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

Cacinda Maloney is an official Travelocity Gnational Gnomad. Gnational Gnomads is an exclusive group of high-profile travel and lifestyle experts who offer tips and inspiration on behalf of Travelocity. For more information on the Travelocity Gnomads, visit travelocitygnomads.com.

Travelocity compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.