Traveling solo allows time for self-connection and relaxation, and it can feel liberating — you can do what you want, when you want, without having to compromise on where to eat or what to do. With its walkable and distinctive neighborhoods, endless dining options, bustling nightlife, miles of coastline and ample opportunities to experience nature, San Diego is an ideal destination for solo travelers, whether it's their first time adventuring on their own or are seasoned explorers. 

Where to Stay

San Diego has several hotels ideally suited for solo travelers at a variety of price points. For travelers wanting a lively atmosphere, the Lafayette Hotel San Diego is a midcentury hotel that was recently given a major makeover and received national praise for its over-the-top design. There's a glamorous pool and lobby bar, two restaurants (including a 24-hour diner) and a jazz bar onsite, plus it's close to the restaurants and nightlife in North Park. For quick access to the San Diego Bayfront and attractions like the USS Midway Museum, Maritime Museum of San Diego and Seaport Village, the InterContinental San Diego is a luxury property with multiple alfresco dining options, a rooftop pool and lounge, and scenic bay views. For an urban experience in the heart of the city, Pendry San Diego is within walking distance to Petco Park and has elegant nightlife venues, including Nason's Beer Hall and the Oxford Social Club. For a stay in the Gaslamp Quarter, Moxy San Diego is a trendy property where you check in at the lobby bar upon arrival and are steps away from Fifth Avenue. Prefer a beach getaway? Ocean Park Inn is right on the shores of Pacific Beach and offers guests direct delivery from area restaurants, and The Beach Cottages have studios with kitchenettes and one-bedroom cottages right on the sand. Catamaran Resort Hotel is a Polynesian-themed hotel right on the Bayside Walk in Mission Bay and minutes away from the thrill rides and entertainment at historic Belmont Park. For a luxurious and pampering stay, La Valencia Hotel, known as the “The Pink Lady,” is an iconic property filled with the glamour of Old Hollywood near La Jolla Cove, where you'll want to take in views of the Pacific from the terrace of its landmark restaurant, the Mediterranean Room. 

How to Get Around 

Since San Diego comprises more than 100 vibrant neighborhoods, with much to do in all parts of town, renting a car is the best bet if visitors are looking to explore the many different features of the destination. For visitors flying into San Diego International Airport (SAN), the airport offers several rental car company options at the Consolidated Rental Car Center. San Diego's freeway system is easy to navigate and provides fast access to the farthest corners of the county. By steering clear of the typical work-day morning and evening rush hours, the traffic shouldn't slow drivers down.

San Diego also offers plenty of public transportation options for visitors who prefer not to drive. Options include buses with plenty of routes and services throughout the county; the iconic San Diego Trolley, a light rail system which provides access to key locations including La Jolla and the Mexico border; the COASTER and SPRINTER train services to coastal and inland communities in North County, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner connecting with the rest of Southern California and the Central Coast. Please note the Pacific Surfliner may experience intermittent closures between Oceanside and Irvine due to repairs. For getting around downtown and uptown, the city operates shuttle services in eco-friendly vehicles: FRED transports riders within Little Italy, the Gaslamp Quarter and East Village for $2.50 per person daily; and Mid-City GO is available in the North Park and City Heights neighborhoods at no cost, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Table for One

San Diego has a dynamic dining scene thanks to its proximity to the Mexico border, cultural diversity, innovative chefs and access to local farms and fishers that provide restaurants with an abundance of fresh produce and sustainably sourced seafood. One way for solo travelers to experience the city's culinary bounty is by splurging on a chef's counter dinner, which typically offers bar-style seating and the chance to mingle with restaurant staff and fellow diners. Fort Oak's chef counter is a seasonal prix fixe dinner that provides a front row seat to the action in the kitchen and around the live-fire grill. Acclaimed chef Drew Deckman offers a multi-course chef's counter experience with Baja California-influenced dishes in front of the open kitchen at his new restaurant, 31ThirtyOne, five nights a week. The open kitchen at Juniper & Ivy is surrounded by several counter seats and the menu has a wide variety of small plates and bites (that you won't have to share). Sushi is always a solid solo dining option, and Maru Sushi, Sushi Gaga and Kinme Omakase are newer additions to the dining scene located in or near downtown and offer omakase menus. For casual dining, Liberty Public Market is an expansive food hall in Point Loma with more than three dozen vendors serving everything from lobster rolls to barbecue, ramen and empanadas, and as a bonus there's plenty of free parking. No visit to San Diego would be complete without sampling some delicious tacos, and the famed Tijuana-based Tacos El Gordo now has a convenient location in the Gaslamp Quarter that is always busy, and The Taco Stand cooks up meat, seafood and vegetable-forward tacos at numerous locations.

No Plus-One Needed

Whether visitors are thrill seekers looking for an adrenaline rush, history nerds looking to explore museums and learn more, or hedonists looking for a relaxing escape, there's something for just about anyone in San Diego. Adrenaline junkies should head to the Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla for a paragliding or hang-gliding adventure to enjoy sensational bird's-eye views of dramatic cliffs, Torrey Pines Golf Course and the stunning mansion homes of La Jolla. For a more relaxing experience, visitors can enjoy a massage, facial or body treatment at the Salon & Spa at the Hotel del Coronado then retreat to a private spa terrace with a vanishing edge pool overlooking the Pacific, or book a day bed or lounge chair and spend the day at Del Beach, a wide sand beach fronting the historic hotel which just underwent a $550 million renovation.

Those looking for more of an educational visit should explore Balboa Park, a cultural oasis that includes 17 museums, gardens galore and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The park has a rich history reflected through its stunning architecture, thought-provoking exhibits, lovely gardens, installations and cultural events throughout the year. A renewed addition to Balboa Park is the historic and picturesque Botanical Building, which recently reopened to the public after being under construction for three years, and has a collection of more than 2,000 plants and flowers. History buffs will want to explore Old Town, site of the first European settlement in California, where you can step back into the frontier days and wander through museums, plazas, and colorful shops selling Mexican arts and crafts. The Whaley House Museum, said to be one of the most haunted houses in the country, is a Victorian era-home once owned by a prominent family. Visitors can explore it on a self-guided tour during the day or join a spine-tingling guided experience led by a museum docent after sundown.

Tours for Travelers Looking for Company

From guided sightseeing tours to whale watching excursions and everything in between, solo travelers can find their perfect adventure in San Diego and make friends along the way. FeMAVEN Getaways is a great option for solo female travelers visiting the destination, as it offers curated travel experiences that cater to a variety of interests and preferences and provides a personalized touch to the trip planning process. A hop-on hop-off tour is another awesome way to explore some of the most popular spots during a vacation. Old Town Trolley Tours takes visitors through the city, exploring different neighborhoods while sharing fun and interesting facts about San Diego. Visitors can also combine their sightseeing with a bit of exercise by taking a bike or kayak tour of San Diego with Bike & Kayak Tours Inc La Jolla. Kayakers will likely see an array of marine life, including sea lions, seals, Garibaldi, leopard sharks, shovelnose guitarfish and the occasional dolphin. Bikers can witness the 360-degree view from atop Mount Soledad, bike backstreets of scenic, coastal San Diego and visit local sights. Want to try to hang then? Surf Diva Surf School is a women-owned business that has been teaching people of all ages how to surf since it was founded in La Jolla nearly 30 years ago, and they offer a dedicated weekend surf clinic for women. 

Visitors can also witness the magic of migrating whales year-round during a whale watching tour, recognizing two distinct "seasons" for whale watching off the coast of San Diego, including Gray Whale season (December-April) and Blue Whale season (June-October). San Diego Whale Watch tours feature a variety of marine animals, including sea birds, sea lions, seals, dolphins and, of course, whales on this two-and-a-half-hour journey. City Cruises offers a more upscale opportunity to step aboard a sailing yacht for a whale- and dolphin-spotting cruise that is narrated by a local expert from the San Diego Natural History Museum, with options for food and cocktail service onboard.

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ABOUT SAN DIEGO TOURISM AUTHORITY

San Diego Tourism Authority is a private, non-profit, mutual benefit corporation composed of approximately 950 member organizations, businesses, local governments, and individuals seeking a better community through the visitor industry. San Diego Tourism Authority members include tourism-related entities in such categories as lodging, dining, arts, attractions, shopping, and transportation, among others, as well as other companies indirectly involved in tourism. Visit sandiego.org to learn more.

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