Day Trips from San Diego: La Jolla, Tijuana

Spotlight

San Diego

Day Trips

Though you could easily keep busy with all that San Diego has to offer, two great day trips are just a stone's throw away and easily add depth to your Southern California vacation. But be prepared: Decidedly different experiences await in beautiful, elegant La Jolla and less-elegant-but-super-fun Tijuana, just over the Mexico border. Do both if you have time.

La Jolla
Despite being just 15 minutes from downtown San Diego, La Jolla often seems a world away. One of the country's most affluent areas, it boasts as much upscale shopping, fine dining, and cultural pastimes as you'd expect of a major city, but packs it all into a single community. Golfers already know the area thanks to its world-class Torrey Pines Golf Course (11480 North Torrey Pines Rd.; 800/985-4653; www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com), a public course that will play host to the 2008 US Open – look for some of the most challenging holes and scenic surroundings in the United States. Nearby Torrey Pines State Reserve is a haven for nature lovers, with over eight miles of trails, miles of lovely beaches, guided nature walks, and dolphin and whale viewing platforms; winter is the best season to spot California Gray Whales migrating through the surrounding waters. Those in need of a little retail therapy will love the exclusive boutiques and high-end designer-name stores that line Prospect Street and, when your shoes can do no more walking, relax and grab a casual bite with dramatic Pacific views at George's on the Cove Ocean Terrace Bistro (1250 Prospect St.; 858/454-4244; www.georgesatthecove.com), where shrimp tacos and skirt-steak sandwiches are but two menu favorites.

Tijuana
Making a run for the border couldn't be easier – simply take the San Diego Trolley (www.sdcommute.com) to the San Ysidro stop and walk over the border into Mexico (note that travelers may be required to show their passport as early as January 1, 2008). Chances are you're coming here to drink – and there is no shortage of bars to help you do just that. We recommend El Torito Pub (879 Ave. Revolucion, Tijuana; 52/6685-0023), a lively bar with outdoor seating along Tijauna's main drag. If you want to impress your Mexican bartender, order your tequila completo – it will arrive with sangrita, a tomato-based palate cleanser meant for sipping. Yes, sipping tequila is the appropriate way to drink it – you don't lick it, slam it, suck it back as you might have thought.