Take a short drive North to experience the beach town of La Jolla (pronounced La Hoya) - there is a reason why it means ‘the jewel’ in Spanish. Consider exploring the oceanside caves of La Jolla Cove, an ecological reserve, where you can mingle with the seals and spot other wildlife. Later, take a stroll to experience the fantastic Murals of La Jolla, a project of the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library commissioned by the community to demonstrate La Jolla’s unique personality and vibrancy. Scope out the town’s many coveted dining options, including some of San Diego’s best upscale eateries. Here you can enjoy gourmet open-air dining and stunning coastal views like nowhere else.

Food is at the centre of the city’s rich craft scene. For a truly San Diego experience, get to know Cali-Baja food - a mixture between Mexican cuisine and California’s emphasis on fresh, local food. It’s about shocking your taste buds and doing the extraordinary, like grilled octopus on a tostada or grilled avocado in a taco. The Cali-Baja scene has kept those in the know buzzing for years, and could be reason alone to visit the city, especially if you are a foodie.

Speaking of foodies, do go to Little Italy – one of the buzziest food neighbourhoods in the city, and an area that Forbes dubbed as one of the US’s top 10 hottest neighbourhoods. This foodie’s haven is home to more than 50 restaurants and cafés, some of which are dotted along Kettner Boulevard, known by locals as “Top Chef Alley”. This strip is famous for the many restaurant creations of past Top Chef contestants including Brian Malarkey and Richard Blais.

There would be no point in mentioning the fabulous food scene in San Diego without talking about its impressive craft beer scene, which is a culture all in itself. We hear that Canadians love their craft beer, so a trip to San Diego might be akin to a pilgrimage to one of the world’s largest and most prolific craft beer destinations. San Diego is home to over 150 local craft breweries. And it even boasts its very own signature brew; the West Coast-style IPA. This signature brew can be tasted at breweries along the “Hops Highway”, “Beer-a-Mar” and “Beer Boulevard”. All of these beer regions can be experienced on a brewery tour, or you can easily just head to one of these strips and take it all in on your own.

Driven by its young citizens and stunning geography, San Diego is all about perfect weather, gorgeous beaches, culture, street art, food, craft beer and nightlife. Be sure to check out America’s Coolest City and experience it for yourself.