San Diego

Take a break from the coast to explore the epicentre of San Diego’s cultural institutions: Balboa Park. Designed in a stunning Spanish Colonial Revival style, this sprawling 1,200-acre urban park hosts 18 museums, 65 miles of trails and the world-famous San Diego Zoo, which is home to almost 4,000 different species. You can easily spend your entire stay here if you’re not careful. The art and culture scene in San Diego is impressive by any standard, and the variety leaves both visitors and locals spoiled for choice. From the San Diego Museum of Art and the San Diego Air & Space Museum to the Maritime Museum of San Diego and the Children’s Discovery Museum – there is something for every interest and age group.

San Diego’s deep harbour is another focal point of the city and home to a large active naval fleet, with the USS Midway, an aircraft-carrier-turned-museum, open to the public. A short ferry ride across the harbour lies the resort city of Coronado, located on a peninsula in San Diego Bay. Known for its grand Victorian Hotel del Coronado, this seaside location is an idyllic stop for rest and relaxation.

When it comes to letting loose, you’ll find that San Diego is just as vibrant at night as it is during the day. The historic 16-block Gaslamp Quarter in downtown has some of the best nightlife in Southern California, from waterfront lounges and rooftop bars to open-air dance clubs and one-of-a-kind nightlife experiences. Just north of downtown, Pacific Beach (or “PB” as the locals refer to it) is another nightlife hot spot steps from the beach and boardwalk. There’s no shortage of opportunities to toast the sunset and dance the night away.