San Diego is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country, and it makes sense. The beautiful beaches and the year-round, perfect weather attract tourists from all over the U.S. and the world. If you’re looking to get away from the stress of work and relax in the sun this summer, you can’t go wrong with San Diego. Here are just a few great ways to spend your vacation there.

1. Stay at Mission Bay

Mission Bay Park is the largest man-made aquatic park in the U.S. It occupies 4,235 acres, and over half of it is water. It’s the ideal spot to enjoy everything that San Diego is famous for. Aquatic activities at Mission Bay Park include sailing, water skiing, boating and windsurfing. The park area of the bay is great for jogging, kite flying and playing games of volleyball and over-the-line sports. There are playgrounds for the kids and fire rings for outdoor cooking and staying warm. You can rent a nearby Mission Beach vacation rental. Mission Bay Park is just a few minutes away from Mission Beach, one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in San Diego, and it’s within walking distance of the city of Pacific Beach and its many bars, restaurants and lively nightlife.

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2. Vacation in the Gaslamp

The iconic and historic Gaslamp District in San Diego’s downtown is another great place to spend your San Diego vacation. Downtown San Diego has an outdoor mall, tons of shops, restaurants, and bars, and it is close the Harbor, as well as Balboa Park, which surrounds the famed San Diego Zoo. Spend some time in the Gaslamp and you’ll be right in the middle of the action. The Gaslamp hosts some of the best high end bars and nightclubs in the city, great for drinking and dancing, all within stumbling distance of each other. It’s also close to many of San Diego’s other popular attractions, including the Maritime Museum and Little Italy.

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3. Coronado Island

Coronado Island is one of the most famous vacation spots in San Diego, and the home of the renowned Hotel del Coronado, which has hosted a slew of celebrities throughout the decades, including Brad Pitt, Madonna, and Marilyn Monroe. In fact, the classic “Some Like it Hot”, which starred Monroe, was filmed at the Hotel del Coronado. There are plenty more great hotel and resort options to choose from, though. The Coronado Beach Resort, for example, is affordable and features full condo-size suites with great views of the ocean. From Coronado Island you can take a ferry to San Diego’s downtown. You can also take the trolley, which loops around San Diego and stops at many of the city’s major attractions, like Balboa Park and the World Famous San Diego Zoo.

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4. A Sea World Vacation

Sea World San Diego often offers great package deals for families vacationing there. The water theme park has great rides and amazing animal shows for the whole family. The theme park’s “Best of San Diego Package” includes passes for the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park, as well as an Old Town Trolley tour, and USS Midway and Hornblower Cruises.

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5. La Jolla

If you’re looking for a more calm and relaxing vacation, with the leisure of a small, upscale beach community, La Jolla is definitely the place to stay. It’s a quaint, colorful town with lots of high end boutiques to shop at and great restaurants and cafés. It’s a short walk away from the ocean, too. You can enjoy a picnic at the beautiful La Jolla Coves or jog along the long stretch of sand at the La Jolla Shores beach.

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