Solo Travel in San Diego for Women

For a chic stay near the Embarcadero, USS Midway Museum and Maritime Museum of San Diego, the Springhill Suites by Marriott San Diego Downtown Bayfront is a four-star property with bay views, three restaurants and an expansive pool. The Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Gaslamp/Convention Center is a 14-floor high-rise in the Gaslamp Quarter near Petco Park that’s steps from the nightlife hub of Fifth Avenue, but in a more low-key area. Its rooftop bar, The Nolen, is a popular lounge where you can enjoy craft cocktails without having to leave the property. Also in the Gaslamp Quarter, Alma San Diego is a boutique property with a fun pool deck that includes the Leave of Absence pizza bar. If a luxurious urban stay is what you crave, Pendry San Diego in the Gaslamp Quarter has plenty of pampering amenities: a pool with cabanas, four restaurants and lounges, a Champagne vending machine and the elegant Spa Pendry.  

For a relaxing beach vacation, The Bower Coronado is a new boutique property in walking distance to Coronado Beach. The hotel can arrange for unique and luxurious experiences, such as in-room massages or tours in a vintage VW van. Over in La Jolla, La Jolla Cove Hotel & Suites offers a budget-friendly ocean view stay near Ellen Browning Scripps Park. Also known as “The Pink Lady,” the iconic La Valencia Hotel has been a glamorous retreat for nearly a century. The property is decorated with hand-painted murals and Mediterranean-inspired art, and its cliffside location yields breathtaking views of the Pacific. The Whaling Bar, its historic watering hole, was recently renovated and is worth a stop for a happy hour snack — get the decadent Caesar salad with croutons that taste like fried Twinkies. If you’re in need of a wellness-focused retreat, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is a serene and expansive resort near Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve with a world-class spa, acres of calming gardens, a lounge devoted to zero-proof cocktails and restaurants where chefs use ingredients grown right on the property. The hotel even has its own apiary and sells the honey in the gift shop.  

Balboa Park should be on every traveler’s agenda, as the 1,200-acre park houses dozens of cultural institutions including the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Museum of Art, as well as picturesque gardens. It’s easy to spend a morning or afternoon here, and several of the attractions at the park can be enjoyed without an admission fee, including the landmark Botanical Building, Rose and Cactus Gardens, and shows at the historic Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Exhibits at Timken Museum of Art or in the lobby at the Mingei International Museum are always free and are worth a stop even if you’re limited on time. 

For a day of sun and surf, several of San Diego’s beaches are good options for solo travelers. La Jolla Shores is known for gentle waves and where kayak tours enroute to the La Jolla Sea Caves depart from. Mission Beach is steps from Belmont Park, a historic amusement park by the sea with a 100-year-old wooden rollercoaster, and lined by a busy boardwalk that’s perfect for a stroll, bike ride or people watching. Ocean Beach is a bohemian coastal community where the shoreline is punctuated with the longest concrete pier on the West Coast. Newport Avenue, the community’s main drag, is filled with eclectic restaurants, antique shops and bars. For a luxurious beach day with serious pampering, head to Coronado and book a day bed at Hotel Del Coronado, and sunbathe on the sand in front of the iconic Victorian-era resort as drinks and lunch are delivered right to you.  

If you’re a hiker or want to enjoy time outdoors, 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 the moderately steep Beach Trail that descends the sandstone cliffs right to shores of Torrey Pines State Beach — the Beach Trail is popular, so there’s always other hikers out and about. 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). The aptly named Sunset Cliffs is a popular spot for both sightseers and locals, especially in the evenings when crowds gather to watch the sun dip below the horizon. The walking paths run along the coast across from a neighborhood of stately coastal homes, making it both a tranquil and well-populated area to enjoy nature. San Diego’s bayfront is a great location for a leisurely bike ride: rent one from Wheel Fun Rentals and explore the attractions on the Embarcadero, and the shops and restaurants at Seaport Village. 

Get acquainted with the bounty of local produce available — San Diego County has more small farms than any other county in the U.S. — at one of the city’s bustling farmers markets. On Saturday mornings, the Little Italy Farmers Market turns the neighborhood into a mini street festival, complete with live music, plenty of art and gifts, and lots of stands to grab a tasty breakfast or coffee. On Sundays, the Hillcrest Farmers Market — the city’s largest — is another option that’s set in San Diego’s buzzy LGBTQ+ neighborhood. 

San Diego has several walkable, urban neighborhoods that are packed with entertaining nightlife options and culinary treasures.  

The Gaslamp Quarter is a nightlife destination packed with bars and restaurants, and Fifth Avenue — especially where it intersects with Market Street — is its main artery. This stretch tends to have steady foot traffic at night, which can feel more comfortable for solo travelers who want to explore the area. India Street in Little Italy is dotted with charming cafes and upscale restaurants, with many offering alfresco seating — check out Barbusa, Civico 1845, or Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge for hearty Italian dishes and prime people watching, or grab a slice of pizza and hang out in the Piazza della Famiglia, a communal space that evokes the energy of Italy’s piazzas. North Park is San Diego’s designated hipster ‘hood, and it’s filled with craft beer bars, trendy restaurants and cocktail lounges, and attracts visitors in their 30s and 40s. Head to University Avenue and 30th Street, the neighborhood’s hub, and check out Mabel’s Gone Fishing (Spanish-style seafood), Dunedin (New Zealand-themed with a whimsical interior), or Part-Time Lover (a Tokyo-inspired listening bar). While you’re here, check out Bivouac Ciderworks, a woman-owned business serving locally made ciders on draft and a menu of comfort foods.  

Liberty Station in the Point Loma neighborhood was once a military base, and its buildings have since been converted into a dining and shopping destination that’s enjoyable to wander around in day or night. The former commissary and mess hall (where service people dined) is now Liberty Public Market, a food hall where vendors serve everything from empanadas to sushi, Korean-Mexican fusion and crepes, as well as craft beer and wine. Fans of Mexican cuisine and culture will want to visit San Diego Avenue in Old Town, where restaurants serve handmade tortillas, tequila and mezcal, and a variety of shops sell arts and crafts from south of the border.  

The Grant Grill at the art deco U.S. Grant Hotel has been a dining institution since the 1950s. Aside from its culinary excellence, the restaurant played a fascinating and important role in women’s rights in San Diego. Until 1970, women were not allowed to dine there during lunch hours — a rule displayed on a sign at the entrance — as the midday hours were reserved for male business leaders who used the space for networking. In 1969, a group of women attorneys protested with a series of sit-ins, demanding to be served and treated equally. Their persistence eventually led to the policy’s reversal. Today, the original “Men Only Until 3 p.m.” sign still hangs at the entrance, followed by a plaque honoring the trailblazing women who helped overturn the discriminatory rule. Book a seat and try the restaurant’s famous “Mad Men”-era mock turtle soup — served only during lunch hours — and toast to progress.