San Diego was our first American home after Copenhagen, and it spoiled us. The weather is close to absurd, the ocean is right there, and the whole city runs at a pace that suits families. You can surf in the morning, visit the zoo after lunch, and eat fish tacos near the beach at sunset without feeling rushed. It took us about a week to stop comparing everything to Denmark and start treating this as normal.

If you're visiting with children, jump straight to our San Diego with kids guide. If you're deciding where to base yourself, our San Diego neighborhoods guide walks through each area.

Why we love San Diego

What won us over wasn't any single attraction. It was the daily texture of the place. Kids on bikes along the Mission Beach boardwalk, sea lions barking at La Jolla Cove, fog burning off by ten in the morning almost every day of the year. Coming from Danish winters, we could hardly believe people jogged outside in January. The city also stays refreshingly unpretentious. There's no dress code anywhere, no one cares where you're from, and the biggest decision most days is which beach to pick.

What to see and do

San Diego rewards a slow approach, but the highlights earn their reputation.

  • Balboa Park, the huge cultural heart of the city, with gardens, museums and Spanish Colonial architecture around every corner.
  • The San Diego Zoo, still one of the best in the world, and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park up in Escondido for wide-open savanna views.
  • La Jolla Cove and the Children's Pool, where sea lions and harbor seals lounge on the rocks minutes from the water.
  • Coronado Beach, with the grand Hotel del Coronado at one end and gentle waves that are kind to small swimmers.
  • The Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy downtown, for evening strolls and food.
  • Sunset Cliffs Natural Park in Point Loma, where the whole city turns up to watch the sun drop into the Pacific.
  • Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, for a coastal hike above the ocean that feels wild despite being in the city.

Where to eat and drink

This is a fish taco town, full stop. We ate them everywhere, from beachside walk-up windows to taquerias in Barrio Logan, and we never had a bad one. Little Italy has grown into one of the best restaurant neighborhoods in Southern California, with big family-friendly trattorias and a wonderful Wednesday and Saturday farmers market. Barrio Logan is the place for Mexican food, right under the enormous Chicano Park murals. Craft beer is the local religion, with dozens of breweries around North Park and Miramar, most of them casual enough for kids in tow.

When to go and how to get around

Any month can work. Summer is warm and busy, spring brings wildflowers and fewer crowds, and fall often has the best beach weather. Winter is cooler, especially after dark. A car gives families flexibility across the spread-out city, but you can cover some trips by transit. The Trolley does not go directly to the airport: MTS Route 992 links the terminals with Downtown and Trolley connections, while the airport shuttle connects to Old Town. Check routes and parking for the places you plan to visit.

Our San Diego guides