Explore SoCal

Getting around san diego

If you don't rent a car, Lyft is a great way to get around town. It makes getting to/from the airport easy, and it'll let you estimate fares for a destination. We also recommend Lyft for getting to the ceremony. 

Once you're here, there's no shortage of things to do and see. 

Things to do in southern california

Explore the museums in Balboa Park. Check out the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Go to the beach, of course:  Mission Beach if you want a resort-like atmosphere (there's also a roller coaster there), Ocean Beach for a more relaxed beach vibe (head to Sunset Cliffs and Cabrillo National Monument for beautiful views), or La Jolla for a more upscale experience (be sure to swing by the seal rookery at Children's Pool Beach.) Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is near La Jolla and has some great coastal trails for quick hikes.

If the beach isn't your scene, or it's just not beach weather, head east and check out the mountains. Post exploring, Alpine is a good town to stop in and grab a bite to eat or a beer. Alpine Brewing (owned by Green Flash, which might sound familiar as they're distributed nationwide) has a nice brewpub as well as a cool tasting room.

If you want to skip the outdoor activities and go straight for the drinks, San Diego has you covered with a craft brewery scene that is second to none in terms of both quality and quantity. The Stone breweries/restaurants are crowd pleasers with their impressive design inside and out in the garden seating areas. Ballast Point is based here, and though it's no longer considered "craft", we can't help still loving Sculpin. If you're looking for smaller, more local options, some of our favorites are Modern Times, Alesmith, Fall Brewing, Societe, Lost Abbey, and Green Flash. If you're more into wine, and you've got some free time, Orfila Winery in Escondido, CA, is a fun spot and is only half an hour away (just call ahead to make sure they aren't hosting a wedding.) Temecula, CA, which is a little under an hour away, also has a bunch of wineries. If you make it to up there, also check out the olive oil company.

If you're looking for some kid friendly activities, Legoland is only about 30 miles away and has an adjacent aquarium. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is about that far, as well. SeaWorld is right in the heart of the city. Exploring the Midway is also a good option to see an air craft carrier that's now a museum.

Branching out from San Diego, there are some great options for day trips. Disneyland, all the Orange County beach towns (San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna, Newport, Huntington), and Los Angeles are reachable in a couple of hours by car. Lake Arrowhead and Idyllwild are great destinations to explore some bigger mountains, as well as Big Bear, where you can also hit the slopes for a day. If you've not spent any time in the desert southwest, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park, and Anza Borrego are all highly recommended.

If at any time you have questions or want our opinion on a place or attraction (or restaurant and bar recs!), drop us a line and we'll do our best to help make the most of your visit.