San Diego is a wonderful West Coast escape to fun in the sun. From beaches to delicious eats, the city is lively in all seasons.
During a second visit to San Diego in early 2026, I enjoyed will underscore two highlights in addition to my previous article: San Diego: California Dreaming in December. San Diego: California Dreaming in December outlines where to go in La Jolla, the joy of visiting Pacific Beach, and where to see some animals in their natural habitats.
During the second trip, my partner and I visited Balboa Park, which was a unique opportunity to see nearly 12,000 animals from more than 680 species (San Diego History website, 2026). The zoo and botanical garden were my personal favorites in the area.
From elephants playing with enrichment toys to leopards watching from shaded spots, the zoo is one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest. One of my favorite animals to see was the flamingos. They were a favorite of my late grandmother who helped raise me.
While the San Diego Zoo was exciting to walk around and it had a large selection of animals to view, the ethics of zoos remain important to consider, so I have attached an article by the American Humane Society: https://www.americanhumane.org/position-statement/zoos-and-aquariums/
In addition to spotting colorful flamingos, lions, and more, we visited the Balboa Botanical Gardens. It was a photographer’s paradise. According to the Balboa Park website, the botanical building is one of the largest lath structures. It was built in 1915 and houses over 2000 plants. From the lush plant life to stunning architecture, I would recommend this spot to anyone in the area. Below are some photos from our visit:
During your visit to San Diego, I recommend visiting the following:
- San Diego Zoo
- San Diego Balboa Botanical Gardens
- La Jolla
- Del Mar
- Pacific Beach
- Restaurants and cafes of interest
- …and more!
Happy travels!
Kendall