With gas prices being what they are, you may be considering a vacay or getaway within a short drive of the Coachella Valley. The good news: if you long for a little slice of a European adventure, you can experience a bit of Mediterranean charm within a short 2-hour drive.
Because Southern California and Spain are within the same general latitude range, they have many similarities — from climate to vegetation. San Diego offers all the charms and mystique of Spain without the time and expense of hopping a flight.
So, why not plan a little Mediterranean adventure to San Diego where a short drive takes you a world away?
San Diego’s Rich History and Cultural Legacy
Be sure to put Balboa Park on your San Diego itinerary. Named for Vasco Nunez de Balboa, the first Spanish explorer who happened upon the Pacific Ocean in 1513, Balboa Park is a 1,400-acre urban park. With stunning Spanish-revival architecture designed to host the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, Balboa Park boasts 18 museums, the San Diego Zoo, sprawling picturesque gardens and many other amenities. Balboa Park is the country’s second largest urban park behind Central Park, so there’s much to see — one day is hardly enough time to enjoy the expansive grounds.
Nor are a couple of days ample time to explore the variety of things to do and explore within San Diego’s environs, but thankfully us desert locals are just a short drive away.
La Jolla — California’s Coastal Jewel
To fully immerse yourself in a Mediterranean experience, discover the beauty and romance of La Jolla. Located just 14 miles from downtown San Diego, La Jolla is situated on some of California’s most stunning coastline. Fittingly, the name La Jolla means “the jewel” in Spanish.
One of La Jolla’s most popular attractions is the La Jolla Cove, which is inhabited by its famous residents — nonchalant sea lions that seem to regard visitors as business as usual. You can get a bird’s eye view of the Cove and the sea lions from the newly-renovated terrace at George’s at the Cove, a long-time La Jolla eatery. Watching the sea lions lazily sunning themselves on the rocks is some of the best free entertainment around.
La Jolla also has a charming walkable village for strolling and retail therapy. Near the village is the Museum of Contemporary Art, an airy collection of galleries, sculpture gardens and a courtyard café. Try to make time to sample the museum’s adjacent restaurant, Kitchen, to enjoy unobstructed ocean views from the terrace and a surprisingly inventive, tasty menu.
San Diego has plenty of beaches to choose from
For my Mediterranean escape, I decamped to the classic La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, a 1935 historic family-owned beachfront club resort, now managed by the fifth generation of the Kellogg family.
The resort has a golf course, 13 championship tennis courts, pickleball courts, a spa, and long stretch of private beach. The accommodations range from hotel rooms at the adjacent sister property, La Jolla Shores, as well as 1, 2 or 3 bedroom suites located steps from the sand. With full kitchens and living rooms the suites cater to families of any size.
The resort will set up a beach barbeque for you and your party with tables, chairs, linens, etc. right on the sand. For more refined dining, the resort’s celebrated historic Marine Room is a La Jolla tradition. During high tide, the Marine Room is a local tradition to experience waves crashing into the restaurant’s windows. It’s also an ideal vantage point to catch the sunset with a cocktail or two.
The La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club offers several other more casual dining options, including a grab-and-go Club Market, a Club Dining room, and the new woodfired pizza oven.
Other San Diego Highlights
San Diego is both a city and a county, and within the county limits, you’ll find several other notable attractions. Whale watching is sure to provide a memorable thrill. San Diego Whale Watch conducts 2-1/2 hour ocean excursions from the marina; the onboard naturalist provides educational and enlightening commentary. We spotted a pod of dolphins but no whales on the day of our outing, but it was still an exhilarating experience. The company’s policy is if you don’t spot any whales, your next excursion is free. Maybe better luck next time.
A bit east of downtown San Diego in Escondido is the 1,800-acre Safari Park, part of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The new Elephant Valley was three years in the making and is destined to be one of Southern California’s most popular attractions. Home to the park’s herd of eight African elephants, on 13+ acres, Elephant Valley authentically replicates an African savanna habitat. The cutting-edge design of Elephant Valley enables spectators to observe the majestic pachyderms fairly up close and personal, a fascinating and inspiring encounter.
In North County in the town of Carlsbad, you’ll find the famous Flower Fields (from March – May) a staggering display of ranunculus flowers over 55 acres. The flowers are arranged in ribbon-like rows of dazzling colors. When not in bloom, the Flower Fields feature other fun attractions such as Sea of Sunflowers, U-pick Blueberries, Butterfly Encounter, Cymbidium Orchid Greenhouse, and tractor wagon rides.
Also nearby in Carlsbad you’ll find the Legoland California Resort, a theme park featuring 30,000 models made with LEGOS, 60 rides, a water park and an aquarium. The resort offers convenient accommodations at two on-site hotels.
After returning to Greater Palm Springs, you will likely have a new perspective on how accessible the desert is to the amazing diversity and beauty of our Golden State. Venture forth.
If you go
General Tourism Information: www.sandiego.org
Attractions
Accommodations
Restaurants
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Discover San Diego’s Mediterranean charm
Reporting by Lydia Kremer, Special to The Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
