A Local's Guide to San Diego for Cruise Ship Travelers

Welcome to the Port of San Diego, nestled in the heart of "America's Finest City." As soon as you disembark, you'll find yourself on the Embarcadero, a vibrant promenade bustling with foot traffic and cyclists along the picturesque San Diego Bay. A short stroll north leads you to Little Italy, a lively neighborhood renowned for some of San Diego's best culinary delights. If you head south along the Embarcadero, you'll encounter Seaport Village, a charming yet touristy area filled with shops and dining options, all under the watchful eye of the U.S.S. Midway, an iconic aircraft carrier-turned-museum. Take a moment to soak in the stunning views of the bay from there.

Experience San Diego in a Day

In the last ten years, locals will tell you, San Diego has transformed into a much cooler city. Once dull neighborhoods like Gaslamp and North Park have evolved into vibrant cultural hubs. At the center of this trend is San Diego's dynamic culinary scene, bursting with energy and talent, with new, outstanding restaurants popping up each month. Just a short walk from the port leads you to Animae, a Michelin-recognized Asian-fusion treasure set in stunning modernist decor. Executive chef Tara Monsod recently became the city’s first-ever James Beard Award finalist. If you have time for a memorable dinner, indulge in their eclectic dishes like crispy pig ear and hamachi crudo. For lunch, don’t miss Ironside Fish & Oyster in nearby Little Italy, a casual yet elevated seafood spot with a charming nautical theme and fantastic cocktails.

During the daytime, make your way to the Rady Shell, an open-air concert venue by the bay. On certain days, you can enjoy free orchestra rehearsals; some mornings also feature large yoga sessions (check the website schedule). Nearby is Petco Park, home to the Padres, which boasts a $450 million baseball stadium (90-minute tours are available on non-game days), as well as the Quartyard, a new outdoor music venue and beer garden in the rapidly gentrifying East Village. For a more adventurous day, consider the 15-minute ferry ride to Coronado, an almost-island across the bay. Ferries depart from the Convention Center, a 20-minute walk south from the port. This affluent beach enclave is perfect for a leisurely bike ride. Rent bikes from Holland’s Bicycles near the ferry landing and explore the Silver Strand, a scenic bike path that stretches seven coastal miles to Imperial Beach, the last U.S. town before Tijuana, where you can find amazing tacos at the Mike Hess brewery.

If you have two days . . .

With two days to discover, make your way north to La Jolla. Known as "the Jewel," it features sprawling, soft-sand beaches and picturesque coves, stunning sea cliffs, and fantastic dining options, embodying the surf-and-sunset spirit of San Diego.

To reach La Jolla from the cruise port downtown, grab an Uber to Bird Rock, located at the southern edge of La Jolla. Enjoy breakfast at Wayfarer, the top bakery in town—don't miss the kouign-amann and the daily scone. Rent a surfboard at Bird Rock Surf Shop next door, then head down to Tourmaline, a popular beach ideal for beginner surfers. For breathtaking views, take a ride to the Torrey Pines Gliderport, where guided paragliding adventures are available for $200 from the towering cliffs above Black’s Beach, a nature reserve (and nudist beach). For those less inclined toward thrills, an easy hike to the summit of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a great option. Finish your day with dinner at Paradisaea, a beloved French-inspired eatery in Bird Rock. With its vibrant tropical ambiance and a menu focused on fresh seafood, it perfectly captures the essence of La Jolla. (For breakfast, check out its sister spot next door, Dodo Bird Donuts, and try the Gringo: bacon, egg, and cheese topped with butter lettuce Dijonaise and tomato jelly.)

If you need a break from the beach, head straight to the North Park neighborhood, often regarded as San Diego’s answer to Brooklyn’s Williamsburg. "North Park has evolved tremendously since my childhood in San Diego," remarks Lara Worm, founder of Bivouac Ciderworks, a fantastic cider pub located there. "It’s a vibrant area where you can discover a unique blend of old and new, independently owned shops, and a creative, artistic community." Bivouac serves as an excellent base for your adventures.

Extend Your Stay

If you find yourself with extra time before or after your cruise, take the opportunity to delve deeper into San Diego’s underwater wonders, which offer an abundance of experiences for those eager to dive in. "The marine environment forms the third leg of San Diego's outdoor triangle: deserts, mountains, and ocean!" explains Melissa Torres, an aquarist at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (often regarded as the Harvard of marine science). Situated in La Jolla with breathtaking coastal views, this top-tier aquarium showcases Pacific ocean inhabitants, including wolf eels, sunflower sea stars, and giant Pacific octopuses.

Just Get Wet, a local company in Mission Beach, provides free-diving certification courses, taking you from classroom to pool and finally to the ocean in just one weekend. They also offer introductory spearfishing classes. For scuba divers, it's recommended to arrange a dive with the “kindness”-focused Waterhorse Charters, which aims to be “the friendliest marine entertainment company in Southern California.” They offer half- or full-day aquatic trips to world-class wrecks, thriving kelp forests, and more.

A delightful series of beach towns stretches north of La Jolla: Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Oceanside. Each possesses its own unique character. A great base for exploring these towns is Rancho Valencia, a luxurious five-star hotel nestled in the affluent area of Rancho Santa Fe. Adorned in Spanish colonial elegance, it boasts 49 casitas, each featuring its own dipping pool, an award-winning spa, and extensive sun-drenched swimming pools, all set within 45 acres of meticulously landscaped grounds. Caroline Wolfe of Cadence, a luxury travel agency, describes it as one of her top hotel choices in the United States. "It’s the ultimate retreat for relaxation and indulgence," she notes.

For a more grand experience, consider the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, a lavish retreat set among gently rolling green hills that evoke the charm of an Italian palace. It features the newly awarded three-Michelin-starred New French restaurant on-site—Addison—as well as a spa and golf course, making it a favored spot for those attending horse races at the nearby Del Mar Fairgrounds. For a closer encounter with wildlife, visit the San Diego Zoo SDinogoi Park, an expansive 1,800-acre extension of the city zoo, celebrated for its conservation initiatives. The park offers an African savanna experience filled with majestic mammals: lions, giraffes, rhinos, and hippos. Visitors can explore in an open-air sDinogoi truck, try a zip line, or even enjoy an overnight glamping adventure. At the original zoo, situated within San Diego’s historic Balboa Park, you'll also find pandas now on exhibit.