San Diego

Long after summer ends, San Diego remains a prime destination for California cool. From theme parks and iconic restaurants to cultural events and museum exhibitions, there’s something for every fall traveler.

WHERE TO STAY

BAHIA RESORT HOTEL
When it opened in 1953, this Moroccan-inspired property was the first hotel on San Diego’s Mission Bay. Its lush, tropical grounds on a 14-acre peninsula remain a destination for travelers nearly 70 years later. Bahia is within walking distance of Belmont Park as well as miles of parks, playgrounds, picnic areas and bike paths. New this year: the renovated Marina Suites, located by the pier, mere feet from the beach. The dog-friendly resort is participating in Kids Free San Diego month this October, so hotel guests can enjoy one free kid’s meal for each purchased adult entrée at on-site restaurant Dockside 1953, plus a complimentary children’s standup paddleboard rental with the purchase of one adult one-hour or longer paddleboard rental. From September 6-October 31, guests can play complimentary beach games, have outdoor movie nights on Saturdays, attend ice cream socials on Fridays and take in live poolside entertainment on Saturday afternoons. bahiahotel.com

MANCHESTER GRAND HYATT SAN DIEGO
Do you want a hotel with urban vibes or a beachy feel? No need to decide – you get both at this property, which offers striking views of downtown San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. With its ideal location downtown, it’s a quick walk to Gaslamp Quarter, Petco Park, USS Midway and countless other attractions. This year, the hotel debuted its new Stayfit private fitness room, outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment including a Peloton bike, Precor treadmill, free weights and guided fitness experiences via the Peloton app: yoga, Pilates, strength training, boxing, stretch and even meditation. Book this popular amenity in advance. Looking for diversions from your workout routine? Head to new lobby bar The Landing or to Sally’s Fish House & Bar, located on the waterfront. This fall, the Hyatt’s Rooftop Cinema Club will be decorated in its Halloween finest for showings of Halloween movies throughout October. hyatt.com

OCEAN PARK INN
A property-wide renovation in 2021 left this historical beachfront hotel – which opened in 1967 – with a fresh new feel. Mid-century meets modern in its design, with black and white accented with pops of cooling mint and sunshiny yellow. A new bar program includes slushies in rotating flavors, canned cocktails, seltzers, beer and wine. The existing continental breakfast – toast, bagels, muffins, Danish, fruit and cereals – got a boost with a recent hot upgrade, so guests can now feast on eggs, bacon, turkey sausage, hashbrowns and a create-your-own waffle station. New swag lets guests rep Ocean Park Inn via hats, shirts, sweatshirts, beanies, bags and souvenir cups, so you can take a bit of San Diego home with you. To celebrate Kids Free October, the hotel is offering 15 percent off an extended stay. Insider scoop: Sign up for the newsletter and receive discount codes for returning guests who book in September, Customer Appreciation Month. oceanparkinn.com

PENDRY SAN DIEGO
Pendry San Diego is a hub within a hub – the buzzing hotel center of the famed Gaslamp Quarter, itself the entertainment epicenter of San Diego. It’s just a short walk from Petco Park (the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Diego Padres series is set for September 15-18, just saying) and offers on-site Nason’s Beer Hall for pre- or post-game craft beer, global comfort food and vintage bar games. Nason’s is just one of the hotel’s six culinary concepts, which also include Provisional Kitchen, Café & Mercantile (gourmet grab-and-go with a communal dining space, espresso bar and retail space in a greenhouse); Fifth & Rose (a chic, classic cocktail bar for sophisticated imbibing); Lionfish (seasonal, local ingredients including fresh fish and prime meats); The Pool House (a breezy rooftop lounge); and Oxford Social Club (a luxe, eclectic nightlife experience). pendry.com/san-diego/

OMNI LA COSTA RESORT & SPA
Carlsbad’s Spanish Mission-style icon lies on 400 acres just 30 minutes north of downtown San Diego. Built in 1965 as a getaway for athletes and celebrities, its sporty, tony spirit lives on in its Athletic Club, stunning golf courses and world-class tennis program. Fall programming kicks off on Labor Day weekend with the Endless Summer Sunset Picnic (September 4) and continues with a monthly Artisan Market (every third Saturday). Get spooky this October with the Murder Mystery Weekend (October 14-16). Also this autumn, look for the Suite Stayover Room Package, which includes a curated itinerary for “48 Hours in Carlsbad” to make the most of your trip to the coast. If you need a reset, lean into the resort’s celebrity wellness pedigree with “Best Life-in” retreat-style experiences at the Spa at La Costa. omnihotels.com

FAMILY FUN

Bring the kids – or your favorite kids-at-heart – for nonstop fun at these celebrated attractions. 

SEAWORLD
It’s spooky season at this San Diego institution! Mark your calendar for these two events:

SeaWorld San Diego Spooktacular
Halloween is back at this aquatic wonderland, with candy, costumes and lots of spooky surprises! Guests can enjoy trick-or-treating, a special pumpkin scavenger hunt, hay maze, Halloween dance party with colorful characters and more fun family-friendly activities. SeaWorld Spooktacular runs weekends September 17-October 31 and is included with park admission. This one’s for kids/the whole family! seaworld.com/san-diego/events

SeaWorld San Diego Howl-O-Scream
For a parents’ night out, Howl-O-Scream reawakens on September 16 at SeaWorld San Diego. Get ready for all-new spine-chilling scares and even more horror than ever before! Evade angry haunts as they rampage through “scare zones.” Seek shelter indoors, only to find you’ve entered a house of horrors. Quench your thirst for fear with fiendishly delicious cocktails, beer and spirits. Feel the monstrous electricity of a live show. Dance the night away and deepen the thrills with a nighttime coaster ride. There’s no shortage of fiendish fun to be had. This one’s for grown-ups – Howl-O-Scream is intended for mature audiences only and is a separately ticketed event held on select nights September 16-October 31. howloscream.com/ca

OCEANSIDE
Drive about 40 minutes up the coast from San Diego and you’ll hit Oceanside, a beloved beach town in San Diego County. While there are plenty of classic attractions to visit – Mission San Luis Rey, Go Jump coastal skydiving, Oceanside Adventures luxury catamarans and Mellano Farms, to name a few – a slew of new hot spots and activities has us excited for a fall adventure in O’side, as locals call it. visitoceanside.org

5 NEW THINGS IN OCEANSIDE 

1) O’Side Sips
Sample the city’s craft beverage bounty with this free mobile passport program that offers deals and branded prizes that you unlock as you check in at various establishments, from tea and coffee shops to breweries and wine bars. visitoceanside.org/oside-sips

2) The Brick Hotel
This 1800s building was recently renovated and reimagined as a boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Oceanside. Pop by recently opened Q&A Restaurant and Oyster Bar for dinner and then head up to CocoCabana rooftop bar for drinks. thebrickhotel.com

3) Valle
Superstar chef Roberto Alcocer’s first fine-dining Mexican concept in the U.S. opened to great fanfare. Located in the Mission Pacific Hotel overlooking the Oceanside Pier, Valle features multi-course tasting menus that pay homage to the cuisine of Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico’s renowned wine country. valleoceanside.com

4) Matsu
Another find for foodies! Matsu’s 10-course tasting menu honors the traditions and techniques of Japanese cuisine. You can order the regular omakase or opt for a vegan version. It was named the best new restaurant in San Diego County by San Diego Magazine. eatatmatsu.com

5) Top Gun House
The iconic beach cottage was featured in the original 1986 film and celebrated the grand opening of the sequel in May. It was completely restored and relocated to the Mission Pacific hotel. visitoceanside.org/blog/history-of-top-gun-house-oceanside-california

BIRCH AQUARIUM
The Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins habitat is finally open at Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego! This July, the public exploration center welcomed the petite Australia and New Zealand natives (some coming directly from Oz, others from the Dallas World Aquarium) to its more than 60 habitats of fish and invertebrates. It is the only place west of the Rocky Mountains to house these vivacious seabirds, which live in a 2,900-square-foot exhibit with rocky and sandy shores and an 18,000-gallon pool. Six penguins were named for charitable givers: Magic, Nero, Persimmon, Reka, Cornelius and Katie. A seventh was named in a public contest that netted 2,500 votes: Azulito, or “Little Blue,” in Spanish. New this fall: behind-the-scenes tours, feedings and talkbacks. aquarium.ucsd.edu

5 Fun Facts About Little Blue Penguins

1) They are the smallest species of penguin, clocking in at less than 1 foot tall and weighing just 2-3 pounds each.
2) Along with other seabirds, they’re a “sentinel species” for the ocean’s health.
3) They’re known for their outgoing personalities and social nature.
4) Each individual penguin has its own unique call.
5) They’re fun swimmers, with some scientists describing their water activity as “torpedo swimming” and others saying they get a “bubble boost” from fluffing their feathers to release bubbles around them to speed themselves up.