Where to Go for Spring Break in San Diego

Spring break is on the horizon! Below you can find a selection of curated San Diego spring break itineraries for families, lively friends and even sophisticated travelers highlighting quintessential San Diego hot spots and hidden gems.

Photo Courtesy of Seneca, by Garrett Rowland

Sophisticated Spring Break

Spring break doesn’t always equal dancing on tables, for some of us it’s indulging in delicious food and dawning our finest fashions. This spring break, gather your friends to experience San Diego’s most glamorous offerings. Book your stay at The Guild Hotel, a carefully restored and distinctly modernized boutique property in the heart of downtown, setting the stage for a sophisticated yet playful vacation reminiscent of a southern European vacation. Just down the street is the must-dine, captivatingly elegant Animae, where art deco meets enchanted forest and Chef Tara Monsod showcases Filipino cuisine against the backdrop of a luxurious restaurant space. A setting worthy of a celebration, located at the top of the InterContinental Hotel San Diego, visit Seneca for sweeping views of the San Diego harbor and skyline on its jaw-dropping patio.

Spring break doesn’t always equal dancing on tables, for some of us it’s indulging in delicious food and dawning our finest fashions. This spring break, gather your friends to experience San Diego’s most glamorous offerings. Book your stay at The Guild Hotel, a carefully restored and distinctly modernized boutique property in the heart of downtown, setting the stage for a sophisticated yet playful vacation reminiscent of a southern European vacation. Just down the street is the must-dine, captivatingly elegant Animae, where art deco meets enchanted forest and Chef Tara Monsod showcases Filipino cuisine against the backdrop of a luxurious restaurant space. A setting worthy of a celebration, located at the top of the InterContinental Hotel San Diego, visit Seneca for sweeping views of the San Diego harbor and skyline on its jaw-dropping patio.

Photo Courtesy of Marisi, by Kimberly Motos

Family-Friendly Spring Break

The mindset for any family vacation is relaxation and rejuvenation. Families can plan a refreshing escape to the sunny shores of Lake San Marcos, where they’ll enjoy breathtaking scenery, luxe accommodations and endless activities at Lakehouse Hotel & Resort. For the families that love camping, Lakehouse offers a similar experience without the mess of campground camping with everything from pool or lakeside lounging to water sports like paddle boats, SUP, kayaking and more, plus tennis, pickle ball and s’mores over a fire pit by the lake.

Bring the whole family and soak in the warm spring air on Communal’s outdoor patio at their Oceanside location. Communal’s menu highlights an array of family-friendly dishes, including breakfasts, toasts, pizzas and more. While the kids run around and play, parents can sip on coffee, tea, beer, wine or cocktails. Just down the coast, you’ll find Corner Pizza, the Biarritz meets Brooklyn neighborhood pizza spot in Leucadia, which has pizza for the kids and oysters and wine for the parents, ensuring everyone’s needs are met this spring break. Down the road, you’ll find a buzzy craft cocktail bar on the inside and a family-friendly patio on the outside known as Hamburger Hut. Complete with firepits and a ping pong table, whether you’re looking to enjoy live music with a tropical beverage in hand or the evening breeze as the kids play, Hamburger Hut’s unforgettable burgers and tiki-inspired cocktails are not to be missed.

Photo Courtesy of Belmont Park

Tucked away in San Diego’s beach town of Encinitas, you’ll find Herb & Sea, a restaurant beloved by its community offering more than just fresh flavors but a welcoming place for all to share the bounties of the sea and land. A trip to San Diego is not complete without a visit to the historic landmark in the heart of San Diego’s Mission Beach, Belmont Park. The entire family can embrace the little kid inside of them as this beachfront boardwalk offers an all-day experience featuring amusement rides, carnival games, high-end and casual dining, bike rentals and more.

Photo Courtesy of WNDR, by Adrian Stein and Zac Hall

Lively Spring Break

Grab your best friends and plan an unforgettable spring break spent bopping around San Diego’s liveliest party destinations. Start by booking a stay in the heart of the downtown action at The InterContinental San Diego, a luxury hotel featuring panoramic views of the city skyline and bay, and home to southern Italian-inspired, rooftop restaurant Garibaldi. Wake up feeling refreshed for Saturday morning brunch or evening drinks at Garibaldi before hitting the town and imbibing cocktails at some of San Diego’s newest bars, like Japanese-style, hi-fi listening Part Time Lover in North Park, or head to Mission Beach for fresh sushi and cocktails at San Diego’s largest oceanfront rooftop, Cannonball.

End your nights in the hottest party neighborhood, Pacific Beach, with some boot stomping fun at Moonshine Beach where patrons can dance the night away to live country music and enjoy the high-energy, relaxed atmosphere that San Diego is known for. A stop at the newly opened WNDR Museum San Diego, an immersive art museum,  will make for the picture perfect Spring Break. Who doesn’t love culture with a side of cocktails?