Lookup the definition of serenity and San Diego is likely to appear.  You might also take a page from Frank Costanza’s playbook and repeat “serenity now” as you board your west coast bound flight to escape a New York winter.  [Editor’s Note: I grew up in San Diego but having not lived there in years, it’s great to reconnect and see the city from a traveler’s perspective.]

1/2 Day Adventure North:

Drive north along the coast highway 101 until you get to Carlsbad. This will take you through some beach communities (Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff) on the water and provide many opportunities for great food, walking around the beach and shopping.

Carve out around 2 hours to explore the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas.  This 67 acre private garden has plants from all over the world, provides an educational and photography experience and is perfect for outings with friends and family.

Full Day Adventure South:

Start the day off with a visit to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps which is a nice location if you’re on a family trip.  The facility also offers a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.

From the aquarium, drive down to the hill to La Jolla Shores and then slightly south to La Jolla Cove to get your pictures of about 50 seals who inhabit the area.

If you keep driving south, you will pass (and should make stops) at Pacific Beach, Mission Beach and Mission Bay and then on to Ocean Beach.

Ocean Beach has a long pier if you want to try 1/2 hour of fishing while you watch the surfers wait for their waves to come in.  You can also grab some stellar fish tacos in the area. 

Make your way out to Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument which is one of my favorite places and offers some of the best views in the city.

Finish your day with a quick trip across the bridge to Coronado before heading back to downtown San Diego.

This will be a full day adventure with a lot of driving.  You could also pick one of the beaches and just sleep, surf, play beach volleyball, watch the sunset and be more than content and wonder why you have to get back on a plane to 30 degree weather for the next few months.