Sometimes all it takes to spark a little romance is time away from your hectic life. We’ve partnered with Dr. Cacinda Maloney of PointsandTravel to see where she would go to spark a little romance that is close to home.
Romance Is… San Diego
Romance is a destination—a place where two people are alone in a crowd enjoying each other completely, embracing their surroundings and making new memories. In San Diego, romance is world-class hotels, pristine beaches, museums, and historic attractions.
Photo by Cacinda Maloney of Points and Travel
Exploring San Diego
Photo by Marilyn Jones of TravelwithMarilyn
Europeans arrived in 1769. A great way to learn about the city’s origins is to start your exploration in Old Town. Here you’ll learn about the entrepreneurs who called San Diego home in the mid-1800s, and, according to Travel Channel’s America’s Most Haunted, some of the residents never left. Whaley House, said to be the most haunted house in America, is open for tours, and even if you don’t witness the supernatural, you’ll take away a better understanding of life in the 19th century.
Photo by Cacinda Maloney of Points and Travel
From here you can board an Old Town Trolley for a tour of the city. With hop-on, hop-off convenience, it’s easy to explore different attractions and neighborhoods. One of the first stops is the waterfront, where several harbor cruise options are available, including a one- or two-hour Flagship Cruise or a 90-minute San Diego SEAL Tour. The “SEAL” is an amphibious vehicle specially designed and built to navigate on sea and land—a fun way to spend the afternoon. Both take you on a cruise of San Diego Harbor, where you get a panoramic view of the city. Flagship Cruises also offers whale watching and dinner cruises. Make a stop at the Historic Gaslamp Quarter as well.
Photo by Cacinda Maloney of Points and Travel
Also known as New Town in contrast with Old Town, the area was developed beginning in the 1860s. William Heath Davis bought 160 acres, but little happened until real-estate developer Alonzo Horton arrived and purchased 800 acres. The area is designed with short blocks and no alleys. Beautiful century-old buildings of varying architectural design line the streets now housing shops, restaurants, and nightlife venues—the perfect spot for couples to listen to music or dance the night away over a couple of drinks after dinner.
Balboa Park
Photo by Cacinda Maloney of Points and Travel
Balboa Park, the nation’s largest urban cultural park, is home to museums, performing-arts venues, and lovely gardens as well as the famous San Diego Zoo. Although the park is on the trolley tour, it will take you the better part of the day or several days to enjoy all the park has to offer. Dating from 1835, the park is one of the oldest in the nation. Gardens, walking paths, museums, several theaters ,and the world-famous zoo, plus gift shops and restaurants, are all part of the 1,200-acre complex.
Photo by Cacinda Maloney of Points and Travel
San Diego Zoo
The zoo is always a fun destination for couples. Situated on 100 acres and featuring nearly 4,000 animals, the zoo actually grew from the exotic animal exhibitions abandoned after the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth founded the Zoological Society of San Diego in 1916 after discovering the animals had been left behind. The zoo pioneered cage-free exhibits. A lion area, designed without enclosing wires, opened in 1922. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park, located north of the city, takes full advantage of its 1,800-acre expanse by offering several unique up-close interactions with animals. The Caravan Safari, for example, allows guests to feed giraffes and rhinos.
Photo by Marilyn Jones of TravelwithMarilyn
Take a day trip to Coronado Island
Photo by Marilyn Jones of TravelwithMarilyn
Coronado Island is where the Hotel del Coronado is located, a historic beachfront property. The Victorian hotel, a National Historic Landmark, stretches across the horizon with its impressive white clapboard frame and bright scarlet roof line. Couples can enjoy the many amenities this five-star property offers as well as stroll on the beach, enjoy a quiet meal in one of the hotel’s restaurants, or explore the many hidden courtyards and flower gardens.
Photo by Marilyn Jones of TravelwithMarilyn
The town of Coronado was incorporated in 1890 and a resort community was created; shortly after, the hotel was built on a stretch of oceanfront. From the hotel, it is easy to explore the island and discover its historic homes, shop, or take a break at one of the many cozy cafes and restaurants. Streets are lined with a rainbow of flowers, and warm island breezes create a dreamlike setting.
Photo by Marilyn Jones of TravelwithMarilyn
Whether you and your significant other want to bask in the sunshine, explore the city’s historic haunts, or dance the night away, there is a lot of romance to be found in San Diego—for just the two of you.
Photo by Marilyn Jones of TravelwithMarilyn
Latest posts by Cacinda Maloney (see all)
- How NOT to be a tourist in a new city… even if you are one! - December 3, 2019
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- Here not there: Avoid overtourism with these gorgeous alternatives - October 11, 2019
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I have never explore San Diego views ever in my life and have no idea about that. After reading this article have got enough information about that and would love to be there soon.
San Diego is a long trip for us all the way over on the east coast. It looks like there is something for everyone there. We would enjoy visiting the zoo for sure. I didn’t realize the history went so far back. Interesting place to visit.
I had never heard of Balboa park before. The historic district would be a sure place I would want to visit. I have never been to Cali at all! I would love to visit one day. Thanks for taking me on a virtual tour!
Looks like a great place to explore with your special someone. I would love to take a weekend trip with my husband to San Diego. It would be really nice to get away for a little bit.
Oh how I’d love to visit San Diego someday. My hubby has alot of family there and was born in California. I would love to see the zoo and all of these places. The flowers and the weather would be such a treat. I could live on the beach. Those red and white shade thing a ma gigs ( I have no idea what to call them) are so cute.
San Diego looks like a great place to visit! I know that my kids would love to visit the San Diego Zoo, so they might get a little jealous if we left them out! I would love to take my husband and head off to Coronado Island!
San Diego is on my list. This post just proves why. What an amazing city with so many adventures just waiting to explore!
I’ve been to Los Angeles 3 times, and every time I went we planned on visiting San Diego as well…but never did! I wish I could turn back time!! These pics are beautiful!
I really want to go back to California! I have always wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo and I seriously fell in love with the Pacific ocean. I need to be back in So. Cal for some relaxation for a few days! Kid-free preferably!
San Diego looks like such an amazing place to be. I have got to get there one day. I always wanted to go to visit California. San Diego looks so pretty. I love all the photos that you shared. Thank you so much for posting this cool blog post.
Visiting parks and zoos is almost always part of our itinerary whenever we travel places. San Diego has a lot of interesting sights to offer for tourists. I like that it’s clean and safe so we wouldn’t need to worry about walking in the streets alone.