More and more, I’ve been seeing San Diego pop up on my Instagram feed. Perhaps it’s the fact that it’s an incredibly colorful, photogenic city, or that it has everything you could desire from a girls’ trip—beaches, palm trees, cute cafes, aesthetic bars, and more—but this city has earned a spot in people’s hearts. I wasn’t completely sold on San Diego after our jam-packed weekend there, but looking back at my photos, I’m delighted I could experience such a unique and beautiful place.
Even if you only have a few days, here are all the best things you can do in San Diego!
Visit Balboa Park
No San Diego list would be complete without a nod to the stunning Balboa Park. Spanning 1,200 acres, Balboa has fountains, ponds, and green space galore. With so much to explore, it can be tough to decide where to walk! Two of my favorite locations at Balboa Park include the lily pond and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Spreckels Organ Pavilion is a Spanish-style patio with an arch. While Balboa Park is full of Spanish-inspired architecture, I personally think Spreckels is the prettiest of them all. You can stop by for a quick picture and feel like you’ve stepped back into Barcelona!
The Lily Pond is Balboa Park’s most notable location. It’s hard to miss: a huge rectangular pond with the conservatory rising in the back. It’s popular for special occasion photoshoots, so don’t be surprised if you swing by and there’s a wedding or engagement photoshoot going on! I love checking out both sides; you can admire the conservatory from one end of the pond or walk to the other side and people-watch in the shade of the trees.
Explore Old Town San Diego
San Diego’s old town shows off the unique cultural influences of the city, from the American western vibe to the Mexican influences of the neighboring country just 17 miles away. The shops here are fun and full of pottery and crafts; the architecture features a lot of wood, beige clay, and colorful patterned tiles. It’s a nice break from the more urbanized feel of the rest of the city.
While the town isn’t massive, it’s also not that small; take some time to wander and get lost in the wonder of it all!
Sit Down at Verbatim Books
I’ve always loved bookstores, ever since I was old enough to read even basic words. Verbatim is a very special kind of bookstore. They specialize in vintage and old books, from old comics to classic tomes. It’s also incredibly beautiful, especially the book wall in the back that spells out “Verbatim.” I would love to sit down here and spend an afternoon relaxing in an upholstered armchair, novel in hand.
Dine at Instagrammable Restaurants and Cafes
The restaurant and cafe scene in San Diego is so notable that I had to write an entirely separate article about it! If you’re interested in learning more about each of these spots in-depth, check out my Most Instagrammable Restaurants & Cafes in San Diego list. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek and a basic list for you:
- Madeleine: delicious French cafe with an equally beautiful exterior straight out of Paris.
- Morning Glory: kitschy-inspired breakfast location featuring a wacky interior and unique food and drink choices.
- Wolfie’s Carousel Bar: eclectic revolving bar with a stripey interior design.
- Seneca Trattoria: an upscale Italian spot with a beautiful rooftop and striped decor.
- Holy Matcha: pink-themed matcha cafe with neon signs, flower walls, and all-matcha selections.
For more information, check out my post for The Most Instagrammable Restaurants & Cafes in San Diego!
Explore Tiny Aesthetic Shops
As if it were made for Instagram, San Diego is packed with small, aesthetic stores and flower shops. Here are a couple that are more notable:
Pigment
Pigment is the epitome of a cute goods store: they have plants, home decor, books, artisan postcards, and all sorts of smaller knickknacks as well. Best of all, everything is sorted by color so the entire shop just radiates a soft, aesthetic vibe. I love the cards at the back; they are not only super well-designed but also hilarious!
North Park Nursery
This plant nursery has everything you could want, from tiny succulents to huge blooming flowers. They also have an adorable plant wall and a cart with a climbing bougainvillea vine! If you’ve timed the seasons right, you’ll be treated to a spray of hot pink bougainvillea while you peruse your botanical options.
Native Poppy
Yet another adorable flower shop—I swear San Diego is full of them! This one has neon signs and a soft, pinkish vibe. Unlike North Park Nursery, they specialize in flowers. If you’re planning on taking photos with the Instagrammable sign in the back, make sure to ask the shop first. Also, consider supporting them with a purchase!
Check Out Carlsbad Flower Fields
The flower fields at Carlsbad deserve their own article, so if you’re interested in learning more about this popular photo destination, check out my dedicated Carlsbad Flower Fields article! Once a year, visitors from all over flock to the famous fifty-acre flower field to get their multicolored ranunculus fix.
Chances are, you’ve seen the flower fields on Instagram, but if you’re expecting to stand amidst a field full of flowers swaying in the wind, you’ll be very much mistaken! Make sure to read my article if you’re planning a visit.
Take a Side Trip to Joshua Tree National Park
While not strictly in San Diego, Joshua Tree is one of the most popular side trips from the city because it’s so close by! Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most popular U.S. National Parks, and I say for good reason! Dramatic sunsets, huge boulders, and the most curious cacti make this spot a must-see destination.
If you’ve never been to Joshua Tree and want to learn more, you can check out my 48-Hour Joshua Tree National Park Guide! Or if you’re more curious about the glamping scenes that you’ve seen popping up all around this natural destination, consider taking a look at my article documenting living in an airstream in Joshua Tree.
That’s it for the best spots in San Diego! If you’re planning a trip anytime soon, don’t forget to save this article or pin it on Pinterest for all your inspiration. Have I convinced you to visit San Diego yet?
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