Summer Activities | Maya Wilburn

As we approach the best part of the year, it is time to start planning how to make the most of the amazing ten weeks we have off. Because our home city of San Diego has so much to offer, it is impossible to feel bored even if you are not traveling anywhere during the break. From beaches to outdoor activities to restaurants, there is an overwhelming amount of things to do.

When we first think of San Diego, we think of the beach. The Del Mar area offers Powerhouse Park, a beach with grass areas, benches, trails, shops, a playground, and various dining options. The beach itself stretches miles, and the waters and tidepools are friendly for everyone. Above the sand, the grass areas serve as a nice place for sunset picnics or some sunrise yoga, and even have a playground for kids to be entertained. The beach town of Del Mar supports tons of local small boutiques such as Coco Rose and Sea Biscuit, where the owners have been Del Mar residents for many years. The dining is also exceptional; Tamarindo and En Fuego both offer flavorful traditional Mexican cuisine with a modern, trendy feel. Fletcher Cove beach is a similar beach area with many restaurants nearby, such as Sidni’s Snack Shack, Rustic Root, or T’s Cafe. There is no way to go wrong with the beaches in our beautiful city.

Nearby, the Torrey Pines beach area has many trails that form gorgeous beachside hikes. With the mountains and pine trees on one side and the ocean on the other, these hiking trails are some of the best in the city. Ranging from a half-mile to multiple miles long with various difficulty levels, the trails offer something for everyone. Within the visitor center, hikers can learn about the history of Torrey Pines and all the different types of wildlife that call the area home. You may encounter tons of wildlife such as bobcats, foxes, coyotes, deer, snakes, lizards, and birds, many of which are protected in the area. The wildlife, scenic views, and difficult trails keep this outdoor activity engaging and entertaining for everyone. Annie’s Canyon trail in Solana Beach offers cool, open tunnels for more adventurous hikers to explore. It is about a 1.6-mile loop, moderately difficult, and dog-friendly. These hikes are perfect ways to spend a sunny afternoon in San Diego.

The various restaurants in our city are also perfect places to spend a quiet morning or a lively night this summer. To begin with breakfast, the best meal of the day, Rustic Root has a wide menu and is in a gorgeous part of Solana Beach along the 101. Down the street, Claire’s on Cedros offers to-go pastries as well as sit-down meals and is normally pretty busy. Moving into lunch, Our Green Affair offers healthy to-go meals, including smoothies, bowls, and snacks, so there is something for everyone. West End is also a local underground restaurant with great food, drinks, and coffee, and is in a super cute location. Finally, in terms of dinner, there is an extensive list of options; here are just a few. Pacific Coast Grill and Jake’s Del Mar offer great seafood. For Asian food, there are multiple restaurants in Sky Deck Del Mar, such as KIIN Thai and Glass Box. Lastly, Italian food is very popular in our city, such as Il Fornaio in Del Mar for a more formal and traditional Italian experience. For a casual pizza place, Del Mar Pizza is beachside and delicious. Overall, it is impossible to go wrong when looking for food in San Diego, and restaurants are great places to spend your time.

This summer, there are unlimited things to do even when not traveling. From outdoor activities to dining, you cannot go wrong.