The US city that is like visiting three continents in one with 100-year-old theme park and bargain tacos
THERE aren’t many places where you can experience Mediterranean weather, Asian cuisine and Californian vibes all in one go.
Step up, San Diego, which makes you feel like you’re on three continents at once.
The US city may be home to film legend Ron Burgundy of Anchorman fame, but it is often overlooked in favour of West Coast neighbours Los Angeles and San Francisco.
It does, however, have its own charm, with mellow weather all year round and much friendlier locals wherever you go.
I could barely get a coffee without stopping to chat about the UK (locals were often left disappointed when I said I didn’t support a football team)
Even a drink at a bar was accompanied by recommendations of the best places for a night out courtesy of the bartender.
But with an empty stomach on arrival, my first port of call was finding the city’s two staple dishes — sushi and tacos.
The famous Baja fish taco is linked to Asian cuisine, believed to have been inspired by Japanese fishermen who emigrated to nearby Mexico in the 1950s.
While it’s easy to find good sushi — some of the best being at beach-facing Cannonball restaurant — the finest tacos in San Diego were harder to find.
Our guide Enrique cheekily told us they were actually found at street stall Taco el Frank in Tijuana (after we walked across the US-Mexico border, something all the locals do), and taken back into San Diego.
I definitely agreed after devouring their most popular carne asada taco, costing just a few pounds, and then regretting not buying another three.
But the rest of San Diego has its own amazing cuisine, with Asian influences too.
Michelin Guide-recommended Kingfisher offers up comforting mushroom congee and a Peking duck dish which sells out every night if you aren’t quick enough.
If you want to go where all the cool kids hang out, then head to the outlandishly pink brunch cafe Morning Glory — with its champagne vending machines and mirrored ceilings.
It wasn’t hard to be excited when the dim sum brunch trolley gets wheeled over. I eagerly asked for one of each as I ended up with bitesize corndogs and devilled eggs — and they were just the starter before my huge plate of wobbly souffle pancakes.
Pink streamers and smiles
Being the trendiest place in town, I was warned that some people wait up to three hours to grab a seat.
So for anyone too impatient, wait for the sun to set and head to Part Time Lover, a bar in North Park owned by the same group.
As it is designed like a Japanese speakeasy, I was quickly intimidated by the stylish locals as I waltzed in wearing more casual jeans and trainers.
To settle my nervous stomach, I easily knocked back the sweet cocktails while browsing the vinyl records at the back of the bar as they played overhead.
But while North Park is seen as hipster central, San Diego is also home to Barrio Logan, previously voted by Time Out magazine as one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods.
Coming from Folkestone, also named one of the trendiest places in the UK, I was dismayed to find that it trumped my town by far.
Along the sidewalks are an array of female-owned businesses selling local products including jewellery, artwork and clothing, all of which are surprisingly affordable.
And a visit to Mujeres, a female-run brewery in the district, is also a must — where you’re welcomed in by pink streamers and smiles from everyone inside.
Yet hiding beneath the sparkling facade is a darker side to the area, expressed in murals across Chicano Park.
One of the largest outdoor mural collections in the world, the art tells the story of the difficult history of the Mexican-Americans, who were ostracised in society.
Set across 100 concrete pillars, they take over the structure of the huge freeway and are a fascinating insight into the struggles of the local community.
With its rich history and amazing food, it’s hard to think what else San Diego could have to offer.
But it’s also home to the historic, free-to-visit seaside theme park Belmont Park, with the Giant Dipper rollercoaster dating back to 1925 — and much faster than I expected for a 100-year-old ride.
GO: SAN DIEGO
GETTING THERE: British Airways flies from London Heathrow to San Diego from £497 return, see britishairways.com
STAYING THERE: One night at The Guild Hotel from £195 based on two sharing. See guildhotel.com. One night at Paradise Point from £223 based on two sharing. See paradisepoint.com.
MORE INFO: See sandiego.org.
For Center Parcs vibes, stay at Paradise Point Resort which has heated pools and beaches along the 44-acre private island.
And kids will love Balboa Park, a huge 1,200-acre complex designed in the style of Spanish Colonial Revival which makes you feel like you’ve returned to Europe.
Losing a day is easily done — the park has 16 museums and art galleries to choose from as well as themed outdoor gardens, with my favourite being the Spanish Village Art Centre.
So with belts tightening due to the cost of living, why go to three countries when you can get the best of them — all in one city?