San Diego: Seven Destinations in One

When planning family travel, everyone wants something different. Some want active and thrilling adventures; others want relaxing and easy-going moments. Families should look no further than San Diego when planning a trip for 2022. From beaches to mountains to deserts, San Diego has it all.

Mountains

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Situated less than one hour from downtown San Diego is Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

, with more than 100 hiking trails. In addition to campgrounds and picnics, visitors can go horseback riding through the many miles of trails. To witness one of the best views of Mexico, hike Cuyamaca Peak.

Just a little farther from Cuyamaca Rancho State Park lies the Laguna Mountains in Cleveland National Forest. These pine-studded mountains also offer an array of activities including biking, fishing, hiking and other seasonal activities.

Beaches and Bays

Back in San Diego, visitors can enjoy more than 70 miles of coastline. Head to Pacific Beach to walk the boardwalk or to stroll in the sand. Many restaurants and hotels line the coastline of the city, making it the perfect spot to spend a sunny day by the water.

Deserts

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East of San Diego sits Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California’s largest state park. The 600,000-acre park is a stark contrast to the mountains and beaches, but offers its own kind of beauty. Visitors can enjoy vast views of cacti and other types of desert vegetation. If lucky, visitors might spot some of the wildlife roaming the desert like golden eagles, foxes, desert iguanas and roadrunners. Each spring, the desert erupts into vibrant colors as flowers bloom from winter rains. For guests wanting to spend more time exploring the park, a number of hotels and resorts are located near the park in Borrego Springs.

Lakes

The San Diego region consists of 20 freshwater lakes and reservoirs, including the popular Lake Murray in Mission Trails Regional Park. Go fishing during peak season, December–September, to catch bass, bluegill, catfish and black crappie. Visitors can venture onto the lake by rowboat, motorboat, kayak or pedal boat.

Twenty-five minutes northeast of San Diego lies San Vicente Reservoir, San Diego’s largest reservoir. The area has plenty of places to have a picnic or barbecue, and avid fishers can go fishing in the clearwater reservoir as well. The reservoir also offers activities like kayaking, waterskiing, wakeboarding and boating.

Historic San Diego

Take a day excursion to the historic town of Julian, a small town found east of San Diego. As the only gold rush town in Southern California, visitors can take a step back in time and stroll through the quaint shops, hotels and inns and even enjoy an apple pie for which the town is known.

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North of San Diego lies Encinitas, another historic town reminiscent of another era entirely. Encinitas embodies the historic Highway 101 beach culture from decades ago and offers fun shops, restaurants and several beaches for guests to enjoy.

Urban San Diego

The San Diego we think of today is the metropolitan city, and the emerging culture of San Diego’s urban area is a must-see. Venture to Little Italy to walk through the area’s neighborhoods and dine at one of the region’s international restaurants. For a diverse lineup of restaurants, shops and entertainment, the historic Gaslamp Quarter has something for everyone.

International San Diego

Because San Diego lies near the U.S.-Mexico border, visitors to San Diego can take advantage of Mexico’s proximity and turn a San Diego vacation into something more. A short drive outside of San Diego can take visitors to Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, and Guadalupe Valley. Each of these cities features countless activities ranging from beautiful beaches, aquatic adventures, learning the cities’ cultures and enjoying the region’s delicious cuisine.