Escape the Heat: A Weekend in San Diego
A coastal California getaway with waterfront walks, the USS Midway, Balboa Park, Hotel del Coronado, Little Italy, and a couple of recipes to bring the weekend home.
A Little Coastal Reset
San Diego has no shortage of things to do.
You could fill a week with beaches, museums, restaurants, harbor walks, shopping, and day trips — and still leave plenty for another visit.
But this trip was not about doing everything.
It was a slower, quieter kind of getaway. A little cooler. A little restful. A chance to see the water, take a walk, enjoy a good dinner, and let the weekend feel easy.
Start With the Water
San Diego Skyline at Sunset
If you’re like me, the first thing you want is to put your toes in the water.
Start simple.
Take a walk along the San Diego waterfront, find a place for lunch, or just sit for a few minutes and enjoy the bay.
Order something cold.
Look at the boats.
Let the weekend begin.
Tour the USS Midway
One of the best waterfront stops in San Diego is the USS Midway Museum.
The museum is located aboard a historic aircraft carrier, where you can walk the ship, explore exhibits, see aircraft up close, and get a small sense of what life at sea was like.
Take the guided tour. There is a lot of walking, narrow passageways, and steep ladders, but it’s so worth it.
Spend Time in Balboa Park
The reflecting pool and Spanish Colonial buildings at Balboa Park, San Diego
Balboa Park is a beautiful San Diego stop if you like gardens, museums, architecture, and quiet places to wander.
You cannot see everything in one visit, pick one museum, walk through the gardens, stop for lunch or coffee, and enjoy the slower pace.
This is a lovely place to linger for an afternoon.
Visit Hotel del Coronado
The Iconic Hotel del Coronado
Make time to see Hotel del Coronado.
The Hotel Del has that classic California beach resort feeling - red-roofed Victorian architecture, oceanfront views, beach walks, shops, restaurants, and a little old-Hollywood charm.
You do not have to stay there to enjoy it.
Go for coffee, brunch, lunch, a beach walk, or a late-afternoon cocktail with a view. It is a perfect place to sit for a while and let the weekend slow down.
I created a Coronado Sunset Spritz inspired by that late-afternoon Hotel Del feeling — a little citrusy, a little sparkly, and just right for the patio.
Have Dinner in Little Italy
Little Italy, San Diego
For dinner, Little Italy is a great San Diego choice.
It is walkable, lively, and full of restaurants, patios, shops, and places to stroll before or after dinner.
We chose Barbusa, a modern Sicilian restaurant with handmade pasta, seafood dishes, artisan pizzas, Italian cocktails, and Southern Italian wines.
Make a reservation, arrive a little early, and walk around before dinner. It makes the evening feel like part of the getaway instead of just a meal.
It reminded me of my favorite Shrimp Sambuca recipe — a delicious appetizer or light dinner that feels just right after a weekend in Little Italy.
Karen’s San Diego Weekend Checklist
Whether you’re heading to San Diego for a slow coastal weekend or just need a little salt air, here’s what I’d bring:
Flat sandals — perfect for Coronado, The Hotel Del, and that long-awaited walk in the sand.
A crossbody bag — for tickets, sunglasses, lip balm, and whatever little thing you find in Little Italy.
A pretty dinner outfit— Little Italy is relaxed, but still worthy of earrings and a little lipstick.
Snacks for the drive — I like to bring a bag of my grainless granola to munch on.
Grainless Granola→A little hotel-room happy hour — a bottle of prosecco, a few light snacks, and a quiet moment before heading to Little Italy.
A cozy hotel room touch— a small room spray or linen spray makes even a quick getaway feel a little more special.
A few more of my go-to picks for a San Diego weekend:
Shop the San Diego Weekend Picks →
Final Thoughts
San Diego makes a wonderful quick California getaway because it does not ask too much from you.
For me, the best version is simple: a waterfront walk, a little history, a pretty park, dinner in Little Italy, and one last beach stop before heading home.
Because a little salt air, a good dinner, and a cool weekend getaway…
is for the Birds.
— Karen
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