San Diego

California

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view of beautiful cliffs at the coast of southern california, torrey pines state natural reserve, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-08-06T19:46:19.000Z, User: dermothegarty77, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 56530 - Guidebooks, job: Global Publishing WIP, client: Coastal California 7, other: Dermot Hegarty

Why visit San Diego

The San Diego surfer with tousled hair, a great tan and gentle enthusiasm is not a myth; they look like they're on a perennial vacation, and when they wish you welcome, they mean it.

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From Bayside to Coastside: California's San Francisco Peninsula in 10 Days

10 days / 9 nights

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  1. 1 Scouring for offshore whales at one of the world’s tallest lighthouses
  2. 2 Hiking Monterey Bay’s sprawling coastal trails for dramatic waterfront views
  3. 3 Touring an organic farm with a local farmer specializing in sustainable, small-scale agriculture
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Top places to visit in San Diego

Discover the best attractions in San Diego from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

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San Diego travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Best Things to Do

From the cultural sites of Balboa Park to the Mexican-American heritage and food in Barrio Logan, here are San Diego's unmissable experiences.

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Best Time to Visit

San Diego is perfect at almost every time of year. Beaches call in summer but fall is prime hiking and surfing season. Not to mention the festivals...

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Things to Know

San Diego is perfect at almost every time of year. Beaches call in summer but fall is prime hiking and surfing season. Not to mention the festivals...

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Free Things to Do

From compelling museums to some of the best beaches in the USA, San Diego teems with great free things to do.

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Best Neighborhoods

From hikes out the backdoor to surfing out the front and awesome tacos just down the street, live the SoCal lifestyle in these San Diego neighborhoods.

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Day Trips

San Diego is famous for surf and sand, but drive in any direction and you'll see a different side to California. Here are our top day trips from San Diego.

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Best Road Trips

San Diego is famous for surf and sand, but drive in any direction and you'll see a different side to California. Here are our top day trips from San Diego.

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Money and Costs

From compelling museums to some of the best beaches in the USA, San Diego teems with great free things to do.

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Traveling with Kids

Just stepping out of the front door can be adventure enough when you are parenting a toddler so taking your little darling further afield can require some…

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5 Shops

From hikes out the backdoor to surfing out the front and awesome tacos just down the street, live the SoCal lifestyle in these San Diego neighborhoods.

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