Secret San Diego

HENLEY DOHERTY | ASST. BUSINESS EDITOR | THE USD VISTA | @hensolo_

With Spring Break fast approaching, many students are getting their travel plans in order, whether it be to Las Vegas, Florida, or Cabo.

However, if you find yourself still in San Diego for the break, there are a lot of great free and lesser-known places in San Diego you can visit that can be just as fun, and possibly more affordable, than going to one of these popular Spring Break destinations—after all, we live where you spring break! Take advantage of the break and explore some of San Diego’s best hidden gems.

If you haven’t already, tour around all of Balboa Park; there’s a lot to see and do, and most people don’t know that every Tuesday, many of the museums are free of charge.

To get away from tourist-packed Mission and Pacific Beach, head to Windandsea Beach or go exploring in the tide pools of Point Loma off of Gatchell Road. If you don’t mind a bit of a hike, trek to a more secluded place like Black’s Beach (as long as you don’t mind a nude beach). If you’re in for a more serious adventure, hike down to the sea caves in nearby Cabrillo National Monument—just make sure to go at low tide or you can get stuck in the cave until the waves recede again.

If you’re looking for new places to watch the sun go down that are as beautiful as Sunset Cliffs, watch the sunset from Broken Hill in Torrey Pines, or from the architectural feat of the Salk Institute right near the hill at UCSD. You can also head down to Mount Soledad and see all along the southern California coast, from downtown to La Jolla. All of these Instagram-approved locations are perfect  for stunning sunset pictures.

You can also find and walk across the quirky old bridge in Bankers Hill off of Spruce Street, built back in 1912, or finally find that secret swingset in La Jolla (located near the Birch aquarium parking lot).

All of these elusive places are worth the effort to find, and may make you appreciate the natural beauty of San Diego even more.