Things to do in San Diego

Dive down to Wreck Alley

For scuba divers, surely there's no better named site than Wreck Alley. Okay, so it may hold more weight if the ships weren't intentionally sunk, but regardless these artificial reefs make for a brilliant dive. The Coronado Islands, in Mexican waters, are another popular spot. Waterhorse Charter (tel: +1 619 224 6195; www.waterhorsecharters.com) sail to both.

Find the fairway on a championship golf course

Pleasant year-round weather makes San Diego a great golf destination. Whether you want to tee off accompanied by sea views, mountains or desert, there are over 90 courses to test your swing. Run by San Diego Park & Recreation, Torrey Pines (www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com) is a first-rate course that has hosted the US Open.

See the fireworks with a nighttime kayak

From June through to September, Seaworld hold a nightly firework display at Shamu Stadium. It might seem a little naughty and it certainly is novel, but instead of the stadium enjoy the spectacular with a night-time kayak. Lit by lanterns, San Diego Kayak Adventure (tel: +1 619 260 1880; www.sandiegokayakadventure.com) offers the excursion around Mission Bay.

Set sail for Catalina Island

During spring and summer, a gentle coastal breeze makes sailing around San Diego an inviting prospect. Visitors who don't know their boom from their bow should speak with Seaforth Boat Rental (tel: +1888 834 2628; www.seaforthboatrental.com) to charter a sunset sail or cruise to Catalina Island. The operator also offers whale watching in winter.

Surf's up San Diego

San Diego is something of surfing mecca. It may not have super-sized swells, but the city is wrapped up in the West Coast image of boards, breaks and beach bums. Black’s Beach is a hotspot for those with some experience, while San Diego Surfing School (tel: +1 858 205 7683; www.sandiegosurfingschool.com) offers lessons for beginners.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Featured Hotels

Inn at the Park

This historic hotel in San Diego, formerly the Park Manor Suites Hotel, occupies a gorgeous seven-storey Italian Renaissance style building in the heart of Balboa Park, adjacent to the Hillcrest neighbourhood. The structure was built in 1926 and designated a historical site by the City of San Diego in 1991. It is situated on the west edge of Balboa Park and offers sweeping views of San Diego Bay, Downtown and Hillcrest. All suites come with full kitchens and dinettes. Deluxe continental breakfast is on offer every morning.

Omni San Diego

A sky bridge connects the tasteful Omni with Petco Park's baseball stadium and a nearby pedestrian crossing makes the walk from the hotel to the Convention Center easy. Baseball memorabilia fills display cases in public spaces. Corner rooms on the east side have a spot-on view of the ballpark; others overlook the Convention Center and bay. The 511 rooms are sensibly and comfortably designed and the outdoor pool with fireplace is the favourite hangout. A McCormick & Schmick's restaurant serves decent seafood.

Hotel Solamar

A member of the hip Kimpton Hotel group, the 10-storey Hotel Solamar is a modern, stylish hotel in San Diego located in East Village, just one block from the Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. Excellent both for leisure and business, this 4-star hotel is artfully designed with 235 guestrooms characterised by modern, clean sophistication. A fourth-floor patio houses an outdoor splash pool with the poolside Jbar featuring DJ music and cabana seating at night. The hotel's Jsix Restaurant serves Asian-inspired Californian cuisine.

La Valencia

Beauty, elegance, and charm live inside the pink stucco walls of this property, known locally as La V. Stunning views of La Jolla Cove and the ocean act as backdrops in the richly appointed La Sala room (where martinis and tapas are served in the evening) and many of the 100-plus original guest rooms and 15 villas, each boasting a whirlpool tub, king-size bed, and personalised butler service. The hotel's exclusive =Sky Room , with just a dozen or so tables and a small bar, is one of the most elegant restaurants in San Diego. The sidewalk level Whaling Bar is a La Jolla institution where local nabobs mingle over steaks and martinis.

Gaslamp Plaza Suites

The Gaslamp Plaza Suites is a European-style, San Diego hotel built in 1913, with many elements of the original décor intact such as the sculpted Corinthian marble, Australian gumwood carpentry, hand-cut mosaic tiles and bronze and brass embellishments which can be seen throughout the hotel. The location is as central as it could get - in the heart of the Gaslamp District. Complimentary continental breakfast is served daily on the rooftop terrace overlooking the beautiful Downtown area of the city.

Sofia Hotel

One of the oldest hotels in San Diego's Downtown has been transformed into a chic boutique inn with 212 rooms that have the feel of urban studios with efficient Wi-Fi and access to Currant, one of lower downtown's most happening cafes. Some rooms are dark and noisy - ask to see a few before unpacking.

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