United States / California / San DiegoSan Diego
Balboa Park, the Zoo and La Jolla's Sea Lions
California's southernmost city, mild all year: Balboa Park's gardens and museums with the San Diego Zoo in it, the sea lions and seals of La Jolla Cove, Coronado's beach, the aircraft-carrier museum USS Midway, and the Gaslamp Quarter at night. Two and three-quarter hours from Los Angeles on the Pacific Surfliner, a scenic stretch beside the sea. The Mexican border at Tijuana is half an hour south, but crossing needs Mexican entry papers.
Highlights
- San Diego Zoo
- Balboa Park
- La Jolla Cove sea lions
- Coronado Beach
- USS Midway Museum
- Sunset at Sunset Cliffs
- Gaslamp Quarter evening
Things to do
- San Diego ZooMorning · 5h
- La Jolla Cove and the coast walkAfternoon · 3h
- USS Midway MuseumMorning · 3h
- Coronado Beach afternoonAfternoon · 3h
- Gaslamp Quarter dinnerEvening · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: Year-round (best April – October)
Worth knowing
Wildfire Season
Late summer and autumn are California's wildfire season: fires and smoke can close parks, roads and wineries at short notice, and dry autumn winds (Santa Ana, Diablo) bring power shut-offs. Check the CAL FIRE incident map and air quality (AirNow) each morning, and keep plans flexible.