California Dreaming

“America’s Finest City” is San Diego’s official slogan. Though undeniably bold, this claim is echoed by a myriad of visitors to the city. San Diego’s extraordinary force of attraction is most likely due to its unique blend of beach holiday and city trip rolled up in one.

Sunshine is the order of the day in California’s second-largest city. Boasting more than 300 sunny days a year, tourists don’t have to worry about bad weather. Still, it is advisable to pack a sweater as it can get chilly along the coast at night, and morning clouds may occasionally hover over the city. Having said that, San Diego’s mile-long beaches and very special atmosphere easily make up for this.

The magic of the coast

The Pacific Ocean and the beach on one’s doorstep – what could be more alluring? The city neighbourhoods of La Jolla and Pacific Beach are lined with a plethora of restaurants and bars. When dining on the oceanfront, there’s a good chance of being visited by seals and, with a bit of luck, even spotting some dolphins. Navy Pier located further south is home to the USS Midway Museum. The museum is a decommissioned US Navy aircraft carrier and houses a large display of aircraft and helicopters.

Beach day

Anyone looking to be closer to the water can get comfortable at one of San Diego’s magnificent beaches, such as the white, sandy beaches of the Coronado peninsula: a great place to relax and watch the sun set! Those eager for something more action-packed will find it at Mission Bay which features Belmont Park, an oceanfront amusement park. Water sports enthusiasts are well catered to at La Jolla Shores with surfing, kayaking, even snorkelling with leopard sharks on offer. The only place to get even closer to such awesome ocean dwellers is in San Diego’s SeaWorld park which is just a few miles away.

City charm and west coast trips

San Diego is well worth a visit – and not just because of its beaches and oceanfront. The city centre also has plenty attractions to offer, including Balboa Park, San Diego’s green lung. This large open space contains several museums as well as the famous San Diego Zoo that spans 100 acres. All well worth seeing! Thereafter, the place to party and celebrate is the Gaslamp Quarter with its wealth of bars and clubs. ;;; ;;; San Diego is also an ideal starting point to discover the US West Coast by car. Los Angeles is just a two-hour drive along a coastal highway route that features a host of beautiful beaches. And anyone looking to fulfil a long-harboured childhood dream: the “original” Disneyland in Anaheim is just 95 miles north of San Diego and can be reached within one and a half hours.

You can reach Las Vegas within few hours, too. Take one's chance and gamble in one of the casinos or enjoy one of the spectacular shows. Thanks to the nonstop flight with Edelweiss you can even enjoy your flight back home. ;;; ;;; For holidaymakers with more time to spare, San Diego is also an ideal starting point for trips to Mexico. The town centre of Tijuana can be reached by bus in less than half an hour. Travelling from the big dazzling city to Tijuana is a journey into another world: more colourful, louder, but by no means less fascinating.