Whether you’re heading to San Diego this for a vacation or you live here and are looking for something new to do, spring is a great time to get out and about! Here are a few of my favorites.
San Diego Beaches
With more than 70 miles of coastline, San Diego is a great year-round destination for lovers of surf, sand, and sun! In April, the weather is warm with an average temperature of 68 degrees (the ocean temperature averages 60 degrees). And the sun is shining — even at the coast which is often foggy in May and June.
Our favorite beach? We love La Jolla Shores! With some of the gentlest waves, this mile-long beach is a great spot for families.
From here, you can swim, snorkel, scuba dive and surf. It’s also a popular location for renting a kayak to explore the nearby La Jolla Cavesand the La Jolla Cove coastline, or for taking a surf lesson. There’s also free parking, restrooms, picnic spots, and a playground. And lifeguards are on duty from 9 a.m. until dusk.
Want more San Diego beach ideas? Check here.
Hotel tips: If you want to stay on the beach, try the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club (you don’t have to be a member to stay at the hotel) or the adjacent La Jolla Shores hotel. You can also try La Valencia located right above La Jolla Cove (pictured below).
Flower Blooms
San Diego is in bloom in April. And there are several spots to check out the beautiful blooms!
Poppy Fields at Walker Canyon
This year, California is experiencing a super bloom, which happens after a super wet winter following years of drought. This years’ California poppy bloom is so big and bright, you can see it from space! To see the flowers, head to Lake Elsinore’s Walker Canyon which is north of San Diego and right off the I-15. Just be prepared for LOTS of people and traffic. And come prepared to walk uphill on trails.
Flower Fields in Carlsbad
Feel like staying in San Diego County? Check out the ranunculus’s annual bloom at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad. From March 1 to May 12 every year, you can walk through these colorful fields, which are also a working farm. The cost is $18 per adult and $9 for children.
Anza-Borrego Spring Desert Wildflowers
If you’re willing to travel a bit farther and are up for a hike, you visit Anza-Borrego Springs Desert State Park to see the wildflowers in bloom. The best time to visit is typically the end of March. Get more information here.
Whale Watching
Maybe whales are more your thing? Make sure to check out the annual winter/spring whale migration that happens right off the coast in San Diego from mid-December through April.
While you can sometimes spot a whale from the beach or from the observation deck at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps or the Cabrillo National Monument, the best place to see the migration is from a boat.
Whale Watching Tours from San Diego
Here are some of the top-rated tours.
Flagship Cruises: With Birch Aquarium ocean experts on board, you’ll get real-time commentary on the sights and sea creatures unique to your cruise. And you’ll also receive coupons to visit Birch Aquarium. Whale sighting is guaranteed or your next tour is free. The cost is $43 per person and $21.50 for children.
Hornblower Cruises San Diego: Hornblower has teamed up with the San Diego Natural History Museum for this 3.5-hour excursion. Onboard naturalists provide expert narration during the cruise. And whale sighting is guaranteed or you’ll receive a pass for another tour. The cost is $43 per person and $21.50 for children.
Next-Level Sailing: Is sailing more your thing? Try a whale watching cruise aboard America, the company’s replica of the historic 139-foot yacht. Tours take about 3.5-4 hours and cost $76 for adults and $38 for children.
Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo
San Diego’s gorgeous Balboa Park, and it’s world-famous San Diego Zoo, are year-round favorites.
Want more ideas on amusement parks and museums to visit in San Diego this spring? Check here.
Balboa Park
With 17 museums and the Old Globe Theater, Balboa Park is the perfect spot in San Diego to soak up some culture.
The city of San Diego purchased the 1,200-acre site in 1835 and later developed it to host the 1915–16 Panama–California Exposition and 1935–36 California Pacific International Exposition. The park and its historic buildings and gardens were declared a National Historic Landmark and National Historic Landmark District in 1977, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Insider tip: If you’re going, make sure to check out options for discounted museum and zoo tickets at GoPark San Diego.
The San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in the world and is known as a pioneer in outdoor, cageless exhibits that re-create animals’ natural habitats. It is also one of the only zoos in that houses and successfully breeds giant pandas.
The zoo, which is part of Balboa Park, grew out of exotic animal exhibitions abandoned after the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. Today it’s the home to more than 3,500 animals and works to save species around the world.
A one-day pass to the park is $56 a day for adults and $46 for children (3-11). (Make sure to check out options for discounted tickets at GoPark San Diego.)
Insider tips: For the best chance to see animals, try visiting when it’s cool and/or at feeding time.
Also, the zoo is hilly. While the zoo does have some outdoor escalators, buses, and a sky tram to help you navigate the park, be prepared for some uphill walking.
Breweries and Distilleries
Maybe you’re more in the mood for some 21 and over fun! Luckily for you, San Diego is home to more than 150 breweries making it a great destination for craft beer lovers! Check out San Diego Magazine’s guide for all the details!
Some of our favorites are Societe Brewing Company, Thorn Brewing, and Fall Brewing Company.
Don’t love beer? Don’t worry. San Diego also has distilleries! My favorite is You & Yours Distilling, located in San Diego’s East Village. (You can read about our cocktail-making adventures at You & Yours here!)
Want more ideas on eating and drinking in San Diego? Check out my guide to Best Casual Brunches in San Diego.