Written By: Vaishakhi Pilankar
Times have changed ever since COVID-19 and most of the attractions in San Diego like many others are affected by it. These may range from the places being completely shut down to it being open for some select days with changed timings, or open with some added restrictions. You should definitely confirm with the appropriate and reliable sources regarding the timings, fees, and admission requirements for such places. If you have a car or any other safe travel arrangements, you can go around open public parks, beaches, and other such places to hang out.
San Diego is about 1 hour away from Irvine. You can reach there by car (safest option considering the current situation) or by public transportation. You can book the FlixBus for about $5 for a trip from Irvine to San Diego (Check the recent schedule as this too has been affected by COVID-19). This was a convenient option for me as it was inexpensive and it has a stop in UC Irvine itself.
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is an urban cultural park in San Diego. It is a public park so the entry is free but it also has museums, performance venues, special events, etc that charge separately. Since the park is very huge, be sure to wear your comfortable shoes for a comfortable experience.
The park holds about 16 museums! Some of these include:
● San Diego Museum of Art
● San Diego Museum of Man
● Mingei International Museum
● Botanical Building
● San Diego Air and Space Museum
● San Diego History Center
● Comic-Con Museum
● Fleet Science Center
If you are interested in performing arts keep on eye on the Balboa Park Calendar for such events.
Balboa Park also has many magnificent gardens to enjoy. These include the Palm Canyon, The Desert Garden, Botanical Building, Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden, Japanese Friendship Garden (requires additional fee).
The greatest attraction over here perhaps is the San Diego Zoo. This 100-year-old zoo contains 4,000+ rare and 650+ endangered species with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is one of the must-do things in San Diego. One can get an up-close look at animals like gorillas, polar bears, koalas, elephants, giraffes, orangutans, and so many birds! You can take the 35 minutes guided open-air bus tour that takes you through most of the parts of the zoo. Skyfari aerial tram gives you a magnificent view of the park.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The Birch Aquarium features over 60 species of fishes and invertebrates! You can plan ahead and check out any interesting events happening at the aquarium here. They have many different exhibits and exciting programs like snorkeling, whale watching, pier walking, tide pools, etc. This aquarium is a situation facing the shore so you definitely won’t miss amazing views of the ocean. There are no re-entries allowed here so plan your trip properly.
Old Town San Diego
As the name suggests, it has many historical buildings and museums showcasing the period from 1820 to 1870. You can find many restaurants here inspired by the Mexican culture. You can also go shopping in this colorful town!
The places mentioned above might have been affected by COVID-19, but you can still enjoy the following places while maintaining social distance!
La Jolla Shores Beach
You can enjoy this wide and one of the popular beaches while in San Diego. If you are up for it you can go kayaking and also visit the beautiful La Jolla cave too. You can enjoy swimming or surfing if you are interested in it or just take a calming walk along the shores. If you are lucky you can also spot leopard sharks! (They are typically seen between June to September or October)
Other beaches include:
● Coronado Beach: Very easily accessible by car or public transportation. A part of the beach is also pet friendly if you own any pets!
● Pacific Beach: There are many rental shops available in case you are interested in Scuba diving.
● Ocean Beach: This beach is completely pet-friendly beach. However, be cautious if you go swimming here as it is known for its strong rip currents. ● Tourmaline Surfing Park: This quiet beach is perfect for surfing and sailboarding. Considering the situation please take necessary precautions and travel safely 🙂