Spend the day wandering the La Jolla coastline. Photo \/ Gate 7<\/p>\n
It is set along craggy cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and you could easily lose a day wandering the coastline, checking out the galleries and cafes, or watching the sea lions lounging on the beach and playing in the waves around La Jolla Cove. <\/p>\n
While you\u2019re in the village area, check out, or check in if you\u2019re lucky, the iconic La Valencia Hotel. The distinctive pink-hued luxury hotel, aptly known as \u201cThe Pink Lady\u201d, has been running since 1926 and is popular with celebrities. <\/p>\n
Relax by the outdoor fire at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel. Photo \/ Gate 7<\/p>\n
Further inland in Torrey Pines, you\u2019ll find the Estancia Hotel. A quiet retreat, this hacienda-style property feels less like a hotel and more like a private ranch where you can share a drink with your fellow travellers around the outdoor fireplace. It was once a thoroughbred horse breeding and training facility, and the design of the grounds and room interiors still reflects this heritage. With a bar, restaurants, spa services, a pool and wedding and event packages, you could easily not set foot outside its grounds. <\/p>\n
Culture by day, coastal indulgence by night <\/p>\n
An absolute must-do while in San Diego is a visit to Balboa Park. At 485ha, it\u2019s bigger than New York\u2019s Central Park and home to 17 museums and cultural institutions, including the Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum. It would be easy to spend hours exploring these alone, but as the park is renowned for its combination of nature and architecture, you need to set aside some time to just wander the grounds and gardens. Designed by famous architect Bertram Goodhue for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the buildings are known for their Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and are breathtakingly beautiful. In fact, the Botanical Building and Lily Pond are widely acclaimed as the most photogenic spot in San Diego. <\/p>\n
When your feet need a break, stop in at the Michelin-recommended Artefact restaurant, located inside the Mingei International Museum. This unassuming restaurant takes influence from the museum for its food, resulting in an eclectic menu featuring everything from shrimp Mandu dumplings to seared albacore in coconut broth. Every plate was a visual and gastronomic delight. <\/p>\n
Balboa Park Towers. The buildings are known for their Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Photo \/ San Diego Tourism<\/p>\n
The park is also home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, an attraction you could dedicate a whole day to if you have time and an absolute must-do if you have children. From bears to elephants and lions,There are more than 3700 rare and endangered animals, but the main attraction is the giant pandas. If you want the best shot of seeing the elusive pandas without the crowds, book the Early Morning with Pandas walking tour and view the beautiful creatures before it opens to the public. <\/p>\n
It would be remiss to visit San Diego without experiencing the ocean in some form, and luckily, there are myriad ways to do this. Kiwis love a bit of barefoot luxury, so an afternoon lounging on the fine golden sand beaches could be exactly what the doctor ordered, but if you want something a little bit more special, take a sea cave kayak tour with Everyday California and see sea lions, leopard sharks and other incredible marine life up close while learning about the area\u2019s unique ecosystem. Plus, what better way to see an area than from the sea? The views of the stunning houses along the shorelines will leave you in awe. <\/p>\n
Explore the San Diego coastline from the water with a sea kayak tour. Photo \/ John O’Nelio<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re keen to take to the water but perhaps in a way that involves less physical activity, a sunset cruise with Triton Charters is the answer. While away the evening from the deck of a catamaran, cocktail in hand, watching the sun set and the city light up for the evening. Absolute bliss. <\/p>\n
A food scene starting to break through the ice <\/p>\n
San Diego has quietly emerged as one of America\u2019s great dining destinations, so there\u2019s no shortage of options when it comes to exceptional restaurants, but and new kid on the block, Fleurette, is not to be missed. Having opened in December 2025, Fleurette is the brainchild of acclaimed chef Travis Swikard and brings French Riviera dining to California. A San Diego native, Swikard left for 15 years before being lured home by his desire to go where the ingredients are. Celebrating the flavours of the season, Swikard says every ingredient here \u201cfeels like a burst of the sun\u201d. <\/p>\n
From the Eze cocktail with a \u201csea foam\u201d top that literally has you imagining you\u2019re in the ocean, to the signature \u201cOeufs & Eggs\u201d, complete with San Diego uni (kina to us Kiwis), black truffle and scrambled eggs served inside the sea urchin\u2019s shell, this is fine dining at its best. <\/p>\n
The “Oeufs & Eggs” at Fleurette. Photo \/ Eric Wolfinger<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in the iconic Marina District sits The Lion\u2019s Share, a bar and restaurant that has helped shape the city\u2019s cocktail culture. The dark and moody establishment is a harsh juxtaposition to the bright Californian day outside, but after that first sip of your cocktail, you won\u2019t want to leave. The Cucumber Gimlet is a welcome refresh after a day of sightseeing, whereas Here Come the Waterworks, their take on a dirty martini with pickle brine, will send you off into the night in good spirits. <\/p>\n
When it comes to the food, the menu is intriguing and exotic. Fresh Baja oysters, the best I\u2019ve ever eaten, are followed by salt and pepper frog legs, fried chicken and caviar, and bone-in elk chops (with elk surprisingly sourced from New Zealand). <\/p>\n
Baja oysters at The Lion’s Share. Photo \/ Gate 7<\/p>\n
For something a little bit different, head to Mothership in the South Park neighbourhood. The spaceship-themed speakeasy is sensory overload with drinks that pack a punch. Don\u2019t leave without paying a visit to the bathrooms. <\/p>\n
The idea of luxury can mean many things to different people, but for most of us, it doesn\u2019t need to come with an expensive price tag. The privilege of travel and the experiences that come with it are luxury enough. <\/p>\n
So whether you\u2019re a surfer, business traveller, family, foodie, or just someone looking for an easy getaway with plenty to keep you entertained, San Diego is for you. <\/p>\n
Checklist<\/p>\n
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES<\/p>\n
GETTING THERE<\/p>\n
Fly from Auckland to San Diego with a stopover in San Francisco or Los Angeles with Air New Zealand and United Airlines.<\/p>\n
DETAILS<\/p>\n
Estancia La Jolla | estancialajolla.com<\/a><\/p>\n Balboa Park | balboapark.org<\/a><\/p>\n Everyday California sea kayaking | everydaycalifornia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Triton Charters | triton-charters.com<\/a><\/p>\n