SoCal’s so good down San Diego way
SIMON COYLE gets used to the beach life in southern California, with miles of perfect sands to enjoy, and plenty more besides...
SAN Diego pretty much has it all.
With amazing food and drink, beautiful beaches, fantastic cycle and hiking routes, museums and sunshine all year round – you really can’t not have a great time in this fabulous laid back city.
Situated on the coast of southern California, San Diego is the eighth largest city in the USA.
But with the different communities and towns spread around the bay – each with their own look and vibe – you never feel like you are fighting against the crowds.
If you are jetting into the city you will arrive in the Downtown area, with San Diego International Airport pretty much bang in the centre.
Downtown itself is split into eight neighbourhoods, including the trendy Gaslamp Quarter, colourful Little Italy, and the thriving East Village.
And it is in the Gaslamp Quarter where you will spend your dollars shopping at the malls or on a night out at one of the cool rooftop bars, restaurants or speakeasy joints.
The city is also a heaven for hops lovers and there are plenty of micro-breweries and dive bars where you can sample some fine locally-brewed beers.
Home to names such as Karl Strauss and Stone Brewing Company, the region now boasts more than 100 craft breweries.
In San Diego’s Little Italy you can enjoy a great Saturday morning stroll around the fabulous weekly farmers market.
Roads close as traders set up stall selling fresh produce, street food, flowers and homemade jewellery and gifts.
Down at the marina you will find hundreds of yachts, the odd cruise ship and the giant USS Midway – a huge aircraft carrier which is now a floating museum.
You can spend hours getting lost in the maze of corridors in this floating city, learning about how it operated or listening to veterans on the flight deck recounting their experiences of being at sea.
For a place to stay in Downtown then the two-towered Marriott Marquis on the marina is in a great location and provides stunning views of the harbour and island of Coronado across the bay – home to the prestigious Hotel del Coronado.
This luxury resort has been popular with presidents and movie stars over the years, and backs on to a beautiful white sandy beach.
It also hosts the most incredible Sunday brunch buffet – or feast – you will likely ever see.
At an eyebrow raising $93 (£64) a head, guests and non-guests can book and enjoy all you can drink Mimosas and Bloody Marys and eat everything from fresh oysters and crab legs, to pancakes and make your own donuts.
After this indulgence you could use some exercise, and there is plenty to do in California – especially around the fantastic beaches.
San Diego is a cyclist’s paradise and with miles and miles of dirt and paved paths, the varied terrain is great for road and mountain biking or beach cruising.
A short drive up the coast takes you to the beach communities of Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach and Mission Beach.
These are joined by a giant
stretch of golden sand, popular with the younger surf and college crowd.
Hiring a bike is a great way to explore these vibrant towns, with a three-mile long cycle path stretching along the boardwalk.
Further up the coast is the affluent beach community of La Jolla, which simply means ‘The Jewel’ in Spanish.
A stay at the historic Grande Colonial Hotel is a great base to enjoy this fantastic chilled out town.
On La Jolla’s beaches you can see close up the colonies of sea lions and seals or go for a swim, snorkel or surf.
You can take a kayak tour to explore the coastline, which is a marine conservation area, and the picturesque La Jolla Cove with its imposing caves.
After an energetic day in the sea, there is no better way to refuel than enjoying some fine Mexican food.
At Galaxy Taco, near La Jolla Shores, you can enjoy some delicious fish, beef or veg tacos (around $5 each) as well as a refreshing Margarita.
After lunch, take a hike around the nearby Torrey Pines Nature Reserve to burn off the calories. With miles of trails to explore, you can enjoy the dramatic coastline, wildlife and rare plants and trees.
And for those feeling even more adventurous then nearby sits Torrey Pines Gliderport.
Here you can take to the sky in a paraglider, strapped to an instructor who does most of the work, for around $175 (£120).
The terrifying, but exhilarating, flight takes you high above the ocean giving you mind-blowing views of the Pacific, southern California and even Mexico in the distance.
And with the border just 10 miles away, the Mexican town of Tijuana is a great place for a day trip.
Accessible by ‘the trolley’ (what locals call the train), or a 30-minute drive (even an Uber will take you across), it is one of the busiest land borders in the world.
Once across you can soak up the lively Mexican culture with street art, music, shops and street dancing.
You can even enjoy some of the ridiculously cheap and delicious street food and frozen Margaritas before heading back across with your passport.
San Diego is a place worth visiting for anyone heading over to the US west coast.
With great weather, sublime food and plenty to do both on and off the beach, there really is something there for everyone.