11 Relaxing Things To Do In San Diego

San Diego is one of the most famous cities in California. Famous for its over 295 mountains and spectacular beaches, there is always more to the city than you can touch as a tourist.

Only if you are looking for it, you can also have the most relaxing time in this city. If you are wondering where and how? There are many relaxing things to do in San Diego!

Relaxing Things To Do In San Diego

Below is the list of some places where you can just take a deep sigh and spend some ‘me’ time. No matter how you would like to relax, San Diego has a special place for everyone. Here are the best 11 relaxing things to do in San Diego:

Take a break and book a 1-hour or 2-hour San Diego Harbor Cruise and enjoy the city’s skyline.

1. Just Lie Down On The Beach

There is no pleasure in the world other than doing nothing. And more, doing nothing in your favorite places, like a beach.

All those times, when you just daydream while working through the stressed days and blue Mondays and all you can think about is to go to a place where you can all be by yourself.

You are most welcome to have that leisure time when you are in San Diego and believe me these beaches are one of a kind. There are more than 14 beaches in the city.

So, you have a lot of options to choose the best one for yourself and spend some time there. Having your toes dirty on the sand while a cool breeze brushes through your hair at the sound of waves of the ocean could be your definition of heaven. 

Cruise in the San Diego waters and look for whales on this Whale Watching Cruise.

2. Go To The Mountains

But what if you are not a beach person? And, I would rather choose the unreachable heights of mountains over sandy shores. San Diego has that too for you.

All the mountain peaks of the region could not be mentioned here but Cowles Mountain, Black Mountain, and Hot Springs Mountain are the most famous ones. These are just a few where you can just head up and enjoy yourself.

Many mountain camps are organized by private and public groups to join and have fun there. San Diego mountains are a place for many retreats and meditation tours.

Hiking in the mountains can be another relaxing activity that you can pursue in these mountains. If going miles at a time and getting those adrenaline juices to run is your relaxing hack. You are going to love this place.

3. Food Could Be Your Escape

And I am not talking about the binge eating that you do while watching Netflix or after a stressful meeting. I am talking about exploring all those flavors that you have kept yourself devoid of.

San Diego restaurants, food joints, and barbeques are talked about throughout California. The crunchiness and oozing smell of a juicy steak, when freshly grilled can keep all your emotions in check, apart from joy.

The taste of a California burrito and Carne Asada Fries would leave a lasting impression on your tongue. And don’t forget the tingling taste of a Tijuana-style Taco.

Take a day trip to Tijuana and learn about Mexico’s history and food.

4. Spending A Rooftop Night At The Gaslamp

A night dedicated to fun, dancing to music, and meeting new people instead of calls, schedules, lined up emails and meetings could be called a relaxing night. San Diego is again at your service to offer you the same at the Gaslamp Quarters.

It is a downtown neighborhood that has clubs, dive bars, cocktail lounges, balboa theaters, and a lot more. It is the location lit with neon lights and colorful boards to attract you to this extravagant area.

If you are an extrovert, meeting new people and exploring new places is your paradise then, Gaslamp Quarters is the place for you.

All the tourists and the town’s most zealous crowd are found here in this place. As the night deepens, you can just grab a drink and go to the rooftop, to stare at the stars.

Hop on & off on this trolley tour through Gaslamp Quarter and other attractions.

5. Explore The Water Surface At La Jolla Cove

There is something about water that can bring down all the stress and can soothe the tension away with its properties. Japanese and Chinese cultures bring this calming property to their homes in the form of many home décor substances.

If you feel the same about water, then canoeing, boating, swimming, and fishing in the calm waters would be your way of relaxing and meditation. La Jolla Caves are the perfect place for you while you are in San Diego.

This area has calm waters unlike beaches and is famous among snorkelers, scuba divers, and swimmers. There is a La Jolla Beach as well but for calming water surfaces, you need to move towards the caves.

Canoeing through dark caves and treading through various routes can be your way of relaxation.

6. Spend Some Time At The Lake Cuyamaca

The Cuyamaca Lake and Cuyamaca mountains have reserved a special place away from the hustle-bustle of San Diego city. It is a reservoir that has reserved its boundaries for relaxation and recreational activities.

You would find a lot of picturesque landscapes in these 110 acres of area. Though there are possibilities that you can meet a lot of like-minded people here, if you are looking forward to spending some alone time, then, there is enough area for you.

You can go fishing, camping, and boating here in the reservoir. There are rental cabins available here, so you can get those golden moments just above the sunrise or late-night starry skies. It is going to be a treat.

7. Plan A Picnic At Balboa Park

A dense tree, with falling golden leaves over the green lush grass, makes a perfect spot for a picnic. And yet it is not a description of a countryside afternoon or a scene for the Hobbits. It could rather be a place at Balboa Park in San Diego.

Balboa Park has everything for everyone and also leaves the perfect space for planning a picnic for you. After all, it is 1200 acres in area and is a historic urban cultural park.

Apart from marvelous views during all seasons, green trees, open skies, gardens, and a walking path that you are going to love. Here, you will also find museums, several theaters, and a San Diego Zoo.

If you are looking for a fun and relaxing place to visit in San Diego with kids, you must come to Balboa Park. No matter what interests you have, you are not going to get bored at this park.

Don’t want to walk? Take a segway tour around Balboa Park.

8. Shopping Therapy At The Harbor And Seaport Village

All I want to do is buy pretty things for myself to get rid of the unnecessary stress. Have you ever been in the toughest situation and thought this way? If you are visiting San Diego then you have just manifested that statement into reality.

You just need to add The Harbor and Seaport Village to your San Diego itinerary. Here you won’t just be a part of shopping therapy but would also be investing in some worthy things.

The shops at Seaport have a variety of things. From the native local stores to the high-end boutiques and stores, they offer you the best of the best in the city.

There are local street shops and vendors to offer you delicious snacks to savor while you can concentrate on shopping. 

Go on this fun sightseeing tour through Seaport Village and Harbor Drive and you’ll travel on land and water.

9. Please Your Eyes On The Sunset At The Harbor

The best part of the location of The Seaport Village is you can reach the harbor just in time for that perfect view of a magical sunset.

If you are in San Diego which is full of beaches and mountains, there is no place as perfect as this to just soak in that moment of a sunset. And yet, the luxury of watching a sunset at the harbor can only be offered here.

10. Go On A Drinking Spree

That perfect day when you can forget all the worries of your life and just relax in the moment. Just being there living and not surviving. Claiming on every breath and enjoying life to its fullest.

If these are your goals while on your way to San Diego, you are going to love it here. San Diego Wine and Beer company, Modern Times Beer, and Lost Cause Tasting Room are some of the places that would welcome you with warmth and open arms.

Here, you will not only find the best of the best wines and beers made by the experts themselves but would also find a community that is best at hosting guests.

The tasting rooms and bars would help you have some of the most memorable times spent with some strangers whom you might know just for a day but on that day, you would have a gala time of your life.

11. Relax At One Of The Best Spas In Downtown San Diego: AquaVie

The Spa in AquaVie Wellness Center caters to individuals as well as couples who are looking to unwind. Despite being located in one of San Diego’s busiest areas, AquaVie Wellness Center can provide you with an ideal escape from it all.

It is home to an incredible spa also offering a variety of pampering treatments. Moreover, it features saunas, steam rooms, a heated lap pool, and exercise studios hosting sessions for yoga.

Where to Stay In San Diego

San Diego has a variety of accommodations: hotels, resorts, campgrounds and more. We recommend these 3 options:

Budget-Friendly Option: Staypineapple, Hotel Z, Gaslamp San Diego

Mid-Priced Option: Hotel Marisol Coronado

Lux Option: Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Best Tours In San Diego

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego safe?

San Diego is widely known to be one of the safest cities in the nation for its size. Although some levels of crime are a given, and some of its neighborhoods are safer than others, the crime rate in San Diego remains below the national average. 

Can you visit San Diego in the winter?

If you conjure up images of endless summer and salty surfers when told to think of San Diego, you’re not alone. Although this city is known widely as a summer vacation destination, San Diego has its draws during the colder months.

Can I visit San Diego without a car?

Visiting San Diego without a car is a viable option. When doing so, I recommend that you research ahead of time to determine what you are hoping to get out of your visit and choose a walkable neighborhood to stay in based on this. For a safe neighborhood, we recommend the North Park neighborhood in San Diego.

If you choose to rent a car, here’s all you need to know about renting a car in San Diego.

How many days are needed for San Diego?

Because San Diego has so much to offer, I would recommend at least a 3-day trip to be able to explore different neighborhoods and visit as least 1 of its larger attractions such as Balboa Park or the San Diego Zoo.  But if you can, plan a 5-day trip to San Diego to see the best of San Diego and not feel rushed.

Final Thoughts: Relaxing Things To Do In San Diego

There are so many relaxing things to do in San Diego. Book your travels now to enjoy this adventurous yet serene city. You’ll come back feeling rejuvenated!

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