City guide: San Diego

By REBECCA MONKS
Published on 03/06/2012 12:18

Friday, noon: Check into the plush Park Hyatt Aviara Resort on Four Seasons Point (Rooms from £188, www.parkhyattaviara.com). Being pampered may come at a price, but the hotel insists that they take pride in offering the best in everything.

3pm Fend off jetlag with a brisk walk around the 35-acre San Diego Botanic Garden (www.sdbgarden.org, open 9am until 5pm daily), located in the coastal resort of Encinitas, which is a 30-minute trip north of downtown San Diego.

7pm Treat yourself to dinner at Current (www.coronadoresortmarriott.com). With main courses around £12, this popular restaurant doesn’t cost a bomb. Options might include Pacific cobb salad, followed by black bottom peanut butter chocolate pie.

Saturday, 9am Explore the 1,200 acre Balboa Park (www.balboapark.org), which features San Diego Zoo, a miniature railroad, a Japanese friendship garden, the Arts and Crafts-style Marston House and The San Diego Museum of Art.

3pm Take a trip to the San Diego Natural History Museum (1788 El Prado, www.sdnhm.org, admission around £9.40). It features multimedia exhibitions that focus on the natural wonders of California, as well as displays such as Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition.

7pm Enjoy cocktails and live music at Anthology (www.anthologysd.com). Located on India Street, it is well worth a visit.

9pm Experience the finest in contemporary American cuisine with a meal at Jimmy Loves in the heart of entertainment and shopping district, the Gaslamp Quarter (www.jimmyloves.com).

Sunday, 10am Don’t leave San Diego without taking in some of the beautiful coastline. La Jolla Coast Tours (www.tourguidetim.com/la-jolla-tours), will guide you towards amazing sea views.

THE FACTS

Flights from Edinburgh to San Diego start from £921 with Sky Scanner (www.skyscanner.net)