Take our word for it...

Travelling from out of town?  Never been to California?  Here are some of Steve and Ashley's recommendations.  Places marked with a sun (☼) are personal favorites that you'll be unlikely to find in a general guide.  If you have the time, you won't want to pass these places up.

If you are flying into San Diego, book a seat on the left side of the plane for both flights.  The approach takes you past the Coronado bridge, over Balboa Park, and below the top floors of the downtown high-rises (you'll feel like you're flying through skyscrapers).  On departure, the plane will fly you out towards the ocean before hanging a long left turn, giving you an incredible view of Point Loma, the Cabrillo National Monument at the end of the peninsula, and Coronado Island.

San Diego doesn't have very good public transportation. For getting around town, you will want to rent a car or take an Uber, especially if you plan on visiting one or more of the places below.  Fortunately, Uber has excellent service in San Diego – typical wait time is less than 5 minutes.

Winters are relatively warm in San Diego.  Historical November averages are 76° highs/55° lows, and most days are sunny or partly cloudy.  Leave the coat, but bring a sweater or an extra layer for the evening if you are averse to cool weather.  Pack sandals and sunscreen if you plan to visit a beach.

☼ Scripps Coastal Reserve, a.k.a "The Cliffs"

Many know of the Torrey Pines Gliderport, but if you want to ditch the crowd, head to this local spot. Situated on one thousand acres of UC San Diego property, the upland area is known by locals simply as "the Knoll" or "the Cliffs". Take in panoramic views of La Jolla Cove and the Scripps Pier to the south, San Clemente and Catalina Islands to the west, and on a very good day, Laguna Beach 70 miles to the north. See the Pacific Ocean take on shades of turquoise-purple from 400 feet above the beach – or trek down to Blacks Beach from the nearby trailhead if you brought sneakers. Open from 8am until sunset. Park on La Jolla Farms Rd.  Blacks Beach Trailhead is 0.4 miles further up the road.

Coronado Beach, Hotel del coronado, Coronado Bridge

If you are coming from a cold place and are hoping to catch some rays during your visit, take a jaunt over the Coronado Bridge to Coronado.  It's easy once you're there to see why Coronado Beach consistently ranks as one of the best beaches in America - the 1.5-mile strip of white sand is immaculately kept, is free of crowds, and the water is clean.  The beach is popular among swimmers, surfers, sunbathers, and beachcombers. While you're there, visit and walk through the historic beachfront hotel known as "Hotel Del" or simply "The Del".

☼ Rakiraki Ramen & Tsukemen

The best ramen in San Diego, period.  Ranked the 15th hottest ramen shop in America during its first year, and Zagat-rated Top 10 Hottest Restaurant in San Diego two years in a row, and awarded Best Ramen and Best Asian Fusion by San Diego Magazine, your mind will be blown if "Cup Noodles" is the only ramen you've ever known.  Skip the Original Signature and go for one of the Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens: the Original , the Black Edition, or for SERIOUS spice-lovers, the Red Edition.  Savor a first sip of the broth before digging in. 

Or if you're feeling adventurous, try the newly-opened Pokirrito next door, opened and run by the same executive chef, Junya Watanabe.

San Diego Craft Beer

Quick! Name the three San Diego breweries that made the Top 50 U.S. Craft Breweries list for the past four years.  Stone Brewery...Ballast Point, and...? Don't forget about Karl Strauss.  Home to more than 130 craft breweries, it's no wonder San Diego is often called the "Craft Beer Capital of America".  We're neck-to-neck with Portland, OR for the most craft breweries per square mile in the U.S. – the craft beer scene is definitely big in San Diego.

The only downside is San Diego's breweries are spread out, and brewery hopping is impractical unless you have a designated driver or take an Uber between breweries.  Best to pick one brewery and order a sampler flight to try their range of styles. If you're looking for an even smaller microbrewery, The Cork and Craft/Abnormal Wine Co/Abnormal Beer Co is a gastropub that is one of Steve and Ashley's favorites (their food is phenomenal).

San Diego Zoo

If you only have time to visit one major tourist attraction for the day, the San Diego Zoo should be it.  In addition to gorillas, tigers, flamingos, elephants, polar bears, birds of paradise, giant tortoises, leopards and many more exotic species, the zoo is one of only four zoos in the U.S. which have giant pandas.

The zoo is located within Balboa Park, where you could spend multiple days exploring museums, gardens, and various other attractions as well.