San Diego has long been a favourite destination at the most southern end of California, right on the Pacific. Package holidays to San Diego offer the promise of miles of beautiful coastline and wonderful weather all year round. A diverse, rich history, exciting attractions, and many museums mean there is much to do during a weekend in San Diego, and with regular services flying from London and Manchester, package holidays in San Diego make it easy to see all you can in California's second largest city.
The area is served by San Diego International Airport, which is only 5km miles outside the city and is connected by buses and trains. UK nationals will need to file their visa waiver, the ESTA form, online at least 72 hours before their flight, to enter the U.S. San Diego runs on Pacific Coast time, which is 8 hours behind the UK’s time zone, so reset those watches!
Pack light! The weather in San Diego is temperate all year round, so there’s almost no need to pack for all eventualities. While hiring a car for city breaks in San Diego is a good idea, certain parts of the city also have a good tram, or ‘trolley’, tour service, so you won't be totally confined to your own four wheels.
The temperate climate means that whatever time of year you book a flight to San Diego, you’ll be assured of a warm welcome. Daytime temperatures in winter average 19°C, while in summer, they get up to 25°C, so rare is the day you'll need to spend any of your weekend in San Diego indoors! With all that warm weather, you might be forgiven for getting a little thirsty. Fear not, the Beer Festival that’s held every November will quench your thirst.
Another great time to plan a flight and hotel for San Diego package holidays is in June, when the city throws its annual County Fair, the largest in the U.S. A month-long jamboree of local food, music, crafts, and culture, the Fair is a celebration of all things San Diego that culminates on the 4th of July with a spectacular fireworks display.
Many people book package holidays to San Diego just to visit SeaWorld. Spread over 190 acres and attracting over 4 million visitors every year, SeaWorld is a magnificent aquatic theme park filled to bursting with rides, attractions, habitats, and animals.
Sports fans are directed toward Petco Park. This state-of-the-art-stadium is home to the San Diego Padres baseball team. Anyone who has only ever seen baseball on TV will be bowled over by the genuine stadium experience. The baseball season runs through the summer.
An open-air museum, the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is interesting for both children and adults. Visit to learn about local life in the 19th century, stay for the traditional adobe architecture and great live performances and re-enactments.
Hit the beach! La Jolla Cove is a small, protected beach, while Mission Beach offers a funky, SoCal-style boardwalk. For an elegant beach setting, head to Coronado Central Beach.
If you also have time to explore the surrounding area, you can also rent a car in San Diego.
San Diego has an undeniably casual vibe and a real Mexican connection. Both of these characteristics come together in La Puerta, a laid-back bar specialising in ‘Tacos, Tunes and Tequila’. This spot is also in the historic Gaslamp District, where you'll find bars and restaurants aplenty.
Casa Guadalajara, meanwhile, offers authentic Mexican food set to a backdrop of Mariachi music, fountains, and a tree-lined patio. For classic American cooking, head to Phil's BBQ, and for more upscale American cuisine in an elegant setting, try Nine-Ten Restaurant, in La Jolla.
For many visitors, San Diego city breaks mean craft beer and Mexican food. Unfortunately, neither travels very well. However, you can find great shopping in the small shops of the Old Town and Mission Valley districts, while the Hillcrest neighbourhood's Sunday farmers' market is good for sourcing local arts and crafts.
Planning on flying to United States? If a city break in San Diego doesn't quite convince you, why not explore other exciting cities in United States ? Check out our amazing flight and hotel packages for your next holiday adventure!