San Diego
California’s most laidback city boasts craft beer, its own hybrid cuisine, and adventurous ways to make the most of the region’s natural beauty
See and do
SAN DIEGO OPENS up quickly to travellers. Balmy weather all year round means it’s always a good time to hit up the region’s 110km of pristine coastline; and there’s always something new to discover within the city’s many multicultural neighbourhoods. Start by suspending reality in the glittering seaside village of
La Jolla: home to mansions overlooking the Pacific, sandy taco joints and the beaches of your dreams. Take it all in from above by paragliding at sunset ( www.flytorrey.com), hike along jagged coastal cliffs at Torrey Pines Nature Reserve ( torreypine.org) or spot dolphins, seals and sea birds on a kayaking tour through
La Jolla Cove ( adventure.everydaycalifornia.com). San Diego’s downtown has gone through a huge transformation; what was once military town is now home to a buzzing urban centre, complete with a historic Gaslamp Quarter packed with restaurants, bars and boutiques. Check out the heart of San Diego’s Hispanic community, Barrio Logan. Marvel at the Chicano Park murals ( www.chicanoparksandiego.com), then delve into the Glashaus ( 1815 Main St, San Diego, CA. theglashaus.com), where you can watch woodworkers, screen-printers, oil painters, sculptors and jewellers at work at this open studio/gallery hybrid.When you’re this close to Baja California (the long, narrow Mexican state hugging the coastline), it would be remiss not to spend a day on the other side of the border. You can hop on the San Diego Trolley light rail and visit the vibrant town of Tijuana, or book a one-day adventure with the friendly guides of the Baja Winery Tours ( www.bajawinerytours.com).
Eat and drink
San Diego is developing a reputation for ‘Cali-Baja’ cuisine. You won’t find a better example than at Galaxy Taco ( 2259 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA. +1 858 228 5655. www.galaxytaco.com); the casual dining project of San Diego food doyen Trey Foshee. One of the cornerstones of Cali-Baja cuisine is the fish taco; here, it comes fried on a fresh hand-pressed corn tortilla, with a zingy combo of cabbage, pico de gallo (fresh salsa) and creamy chipotle sauce and avocado. San Diego is also famous for its burgeoning craft beer scene. Of the 120+ craft breweries, Ballast Point ( 2215 India St, San Diego, CA. +1 619 255 7213. www.ballastpoint.com) is a must-visit. Get around their bible-length beer list with a taster flight, and stick around in the generous beer garden for a grilled fish sandwich. For a laidback neighbourhood pub feel, hit up Thorn Street Brewery 3176 Thorn St, San Diego, CA. +1 619 501 2739. thornstreetbrew.com) where families (including their fourlegged members) share space with craft beer nerds.
Stay
It doesn’t get more chilled out than Estancia La Jolla ( 9700 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA. +1 858 550 1000. meritagecollection.com/estancialajolla): a hacienda-style luxury resort located a short drive out of the city centre, featuring rooms with breezy balconies opening up to leafy courtyards. Take a dip in the pool, book a spa appointment and enjoy upscale Mexican cuisine at the resort’s two restaurants. Prefer to stay close to the action? Get the rock star treatment at Hard Rock Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter ( 207 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA. +1 619 702 3000. www. hardrockhotelsd.com), where partying in your decked-out room is encouraged.
Get there
Qantas ( www.qantas.com) flies direct to LAX daily. San Diego is a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, and there are also flights available.