18 Creative San Diego Staycation Ideas in America’s Finest City (2024)
- Date: April 16, 2024
- Topic: Events
- Contributors: Written by Peerspace Staff
Source: Peerspace
San Diego’s combination of year-round good weather and big city amenities makes it the perfect place to plan a staycation. Rather than flying somewhere less awesome, why not see what San Diego has to offer?
This list of 18 creative San Diego staycation ideas includes restaurants, nearby cities, resorts, spas, and more! There are also hundreds of local event venues collected by Peerspace, the nation’s leading venue rental service. From rooftop bars to beachfront condos, consider one of these inspirational staycation venues for your next holiday!
1. Visit the San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo sees over 4 million visitors each year and is widely considered to be one of the best zoos in the world. Most exhibits are designed to replicate natural habitats, giving each habitat the feel of a safari or cave excursion rather than walking around a curated zoo. With a San Diego 3-for-1 Pass, you can see the Zoo, SeaWorld, and Safari Park during your staycation!
2. Plan an art or wine-tasting class
Art classes for watercolor, photography, or sculpting can be hard to fit into a busy working schedule but are awesome creative San Diego staycation ideas! Tasting classes for wine, whiskey, and beer are just as much fun – and can even be combined for a special art and wine night with friends. If you want to book your own venue for some easels and a painting instructor, consider a studio space like this brightly lit dance studio in Central Escondido!
3. Book a party boat
Party boats and booze cruises leave from Mission and San Diego Bay year-round. Some, like Rock the Yacht Cruise offer two-hour night cruises where you can enjoy skyline views, cocktails, a DJ, and a dance floor on the deck. Other party boats are set up for craft beverages, public mixer parties, and private events.
4. Check out Avenida Revolución in Tijuana
As a border city, San Diego is conveniently close to Mexico. You can be in Tijuana in less than an hour where shopping, food, and drinks are a fraction of the cost back home! It’s rare to take a staycation in another country entirely! Most visitors head straight to Avenida Revolución where the bars, shops, and restaurants are most densely packed. With a bit of planning, you can also take walking culinary tours and museum trips.
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5. Stay at a luxury resort
Luxury resorts offer visitors a chance to unwind and have all of their needs met in a single venue. From cocktails to golf, a resort stay is the San Diego staycation idea with the most options included. Many are themed to match European or Asian motifs while others offer spa treatments or day trip buses to nearby parks!
6. Explore the dining scene
San Diego is one of the best food cities in the country. It boasts five establishments honored with Michelin stars, including Addison at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, one of seven 3-star restaurants in the entire state of California! The year-round pleasant weather means outdoor dining is a popular way to enjoy the sunshine and seaside views with your meal. From Asian fusion to New American, there’s something for all palates in San Diego!
7. Step back in time at Cabrillo National Monument
If you’re interested in history and nature, Cabrillo National Monument is one of the more creative San Diego staycation ideas out there! It marks the point where Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo became the first European to set foot on the West Coast in 1542. Nearby Old Point Loma Lighthouse is surrounded by seasonal wildflowers and the low tides reveal tidepools where you can learn all about the tidal ecosystem of the region.
8. Have a spa day
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One of the most relaxing San Diego staycation ideas has to be a spa day. Instead of bouncing around town take a half or entire day to relax in a hot tub, have an exfoliating scrub, and enjoy wellness juices. The Spa at Estancia La Jolla combines Spanish colonial architecture with modern spa amenities like Clarisonic back treatments and a eucalyptus steam room!
9. Take a glamping trip
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Not interested in the dirt or lack of showers a typical camping trip offers? Why not go glamping instead? San Diego boasts glamping facilities where you can have nature at your fingertips alongside wifi and a gourmet kitchen! Check out this farm facility in Descano, CA, with glamping available in a nearby cabin.
10. Go hiking
San Diego is famous for its beaches and city amenities but it also has wonderful inland destinations to explore. One of our favorites is the Cuyamaca Peak Loop Trail, where the nearby mountains provide scenic views of the Golden State. If you want to stay closer to home, check out the Torrey Pines Beach Trail. It’s one of the most popular in Southern California and takes visitors on an easy loop 3.1 miles around the nature preserve.
11. Take a day trip to Los Angeles
San Diego is a short day trip away from Los Angeles, the second biggest metro area in the nation. Explore big city amenities like the Getty Center, a world-class art institution that happens to be free. There’s also the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Monica Pier, Sunset Boulevard…No matter what you love, you’ll find it in LA!
12. Visit Oceanside, California
If LA feels like too big a jump check out nearby Oceanside, CA as a San Diego staycation idea! Oceanside is full of resorts, chic fine-dining restaurants, shopping, and a beautiful harbor. Instead of driving up from San Diego each day, you can even book a seaside beach condo through Peerspace. You’ll have all of the comforts of home, including a smart TV, golf cart rental, and dining areas with ocean views.
13. Join a yoga retreat
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Staycations are the perfect chance to join a yoga retreat or book an intensive class with an instructor. Work on your asanas in Pacific Beach or book a dedicated yoga studio through Peerspace. Many of our studio rentals like this Mira Mesa venue come fully equipped with wifi, mats, foam rollers, yoga blocks, and recovery tools! Leaving you free to focus on the instructor and releasing tension.
14. Charter a fishing boat
You don’t have to be a boat owner to enjoy deep-sea fishing. Not when dozens of charter boats are available for hire. San Diego’s year-round good weather means the fishing season never truly ends. Spend your staycation landing trophy fish like tuna, marlin, and amberjack alongside expert anglers!
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15. Visit the Japanese Friendship Gardens
The Japanese Friendship Gardens and Museum is a trans-Pacific organization celebrating San Diego’s relationship with its sister city of Yokohama, Japan. Visitors can learn about Japanese culture and explore the well-maintained grounds. The Japanese Friendship Gardens also host seasonal events like the Spring Sake Festival, cherry blossom season, and Children’s Day!
16. Book an oceanfront clubhouse for a party
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One of our favorite staycation ideas is to bring the beach closer to home. Peerspace venues like this oceanfront clubhouse in Point Loma place you just blocks away from the beach. You won’t have to share the private gardens or party hall, either! Whether you’re planning a dance party or just want a staycation getaway with your significant other, a clubhouse has a lot of potential!
17. Visit SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld is one of the must-see attractions for tourists visiting San Diego. Locals don’t always have time to hit the touristy spots but a staycation is the perfect chance to see some! SeaWorld’s collection of marine animals, rides, events, and activities offers something for everyone. You can enjoy dolphin shows, educational displays, and roller coaster rides here!
18. Plan a beach picnic
A staycation need not be a glamorous affair. Why not pack a lunch, a volleyball, and towels for a beach picnic with the family? Carlsbad State Beach and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park are popular spots to lay out a blanket for a picnic staycation. That said, if you do want a glamorous affair, companies like San Diego Picnics offer picnic packages complete with wine, charcuterie, and beach furniture!
San Diego staycation ideas: conclusion
San Diego locals have a lot of options for their staycation plans. Whether you enjoy fine dining with oceanfront views, world-class museums, or day hiking, you’ll find that America’s Finest City accommodates all desires. And for those of you looking to build a staycation venue from scratch, don’t forget that Peerspace offers San Diego event spaces with kitchens, art studios, rooftop dance floors, and more!
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