A Weekend in San Diego
San Diego is a coastal city located about 2 hours by car from LA, adjacent to the Mexican border, allowing visitors to experience a unique blend of cultures from both countries. With beautiful beaches and a wealth of attractions and activities, it is particularly popular among travelers. We enjoyed the various charms of San Diego over the weekend, leisurely taking in the beautiful beaches and tourist spots.
Balboa Park
The first place we visited, Balboa Park, is one of San Diego’s iconic tourist destinations, a vast cultural space that houses various museums, gardens, walking paths, and cultural facilities. The park features many Spanish-style buildings, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a European city, and outdoor theaters within the park host various performances and events. We have visited this place about 3 to 4 times, but parking can be somewhat challenging due to limited spaces compared to the number of visitors, so I recommend visiting early in the morning.
The weather that day was pleasantly cool, perfect for walking, allowing us to leisurely explore the various spaces in Balboa Park. By the way, the Botanical Building seen in the first photo is also famous for appearing in the drama “The Heirs,” and its beautiful architecture combined with tropical plants creates a special atmosphere, so it’s worth a visit.
1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Balboa Park
Old Town
Next, we visited Old Town, the oldest area in San Diego, filled with historic buildings, museums, and shops, where you can experience a unique blend of Mexican and American cultures. It is particularly a great place to enjoy Mexican cuisine, as there are many traditional Mexican restaurants. Moreover, the day we visited coincided with the Day of the Dead, a traditional festival and cultural event celebrated in Mexico and some Latin American countries, which honors the deceased and connects with their spirits.
Throughout the streets, we could see colorful skull decorations and altars adorned with Mexican marigold flowers, and we enjoyed traditional Mexican music and dance, immersing ourselves in a unique atmosphere that felt like stepping into the movie “Coco.” It’s a cozy and traditional place where you can enjoy a stroll or gain cultural experiences, making it a highly recommended spot to visit.
Old Town
Little Italy
To grab a quick lunch, I moved to Little Italy, an area in downtown San Diego centered around Italian culture and cuisine. Little Italy is the perfect place to taste traditional Italian food, with many Italian restaurants, cafes, gelato shops, and bakeries. The weekly farmers market is also very popular among locals and tourists, offering fresh produce and a variety of locally produced groceries.
Feeling hungry, I quickly browsed the farmers market and ordered a Sausage & Mushrooms pizza from Ambrogio15 in the Little Italy Food Hall. The pizza had a thin Thin Crust style, with a crispy and savory texture that stood out. The combination of sausage and mushrooms blended well, making it a perfect choice for a quick bite. After finishing the pizza, I decided to try gelato from BOBBOI Natural Gelato next door for dessert. My brother chose Dragon Lemon and Moka, while I picked Quattroberry and Charcoal Vanilla. Each flavor was refreshing and rich, making for a very satisfying dessert. Personally, I found Moka and Quattroberry to be incredibly delicious.
Little Italy Food Hall
La Jolla Cove
After filling up, we headed to La Jolla Cove, one of the most beautiful beaches in San Diego. This place is famous for its clear blue sea and dramatic cliffs, making it a popular spot for many tourists. Additionally, there are plenty of opportunities to see sea lions and seals around La Jolla Cove, making it a great place to enjoy nature and relax.
This place has a well-maintained walking path, making it easy to stroll along the coastline. We went down the stairs leading to the shore to watch the sea lions. Although this wasn’t my first time here, every time I see the sea lions resting on the rocks up close, it feels fascinating and gives me a sense of being close to nature, making it always feel new.
La Jolla Cove
The Cave Store
If you visit La Jolla Cove, there is one more place I would like to introduce, and that is The Cave Store. This place is not just a shop but is famous for being the entrance to Sunny Jim Cave, located beneath the cliffs near La Jolla Cove. While waiting in line before entering, a staff member will come out to explain the precautions, and after writing your name and paying the entrance fee, you can descend down to the cliffs. Adults: $10, Youth (3-17): $6
If you follow the narrow stairs down, you can reach Sunny Jim Cave, where you can enjoy the mysterious scenery that meets the sea inside the cave. The stairs are much more slippery than you might expect, so be sure to hold onto the handrail and descend carefully. You can have a special experience feeling the beauty of nature up close with the sound of waves echoing in the cave, so I highly recommend visiting at least once.
The Cave Store
Little Saigon
Finally, we visited Pho Hoa located in Little Saigon for dinner. I had heard that Pho places in San Diego are delicious, so I was curious about how it would compare to the Pho I had in LA. This place only offered Pho and drinks without any side dishes, and the type of meat varied according to each number. We ordered Pho number 8 and number 23, and also tried Cafe Sua Da.
After placing our order, we waited a moment and the Pho arrived, looking incredibly appetizing at first glance, and it seemed to have a generous amount of meat. Compared to the Pho I had in LA, this place was characterized by a clear and clean broth rather than a deep flavor. It even reminded me a bit of Seolleongtang. Despite the large portions of noodles and meat, it was so delicious that I was able to finish it all without leaving anything behind.
I had wanted to try Cafe Sua Da after seeing it on a show before, and since it was on the menu here, I ordered it. As shown in the last photo, there is a machine that drips coffee over a glass filled with condensed milk, and when hot water is poured, the coffee drips down slowly. Once enough coffee has dripped, you mix it with the condensed milk and pour it over ice to drink. The taste was like a rich mix coffee, and although I expected it to be quite sweet due to the condensed milk, it was less sweet than I thought and rather bitter, which made me feel relaxed and relieved from the fatigue of traveling.
Little Saigon
A beautiful coastline and a place to enjoy diverse cultures and flavors—how about visiting San Diego this weekend to take a break from your daily routine? Spend some leisurely time with stunning views.
