San Diego is one of my absolute favorite places to visit, period. I decided that everyone needs to know the best places to see or eat at in that beautiful City. I have compiled a top ten list of the best landmarks in San Diego. Make sure you check them out!

Favorite Thing #1:

Mission Beach. Love this beach! It is always clean and not super crowded anytime I have ever went. The atmosphere is awesome and very laid back. We all love to play in the water, boogie board and body surf and there is plenty of room to do it. This beach is my favorite.

Favorite Thing #2:

So I am a sucker for Mexican food and about 7 years ago we saw this place Ramiro’s Taco Shop in Mission Beach and fell in love. It is a walk up to order Mexican food joint that is freakin’ delicious! It doesn’t look like it from the outside but we go there at least one time each visit. Everything is fresh and made to order and food is awesome!

Favorite Thing #3:

The Slot Canyons. This place has incredible views and is so much fun to hike. We took a guided tour but you are more than welcome to find it on your own. Keep in mind it is hidden and it is pretty difficult to find even though it is located on the map. You do have to climb quite a bit but if your an adventurer like me, you will not regret making this a priority on your next trip.

Favorite Thing #4:

The Baked Bear. There a few locations of this awesome ice cream sandwich place but we are always at Mission Beach so we go to the one on Mission Blvd. They have fresh baked cookies (so many flavors), brownies and so many different types of ice cream to build your own sandwich. My kids are always begging to go when we are down there.

Favorite Thing #5:

La Jolla Cove. This place is absolutely beautiful. It is a protected marine reserve and has tons of seal life all over the place. The sea lions climb on the rock or are all around on the beach. You can get close enough to take pictures with the animals but please don’t pet them. My favorite time during the day to go is at sunset, it is totally magical.

Favorite Thing #6:

Old Town San Diego historic park. This city has so much history and it is so much fun to see some of the original architecture from the 1800s, with all the colorful shops, restaurants, museums and the fun park for the kids to play at. If you go on the weekend, chances are that they will have music playing and dancing in the streets. Here you can spend money or enjoy all the free things the area has to offer, its totally up to you.

Favorite Thing #7

Gaslamp Quarter. The place is amazing and is centered in the historic district in downtown San Diego. The majority of the original architecture with vintage lights lighting the streets at night. This place is full of restaurants, bars, shopping and art. If you would love an awesome vintage area this place is it.

Favorite Thing #8:

Ocean’s Pizzeria in Mission Beach. My husband and I found this little pizza shop on the hunt for food, while the kids were playing at the beach, decided to try it and absolutely loved it. It is a very small pizza shop but everything was fresh. The pizza was cooked just right and the staff was so friendly. This has also become a staple on our trip routine

Favorite Thing #9:

Sunset Cliffs. This place by far is one of the best places for a beautiful ocean view. You are on sandstone cliffs, hiking and walking around. It is perfect for a day or night excursion. Best time to go in an evening during the week to avoid the crowds and see one of the most amazing sunsets you will ever see (better than La Jolla Cove).

Favorite Thing #10:

Last but certainly not least, this one is a must, drum roll please… Campfires on the beach! After a long hot day in the water there is nothing better than roasting hot dogs and making s’mores by the camp fire and no better place to do that than at the beach. If you have never done this you have to have the experience. So fun and the perfect ending to a day at the beach.

I hope you take my advice and check out these awesome places in San Diego. It will be your best trip yet! After you go, let me know what you loved the most. Happy vacationing!