There’s

There’s
something about border towns: they hold a different kind
of energy – kinetic and free-flowing. San Diego is pumped full of
it, the endless movement in the “City in Motion” adding a diversity
of culture you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the
US.

Sun-dappled beaches and sandy-haired surfers take centre stage
in California‘s most southern city, but beyond the
wave-pounded coastlines of La Jolla and the scenic Embarcadero, San
Diego nurtures numerous neighbourhoods bristling with world-class
dining opportunities, an exciting brew culture and a dynamic,
inclusive art scene.

It’s a big city, with communities spilling out along the coast,
looping from the beachy enclaves of La Jolla and Mission Beach down
and around San Ysidro’s border edge. It feels like a collection of
villages, each individual in its personality. Head to Old Town’s
state park for regular exhibitions celebrating Kumeyaay Nation
culture, stroll Little Italy to browse buzzing farmers’ markets,
explore the electric streets of the historic Mexican-American
district, Barrio Logan, the nightlife hub that is the Gaslamp
Quarter and breeze your way to the city’s LGBTQ+ mecca in Hillcrest
for mom-and-pop Vietnamese joints squeezed between thrift stores
and brunch spots. There’s a strong Japanese culture at play here,
too, which makes itself visible through the many sake, sushi and
ramen joints. And that’s not even mentioning the city’s sandy
extremes and polished suburbs.

Need a breather? At San Diego’s heart sits the cultural hub of
Balboa Park – a vast green space dotted with museums, Spanish-style
architecture and San Diego Zoo. The fun of San Diego is it’s
endless diversity – you’ll need more than a few days blocked out on
your
road-trip itinerary to unravel it and, even then, this sunny
border town might surprise you. Set the sat nav due south – a world of wonders
awaits.