diego coastline all year round, the ideal time to witness the impressive gray whales, which are approximately as wide as a basketball court, is from December to April when they migrate between Alaska and Baja California.
On the other hand, if you’re interested in observing the gigantic blue whales, the largest creatures on our planet, you should plan your visit between mid-June and September. For those who prefer to stay on solid ground, great places to catch sight of the whales include Birch Aquarium and Torrey Pines State Reserve.
3. Julian
Julian is a town in San Diego County that has a rich history. It became famous during the California gold rush in 1870. Back then, a settler decided to bring in apple trees and create an orchard. As a result, Julian’s apple pies are now renowned all over the world.
If you’re in San Diego, it only takes about an hour to drive to Julian, which is known as a mountain resort town. One popular thing to do there is to explore the old mines, which is a favorite among tourists. Another interesting activity is to visit the California Wolf Center, where you can safely observe wolves.
In addition to that, you can also check out the Julian Pioneer Museum, visit the local wineries, go hiking in the scenic Cuyamaca Mountains, or even enjoy a horseback riding adventure.
2. Tijuana
Tijuana, a Mexican city with a population of 1.3 million, is a great place for shoppers, particularly in downtown Zona Rio. The historic district is in Zona Centro. Because it is so close to the US, Tijuana is a popular tourist spot, especially for day-trippers.
Visitors can reach the largest city in Baja California by taxi or by taking the Blue Line trolley from San Diego to the border crossing in San Ysidro. American citizens can simply walk across the border for a day trip from San Diego, but they need passports or passport cards to return to the United States.
1. Legoland California
Legoland California, located in Carlsbad just 30 miles (50 km) north of San Diego, is a fantastic amusement park specifically designed for children between the ages of 2 and 12. The park is centered around Legos, a popular children’s toy that was first created in Denmark during the 1930s.
Apart from its Lego-themed attractions, Legoland boasts more than 60 rides that are enjoyable for the whole family, along with numerous interactive exhibits.
Additionally, the park offers an array of shopping opportunities, as well as the chance to visit the SeaLife Aquarium, where both children and adults can learn about the wonders of the sea and its incredible inhabitants.
