In California, San Francisco and Los Angeles get all the attention. Of course, those destinations are exciting to visit, but San Diego is one underrated place you should put on your list. 

It has everything you would expect while visiting Southern California – sunshine, beaches, and out-of-this-world food. But, unlike LA, you won’t be sitting in traffic for hours on end to get there! 

With COVID still lurking in the background, its open-air spaces with plenty of room for social distancing make it an ideal place to vacation. 

Without further ado, here is our Chubby Diaries plus-size friendly travel guide to San Diego, California.

The Plus Size Friendly Guide to San Diego

Where to Stay

San Diego has outstanding hotel options to suit every traveler. 

One of the best areas to stay downtown is the Gaslamp Quarter, the city’s historic center. You can reach many attractions and restaurants on foot from this area. 

However, downtown is not the only prime location in town.   

If you want to stay somewhere with quick beach access, find accommodations in Coronado or near Pacific Beach Park. 

Another ideal location to find hotels is in Mission Valley along the 8 freeway. You can hop on the freeway and get to anywhere you need quickly. 

There are hundreds of options, so you’ll have many choices that fit your budget and preferences.

Places to See

Balboa Park

San Diego has many exciting places to visit. 

One of the top places to visit is the massive Balboa Park near downtown. Inside the park are the San Diego Zoo, seventeen museums, lovely gardens, and stunning architecture. It’s a great place to walk around and enjoy the sunshine.

Gaslamp Quarter

Downtown, you can explore the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter. Some of San Diego’s best restaurants and pubs are in this district. 

Seaport Village

Also downtown is Seaport Village. It’s small but has spectacular views of the Coronado bridge and water. There is a nice park next to it where you can enjoy these sights. 

Old Town San Diego

Another terrific spot to visit is Old Town San Diego. This area pays homage to the city’s Mexican heritage and has beautiful architecture, fun shops, historical sites, and mouthwatering restaurants. You’ll even see a few places making handmade tortillas outside. 

Beaches

Finally, San Diego has some world-class beaches. Some of the most famous include La Jolla Cove, Coronado Beach, Mission Beach, Torrey Pines State Beach, and Ocean Beach.

What to Eat

San Diego doesn’t just have beautiful places to visit. It’s a terrific place to sample food from around the world. There are so many great bites here that it’s challenging to make a list because food can be subjective.

San Diego has outstanding Mexican cuisine due to its proximity to the border. A few local favorites include Las Cuatro Milpas in Barrio Logan, Tijuana-style tacos at Tacos El Gordo, and El Puerto Taco Shop for California burritos. 

Coronado has great brunch spots, Gaslamp has excellent gastropubs, North Park has trendy craft drinks, and Pacific Beach has many tasty restaurants to try. 

Downtown, you’ll find Little Italy with some of the best pasta in town, the trendy restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter, and some post-baseball game eats in East Village.

If you’re in the area and looking for an awesome meal, I’d recommend dining at Allegro Restaurant and Bar. At Allegro, I got to live out my fantasy of eating pasta out of a wheel of cheese, all while sitting under the cutest patio decorated with lemons and greenery. 

 If you don’t mind taking a food adventure out of the central tourist area, Clairmont/Kearney Mesa has diverse Asian cuisine options.

Now that you’re armed with all of the must-know facts, you’re ready for your big trip! Take a deep breath of sea air, eat delicious food to your heart’s content, stick your toes in the sand, and enjoy your time in San Diego. 

Comment below any San Diego facts and info that you believe should’ve made our list!