The Traveler's Bucket List: San Diego

It didn’t take long for San Diego to feel like home and I hope sharing a few of my favorite spots and activities can make it feel like home to you as well, no matter how long you intend to stay. After living here for almost 6 months, I feel I have only scratched the surface of all San Diego has to offer. There are limitless activities from beaches, hiking, bars, and delicious food, you are sure to find something you enjoy.

Beaches:
Pacific beach is a perfect place to go if you want to hang out on the beach and have access to happy hour/food just steps away. It’s usually more crowded than some of the other beach spots but it’s accessibility to local bars 

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and delicious food makes it a top choice. Not too far from Pacific beach is Ocean beach. If you have a dog, you absolutely must bring them to the dog beach here where they can play while you lounge in the sun, and even swim in the ocean with you! Another popular destination is La Jolla Cove, a beautiful spot to admire lounging sea lions and other marine life. Kayak and snorkel tours are also incredibly popular in this area, letting you explore some of the beautiful caves and get a closer look at the sea life. I’ve watched the sunset at all of these beaches and none of them disappoint!

​Hiking 
If you want to take in the scenery while still being active, then hiking in San Diego can be a  great option. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a true gem and offers a wide range of activities from hiking along the cliffs, surfing, or watching an incredible sunset. Another must see location is Torrey Pines Natural Reserve. The Ho Chi Minh Trail is a more strenuous trail but climbing down the cliffs provide the most incredible and unique views of thus landscape. It also is one of the trails which leads to Black’s beach. Because this beach is harder to access, it is less crowded. It is important to note that part of Black’s beach is nude. 

Bars
Gaslamp is a popular spot for bar hopping and is located in downtown San Diego. This area is known for their wide range of nightlife options including clubs, sports bars, and speakeasies. A few incredible speakeasies in this area include the Prohibition Lounge, Noble Experiment, and False Idol. If you want to dance, Moonshine Flats is a great option. They have live music, DJ’s, as well as a full bar & kitchen. 
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Food
Little Italy is located in downtown San Diego and is a perfect place to explore local restaurants. Whether you want to devour an Italian meal at Mimmo’s Italian Village, or indulge in fresh seafood at Ironside Fish & Oyster, Little Italy has it all. Afterwards you can grab an espresso at the Influx Cafe or indulge your sweet tooth at Bobboi Natural Gelato! 
These are only a few examples of all San Diego has to offer. I could go on & on about all the reasons you should visit but I think you have to check it our for yourself to fully understand why so many people, including myself, love this city. Happy exploring!

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Written By: Bethany Cole, Travel RN