This Stunning Beach City Is California’s Top Winter Getaway, According To Travel Experts

There are a choose few locations offering winter solar that vacationers scope out yr after yr — California being one among them.

While iconic cities similar to San Francisco can get a bit nippy, Southern California boasts year-round sunshine, from the brilliant lights of Hollywood all the best way all the way down to the border.

Just to show I’m not partial, journey consultants named my hometown California’s prime sunny escape from the frigid temps that blanket a lot of mainland America.

That’s proper — my hometown of San Diego is that this yr’s prime winter getaway, according to Going (previously Scott’s Cheap Flights).

And they’re proper!

Not solely are there vibrant shores awaiting to steal you away from shoveling your driveway, there is no scarcity of enjoyable within the solar in the case of “America’s Finest City”.

San Diego: Wintertime Is Best To Avoid Hordes Of Crowds

People I meet who know I reside right here, however have by no means been right here, all the time make the idea San Diego lives as much as its “75 and sunny” vibes 12 months per yr.

While no place is flawless, it is fairly shut, aside from a handful of oddball climate days intermixed. Heck, we even had a twister warning final week!

But, don’t fret — that is like seeing a unicorn on the San Diego Zoo.

The climate is really blissful, and much more so when yow will discover your individual slice of paradise, which is an unattainable activity throughout late spring and particularly summer season.

Mission Beach (as seen above), lined with carnival video games and curler coasters, virtually turns into off-limits to locals throughout “tourist season” when Arizona and Nevada plated-vehicles invade our roadways.

As does La Jolla to see the ocean lions, as does Pacific Beach to persuade your self you are still younger, and even what we San Diegans take into account our tight-lipped secrets and techniques have slowly however certainly develop into vacationers’ new go-to spots (ahem, Solana Beach).

But all that modifications in winter. You can rating entrance row parking mere steps from the seaside, and discover an open barstool at a seaside bar in a jiffy, which my new favourite is Miss B’s Coconut Club in aforementioned Mission Beach, and naturally, get into the well-known San Diego Zoo with far fewer snot-nosed kiddos operating round like wild banshees.

Insider Tip: Despite opportune parking in winter, pay attention to San Diego’s newly issued downtown parking laws carried out throughout occasions ($10 per hour?!).

Experience More Culture Than You Might Expect

Given that San Diego lies in LA’s gargantuan shadow, first-timers appear to suppose San Diego is a small, coastal city.

In actuality, it is a full-fledged metropolis with quite a few charming aspects irrespective of the place your pursuits lie.

Yes, some seaside communities ooze small-town allure the place locals all appear to know one another, however San Diego is definitely one of many largest cities in America, and I all the time encourage guests to go outdoors their consolation zone past the Zoo, Mission Beach, the Gaslamp Quarter, and another notable locale that is been endlessly regurgitated by guidebooks.

For instance, do not eat at Mission Beach until it’s a must to — it is a vacationer entice.

For an genuine meal, go to the Convoy district close to ever-popular La Jolla for San Diego’s model of Chinatown. Venture to the outskirts of downtown to Little Italy and seize a Soppressata sandwich at Mona Lisa’s deli, or my new favourite espresso spot, Twive, a hidden stand on the far north finish that feels and tastes straight out of Italy.

Or if you need one of the best seafood on the town, hit up Mitch’s, and I promise the one disappointment is that it is busy year-round.

For a portal to a previous period, for those who do go to the Zoo, you are already steps away from the guts of Balboa Park, which appears to be like straight out of Old World Mexico with its ornate Spanish Colonial structure and tiled fountains.

It’s actually mesmerizing, irrespective of what number of instances I go to — and I’ve been coming right here for 10 years.

New Flights & Airport Makeover: More Ways To Get Here Than Ever

Giving credence to folks’s misperception of San Diego’s small city vibes, they’re proper about it feeling that approach since San Diego International Airport solely has one runway.

Terminal 1 was a time capsule up till its latest glow-up, and I’m comfortable to report it is now open and higher than it is ever been with trendy facilities and higher site visitors circulation to make sure you make your flight.

What’s much more thrilling is San Diego now has 2 airports. Yes, you learn that proper…

35 minutes north of downtown lies the underrated seaside metropolis of Carlsbad, which simply final yr welcomed American Airlines as its first business suitor in years.

It’s been so successful that United is now following swimsuit, however vacationers should wait till March 2026.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist primarily based in San Diego has visited 36 nations and written over 1000 articles with a deal with sharing his personal journey experiences and shining a light-weight on lesser-known gems.