As someone born and raised in San Diego, one of my favorite things is sharing tips with travelers on how to best enjoy our beautiful city! This San Diego travel guide has been updated and perfected over the years. Every year there are so many new and fabulous hidden gems. From brunch to shopping, here’s a locals guide to San Diego.

San Diego Travel Guide: Things to do, see & eat in San Diego

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Best Restaurants in San Diego

Where to go for brunch in San Diego

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When it comes to brunch, San Diego has more options than I can count. A few of my favorite spots include:

• Coffee Cup – Try the coffee Cup Rosemary & Zen Breakfast.
• The Mission – Basically anything with their potatoes is a must.
• Fig Tree Cafe Pacific Beach – I love their secret garden vibes and homemade granola.
• Tiki Port OB – For when you just want a delicious açai bowl to take to the beach
• Madison on Park – Exquisite vibes and food. Try the french toast, you’ll thank me later.
• Cesarina – While this little spot in Point Loma might be out of the way, it’s 150% worth the visit. Italian-style brunch with the most Amalfi coast vibes.
• Cody’s La Jolla – Views of La Jolla Cove, some of the best white wine sangria I’ve ever had, and a must-try “west coast toast.”

Hungry for more? Here’s a full list of the trendiest brunch places.

Best coffee in San Diego

We wrote an entire guide for the best coffee in San Diego – you can read that post here. Or try some of the most instagrammable coffee shops in San Diego! But here’s a few of my absolute favorites in the meantime –

• Brick & Bell Coffee – my favorite scones and coffee in La Jolla. I go here at least once a week!
• Copa Vida – hands up best coffee in San Diego. It’s main location is in downtown San Diego but they are expanding.
• Devil’s Dozen – located in Little Italy, this local donut shop also has amazing coffee and a cute rooftop lounge.
• Wayfarer Bread & Pastries – some of the best pastries I had in San Diego. Their pizza is also a must if you can snag an order (it sells out super quickly). Located in the Bird Rock neighborhood, it feels like your trendy neighborhood hang out spot.

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Things To Do in San Diego

Best San Diego Beaches

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The discussion of “what is the best beach in San Diego” really depends on who you talk to. Below are a few of my absolute favorite spots.

• Law Street Beach – locals only! (just kidding). But it’ll be hard to spot a tourist tanning at this small but very popular local spot in Pacific Beach.
• Powerhouse Beach – located in Del Mar, I love that you can set up a picnic at Seagrove Park above or grab a bite to eat up on Camino Del Mar.
• Coronado Beach – for some reason this beach feels like the most “California” to me. Beautiful views and perfect sand. I like to route to the Hotel del Coronado, walk along the Coronado Rail Trail and then find a spot to tan!

Best San Diego Hikes

Disclaimer: I’m not big on hiking. I’m more of a “urban hike” coffee in hand type of gal. But here are a few of my absolute favorites that I’ve been dragged on in the past.

• Torrey Pines Hike – If you want cute pics & a mile long “walk.”
• Potato Chip Rock – It’s 6 miles round trip and you do it for the potato chip shaped rock at the top.
• Iron Mountain – #Views, but be ready to get your uphill incline on.
• Coastal Rail Trail – Located on the highway 101, this is a mainly locals spot. You’ll catch people walking their dogs and having their morning coffee while enjoying the views.
• Mushroom Caves/ Annie’s Canyon – This hidden hike takes you through tight canyons and ends up with a cool overlook. Definitely for the more adventurous types.

Shopping in San Diego

Every neighborhood has little pockets of boutiques and shops, however when it’s time for some serious shopping, here are my go-to’s:

• UTC – This mall near La Jolla has had a major revamp in recent years. Not only is this a major shopping destination, but it’s also a foodie spot. Need a drink break? Try the Raised by Wolves speakesy.
• Fashion Valley – Here’s where you’ll find all your luxury brands – think Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and more.
• One Paseo – This outdoor center blends outdoor “play” areas with dining and shopping. You’ll find lots of local businesses here (and a few chain stores like Sephora).
• Liberty Station – What started as a food hall has transformed into a place you can spend all day! Check out our guide for things to do at Liberty Station.

San Diego Farmer’s Markets

One of my favorite weekend activities is to wake up early, head to the farmer’s market and pick up some fresh bread and flowers! There are plenty of options in the San Diego area (you can find the full list here). A few of my favorites:

• La Jolla – Sunday’s 9AM- 1:30PM – You can find everything from vintage jewelry to breakfast. It’s become quite large over the years. Looking for sit down lunch? Head to Harry’s down the street.
• Little Italy – Sunday’s 8AM – 2PM – The Little Italy farmer’s market is always packed! However, it is one of the biggest in the city with lots of produce.
• Hillcrest – Sunday’s 9AM – 2PM – Another classic farmer’s market with produce, food trucks, and more!

Top Attractions in San Diego

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A visit to San Diego travel guide isn’t complete without mentioning some of the top attractions:

• Walk on the waterfront at Seaport Village
• Spend the day at Balboa Park visiting museums, walking around, and having a picnic
• Get up close and personal with the giraffes at the Wild Animal Park
• Spend the day at the world-class zoo visiting all the animals

San Diego “Hidden Attractions”

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You can check out the site Hidden San Diego for more cool ideas but below are some of my personal favorites:

• Adobe Falls Hike
• San Diego Suspension Bridge
• Mushroom Caves Hike
• Ho Chi Minh Hike 

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San Diego Day Trips & Weekend Getaway Ideas

What I love about San Diego is that there are so many options when it comes to day trips and weekend getaways.

• Los Angeles – if you’re up early enough to brave the traffic, a day trip to the City of Angels is definitely do-able. There’s plenty of museums to visit, food to eat, and things to do!
• Julian – during the fall, this mountain town is perfect for pumpkin picking, but make sure to visit even if it’s not since their apple pie is delicious year-round.
• Disney – the happiest place on Earth is within driving distance to San Diego, perfect for a day trip!
• Valle de Guadalupe – this town near Ensenada has been called the Napa Valley of Mexico and it’s definitely worth visiting in a day, or if you have the time, why not make it a weekend trip?
• Big Bear – if you want skiing, hiking, or even pampering at a spa this mountain lake escape is perfect for you!
• Joshua Tree – with its quirky desert atmosphere and proximity to Palm Springs, you could easily spend anywhere from a weekend to a week here.

What are your San Diego favorites?