Balboa Park
San Diego is also rich in art and culture, and the city boasts the largest urban cultural park in the US, with beautiful gardens and Spanish architecture featuring 15 museums, art galleries and theatres to be found in Balboa Park. Arguably the jewel of San Diego, Balboa Park, a 1,200 acre ‘urban-cultural’ park, contains everything from protected green zones full of native trees and plants to all sorts of museums, including the Timken Museum of Art, the San Diego Museum of Man and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. You can get a guided tour of the park’s most significant sights on the Balboa Park Small Group Historic Highlights and Secret Spots Tour.
Explore the Outdoors
The city of San Diego is surrounded by mountain peaks and is built on some 200 deep canyons and hills. Cleveland National Forest is half an hour’s drive away and contains four officially recognised wilderness areas which are virtually untouched by humans. The Forest contains several beautiful picnic areas, while those who enjoy keeping active will find ample climbing, camping and hiking opportunities. Of particular note is the Sunset Trail, a 4.6-mile-long loop trail where walkers can take in gorgeous pine forests, open meadows and idyllic lakes while keeping an eye out for the local wildlife.
Craft Beer Capital
Given the busy nature of a San Diego holiday and the semi-arid local climate, there’s a good chance that you’ll end up feeling mighty thirsty during your stay. Fortunately, there’s no better place for beer lovers, as San Diego has earned itself the nickname of “America’s Craft Beer Capital”. The region is fabled for its finely crafted beers, which combine American and Mexican influences to create unique flavours. To celebrate the diversity and richness of local suds, San Diego hosts a full-on Beer Week every November, which brings a real carnival atmosphere to town. Even outside of the designated Beer Week, there’s ample time and opportunity to go on one of several local beer tours where you can experience the very best of San Diego’s 30+ craft beer breweries.
