San Diego is considered the birthplace of California and one of California’s best beach cities, and it’s also the perfect place to host a San Diego bachelorette party! With 70 miles of coastline and perfect idyllic weather nearly all year round, you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of San Diego any time of year.
How to get around San Diego
There are many ways to get to San Diego, but the most popular is by air.
By air: San Diego International Airport (SAN) offers 500 flights a day, domestic and international, which means no matter where your friends are coming from they’ll be able to land in San Diego.
By train: If you’re already in Southern California, catch the Pacific Surfliner, which departs daily and travels through San Diego, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara. For public transportation within San Diego, download the PRONTO app to purchase tickets and ride MTS buses, trolleys, and the Coaster train, a commuter train operating throughout San Diego county.
By car: You can also drive to San Diego. The drive is about 3 hours from Los Angeles, 5 hours from Las Vegas, and 6 hours from Tuscon.
How to get around San Diego
Downtown San Diego is very walkable, but if you’re looking to branch out a bit further or check out specific beaches, there are a few great options to get there.
Rent a bike or scooter: there are lots of bike rental shops in San Diego if you’re looking for a ride for the day, but you can also try the bike and scooter rentals from companies including Bird, Lime, and Lyft to make short trips around the city.
Rideshare services: Ride-share services like Lyft and Uber are readily available and a great way to get around San Diego.
Rent a car: renting a car makes getting around San Diego on your own schedule very easy. Plus if you want to hit up a certain beach or check out a hiking trail, this may be the easiest way to get there.
Public transportation: San Diego does have public transportation buses and trolleys, operated by MTS. An adult ticket is $2.50 one way.
Where to stay
In San Diego, the accommodation options range from budget-friendly to all-out, sparing no expense. For a San Diego bachelorette party, there are many different options and we’ve pulled out a few of our favorites:
$: Budget-Friendly Options
- Courtyard by Marriott, San Diego Mission Valley is a stylish hotel is located within reach of the airport, Gaslamp Quarter, and Mission Bay beaches. Rooms start at around $160 per night.
- Town and Country San Diego combines mid-century cool with warm hospitality. The property is located in Mission Valley and recently completed a top-to-bottom renovation, including adding new amenities. You’ll be sure to love the hotel’s sprawling pool! Rooms start at around $180 per night.
- Airbnb can also be a great place to score a deal on accommodations. Check out this Casa Blanca Home complete with a game room and hot tub (and sleeps up to 10 people). Pricing starts at $450 per night.
$$: Mid-Tier Options
- The Hard Rock Hotel is known worldwide for its service and amenities, and in San Diego with views of downtown, you can expect exactly that. Rooms start at around $280 per night.
- Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Downtown, with a rooftop pool, spa facilities, and easy access to all the tourist spots, this hotel doesn’t break the bank. Rooms start at around $240 per night.
- The Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina is a waterfront oasis overlooking the hotel’s private marina, close to popular attractions including Seaport Village and the Gaslamp Quarter. Rooms start at around $275 per night.
$$$: Splurge Options
- Alia Marea Beach Resort is a perfect escape sitting directly on the coastal bluff near the city of Encinitas (a 30-minute drive from downtown San Diego). Rooms start from $550 per night.
- The Hotel del Coronado is one of San Diego’s legendary beach resorts with a rich history as a proud host to celebrities, royalty, US Presidents, and more. The hotel was designated a National Historical Landmark in 1977, and now offers rooms in the main hotel as well as a variety of suites and villas. Rooms in the main hotel start at around $600 per night.
- Airbnb also offers incredible luxury options like this La Jolla Oceanview Mansion that sleeps up to 11 people and offers million-dollar views from every window. Pricing starts at around $2,000 per night.
What to do in San Diego
The great thing about San Diego is no matter how you want to spend your bachelorette party, there’s an activity for everyone. From hiking and water sports to spending a day at the spa, we’re sharing our favorite things to do to make sure your bridal party remembers their stay.
$: Budget-Friendly Activities
- There are great hiking trails in the San Diego area, including Lake Miramar trail (a 5-mile loop) and Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail (a 6.8-mile loop).
- Spend a full day wandering Little Italy – a 10,000-square-foot plaza with restaurants, shopping, farmers’ markets, and wine tasting.
- Liberty Public Market is open 7 days a week and gives everyone the chance to experience fresh produce, beers, wines, arts and crafts, and pop-up dinners.
$$: Mid-Tier Activities
- House of Blues is a must when you’re in San Diego! With live music and events from country music, hip-hop, and electronic artists, there’s something for everyone here. There are shows almost every day of the week, with tickets starting as low as $15 per person.
- Whale-watching tours take place year-round! Davey’s Locker hosts tours (and offers deals!) with tickets priced around $34 per person.
- Rent Hydrobikes on Mission Bay and San Diego Bay. Pricing starts at $30 for a 90-minute rental.
$$$: Splurge Activities
- Learn to surf with Surf Diva Surf School at La Jolla Shores (about 20 minutes from downtown San Diego). Pricing starts at $150 for an individual, 90-minute surf lesson.
- Book a tequila tour with San Diego Tequila Tour for $124 per person. The tour usually lasts 2.5 hours and you’ll want to make a reservation in advance!
Spend a spa day at Torrey Pines, located on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, and within walking distance of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. You can book services including massage therapies (the Signature Massage is $195), skin care therapies, body masks and wraps, water therapies (a 25-minute hydrotherapy soak is $115), nail care therapies, and more. Contact the spa directly for reservations.
Where to eat:
- For breakfast or brunch head to Morning Glory. Open from 8 am, they serve everything from pancakes to eggs benedict.
- Pink & Palm Matcha Cafe is one of the newest additions to San Diego and the best place for the ultimate Instagram photo.
- If your bachelorette party is in the mood for sushi, there’s only one place to visit, Lumi.
- Head to Juniper & Ivy for a dinner to remember. Food, wine, and local ingredients and not to mention the restaurant used to be a warehouse.
We hope you enjoy your San Diego bachelorette party! Please make sure you tag us on Instagram @BDR and let us know if you do visit any of the places we’ve suggested or activities.
Is this your first bachelorette party? Check out our ultimate guide on how to plan a perfect bachelorette party.