How is it possible to live in California for over 15 years and not have visited San Diego? It seems inconceivable, but despite numerous visits to the Los Angeles area, a stay in San Diego was just never in the cards. Until just recently, that is! Everything aligned, and the result was a four-day vacation in the Mission Bay area of San Diego that was equal parts relaxing and fun.
A friend from Boston left the cold east coast, and I flew in from San Jose, both of us arriving mid-day to start our getaway. Picking up our rental car and driving the short distance to our hotel was a breeze, and with early check-in, we were unpacking by 1:00 pm.
Because we only had four days, the plan was to hit the highlights. The itinerary was Ocean Beach for an afternoon, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, and one pool day. We found that the zoo didn’t take as long as we had allocated, so we spent a little time wandering around downtown San Diego after the zoo (more about that later). Our plan worked out pretty well with slight adjustments.
San Diego Sunsets
Looking for the perfect Southern California sunset? Here are recommended places for that gorgeous Instagram shot: Ocean Beach Pier | Sunset Cliffs Bird Rock | Sunset Point Park | Mission Beach Boardwalk Windandsea Beach | Embarcadero
ACCOMMODATIONS
We had reservations at two different resorts in the Mission Bay area. The Dana on Mission Bay was first, where we had a sizeable two-room suite. It had a comfortable bedroom and a small kitchenette connecting to a sitting room. Off the sitting room was a large balcony overlooking the bay. The Dana is perfect for all sorts of vacations–the suites are great for families or friends traveling together. The kitchenette is convenient for quick breakfasts or late-night snacks. There’s also enough room to work remotely in either the living room or the balcony.
The hotel has two large pools. The family-friendly Tropical Pool is great for families looking to spend most of their time in the water. They even offer a “Dive-In Movie Night” each evening. The adult-oriented Bayside Pool has a beautiful view of the marina.
Other resort amenities include rental bikes, boats, and wave runners. There is also a complimentary shuttle to SeaWorld.
The second hotel was The Resort at Mission Bay. We agreed that we liked the suite at The Dana better, while the public areas at Mission Bay were our favorite. The pool is gorgeous, and the main restaurant has a lovely indoor/outdoor flow. Plus, there is a small, private beach.
Both hotels had excellent restaurants. Rodney Robinson, the executive chef at The Firefly at the Dana made our experience there extra special. He treated us to a special tasting menu that was perfection. We sat by a fire pit on the patio enjoying a beautiful San Diego evening, sipping champagne, as Chef Robinson personally served an array of appetizers, a delicious main, and a decadent dessert. He treated us to a finale of a strawberry rose display.
The Covewood at The Resort at Mission Bay is newly renovated and quite romantic. It’s a lovely spot for cocktails at sunset. I also enjoyed using it as my office in the morning for an hour while I caught up on emails, drank a pot of tea, and watched the resort come to life.
MISSION BAY/OCEAN BEACH
Ocean Beach is quintessential California with surfers, beach shops, and a half-mile-long pier. It’s a long walk or a short drive from the hotels on Mission Bay. Finding metered parking wasn’t particularly stressful, but on a weekend an Uber may be a better option. The Mission Beach – Pacific Beach Boardwalk is a concrete walkway that spans about 3.5 miles. It’s perfect for people-watching, and there are numerous options for a snack or meal along the way. We spent the first afternoon walking the boardwalk, chatting with locals, and having a casual lunch. Ocean Beach is busy and vibrant and a lot of fun for both kids and adults.
SAN DIEGO ZOO
We arrived at the zoo just as it opened and immediately hopped on the Skyfari Aerial Tram. Working our way from the back of the zoo forward, we meandered along the paths. Because it was mid-week, the crowds were light, and we could tour the entire zoo in about four hours. We found the volunteers stationed around the venue to be very helpful. Most seemed to be retired folks, and they were friendly and knowledgeable about the animals and zoo logistics.
IT PAYS TO BE SPONTANEOUS
After leaving the zoo, we decided to walk through downtown San Diego followed by lunch. My travel companion is a huge baseball fan, so we walked to Petco Park where the Padres play. As luck would have it, one of the doors was open, and the head groundskeeper was standing outside. We chatted with him for a minute, and I brazenly asked if we could go inside and see the field. Surprisingly, he agreed, and my friend was able to walk onto the field, ask some questions, and get a special photo. The moral of that story is that it doesn’t hurt to ask!
BALBOA PARK
Balboa Park was my favorite part of the trip. For San Diego newbies like me who may not know the history, Balboa Park began as 1400 acres of land set aside in 1868 by San Diego civic leaders. Today the total land parcel is about 1,200 acres. In other words, it’s immense. It houses the San Diego Zoo, sixteen museums, multiple performing arts venues, numerous gardens, a carousel, a miniature railroad, and more.
We parked near the carousel, using that as our starting point for a walk through the park’s main areas. Several of the attractions were closed--still on pandemic hours of weekends only--but there was plenty to see.
We skipped touring museums because we didn’t have enough time (you could make a four-day trip of only Balboa Park!) and concentrated on walking the grounds and enjoying an unseasonably warm, sunny day outdoors.
We spent considerable time at the Spanish Village Art Center. Each of the little spaces houses a working artist. We found them eager to discuss their work and open to allowing me to take photos of them creating. It’s also a great place for souvenirs at all price points. I found some lovely magnets that the artist signed for me after we chatted about his work.
The park has an 18-hole golf course, archery, lawn bowling, hiking paths, a cycling velodrome, and a dog park. Dining options range from casual to fine dining. We chose The Prado at Balboa Park with its beautiful outdoor space and unique lounge. The food was very good, and the margaritas? Excellent! It was the perfect option for a break in the middle of the day.
SUNSET SEEKERS
There’s nothing I enjoy more than a beautiful sunset, and I knew San Diego would offer some spectacular ones. I searched on Instagram to see where people gathered for sunset and compiled a short list of potential locations, including Ocean Beach Pier and Sunset Cliffs. We hit up both and weren’t disappointed.
We did interrupt a proposal at Sunset Cliffs. A company had set up a picnic with a big “will you marry me sign” in the back. Because of the “call us for info on how to arrange your proposal” signs arranged next to it, we assumed we had stumbled into a marketing display. Unfortunately, it wasn’t, and a photographer rushed us away as the couple arrived for their special moment. We stopped to congratulate them an hour later as we walked back along the same path. The husband-to-be laughed about the setting, explaining that he hadn’t expected it all to be so public when he had made the arrangements.
Sunset Cliffs isn’t a particularly family-friendly spot, but it is gorgeous, and the sunset was spectacular. The Ocean Beach Pier is much more fun for families with its wide beach perfect for watching the sun go down while the kids play.
It was a busy four days, but we did find time for an afternoon by the pool. We didn’t feel rushed because we set modest goals on what we could accomplish. We were happy to have delicious food, relaxing accommodations, a zoo trip, and time to explore. And, oh, those sunsets! I only wish I had made it to San Diego sooner, and I already can’t wait to go back.