2024 Top Travel Destination: San Diego!
Second or even third city no more, San Diego has catapulted to the top city destination in California (Conde Nast Traveler named San Diego the #2 city destination in America and San Diego has been named World Design Capital (WDC) for 2024 by the World Design Organization (WDO)). With celebs like Alicia Keys and Tony Hawk as ambassadors and a shining culinary, art and culture scene, San Diego easily tops your 2024 trip planning destinations. Below are some timely reasons to book your stay in San Diego.
Where to Stay in San Diego
Photo Credit: Matt Kisiday
The Lafayette Hotel
CH Projects, known for their immersive food and beverage concepts, has taken their world-building abilities to new heights with the full renovation of San Diego’s historic Lafayette Hotel (opened July 2023). The reimagining of the iconic colonial-style building, originally built in 1946, is the first notch on the belt for the hospitality group’s expansion into the hotel industry and the first real update the property has had since opening nearly eight decades ago. In addition to 139 guest rooms, the completely refabbed 2.5 acre property is home to several distinct food and beverage concepts, an old-timey game room complete with 2 lane bowling alley and the original pool designed by Olympic Gold Medalist and TV star, Johnny Weissmuller.
Why Now: Maximalist, brand new city hotel with a bowling alley, multiple bars and restaurants and design you need to see to believe.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lakehouse
Lakehouse Resort
With Lake San Marcos as the property’s centerpiece, Lakehouse Resort is reminiscent of an east coast lake retreat, transporting you to a getaway with beautiful views and a calming atmosphere, hidden in Southern California. Couples, families and snow birds can choose their own adventure from golf to pickleball, stand up paddling boarding or lounging by one of two pools.
Why Now: This charming lakeside resort is getting a full refresh, starting with their golf course and sail club, along with the rooms. It’s a hidden gem in Northern San Diego ideal for exploring beaches, attractions and dining.
Photo Credit: Diana Rose Sciacca
InterContinental Hotel San Diego
A luxury waterfront hotel located in downtown San Diego, offering modern luxury with contemporary coastal decor and well-appointed guest rooms, which showcase breathtaking water views. Walkable to many of San Diego’s top destinations and restaurants.
Why Now: Named one of the top 3 hotels to stay at in San Diego by Travel & Leisure, this property continues to draw rave reviews for its waterfront views, Club Lounge, access to the city’s top attractions (i.e. The Radys Shell, Balboa Park and Seaport Village), plus has two hotel restaurants, Garibaldi, a Sardinian inspired rooftop bar and restaurant and Vistal, their BLD restaurant offering Cali-Baja inspired dishes.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Visit Oceanside
The Brick Hotel
Walking distance to the beach and all of downtown Oceanside’s best attractions, The Brick is a chic hotel filled with luxury and comfort. With 10 guest rooms that can easily accommodate anywhere from 2 to 4 guests, The Brick is the perfect place to stay for spring break! The Brick has multiple food and drink options with a swanky Q&A Restaurant and Oyster Bar located right downstairs that specializes in cajun & creole cuisine, including chargrilled oysters, New Orleans classics and modern twists on classic NOLA cocktails. Upstairs guests can make their way to the Cococabana, a Caribbean-style cocktail bar with a menu of small bites and craft cocktails, that transports guests to a tropical paradise with views of the Oceanside coast. Why Now: Booking a stay at The Brick Hotel includes many perks. In the morning, guests can enjoy a free yoga class on the roof at the Cococabana. The Brick also includes a free voucher for an F45 Training class, complimentary coffee for Succulent Coffee, and a complimentary cocktail at Cococabana.
Where to Eat in San Diego
Photo Credit: Shannon Patrick
Quixote
Quixote is an Oaxacan-inspired concept and Mezcalería designed with monastic qualities that envelop guests with an agnostic sense of worship. The entire space was created from a decommissioned Catholic church in Mexico and reconstructed to showcase dark wood paneling, rough cobblestones that dot the entryway, flickering Santa Maria candles, rich stained-glass windows and baroque pews and banquettes surrounding the pulpit-inspired bar. Heirloom grains and masa with artisanal moles anchor the dining experience alongside creative craft cocktail spotlighting mezcal and Mexican distillates.
Why Now: Chef Jose Cepeda is channeling his upbringing and time spent cooking with his grandma in her kitchen to create modern and interesting takes on Oaxacan dishes. The sultry dining room is dimly lit and the drinks are tasty, you don’t want to miss it.
Photo Credit: Dustin Bailey
Animae
Helmed by Filipino LGBTQ+ Chef Tara Monsod, Animae’s menu is inspired by the Filipino flavors of her childhood and the stunning, modern architecture of the building the restaurant is housed in. Animae continues to wow diners who are traveling from all over to experience Tara’s take on Asian flavors.
Why Now: When a restaurant and a chef are experiencing that effervescent glow of a winning menu, excellent service and an insane dining experience as noted by industry experts and die-hard fans, making a reservation is no question.
Photo Credit: Mandie Geller
Puesto Mexican Artisan Kitchen + Bar
Puesto launched as a dream to introduce San Diego to a family-owned Mexican restaurant showcasing only the best ingredients, when it opened its doors in La Jolla, California in February 2012. The family behind Puesto, a group of brothers, cousins and their grandfather Isidoro brought Puesto to life. Featuring Mexico City-style tacos, the restaurant (with multiple outlets in San Diego) has garnered loyal followers for their menu of award-winning tacos, stellar Margaritas and lively atmosphere.
Why Now: You don’t come to San Diego and not eat tacos, this is the spot you don’t want to miss. Every tortilla is hand pressed, every salsa made from scratch and every Margarita (made with only additive-free tequila) is made with freshly squeezed limes. The Puesto brand is synonymous with tacos in San Diego.
Things to Do in San Diego in 2024
Photo Credit: Courtesy of San Diego Botanic Garden
San Diego Botanic Garden
Established in 1970, San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG) is a 37-acre urban oasis located in Encinitas, California, just north of San Diego. The Garden’s four miles of trails and 8,000 square foot glass conservatory display more than 5,300 plant species and varieties. A premiere institution for botanical science and conservation, SDBG is actively involved in conservation horticulture, botany, and applied plant sciences to address our biggest local and global challenges, from biodiversity loss to climate change, food insecurity to environmental degradation. SDBG has the largest public bamboo collection in North America; gardens representing different regions and flora of the world; and demonstration gardens showcasing fruits and vegetables, water-smart ornamentals, and native plants.
Why Now: SDBG will host its fourth annual World of Orchids in Spring 2024. The exhibition will be staged in the state-of-the-art, 8,000 square foot, glass-enclosed facility, the Dickinson Family Education Conservatory. The floral designs will feature impressive orchid specimens, locally bred hybrids, and rare species plants displayed in unique and unexpected ways.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Belmont Park
Belmont Park
A historic landmark in the heart of San Diego’s Mission Beach, Belmont Park is a beachfront boardwalk featuring amusement rides and games, high-end and casual dining, bike rentals, a full-service athletic club, and more for locals and travelers alike. The crown jewel of the park is the famous wooden roller coaster, built in 1925.
Why Now: Belmont Park is gearing up to celebrate its 100 year anniversary in 2025, which means constant upgrades throughout the park. In 2024 expect a freshly painted Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, the opening of a new ride, Shipwreck Cove, two new local eateries opening and tons more to explore.
Photo Credit: Scott Murphy
World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024
The first cross-border designation in World Design Capital history, WDC 2024 celebrates the best of art, design and innovation from our cross-border region. While the designation is for both cities as one connected community, San Diego is the first U.S. city ever to receive the designation and Tijuana is the second city in Mexico to hold the title. Throughout the year, WDC will host a series of events, exhibitions and summits including the debut of the World Design Festival (May 1-5) in Tijuana and the World Design Experience (September 18-25) in San Diego. WDC will also be supporting over 300 community events and initiatives that address the region’s most pressing challenges through design.
Why Now: WDC is supporting the installation of a 1.7-mile walking experience called the “Bay to Park Paseo '' which will run through downtown from the San Diego Bay to Balboa Park, with a goal of connecting two of San Diego's most iconic destinations. The project is led by volunteer designers, artists, and storytellers who are creating a unique, engaging, and impermanent pedestrian experience. Along with this installation, WDC is also supporting the 31st San Diego Latin Film Festival celebrating Latinx culture and the 17th Annual Dia de la Mujer Exhibition curated by Casa Familiar, highlighting women and non-binary designers and artists who use their creativity to bring hidden practices, beliefs and customs to light and challenge their impact.
