San Diego is full of so many great attractions, restaurants, and experiences, so you might not readily be thinking of taking a day trip away from this amazing city. However, in just a short trip from the city proper, you can explore much more that might never have been on your radar. These are the top San Diego day trips according to locals. Each location has something unique to offer everyone while being easy to reach. Start planning your day trip to these areas today with Vacation Rentals by Kimberly.
Stroll Through Seaport Village
Who doesn’t love a day by the water? Seaport Village is right on the water, offering great harbor views, delicious food and more. Even though you’re only minutes away from the downtown area, you’ll feel you’ve entered a coastal town from a Hallmark movie. It’s perfect, with little cafes to discover, shops and boutiques, and sitting areas to enjoy lunch or just watch the boats go by. There are hop-on, hop-off trolley tours and cruises you can take around the harbor. The entire Seaport Village area is easy to cover on foot, making it the perfect easygoing day trip that you can enjoy without even needing a car!
Experience Island Magic on Coronado
Adventures by the water continue with our next day trip suggestion. Visit Coronado Island which can be accessed with a drive over the Coronado Bridge or via the ferry. Honestly, we recommend taking the ferry. It’s a fun way to see the San Diego harbor and it’s a relaxing and enjoyable ride. Coronado is a great place to day trip to, with beaches, delicious restaurants, and historic sites. You can’t come to Coronado without visiting Coronado Beach. The sands are soft and the views are spectacular. Consider stopping at the iconic Hotel del Coronado for lunch. Then you’ll want to consider renting bikes to ride along Orange Avenue or along the Silver Strand. Stick around to watch the sunset as it closes out your amazing day trip.
Visit the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Our next day trip destination takes you a couple hours outside of San Diego and into the rugged beauty of the desert. It’s a complete change of scenery as you go from bustling city to wild desert beauty. This is California’s largest state park, offering amazing views of desert landscapes like badlands, cactus dappled hills, and valleys that go on for as long as your eyes can see. Depending on the time of year that you visit, the views differ but are always incredible. Spring brings with it the wildflower blooms, where the desert shows off bright pops of color along the rust colored terrain. Hiking is advised during the cooler months, since the desert does warm up very well with temperatures getting to dangerous levels. In addition to the natural wonders of the Anza Borrego, there are metal sculptures throughout the park that will captivate you while making for pretty epic photo-ops. Visiting the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a day trip that feels like you’ve journeyed to a whole new world but it’s close enough for you to make it back in time for dinner reservations.
Stay Cozy with Vacation Rentals by Kimberly
We think we can all agree that day trips are always better when you have a someplace cozy to come home to when the day is done. Choose a comfortable and stylish vacation rental in San Diego from Vacation Rentals by Kimberly. These rentals are perfect for weekend getaways or extended stays, and vary from ocean view condos by the beach to large family homes in coastal neighborhoods.
These rentals will feel like a vacation in themselves, with excellent resort amenities, spacious interiors, and private outdoor spaces to enjoy in your downtime. Cool meals in your gourmet kitchen, walk to the beach, and get the rest you need for more day trips in San Diego. Don’t just stay anywhere. Stay in luxury with a vacation rental from Vacation Rentals by Kimberly.
Start Planning Your Day Trip from San Diego
As you can see, San Diego is an accessible city with a lot that can be explored in a 24-hour day. Within minutes and miles, you can be exploring a cute coastal village, relaxing on an island, or exploring the rugged beauty of the desert. All of this can be done in a day, and you don’t have to spend long hours getting there.
So, let’s help you start planning that perfect day trip. If you’re dreaming of exploring San Diego and its surrounding areas with a good day trip, choose a centrally located vacation rental from Vacation Rentals by Kimberly. Check out the selection of San Diego vacation rentals and reserve your stay today. Then you’ll be one step closer to these awesome day trips from San Diego!
