You may have visited California…But did you know about these San Diego hidden gems?
Welcome to merry San Diego, where the Pacific breeze whispers hints of hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered. There’s a world beyond the tourist brochures in a city well-known for its breathtaking beaches and iconic attractions.
Must See Places wants to embark on a journey to unveil the San Diego hidden gems you’ve been missing out on, each offering a glimpse into the city’s rich culture.
Beyond the bustling avenues of downtown lies a realm of hidden wonders, from hidden coves where the waves dance in isolation to tucked-away restaurants serving culinary treats.
Whether you’re seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures or a curious traveler eager to delve deeper into San Diego’s soul, these hidden gems promise to spark your sense of discovery.
So join us as we venture off the well-trodden paths and into the heart of this city’s best-kept secrets. From hidden trails offering scenic views to charming neighborhoods brimming with local charm, let us be your guide to the captivating world of 6 San Diego hidden gems.
San Diego hidden gem: Villa Montezuma
No list of hidden gems in San Diego would be complete without mentioning the Villa Montezuma.
Located in the Sherman Heights Neighborhood, this San Diego hidden gem is a gorgeous red mansion constructed in the late 19th century and is one of the city’s most haunted houses.
The home belonged to the famous composer Jesse Shepard but had many inhabitants throughout the years, and most of them were involved in practicing some spiritual seance inside the house.
Until recent years, the house was regularly open for visitors, with some even having their wedding parties here. However, back in 2006, the house was closed to the public due to “safety concerns.”
After this, it experienced a series of renovations and has never been entirely open to the public. Although a few interior tours have been held without much publicity, the home is still known as “The Spook House” by San Diego residents.
San Diego hidden gem: The craft brew scene
With over 150 breweries and a reputation for top-notch brews, this city more than lives up to its hype as “The Craft Beer Capital of America.”
The area’s artisan brewers deliver uniquely San Diegan crafts like The Thief, Societe Brewing Company’s 2018 World Beer Cup award-winning ale mixed with homegrown Grenache Blanc grapes.
We recommend going on a tasting tour in North Park’s 30th Street craft beer corridor, where you’ll find local beer-centric bars and restaurants and lively tasting rooms, including the Bivouac Ciderworks.
You can even find more places using the map on the San Diego Beer Guild’s Beer App. Pick from 40 craft beers on tap, and try your hand at bocce at Liberty Station.
Meet local brewmasters and try new releases, craft-friendly foods, and dozens of brews if you go during November’s annual 10-day San Diego Beer Week.
San Diego hidden gem: Spruce Street suspension bridge
This secret bridge connects Fourth and Fifth Avenues over a huge canyon and is a fantastic place to visit for nature enthusiasts and hiking lovers. This suspension bridge for pedestrians is 375 feet long and gives some incredibly scenic views of Sessions Canyon 70 feet beneath.
So, if you have a fear of heights, you might want to skip this one. The bridge was constructed in 1912 to unite two parts of the city that weren’t previously connected.
But nowadays, over a century later, the residents of these neighborhoods don’t have this connectivity issue, and the suspension bridge has been forgotten by most folks…But not by us!
Our list of San Diego hidden gems wouldn’t be complete without this panoramic suspension bridge.
San Diego hidden gem: Imperial Beach
Sandy beaches, laid-back beach vibes, and soaring cliffs make San Diego the picture-perfect place to embrace California beach life. From Imperial Beach, located only five miles north of the Mexico border, north to Oceanside, this city boasts 70 miles of beautiful coast.
Spotting the shoreline is a mixed collection of beachy preserves and enclaves, each with a distinctive personality and many ways to spend your days. You can swim with leopard sharks, explore sea caves on a kayak, and even take a snorkel tour in La Jolla Cove.
Take the incredibly scenic cliff-to-beach hike at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Then, rent a fat tire bike to cruise along the Mission Beach – Pacific Beach boardwalk.
Have some fun in the waves with your best four-legged pal at Ocean Beach’s famous Dog Beach. And don’t forget to watch the daredevil cliff jumpers at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. That’s not all, though.
You can also explore tidepools overflowing with marine life at Cabrillo National Monument. Book your stay at The Del, which is the iconic Hotel del Coronado, a luxurious, beachfront National Historic Landmark that’s been around for more than 100 years.
And to top it all off, end your perfect day with a sunset horseback ride on Imperial Beach or roasting marshmallows over a fire on the sand at Ocean Beach.
San Diego hidden gem: Little Italy
Visit San Diego’s Little Italy, and you’ll be greeted by old-world charm that meets cutting-edge cuisine.
Traditionally home to San Diego’s fishing families that were Italian-American, this bustling neighborhood covers a whopping 48 blocks and has the city’s highest number of celebrity-chef restaurants.
The eatery lineup on Kettner Boulevard, also known as Top Chef Alley, alone includes The Crack Shack from Top Chef’s Richard Blais and Juniper and Ivy and Herb and Eatery from Food Network star Brian Malarkey.
Soak up Little Italy’s irresistible aromas at the new Little Italy Food Hall.
Symbolically and conveniently situated next to the neighborhood’s cultural heart, the cobblestone and car-free Piazza della Famiglia plaza, the trendy and humming emporium has pop-up cooking demos, 6 locally sourced food stations, and local craft brews.
You can even shop locally at adorable shops like Rosamariposa and the colossal Mercato, Little Italy’s six-block-long Saturday farmer’s market. Stay for dinner at Craft and Commerce and drinks at False Idol, the restaurant’s fun tiki bar/speakeasy.
San Diego hidden gem: Balboa Park
San Diego’s flagship urban oasis is an entire destination unto itself.
But appropriately known as the city’s “cultural jewel,” Balboa Park holds a treasure trove of must-see gems, including the world-class San Diego Zoo, the 1910 Balboa Park Carousel, 17 museums, and the famous Botanical Building, created for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition.
While Balboa Park is North America’s largest urban cultural park and almost 400 acres bigger than New York City’s Central Park, the sprawling verdant space maintains a neighborly backyard vibe.
Individuals from all around San Diego and across the globe come here to enjoy a picnic, unwind, and simply explore. While here, pack a basket and take a stroll through acres of lush and landscaped gardens.
Then, take a deep dive into Balboa’s natural side by wandering through some of the park’s over 65 miles of trails. You can watch local crafters at work in their studios and shop for pottery, jewelry, and other hand-crafted gifts at the Spanish Village Art Center.
Be sure to leave us a comment to let us know if you’ve ever been to any of these San Diego hidden gems. And if you have, did you spot any other fantastic places you’d like our readers to know about?
But in the meantime, if you enjoyed this article, Must See Places has many more we think you’d enjoy. For instance, did you know about the 8 Magnificent Pacific Northwest Gems to Explore This Summer?
