San Diego College Road Trip: Good Eats, Fun Stops & a Peek at the Future
We just got back from a family trip to San Diego that mixed future planning with a whole lot of fun—and let’s just say, the kids weren’t mad about tagging along for college tours when there was pizza, kayaking, and arcade games involved. Here’s a peek at what we did, where we ate, and the mix of activities that made it feel like summer vacation and a sneak peek at college life all rolled into one.
Day 1: Hitting the Road + CSUSM Tour
We hit the road early Tuesday morning with coffees in hand to make it to Cal State San Marcos (CSUSM) for a 10:00 AM student tour. The campus was clean, welcoming, and gave off a laid-back, Southern California vibe. After the tour, we grabbed lunch at Corner Pizza, which totally hit the spot after all that walking.
We had a little free time in the afternoon for pingpong and corn hole before checking into the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay. This hotel is a great spot right on the marina with plenty of room for everyone in the suite (thanks, hotel points!). Dinner that night was at Coasterra, a gorgeous spot on the water with amazing views of the skyline and the most delicious high end Mexican food.
Day 2: La Jolla Kayaking + Gaslamp Fun
The next morning we headed to La Jolla for a kayaking tour of the sea caves. The views were incredible, the water was refreshing, and we got in a great workout battling the ocean waves, but it was worth it. The tour was educational, well-organized and lots of fun!
After kayaking we had built up an appetite so we grabbed burgers, fries and onion rings from Jeff’s Beach Burgers, and enjoyed them in the grassy La Jolla Park. After some football we headed back to the hotel to rest and change for another fun eneving. We did a little shopping at Westfield UTC to check out the Uniqlo, Lego and Peter Millar stores and grabbed some tea and bobo as a treat.
Dinner in downtown was a must-stop: Tacos El Gordo. No frills, just seriously good tacos. Afterward, we hit up Monsters Arcade for some laughs and light competition, and ended the night with ice cream at Salt & Straw. We love the summer seasonal flavors!
Day 3: SDSU Tour + Dinner with a Friend
We took it easy Thursday morning (finally!) and had brunch at Blackmarket Bakery, where everything looked and tasted homemade in the best way. Midday we explored San Diego State University (SDSU) on a two-hour walking tour. It was a big campus with lots of energy and a fun student vibe.
That night, we met up with a dear friend for dinner at Cucina Urbana, a lively Italian spot with stylish décor and great pasta. It was a fun way to wrap up our last full day in San Diego.
Day 4: Zipline Thrills + Home Again
Friday morning, we packed up, grabbed coffee from the nursery-turned-coffee-shop Selva, and headed out to La Jolla Zip Zoom Ziplines in Pauma Valley. It was such a fun way to end the trip; high up in the trees, flying across ziplines with mountain views. The staff was great, and it felt just the right amount of adrenaline to send us into the weekend.
We made it home by late afternoon, tired but happy.
A Few Tips for a Trip Like This:
- Mix in the fun. The college tours were important, but breaking them up with active things like kayaking and ziplining kept the trip from feeling too heavy.
- Pack smart. We brought a beach bag with sunscreen, water-friendly clothes, and snacks which made the transitions easier.
- Make reservations ahead. Some of the restaurants we visited book up, especially Coasterra and Cucina Urbana.
- Build in downtime. Shopping breaks, arcade visits, and sleep-in mornings helped everyone recharge.
This trip was the perfect blend of exploring future possibilities and enjoying the now. Whether or not San Diego ends up being a college destination, we made some core memories—and got to sneak in some serious tacos while we were at it.