San Diego Vacations

One of the main draws of a San Diego vacation is that the weather is pleasant year-round -- temperatures range from 60 to 80 degrees. That said, there can be some distinct differences in the travel seasons. For example, the boardwalk from Belmont Park to Pacific Beach is a bustling family hotspot in summer and a quiet jogging path come fall. Grey skies in May and June are common, so August and September are better bets for sunshine and ocean temps that don’t require a wetsuit. October, February and March are in-between months when travel rates are lowest.

Hunt for antiques in the funky Ocean Beach neighborhood, followed by an evening stroll along nearby Sunset Cliffs.

See a Padres game at the modern Petco Park without the hassle of parking downtown. Park at Qualcomm Stadium for free and ride the Trolley straight to the stadium.

Let 24-hour coffee shop Lestat’s be your window into the hip North Park/Normal Heights neighborhood. Lattes are strong and tongue-in-cheek gargoyle décor is a break from San Diego’s otherwise sunny personality.

Explore the (free) gardens at the Encinitas Self-Realization Fellowship Hermitage and Meditation Gardens. You’ll be asked to keep voices down and cell phones off while strolling among koi ponds and peering over surfers from a pelican point-of-view.

Finding a place to start amid the country's best craft beer scene might be intimidating. Neighborhood Ale House (downtown San Diego) offers samples and an innovative California burger menu. Or make a day of it: Several brewery tour operators will pick you up from your hotel.

Warm year-round weather keeps the animals happy at world-renowned San Diego Zoo, Safari Park and SeaWorld. Don’t miss the pandas, the African safari and the zip line. On a smaller scale (and free), tide pools and coves can be found along the San Diego shore from Ocean Beach to La Jolla.

What began as a thoroughbred playground for Hollywood stars in the 1930s is now such a San Diego summertime tradition that opening day draws over 40,000 people, all wearing elegant hats and fedoras.

What really makes San Diego the envy of other cities around the world? This massive park where 100-year-old Spanish revival buildings, the zoo, museums, carousel, gardens, walking paths and outdoor theaters are open year-round.

Salt-rimmed margaritas and hand-made corn tortillas remind you how close you are to the Mexico border. Browse craftsman shops to score unique finds like a tin lamp or hand-painted toy.

Find Legoland, good surf beaches, golfing and a seaside village. Visit during March and April when the flower fields bloom.

Learn to surf in the U.S. Mission Beach, La Jolla Shores and Encinitas -- three beginner-friendly spots where rentals and lessons are readily accessible.

Spend an afternoon in posh La Jolla with some of California’s most exciting art. For an upscale post-museum meal with an elegant oceanfront view, George’s at the Cove is your spot.

This culture haven in downtown San Diego draws fashionistas and wine-buffs to boutiques and specialty shops. Take a tour of the area's Victorian architecture and Gaslamp Museum. By night, the area is abuzz with restaurants, bars and clubs. Several hotels are nearby.

This gorgeous seaside landmark is home to must-see Hotel del Coronado, San Diego Bay, art galleries, yacht marinas and more. Even getting there is fun: Passengers, bring a camera for the drive over the 2-mile, super-high bridge.

See San Diego as a company town for the Navy and Marine Corps starting with the hands-on floating museum USS Midway aircraft carrier.

Year-round warm weather, great beaches and several amusement parks make a San Diego vacation a must for most families. In addition SeaWorld and Legoland in nearby Carlsbad, the city boasts the San Diego Zoo, one of the few zoos to house pandas. The city also is a destination of cultural and culinary riches for other types of travelers. Originally part of Mexico, San Diego became part of the U.S. after the Mexican-American War ended in 1848, and it has been an important base for the U.S. Navy since 1901. The city hosted two World’s Fairs on the grounds of the beautiful landmarked Balboa Park, which houses the zoo along with many Spanish- and Baroque-style buildings left from the expositions. Today the grounds are home to 16 art, culture and science museums, 16 gardens, and eight attractions, including the well-regarded Old Globe Theatre. San Diego also has a symphony and an opera company. Architecture enthusiasts will want to head to nearly La Jolla to visit the Craftsman-era Torrey Pines Lodge and the Louis I. Kahn-designed Salk Institute. For shopping and nightlife, stroll through the historic Gaslamp Quarter or Little Italy for its art and design shops and weekly farmers market. The city has top-notch dining too, and the food-truck trend did not pass it by. The main draw, though, remains San Diego’s beaches, all 70 miles of them, for surfing, kayaking and simply soaking up that Southern California sun. Not to be missed are the beaches on Coronado island, the bay and cliffs at La Jolla and the surf at Encinitas. End the day with a sunset cruise.

AOL Travel’s San Diego Guide
AOL Travel's Best San Diego Hotels