Solo Travel in San Diego for 30- and 40-somethings

Check in at the Lafayette Hotel & Club for a fun stay Uptown and to be close to all the action in the North Park neighborhood. Fresh off a nationally acclaimed $31 million renovation, the property is the first in San Diego to receive a prestigious Michelin Key. Even if you choose to stay elsewhere, plan to visit the lobby bar for well-crafted cocktails and to see the striking maximalist design. For a chic stay downtown, Palihotel San Diego is a boutique property housed in a century-old building and has a rooftop bar that’s exclusive for guests. If you want to be by the beach, The Bower Coronado is a new hotel that’s a short walk to the famous sands of Coronado Beach and in a quiet part of town. The Dana on Mission Bay has all the amenities of a resort and offers plenty of bayfront views, a private marina and two pools (including an infinity pool). 

Get your bearings in the city by exploring Balboa Park — the city’s cultural heart and preeminent public gathering space, where acres of gardens, museums and historic architecture come together. Start at the Spanish Village Art Center, where local artists work out of colorful studios, and grab a coffee from Daniel’s Coffee Cart. Step into the Timken Museum of Art for a quick but rewarding stop (you can see a Rembrandt for free!), then head to the Botanical Building, one of the most photographed spots in the park, and step inside to admire the architecture and collection of tropical plants, or climb the iconic California Tower at the Museum of Us for a memorable view of the city. For a break, Panama 66 offers local beers, sandwiches and appetizers inside the sculpture garden of the San Diego Museum of Art. Afterward, cross the Cabrillo Bridge into Bankers Hill, one of San Diego’s oldest neighborhoods and known for historic homes, ranging from the Victorian era to mid-century modern styles.  

Bankers Hill and neighboring Hillcrest — the center of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community — have several options for lunch, like smashburgers at North Park Beer Co., East Coast-style slices at Sister’s Pizza; paninis on house-baked bread and salads at Bread & Cie; and ramen at HiroNori Craft Ramen. 

Consider exploring Uptown on foot via the 7 Bridges Hike, a 5.5-mile loop that starts in Balboa Park and goes through the four charming urban neighborhoods that surround it. You’ll cross over canyons, highways and pedestrian bridges in a variety of architectural styles, and the route is mostly flat. If you’re short on time, the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge and wooden Quince Street Bridge are close to the park in Bankers Hill; and the Park Boulevard Bridge will take you from the center of Balboa Park into a scenic cactus garden. 

To experience where locals hang out and dine, head to North Park, one of the most walkable districts in the city. Over a decade ago, an influx of craft breweries, cool shops and lounges, and new restaurants opened in the neighborhood, and today it’s a dining and nightlife destination that draws people in their 30s and 40s. A variety of cuisines can be found here: Vietnamese at Shank and Bone; Italian at Siamo Napoli; and Michelin-recommended Spanish-style seafood at Mabel’s Gone Fishing, along with casual bars like Happy Medium and Working Class that have quality eats. 

The area’s lounges and bars are welcoming for solo travelers to explore. Part Time Lover is inspired by Tokyo’s listening bars and pairs a state-of-the-art sound system with expertly made drinks. Finca is a refined yet approachable wine bar that recently received national acclaim. Want to play old-school arcade games like Street Fighter II and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? Coin-Op Game Room has the greatest hits from the ‘80s and ‘90s along with a full bar. Original 40 Brewing Co. has house brews and seltzers on tap, and Mike Hess Brewing has a tasting room at its brewing facility.  

West of North Park is University Heights, which has a charming main street (Park Boulevard) with fun local businesses. Kairoa Brewing Company is a Kiwi-themed brewery with a scenic rooftop, and Park & Rec is a neighborhood bar with lots of outdoor seating that hosts dance parties. For a unique dining experience, visit Dreamboat Diner, a new retro-themed restaurant with counter seating where all the cheeseburgers and shakes are completely vegan. 

While there’s nothing wrong with spending the day sunbathing with a good book, San Diego offers unique marine excursions that should not be missed.  

One is whale watching, as the city lies along the migration routes of several different species of whale — including the blue whale, the world’s largest mammal — and is one of the best places in the U.S. to do it. From December to April, there’s the opportunity to see California gray whales as they make their way south to Baja California in the winter and then back to Alaska in the spring. Book an excursion for this once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness these gentle giants out on the open sea; tours can last three hours or longer, depending on what experience you choose. If you’re here in the off-season (late summer and fall), it’s still worth booking a tour, as it’s possible to see lively pods of dolphins off the coast.  

Or, spend the day kayaking in La Jolla, where you may encounter leopard sharks (don’t worry, they’re harmless to humans) along the way. The shoreline near scenic La Jolla Cove is dotted with sea caves that can only be accessed by kayak, and is part of a nature preserve where the sharks congregate in the summer months. Book a tour with Everyday California, La Jolla Kayak or Bike and Kayak Tours for a guided adventure that will take you from the sands of La Jolla Shores right into the sea caves and past kelp forests to view the marine life. La Jolla Shores is a lovely wide-sand beach, and the perfect spot to relax and soak in the sun after your tour. 

Stay in La Jolla to experience the dining scene, which is buzzing with new and exciting restaurants. Le Coq is a French steakhouse from celebrity chef Brian Malarkey and helmed by James Beard Award nominee Tara Monsod. The restaurant has a lively atmosphere and there’s plenty of bar seating that’s perfect for solo diners. Marisi is an upscale Italian restaurant with a beautiful patio and an inventive cocktail menu, and Himitsu received a Michelin Guide inclusion for its omakase sushi. For fresh seafood, El Pescador Fish Market is a local institution. And check out the Cheese Shop near La Jolla Shores for a casual bite — the beloved sandwich shop has been in the neighborhood for more than 50 years. 

If you decide to go whale watching instead, hang out in the coastal Point Loma neighborhood after you get back on land for dining and shopping. Some of the freshest seafood in town can be found at Mitch’s and Point Loma Seafoods, landmark establishments with views of the harbor and menus that support local fishers.  

Liberty Station is a shopping and dining complex that’s fun to wander around, and best of all, there’s plenty of free parking available. It’s an expansive complex right on the water that used to house a military base, and its buildings have been converted into boutiques, restaurants, and even art galleries and theaters. The former commissary and mess hall (where service people dined) is now Liberty Public Market, a food hall housing three dozen different vendors. You can also sample craft beer and a full menu for lunch and dinner at Stone Brewing Co., sip wines from locally owned Carruth Cellars, hunt for vintage treasure at Sea Hive and find fun souvenirs and gifts at Pigment. 

San Diego is a prime locale for hiking, and there are several shorter trails offering stunning views and quiet open spaces that can easily be done in a few hours. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a state-managed park in La Jolla that has scenic trails at varying levels of difficulty, from easy loops with views of the ocean to a moderately steep Beach Trail that descends three-quarters of a mile down the sandstone cliffs right to the shores of Torrey Pines State Beach. While you’re here, you’ll see the Torrey pine, a tree that’s endemic to the area. There’s an entrance fee and the parking fills up by midday, so try to go first thing in the morning. Cabrillo National Monument is a federally protected historical site and nature preserve at the tail end of the Point Loma peninsula, and has numerous paved trails that are perfect for a breezy walk, as well as tide pools that can be viewed and explored (which are easily accessible by car). If you’re here in the winter and spring, you may be able to see whales off the coast from a designated lookout point near the Old Point Loma Lighthouse.  

Two of the city’s cultural districts and enclaves — Little Italy and the Convoy District — are among the most exciting neighborhoods to dine in, and are where you’ll find a variety of restaurants serving authentic international cuisines.

Little Italy is close to Downtown San Diego, and the historic neighborhood became home to the city’s tuna industry and generations of Italian families who settled here. Today, Little Italy’s main drag, India Street, is filled with restaurants and lounges, and the street comes to life every evening as outdoor tables are packed with diners and revelers. Stop by Nonna or Barbusa for Sicilian cuisine — both are run by a local family with historical ties to the neighborhood — or Civico 1845 for Calabrian dishes. Buon Appetito has been in the neighborhood for over 20 years, and Isola is a local favorite for Neapolitan pizza.

Little Italy is highly walkable and it’s fun to explore the street scene. Hang out at Piazza della Famiglia, a public space modeled after those found in Italy, grab a gelato at Pappaleco, and try natural wines from around the world at Vino Carta. For a fine-dining experience, head to Juniper & Ivy, a restaurant included in the Michelin Guide that has a welcoming set-up for solo diners. The new bar, Juni, features a menu of bites that offer a fancy take on comfort snacks, such as crispy gnoccho frito reminiscent of pizza rolls, and handmade chicken nuggets topped with creme fraiche and caviar. The back of the menu even has fun fill-in-the-blank and word search games, an alternative to scrolling through your phone. The main dining room has ample counter seating, where you can tuck in for dinner and watch the kitchen staff in action. 

The Convoy District is about 15 minutes north of Downtown San Diego by car and is the city’s hub of Asian American-owned restaurants and businesses. From pho at Phuong Trang to ramen at Menya Ultra, revolving sushi at Kura or elevated gastropub cuisine with a Pan-Asian spin at Common Theory Public House, the district offers solo diners plenty of options and global flavors.