Our trip to {SAN DIEGO}:

The Palihotel San Diego has breathed new life into the historic Hotel St. James, originally built in 1912. The hotel has been transformed into a stylish, design-forward stay in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. It blends preppy charm with an effortless West Coast cool. The rooms strike a balance between playful and polished, with custom-designed furniture, plush Bellino Fine Linens and luxurious Diptyque bath amenities. Thoughtful touched including a SMEG mini-fridge, curated minibar and Nespresso machine add to the comfort. Rich textures and vintage-inspired decor give each space a distinct personality.

Downstairs, Saint James French Diner puts a sophisticated spin on the classic American diner, serving up all-day fare with a Parisian twist. A good spot whether you’re starting the morning with espresso and a croissant or settling in for steak frites and a cocktail. And a private rooftop deck, exclusively for guests, offers panoramic city views and a daily social hour; the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring.

Photos: palisociety.com

Calling Balboa Park a park is an understatement. Sprawling over 1,200 acres, it’s home to ornate Spanish-style architecture, themed gardens like the Japanese Garden (below center), theatres, and over a dozen museums, not to mention the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Whether you’re here for a morning stroll through the Botanical Building, an afternoon exploring art at The San Diego Museum of Art, or a night at The Old Globe Theatre, there’s no shortage of things to do. A lesser-known museum we enjoyed on our last visit is the Mingei International Museum. It celebrates global folk art, craft, and design, showcasing handmade works from diverse cultures that highlight the beauty of everyday objects. Even if museums aren’t your thing, simply walking its palm-lined promenades is an experience in itself.

The Gaslamp Quarter is where San Diego’s nightlife thrives. Picture a mini-New Orleans, where historic facades house an electric mix of bars, rooftop lounges and restaurants spilling onto the sidewalks. The neighbourhood buzzes with energy, from swanky cocktail dens to thumping nightclubs, making it the go-to spot for a night out. It’s touristy for sure, but that’s part of its charm, especially during Mardi Gras, when the streets erupt into a full-blown festival.

Barrio Logan is area south of Downtown where history, activism and creativity collide. At its core is Chicano Park, where more than 80 vivid murals stretch across the concrete pillars of the Coronado Bridge, telling the story of Mexican and Chicano resilience. Activists painted these works in the 1970s after a promise of a park there was rescinded. In 2017 the park was named a National Historic Landmark. Places we read about but didn’t have time to visit include Por Vida, a local coffee spot, or Border X Brewing, known for its Mexican-inspired craft beer. On weekends, Logan Avenue transforms into a street market with Walk the Block, a celebration of local art, music, and food.

Catching a baseball game at Petco Park is a full-on immersion into American culture. Even if you don’t know a home run from a double play, the electric atmosphere and roar of the crowd make for an enjoyable experience. Situated in downtown San Diego with stunning skyline views, this ballpark is the perfect place to kick back with an ice-cold beer, savour a classic hot dog and soak up the passionate energy of Padres fans.

Step into the heart of San Diego’s origins in Old Town, where Spanish settlers shaped the city’s earliest days. This historic district blends past and present, with well-preserved adobe buildings, charming boutiques and museums including the legendary haunted Whaley House. As you wander through its streets, you’ll find three major parks and a collection of 32 historic sites inside Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, offering a glimpse into life when this was a Mexican pueblo. Don’t miss the Presidio, where the city’s first mission once stood, overlooking it all.

San Diego has a vibrant and varied dining scene, with several different areas to explore…

Juniper & Ivy is a Michelin Bib Gourmand honouree that helped put San Diego’s fine dining scene on the map. A once-abandoned warehouse has been transformed into an impressive social dining space with a big open kitchen where guests can catch the action of the chef team meticulously plating dishes. Opened nearly a decade ago by Top Chef alum Richard Blais, this modern American restaurant remains a local institution, blending inventive flavours with a touch of playfulness. The menu evolves with the seasons, offering everything from indulgent main courses like a New York strip or whole fried snapper to a lineup of small plates that let you sample more of the kitchen’s creativity.

For the best experience, grab a seat at the counter, where you’ll get a front-row view of the chefs at work. Whatever you do, save room for The Yodel: a rich Devil’s Food Cake stuffed with cream, hazelnut, and white chocolate pearls. When it hits your table, the staff douses it in a cascade of warm, velvety chocolate right before your eyes, making for the perfect sweet finale to a standout meal!

Photos: juniperandivy.com

Herb & Wood leans into a natural vibe suggested by the restaurant’s name, with a warm wooden plank ceiling, lush greenery and an atmosphere that feels both elegant and effortlessly relaxed. The menu by chef Brian Malarkey focuses on rustic, wood-fired dishes. The menu elevates humble ingredients, highlights Mediterranean flavours, and brings a California ethos of seasonality and sustainability to every dish. The offerings shift with the seasons, but you might find yourself lingering over crispy potatoes dressed in lemon vinaigrette and Parmesan or a mushroom truffle pizza with creamy goat cheese. The cocktail list is just as enticing, featuring playful concoctions like the Bourbon & Honey, spiked with a kick of chili oil. And the extensive wine list includes nearly 150 bottles, with California wines interspersed with Old World varietals.

Photos: herbandwood.com

Craft & Commerce is a gastropub that nails a Brooklyn-meets-California aesthetic with exposed brick walls, wood-beamed ceilings and well-curated bookshelves. The menu offers hearty, fire-kissed meats, wood-fired vegetables and shareable plates. After dinner, False Idol is a hidden tiki bar tucked behind a steel door disguised as a walk-in cooler.

A love letter to Mediterranean flavours with a distinctly Californian touch, Callie is the much-anticipated debut restaurant from chef Travis Swikard, who honed his craft in New York City under acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud. The best way to experience it? Opt for the Mediterranean feast, a five-course tasting menu that showcases the kitchen’s greatest hits. Expect bright, bold flavours, from green Israeli hot sauce drizzled over kanpachi crudo to an Aleppo-spiced half chicken, charred and caramelized with coriander honey. The space is modern yet inviting, perfect for lingering over mezze, wine, and the kind of warm hospitality that makes you feel right at home.

Tucked inside the sleek Pendry Hotel, Lionfish is where modern coastal cuisine meets a buzzy downtown energy. The menu focuses on sustainable seafood and prime cuts, with inventive small plates.

Born and Raised is an ode to the classic American steakhouse, wrapped in a sultry Art Deco aesthetic with leather banquettes, marble tabletops and gleaming brass details. A meal here is an event, with 250 seats yet an intimate, club-like feel that makes it all the more indulgent.

One of the spots in San Diego where people actually dress up for dinner, Animae is a stylish, high-energy steakhouse with a Southeast Asian twist. Executive chef Tara Monsod, a James Beard Award finalist, brings her Filipino heritage to the menu, which features bold flavors and a mix of wagyu steaks and innovative plates. Standouts include the A5 Miyazaki strip, pork tomahawk with mango sauce, and short rib kare kare with peanut oil and fermented seafood paste. A well-curated selection of craft cocktails, sake, and Japanese beers rounds out the experience, making Animae a top pick for a night out that feels celebratory from start to finish.

Trust is a North Park neighbourhood favourite with a stylish but unpretentious vibe. The restaurant serves up bold, seasonal flavours in a lively, open-kitchen setting. The menu is built for sharing, with standouts including wood-grilled octopus, roasted cauliflower with tahini and their ricotta agnolotti. The cocktails are crafted with the same attention to detail as the food.

Set inside the Mingei International Museum at Balboa Park, Artifact draws inspiration from ancient cooking methods and global spice routes, bringing together bold, unexpected flavours in beautifully plated dishes. Think slow-roasted meats, aromatic grains, and botanical-infused sauces that feel both modern and deeply rooted in history. Whether you’re stopping in for a leisurely brunch or a post-museum lunch, Artifact delivers a dining experience that’s as artful as the space around it.

Hotel del Coronado is a legendary resort immortalized in films like Some Like It Hot. It has been hosting Hollywood stars, dignitaries, and travellers for over a century. Its red-roofed Victorian architecture stands as a landmark on one of San Diego’s most famous beaches. The hotel offers a range of restaurants with the ocean in sight. For a toes-in-the-sand experience, we liked the Beach and Taco Shack, where you can sip a margarita while watching the waves roll in. For something more refined, Serẽa delivers a seafood menu with everything from whole roasted branzino to locally sourced oysters.

The rooftop at the Andaz Hotel is a sleek urban escape with firepits, city views and good cocktail menu. Another elevated spot to soak in the sounds of the city coming to life after sunset.

The Nolen is Perched 14 stories above the Gaslamp Quarter. The open-air rooftop bar offers panoramic views stretching from Petco Park to the Coronado Bridge. It’s a good spot for sundowners or for laid-back drinks to cap off an evening.

On a recent trip a search for some cool boutiques to browse took us to North Park, a 20 minute bike ride from Downtown. We did it after a trip to the nearby Balboa Park.

Pigment offers beautifully curated home goods, lush plants and unique gifts that bring a touch of California cool to any space. The colour-coordinated aesthetic add to the browsing experience. The selection is a mix of local artisan goods and carefully sourced items from independent makers. Shelves are stocked with everything from handcrafted ceramics and minimalist jewellery to stylish stationery.

Verbatim Books is an independent bookstore, with a labyrinth of new and used books. The walls are lined with quirky artwork and the outside is home to an impressive, extensive literary themed mural.

Lovesong Coffee has an interior that is minimal yet inviting, with earthy tones, soft lighting and multiple hang-out areas. The side of the café is open to the street, giving it an airy feel, with more seating outside on the pavement. It as a good spot to chill out over an iced coffee after wandering round North Park.

Set inside a restored 1910-era home designed by California modernist Irving Gill, Orli is a boutique, 13-room retreat near the beach. It blends the luxe touches of a high-end stay with the ease of a homestay. You can tailor your visit through a web-based app, ordering fresh flowers from local florists or surprise treats from a nearby bakery, for example. Rooms strike a balance between modern minimalism and comfort, with warm wood tones, natural textures, plush bedding and rainfall showers.

The downstairs lounge is a refined yet relaxed gathering area, where guests can start their morning with expertly brewed coffee from the self-serve espresso bar. The lounge doubles as an evening bar, where travelers can pour a glass of wine or craft a cocktail from a curated selection of spirits. Just beyond, an enclosed garden courtyard invites guests to unwind in a tranquil outdoor setting.

Another place we’ve read about but not stayed in is Rancho Valencia. Quiet, relaxed and luxurious. There are 49 casitas of varying sizes set in forty acres of citrus groves and flowers.

MCASD La Jolla is the local outpost of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is a minimalist dream, with its sleek, airy interiors complementing the vast Pacific views outside. The collection span iconic names like Andy Warhol and Francis Bacon, making it a must-visit for art lovers.

La Jolla Cove is a small, rocky inlet that is one of the most photographed beaches in San Diego. It’s the perfect place for a coastal walk to the Children’s Pool, where harbour seals lounge on the beach in the afternoon sun.

A classic in La Jolla’s dining scene, George’s at the Cove is a multi-level restaurant that has been delivering ocean views and farm-to-table cuisine for decades. From the relaxed rooftop terrace to the refined dining room below, the menu is all about fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Book a premium seating option (not cheap!) if you want a table right along the glass wall.

Set just steps from La Jolla Cove, Cove House is good spot for a leisurely linch with an ocean breeze. The menu is full of coastal California flavours, with fresh seafood, seasonal produce and bright, citrusy cocktails. Whether you’re indulging in a lobster roll and a glass of rosé on the patio or sipping an espresso as you watch the waves, Cove House is all about slowing down and savoring the moment.

Wayfarer Bread & Pastry is a charming neighbourhood bakery, known for its flaky pastries, naturally leavened sourdough and a lineup of seasonal treats. Everything is made by hand, with a focus on quality ingredients and old-world techniques that result in some of the best baked goods in San Diego.

Beautiful Solana Beach is located along the northern coast of San Diego County. It is a great spot for combining shopping with a trip to the beach, with a mix of interesting art galleries, boutiques, furniture shops and surfing outfitters.

There are several beaches to chose from. Fletcher Cove (below) located at Solana Beach Plaza has a little beach with a park that overlooks the ocean. Tides Beach Park is a good place to explore tide pools and is known for its snorkeling. It can be reached via stairs at Pacific Avenue and Solana Vista Drive.

A contemporary art space with an international edge, Madison Gallery brings museum-worthy exhibitions to Solana Beach. Showcasing work from established and emerging artists, the gallery specializes in modern paintings, sculptures and mixed-media pieces that make a bold statement.

Beachfront dining doesn’t get much better than Poseidon in Del Mar, a short hop from Solana Beach. Here, the waves practically touch the restaurant’s open-air patio. This spot is all about fresh seafood, a relaxed coastal vibe and front-row seats to some of the best sunsets in San Diego.

The Pacific Coast Grill is perched right on the sand in Cardiff, with a front-row seat to watch the crashing waves. The menu is heavy on fresh seafood with a SoCal twist, with sushi rolls, grilled local catches and their signature lobster tacos on the menu.

Culture is more than just beer. Culture is an idea. An idea that we are not all that different from each other and that art, community spaces, and yes… beer too can bring us together. That is why Culture embodies the ethos of the neighborhoods we call home through monthly art shows featuring local artists, fundraisers, and community events. But also by brewing beer styles that anyone, from beer-novice to beer-nerd, can enjoy.

For that effortlessly coastal, sun-washed aesthetic, Bixby & Ball is the ultimate stop. This boutique captures the essence of California living, with a hand-picked selection of furniture, home décor and gifts that bring a sense of laid-back luxury. The shop itself is warm and welcoming, housed in a charming beach cottage.

Photos: bixbyandball.com

In the heart of Solana Beach’s Cedros Avenue Design District, SoLo is a carefully curated collective that blends art, design, and fashion under one beautifully restored roof. Founded by Carole Carden in 2001, this upscale shop showcases the work of eight creative women, offering a mix of home décor, textiles, books, ceramics, and one-of-a-kind treasures that feel both globally inspired and effortlessly Californian.

Photos: solocedros.com

Lofty Coffee has a breezy, laid-back atmosphere and a sunny patio. It is a local favourite for handcrafted espresso drinks organic teas, house-baked pastries and avocado toast.

If you’re looking for a perfect mix of beachside relaxation, cultural immersion and high-end indulgence, San Diego is a great choice.