A California RV rental is a great option for your US road trip experience and San Diego is the perfect place to begin a whirlwind tour in your RV or camper. Home to Comic Con, giant pandas, one of the top-10 climates on the planet, countless fusion restaurants, the fish taco and craft beer, this border city is also the gateway to Mexico and the States.
From San Diego, you can easily explore the South of the United States with cities such as Phoenix, Los Angeles and Las Vegas being just a few hours drive away in your RV rental. For a longer vacation, you may get a Denver campervan rental to start your road trip in Colorado or discover Illinois with an RV rental in Chicago. Alternatively, you can secure an RV rental in Salt Lake City or collect a motorhome rental in San Francisco or in Sacramento to explore more of California.
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Park your RV for the night
Campland on the Bay is a perfect spot for family with plenty of room for the kids. Plus there is a private beach where they have a great view of the fireworks from Sea World every evening.
Kumeyaay Campground has nice and clean facilities and pleasant leafy surroundings. California Highway 52 runs to the north of the campground, so there can be a bit of traffic noise.
San Diego Metro KOA is quiet, yet centrally located. You can get anywhere you want in the city in just 20 minutes from. They have a pool and hot-tub, as well as basketball and ping-pong.
South Carlsbad State Beach is a beautiful campground and very well maintained. The bathroom and shower facilities are always clean and there is a little general store in case you need anything. It is located only 30 minutes from the city.
San Elijo State Beach Campground is right on the beach and has a very chilled atmosphere. It’s clean with free showers on the way to the beach, or you can buy tokens for a private heated one. Remember to book early. Sites closest to the beach are snapped up quickly.
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Dishes of the day in San Diego
Addison is dressy, sublime and easily one of the most glamorous restaurants in California. William Bradley is quite simply one of the best chefs in America.
Prepkitchen Little Italy is a no-fuss place with hearty food. Prepare for forks darting across the table to sample each other’s choices.
Whisknladle focus on locally grown sustainable produce without compromising flavour. It’s away from the tourist traffic near La Jolla Cove and is peaceful and relaxed.
Café Chloe is fast becoming a San Diego institution. It has a warm atmosphere and is so hip, you might as well be in the meatpacking district of Manhattan. They do a fabulous breakfast – try the pistachio bread pudding.
Starlite is a hidden gem in San Diego. They have a 21+ age requirement that makes for a perfect date night spot. Ultimately, it is the food and drinks that you will remember. Try the Chickpea Battered Local Greens.
Carnitas’ Snack Shack is sit-down, gourmet food at a fast-casual restaurant price. The lines can be intimidating in the front, but they move fast.
Try the Bacon Wrapped Vietnamese Meatballs at Brooklyn Girl. The ambience is industrial and deafening, but the food makes up for it. Book in advance as the place can pack out quickly.
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So many things to do, a city in motion
San Diego is home to miles of sandy beaches, with Mission Beach the most iconic. It is centrally located and the epitome of a Southern California sand spot, thanks to its busy boardwalk and iconic wooden roller-coaster. While tourists flock here, many of the city’s long-time surfers hang out at Pacific Beach, specifically Tourmaline.
Moonlight Beach has parking, restrooms, showers, grassy picnic areas, fire pits, a playground, volleyball courts and even a snack shop, all in one defined area. This makes it the perfect family picnic spot. The Maritime Museum has plenty to see for all types of traveller. This world-renowned museum has a collection of historic vessels, including the Star of India. Built in 1863, it is the oldest active ship in the world.
Balboa Park is the nation’s largest urban cultural park. Home to 15 major museums and the San Diego Zoo set in the beautiful gardens, the park is pretty much a one-stop shop for an afternoon of attractions. The zoo has more than 4000 endangered and rare animals and 700,000 exotic plants.
Why not take the 59-Mile Scenic Drive in your RV? Start off at Pacific Beach for breakfast and continue to Point Loma on the other side of the city. Here you can see the Cabrillo National Museum and its lighthouse. After that, head to La Jolla Cove and La Jolla Beach. There are 23 attractions on the journey and the whole thing will take you all day. If you can only stop at a couple, it is still a very pleasant way to spend the day driving along the coast. Go to Gaslamp Quarter to splurge a little. It’s the place of wining and dining and fanciful entertainment.
If you’ve got a kid in the camper or one in your heart, Legoland is a must see. With more than 50 family rides, “hands-on” attractions and shows geared from 2-12 year olds, it’s wholesome family fun. A beacon of grandeur and refinement, the Hotel del Coronado has been standing for 120 years.
SeaWorld is a major attraction in San Diego. It’s home to a wide range of sealife and the dolphin and sea lion shows are highlights.
Year-long summer
Thanks to the plenitude of sunny days in San Diego, visiting the city at any time of the year is good. The best times to visit San Diego are March through May and September through November, as there aren’t as many school breaks and you're likely to avoid the throngs of families rushing to the San Diego Zoo.
