Southern California has year-round sublime weather and miles of shoreline. A San Diego honeymoon promises pristine beaches, warm weather, divine landscapes, walking tours, and history to enjoy with your loved one.
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Is San Diego a Good Place for a Honeymoon?
Yes, San Diego is one of California’s best places to honeymoon. It has a walkable downtown and romantic activities for couples.
Besides its warm weather and fabulous beaches, San Diego is home to Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, Coronado Island, and the Temecula Valley wine region. There is an activity suitable for every type of couple.
What Can You Do on a Honeymoon in San Diego?
Here are some of the most enjoyable things to do on a San Diego getaway:
- Visit the San Diego Zoo
- Take a walking tour of the Gaslamp Quarter
- Enjoy the sun, sand, and surf at Coronado Beach
- Explore culture and history in unique museums like the USS Midway
- Picnic at La Jolla Cove
- Hike or bike at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
- Go on a wine and beer-tasting tour at Temecula Valley
- Enjoy San Diego’s vibrant food and drink scene
- Cool off at the 4,500-acre Mission Bay Aquatic Park
What Is the Best Month to Visit San Diego?
The best months to visit San Diego are July, August, and September. The weather is at its best during these months (summer and autumn). However, these months are also tourist peak periods, so accommodation prices are higher.
San Diego weather turns wintery between September to February. March and April are rainy and cold, while May and June are typically overcast. These cold and rainy seasons are the not-so-ideal months to visit San Diego.
What Is the Cheapest Time to Go to San Diego?
The cheapest time to visit San Diego is in winter and early spring. There’s lower tourist traffic during this time, so accommodation rates are lower.
How Much Does a San Diego Honeymoon Typically Cost?
The average cost of a modest one-week trip to San Diego for two is $2,800. However, if you and your partner splurge on luxury hotels and honeymoon resorts, you can expect to double or triple that number.
How to Plan a Budget Honeymoon to San Diego
- Travel in the low season.
- Bundle your activity tickets and accommodation packages on platforms like Tripster to enjoy discount rates.
- Fly economy and set price alerts to find the best flight deals.
- Choose accommodation outside major tourist zones.
- Take advantage of free activities and experiences.
Where to Stay in San Diego on Your Honeymoon
This city has a fascinating history, culture, parks, wineries, and gastronomic excellence. Below are places to stay that will make for a memorable honeymoon.
Golden Hill
Golden Hill is a quaint and cute neighborhood east of Downtown San Diego. It has historical and architectural significance with lots of pre-1900 homes. That said, Golden Hill is also a modern, trendy neighborhood.
A romantic getaway here will have a laid-back yet contemporary feel. It is only a few minutes from the coastline, so you can easily visit North Beach or Coronado Central Beach and soak in the Pacific Ocean.
Golden Hill is only a whisper away from Balboa Park. Over 1,000 acres of natural paradise, Balboa Park is one of the US’s most iconic parks. The park has 150 years of development and is culturally and ethnically diverse. It is also rich in culture and history and is one of the most breathtaking places in San Diego. A few of Balboa Park’s main attractions are the San Diego Zoo, Spanish Village Art Center, and Balboa Park Miniature Train.
There are fun activities that you can enjoy at Balboa Park without spending a dime, including a Sunday afternoon concert with the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Last but not least, Golden Hill is a walkable neighborhood. So, walk down its sidewalk cafés and enjoy the most delectable dining experiences with a wide range of local wines and beers available to try.
Gaslamp Quarter
Gaslamp Quarter is as romantic as its Victorian-era history. It is a 16.5-block-wide walkable neighborhood that has over 100 charming historical buildings. They host various bars, hotels, museums, shops, and galleries.
Besides romantic walks, you can book guided tours of the old town’s famous ethnic cuisine. Most guided tours blend these walks with guided tours like the Stingaree or Red Light District Tour. Some guided tours will detour to the sector’s famous historical museums and haunted houses, like the popular Davis-Horton House.
The Gaslamp Quarter sits next to San Diego Bay. Consequently, you can sign up for romantic honeymoon activities like cocktails and sightseeing sunset cruises along the bay.
La Jolla
La Jolla’s rugged coastal resort area has top-of-the-range luxury San Diego hotels. La Jolla’s most popular attractions are the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and Torrey Pines Golf Course.
Spanning 170 acres, this natural reserve is home to the US’s rare pine tree, the Torrey Pine. Besides the sweeping views of these magnificent trees, the reserve also has a waterfowl reserve and a salt marsh. The outdoorsy couple can enjoy the reserve’s trails, coastlines, beachfront, badlands, and ravines. Afterward, tee off at the Torrey Pines Golf Course and enjoy splendid ocean views.
Visit La Jolla Cove for kayaking, seaside dining, and hot air balloon tours. In addition, La Jolla Cove is home to leopard sharks, seals, Garibaldi fish, and sea lions. The dramatic cliffs offer excellent dining experiences blended with panoramic vistas of the bay.
Temecula Valley Wine Country
The Temecula Valley region is one of California’s significant South Coast wine regions. Its vineyards lie 60 miles north of San Diego county. Besides its grape-covered rolling hills, the Temecula Valley is home to world-class wineries.
A wide range of Temecula Valley social wine-tasting tours include beer tasting, fine dining, and a night out on the town. If you visit Temecula in early June, you can enjoy the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival weekend, the region’s annual attraction.
What Is the Best Way to Travel to San Diego?
San Diego International Airport (SAN) receives over three hundred flights per day with seventy-five non-stop destinations. The airport can feel a bit hectic at times because it has only one runway. Unless you live close enough to drive, arriving by plane is your best choice.
Traveling Within San Diego
SAN is located only a few miles away from Downtown San Diego. San Diego has limited bus or trolley connections, so if you plan to explore all of what the city has to offer, it is best to rent a car when you land.
If you stay in Golden Hill or the Gaslamp Quarter, you may prefer walking the city and taking the occasional rideshare out of the downtown area.
What Type of Food Can You Find in San Diego?
San Diego neighbors the Mexican border, so there is a lot of Mexican food. Make sure to try the fish tacos and carne asada burritos.
That said, there is a little bit of everything here. You can find plenty of sushi, seafood, Italian and Asian cuisine within walking distance from wherever you’ll stay.
Is San Diego Safe for Visitors?
San Diego has relatively low crime rates. As a result, the best honeymoon hideaways, like La Jolla, are highly secure for night outs or days spent along the beach.
What to Pack For a Honeymoon in San Diego
San Diego hugs the Pacific Coast of California. As such, it has a casual atmosphere. When planning a honeymoon to San Diego, don’t forget to pack the following:
- Clothes you can layer because it’s typically warm in the day and chilly at night
- Semi-formal and casual outfits
- Bathing suit, hat, sunglasses, sunblock
- Toiletries
- Supplies and gadgets like a cell phone charger, a refillable water bottle, and a daypack.