We take a latitudinal approach to San Diego fall travel, from Downtown to North County.
Downtown & South County
If you and your family are visiting San Diego for the first time, be sure to set aside a few days to explore the museums and other attractions at Balboa Park.
At the San Diego Air & Space Museum, visitors of all ages can view historical aircraft and fascinating artifacts. Car enthusiasts, meanwhile, may want to peek under the hood at the San Diego Automobile Museum’s latest exhibition, Street to Track: The Evolution of Speed, running through November 16.
One affordable way to visit Balboa Park attractions is with the Balboa Park Explorer Pass. Choose from more than 15 museums focused on art, science, history, culture and more. Visit explorer.balboapark.org to learn more.
Beyond Balboa Park, fall is an ideal season to experience Old Town San Diego. From October 1 to November 2, stroll through the neighborhood and view more than 50 community altars in local shops, restaurants and public spaces. Celebrate at the Día de los Muertos Festival on November 1-2, featuring a family-friendly movie screening of Coco and a colorful candlelit procession. Explore event details at oldtownsandiego.org.
If you’d like to bring home some cultural treasures and curios, explore the lively atmosphere and eclectic shops at Bazaar del Mundo. Discover authentic, hand-selected treasures from around the globe at this unique boutique. For more information, visit bazaardelmundo.com.
La Jolla & Central County
Are you looking to escape for a family weekend getaway this fall? Located just minutes away from SeaWorld San Diego, the iconic Bahia Resort Hotel is the perfect place to unwind.
Children 12 and younger can enjoy complimentary dining at Bahia’s Dockside 1953 or Bianchi Pizza & Pasta restaurants between September 1-October 31 with each paid adult entrée. Additionally, Action Sport Rentals is offering kids a free stand-up paddleboard or kayak rental with the purchase of an adult rental of at least one hour during the same time period.
To plan your visit, book online and receive up to 25 percent off your guestroom rate at the Bahia Resort by using the promo code KIDSFREE. The discount applies to select rooms and dates. For more information, including terms and availability, visit bahiahotel.com.
If you’re looking for some adventure, Birch Aquarium has two ways to learn about the world under the ocean. Take a tour of Scripps Pier, which is normally closed to the public, and discover what researchers are learning during a Sunset Scripps Pier Walk.
You can get up close to the animals who make their home in the nearby tide pools, including sea stars, crabs, urchins and, occasionally, octopus, with a Tidepooling Adventure. Receive a discount by booking these exclusive experiences with a ticket to Birch Aquarium. Learn more at aquarium.ucsd.edu.
There are also plenty of great attractions within walking distance of the Ocean Park Inn, including the Pacific Beach boardwalk and Belmont Park. Book your family for a stay at this relaxing beachfront hotel this fall, and you’ll receive free parking, a special room rate and two discounted tickets to the San Diego Zoo. To learn more about this offer, visit oceanparkinn.com.
5 Fun Facts About the Birch Aquarium Penguins
» Little Blue Penguins are the smallest species of the flightless birds. They are less than 1 foot tall and weigh up to 3 pounds.
»Little Blue Penguins get their name from their slate-blue and white plumage.
»The Little Blue Penguins do not live in the snow. They are native to the shores and dunes of southern Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.
» The pint-size Little Blue Penguins eat about 20 percent of their body weight a day.
» In 2022, Birch Aquarium hosted a vote to name one of its Little Blue Penguins. Social media fans were asked to choose between five names, each with ties to San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and UC San Diego. The name chosen was Azuilto, which translates to “little blue” in Spanish.
North County
For a culinary adventure this fall, the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa presents its Chefs and Friends series. Chef de cuisine Cameron Dixon joins executive chef Emily Brubaker – who recently won the NBC reality competition Yes, Chef! – to offer guests special menus featuring refined, seasonal dishes inspired by their personal stories and cooking styles. With surprise guests and changing menus, this event series promises unique dining experiences.
This is just one of the experiences that has made the Omni La Costa one of the top coastal destinations for the past six decades. Once a haven for prominent figures like Richard Nixon and Jackie Kennedy, the resort has undergone a transformative makeover, blending charm and sophistication in every area.
The property also boasts an array of amenities that luxury travelers expect, and then some. It features an Athletic Club and eight sparkling pools, including an adults-only pool and a waterslide for families. The Spa at La Costa offers waterfall showers, a café and a therapeutic reflexology path to help guests feel renewed and rejuvenated.
To celebrate its 60th anniversary, the resort is offering 25 percent off the standard room rate and a $100 resort credit for stays of two nights or more. This offer is subject to availability and must be booked directly. For more information, visit omnihotels.com/hotels/san-diego-la-costa.
3 Hot Restaurants in San Diego
Breakfast/Brunch: Claire’s On Cedros
This spot in Solana Beach has been around for a while now, but its brioche breakfast grilled cheese sandwich keeps us coming back for more.
246 N. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach | 858-259-8597 | clairesoncedros.com
Lunch: Wildflour
Not to be confused with the similarly named Valley chain, this casual spot from chef Phillip Esteban is quickly becoming a local favorite. Try the mortadella sandwich, which features the titular cured meat, stracciatella
and pistachio cream on focaccia.
2690 Historic Decatur Rd., San Diego | 619-310-5246 | returntothewild.com
Dinner: Lilo
The latest offering from chef Eric Bost and restaurateur John Resnick features a menu that includes a 40-day-aged ribeye. It’s no wonder it was awarded a Michelin star.
2571 Roosevelt St., Carlsbad | 442-303-8245 | restaurantlilo.com
