Slowing transitioning my dark Winter wardrobe to m Slowing transitioning my dark Winter wardrobe to my colorful Spring & Summer self 🫶🏼

Also I keep forgetting to share daily outfits on stories so here’s a bunch 🫣

Spring Outfit Inspiration / Spring Outfits / Spring Looks
18 months late, but my NEW Charleston Travel Guide 18 months late, but my NEW Charleston Travel Guide is LIVE 💙☀️ & thankfully I’m just as obsessed with these photos now as I was in September 2021!

Every corner of Charleston is picture perfect, but this spot was one of my favorites from this trip 😍

Also I promise to never let this happen again for future trips 🤪 (Folly Beach & Salem coming soon!)

📸 @t.a.d.photo 

#travelaftermidnite #explorecharleston #charlestonsc #charlestondaily #charlestoncharm #charlestonsouthcarolina #johnrutledgehouseinn #broadstreet #southofbroad #charlestontravel #travelguides #travelblogger #travelgram #instatravel #traveldiaries  #instagrammableplaces // Most Instagrammable Spots in Charleston
Planning a Spring Vacation? Here are my top 10 pic Planning a Spring Vacation? Here are my top 10 picks in the US to travel to visit in the Spring ☀️

1. San Diego, CA
2. Charleston, SC
3. Laguna Beach, CA
4. Florida Keys, FL
5. Newport, RI
6. New Orleans, LA
7. Vero Beach, FL
8. Portland, ME
9. Boston, MA
10. Savannah, GA

Are you headed on a Spring vacation this year? Where are you going!?

#travelaftermidnite #springbreak #springvacation #springtrip #springtravel #ustravel #usatravels #usavacation #sandiegotravel #floridatravel #californiatravel #charlestonsc #savannahgeorgia #neworleans
Come with me to @foxwoods 🎉 ad The temperature Come with me to @foxwoods 🎉 ad

The temperatures were dropping this weekend so @breakfastatetiffany @simplybysimone and I headed up to Foxwoods for a Winter Girls Getaway to escape the cold ❄️

When we visited last Summer we kept saying we COULDN’T WAIT to come back in the Winter because everything you need for the perfect girls weekend - restaurants, bars, fun activities, THE SPA - are all under one roof and you don’t need to step foot outside! So we packed up and headed to Connecticut for the first cold weekend of 2023 and it didn’t disappoint!

My perfect favorites from the weekend were…
🧖🏼‍♀️Massages at @gspaatfoxwoods
🏮Dinner at @redlanternct
⛸️Ice Skating at the Winter Terrace

…but everything we did was so much fun and as always I can’t wait to go back! PS if you’re looking to book a trip NOW is the time! Book your hotel stay by March 10th to receive 20% off deluxe hotel room stays now through April 30 OR 30% off between May 1 and July 31!!

#EscapeToFoxwoods #TheWonderOfItAll #Foxwoods #TravelAfterMidnite
Thanks to all of your recommendations my list of “Best Places to Travel with Friends” is up to 35 PLACES!!!!

After my trip to San Diego last month obviously that shot up to the top of my recommendations, but more places on my list include…

Charleston, SC
Savannah, GA
Boston, MA
& many many more!

Stay tuned for my full blog post, but in the meantime check out my full San Diego Travel Guide that will definitely have you wanting to visit there with friends ASAP!

& if you missed my question box on stories over the weekend, drop a place you’ve visited on a really fun group trip in the comments!

#travelaftermidnite #sunsetcliffs #sunsetcliffssandiego #sandiego #sandiegotravel #travelguides #visitcalifornia #visitsandiego #socaltravels // Jackie Giardina wearing faux fur leopard coat in Verbatim Book Store in North Park, San Diego, California.
10 Places to Eat & Drink in San Diego 🌴☀️ 10 Places to Eat & Drink in San Diego 🌴☀️

(in no particular order)
🥂 @nolitahall 
🥞 @pancakelordssd 
🍰 @extraordinary_desserts 
🍻 @belchingbeavernorthpark 
🍳 @dunedinsd 
🥓 @hashhouseagogo 
🍹 @delcoronado 
🧉 @craft_commerce 
🍺 @ballastpointsandiego 
🥗 @thehenryrestaurant 

Tap the link in my bio for my entire San Diego Travel Guide including a ton more restaurants/bars/breweries to bookmark if you’re planning a trip there!

#travelaftermidnite #sandiego #sandiegofood #sandiegotravel #travelguide #travelguides #visitcalifornia #visitsandiego #socaltravels #sandiegocalifornia #sandiegocounty #sandiegoeats #sandiegobars #sandiegobreweries #sandiegobrewery
My San Diego Travel Guide is LIVE ☀️ I’m sh My San Diego Travel Guide is LIVE ☀️

I’m sharing my exact 4 Day San Diego Itinerary including how to get around, where to stay plus more restaurant, bar and food recommendations I didn’t get a get to check out!

No matter if you’re a first time visitor me like me or a San Diego lover, this guide will help you plan your trip!

📸 @llocks 

#travelaftermidnite #sunsetcliffs #sunsetcliffssandiego #sandiego #sandiegotravel #travelguides #visitcalifornia #visitsandiego #socaltravels // Golden hour photos at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego California overlooking the Pacific Ocean
Are Suede OTK Boots in?

I don’t really care I’m going to wear them anyway, I just want prepare myself if I’m gunna get dragged by Gen Z for my Millennial outfit choices.
20 Easy Ways to Refresh Your Home ✨ #homeafterm 20 Easy Ways to Refresh Your Home ✨

#homeaftermidnite #ltkhome #homerenovation #homereno #homeremodeling #homereno #homerefresh #refreshyourhome #apartmentdecor #apartmentliving #apartmentdesign #apartmentgoals #anthro #anthrohome #anthroliving #apartmentlife #apartmentinterior #springcleaning #accentwalls #accentwall #wallpaperdecor
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Lifestyle, Travel · February 12, 2023

4 Day Itinerary San Diego, California

I absolutely LOVE Southern California (it’s definitely my favorite part of Cali), but I haven’t had a chance to visit San Diego until now! And after this four day trip I can confirm that SoCal is one of my favorite places in the country. Today I’m sharing my exact 4 day Itinerary of San Diego including how to get around and where to stay plus more restaurant, bar and food recommendations I didn’t get a chance to check out! No matter if you’re a first time visitor like me or a San Diego lover, this guide will help you plan your trip!

4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation

San Diego is a city on the Pacific coast of California just north of the Mexico-United States border, known for it’s extensive beaches, laid back attitude and near perfect weather year-round. Tourism is a huge industry in San Diego thanks to attractions such as Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, the local craft brewing industry and more!

woman at the La Jolla Cove
Coat: Anthropologie rented from nuuly
woman enjoying the Sunset Cliffs at Golden Hour
Sweats: How Do You Wear That
Sunset Cliffs at Golden Hour | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Sunset Cliffs at Golden Hour | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Sunset Cliffs at Golden Hour | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation

4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA

While you can easily spend an entire week or more visiting San Diego, after reading through my 4 Day Itinerary you’ll see this is a perfect amount of time to explore multiple neighborhoods in this beautiful West Coast city and get a taste of Southern California life!

Day 1 – Hillcrest, Chula Vista & Coronado

I took the 8am flight out of JFK in New York City and arrived at San Diego International Airport at 11:30am, and let me say the airport is San Diego is SO nice and efficient and easy to navigate. My plane pulled up to the gate at 11:30am on the dot and I was off the plane and outside in departures waiting for my friend, Lauren, to pick me up by 11:35am and I’m not even exaggerating!

menu at the Hash House a Go Go
meal served at Hash House a Go Go

Hash House a Go Go

Since I was starving we went right to lunch at Hash House a Go Go in the Hillcrest Neighborhood of San Diego and it is definitely the restaurant you want to go to after a long flight because the portions are HUGE (we could’ve easily split one entrée, but we ordered 2 and they didn’t disappoint)! I highly recommend the Crispy Pork Hash with their famous hand hammered pork tenderloin and the HH Famous Flapjacks (we got banana), both were unbelievable!

woman outside The Rambler Motel Chula Vista
interior of The Rambler Motel Chula Vista
bedroom at The Rambler Motel Chula Vista

After lunch we headed down to Chula Vista and checked into our hotel, The Ramber Motel, which was probably one of the most colorful and Instagrammable hotels I’ve ever been to AND in the perfect location for the night we had planned in Coronado.

Coronado

Coronado is a California resort city on a peninsula in San Diego Bay. It’s filled with incredible beaches, lush parks, one-of a kind boutiques and atmospheric dining so I knew it was a must visit on my first trip to the San Diego area. We drove out to Coronado Island, parked on Orange Ave and walked around exploring all the cute little stores! We loved Wild Dove Boutique, so make sure to pop in there.

Hotel Del Coronado | Where to Stay in San Diego California | Best San Diego Hotels | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Best Bars in San Diego | Best Places to Watch the Sunset | Hotel Del Coronado Sun Deck | Where to Stay in San Diego California | Best San Diego Hotels | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation

You can’t visit Coronado without going to the iconic California beach resort, Hotel del Coronado, and to be honest it’s almost impossible to miss it! Built in 1888 it’s one of the last surviving wooden Victorian beach resorts in the world and the second largest such structure in the United States! With majestic Queen-Anne architecture and soaring red turrets this beachfront hotel is a must visit if you’re in the area.

Best Bars in San Diego | Best Places to Watch the Sunset | Hotel Del Coronado Sun Deck | Where to Stay in San Diego California | Best San Diego Hotels | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Best Places to Watch the Sunset | Hotel Del Coronado Sun Deck | Where to Stay in San Diego California | Best San Diego Hotels | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Sunglasses: Amazon | Top: Free People

Hotel del Coronado

I highly suggest getting to Hotel del Coronado about an hour before sunset and grabbing a seat at Sun Deck facing the water! With gorgeous front row views of sunset on the West Coast there is no better place to end your day! There are cozy fire pits available to sit at for larger parties and plenty of other bar stools and tables. Get a pitcher of you’re with friends and plan on having a few drinks, we got the Smokey Sunburn (without mezcal) and it was awesome.

The Henry

After sunset we walked over to The Henry for dinner. Highly recommend making a reservation there because the wait for walk-ins was fairly long! And if you’re lucky enough to get an early dinner reservation you can take advantage of their Happy Hour drink specials available to 6pm (even if you’re sitting at a table)! We ordered (and loved) Roasted Artichoke “Rillettes”, Umami Brussels Sprouts, Spicy Tuna & Crispy Rice and Bolognese. And if you have room, the Warm Croissant Bread Pudding for dessert was to die for! If you find yourself in the area during the day, The Henry also serves breakfast and lunch!

Pizza Port Brewing Chronic Ale | The Henry Coronado | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
The Henry Coronado | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Dinner at The Henry Coronado | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation

Day 2: North Park & Little Italy

We grabbed coffee (which was delicious) at The Rambler Motel Coffee Shop in the lobby before checking out and headed up to North Park! One of the perks of staying at The Rambler Motel is that you get 50% off Rambler Coffee so definitely take advantage!

Brunch at Dunedin New Zealand Eats North Park | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Brunch at Dunedin New Zealand Eats North Park | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation

North Park Neighborhood

The North Park Neighborhood in San Diego located east of downtown bordering Balboa Park, is filled with coffee shops, craft beer bars, brunch spots, upscale pubs and more! We headed to Dunedin New Zealand Eats, a New Zealand themed spot in a funky space for brunch and it didn’t disappoint. They serve brunch daily and I highly recommend The Cure & Chilaquiles + they do $2 Mimosas & $4 Specialty Mimosas on Saturday & Sunday from 9am-12pm.

North Park Neighborhood Mural | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Verbatim Books | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Jeans: Gap

After brunch we explored North Park and all the cool stores on University Ave. If you’re in the area you MUST stop in Verbatim Books. It’s San Diego’s largest independent bookstore filled with a curated selection of used and rare books in the coolest space!

Verbatim Books | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Verbatim Books | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Verbatim Books | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation

Then we spent the rest of the afternoon brewery hopping! I didn’t know it before visiting, but San Diego has the best craft beer scene in the country with 150+ breweries (if you’re looking for it’s East Coast beer loving counterpart I suggest visiting Portland, ME)! We ended up going to Mike Hess (I loved the Grazias Amber Ale, Raspberry Hop Cloud & Lager Del Sur) & Belching Beaver Brewery (I loved the Peanut Butter Milk Stout, PB&J Blonde, Blueberry Muffin Stout & Fall of Troy on Nitro), but so many were recommended to us! If you’re visiting and really in local, craft beer consider spending more time here and visiting some of these, but no matter what brewery (or breweries) you end up at I guarantee you’ll have a great time!

Mike Hess Brewery | Best Breweries in San Diego | Where to Drink in San Diego California | Best San Diego Breweries | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Belching Beaver Brewery | Best Breweries in San Diego | Where to Drink in San Diego California | Best San Diego Breweries | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Belching Beaver Brewery | Best Breweries in San Diego | Where to Drink in San Diego California | Best San Diego Breweries | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Best Craft Breweries in San Diego:
  • Mikkeller (Miramar & Little Italy)
  • White Labs (Mira Mesa)
  • Novo Brazil Brewing (Chula Vista)
  • BattleMage Brewing Company (Vista)
  • Resident Brewing (Downtown)
  • Thorn Brewing (North Park)
  • Societe Brewing Company (Clairemont-Mesa)
  • Stone Brewing (Escondido)
  • Puesto Cerveceria (Mission Valley)
  • Border X Brewing (Barrio Logan)
  • Kairoa Brewing Co (University Heights)
  • Viewpoint Brewing (Del Mar)
  • North Park Beer Co (North Park)
  • Modern Times Beer (Point Loma & North Park)
  • Pizza Port Brewing (Carlsbad)
  • Ballast Point (Little Italy)

Little Italy

We checked into our second hotel – Hampton Inn San Diego Downtown (if you’re looking for an inexpensive hotel in San Diego in the best location this is it!) and got ready for dinner in the Little Italy Neighborhood of San Diego. Little Italy is located in the northwest end of Downtown, with India Street running through the heart of it. It’s a chic, pedestrian friendly neighborhood filled with trendy cocktail bars, brewpubs and restaurants. If you were to stay anywhere in San Diego, Little Italy is my recommendation because it’s highly walkable, has so much there and boarders the waterfront.

Little Italy Neighborhood of San Diego
Barbusa Little Italy | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Dinner at Barbusa in Little Italy | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation

We had dinner reservations at Barbusa, a Modern Sicilian restaurant in San Diego’s Little Italy. The menu was a mix of pizzas, handmade pastas and seafood dishes plus they had amazing Italian cocktails! The overall vibe of the restaurant was great and it was the perfect place to spend a weekend night. I highly recommend the Sicilian Mule to drink, then the Sicilian Meatballs, Chopped Salad, Gnocchi with Pistachio Pesto & Dolce e Picante Pizza!

Craft & Commerce | Best Bars in San Diego | Where to Drink in San Diego California | Best San Diego Breweries | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Craft & Commerce | Best Bars in San Diego | Where to Drink in San Diego California | Best San Diego Breweries | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation

After dinner we walked over to Craft & Commerce, a hip gastropub with taxidermy and old books lining the walls and antlers as beer taps. We were lucky enough to grab seats at the bar for an after dinner drink, but you can also make a reservation to eat here. The decor alone makes it worth visiting, but the drinks were also amazing – I got the Rocky Mountain High. But quite possibly the coolest part of this restaurant is the secret tiki bar in the back of it! False Idol is a trendy tiki bar located inside the walk in cooler of Craft & Commerce and 100% worth going to if you can get in! You can make a reservation in advance or put your name on the list at the hostess stand inside Craft & Commerce.

False Idol Secret Tiki Bar | Best Bars in San Diego | Where to Drink in San Diego California | Best San Diego Breweries | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
False Idol Secret Tiki Bar | Best Bars in San Diego | Where to Drink in San Diego California | Best San Diego Breweries | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation

Day 3: Little Italy, Balboa Park & Gaslamp

Brunch Drinks at Nolita Hall Little Italy | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Brunch Drinks at Nolita Hall Little Italy | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Top: Gap

We started with brunch at Nolita Hall, also in the Little Italy section of San Diego and it was definitely one of the coolest restaurants we went to! They describe themselves as an airy industrial beer hall and with floor to ceiling windows and a huge skylight spanning the entire restaurant that’s a perfect description. They are also located directly under the landing route for San Diego airport and at the bar they have a huge split flap display that announces real time flight information of the planes flying over you which was honestly so cool! We loved the Roasted Broccolini, Egg White Hash & Vanh’s Breakfast (the potato latkes are a must!)

Nolita Hall Split Flap Display Bar | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Brunch at Nolita Hall Little Italy | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation

After brunch we walked over to Balboa Park because it’s not a trip to San Diego without visiting it! Balboa Park is a 1200 acre historic urban cultural park just minutes from downtown San Diego that is home to 17 museums, gardens galore and the world-famous San Diego Zoo!

Balboa Park | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Balboa Park | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Balboa Park | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Balboa Park | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Coat: Eva Franco | Bag: Amazon | Jeans: H&M

After walking around the park, we headed over to Extraordinary Desserts, a bakery/restaurant created by pastry chef Karen Krasne. We went to their Bankers Hill location just outside of Balboa Park and had the HARDEST TIME choosing what to order because everything looked so amazing. We ended up with a slice of the Gianduia cake and a Cocada and we were not disappointed! This place was highly recommended and if you’re visiting San Diego add it to your must visit list!

Extraordinary Desserts | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Extraordinary Desserts | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation

Ballast Point Brewery Tasting Room

We stopped by Ballast Point Brewery Tasting Room in Little Italy on the way back to the hotel. There were a bunch of games on and we had time to kill before dinner! I love Ballast Point Sculpin. However, I wanted to try beers that weren’t as easy to get on the East Coast. I ended up loving the Calico Amber, Belgian Bobtail Ring, Blood Orange IPA and High West Victory at Sea Imperial Porter.

Ballast Point Brewery | Best Breweries in San Diego | Where to Drink in San Diego California | Best San Diego Breweries | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Ballast Point Brewery | Best Breweries in San Diego | Where to Drink in San Diego California | Best San Diego Breweries | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation

Gaslamp Quarter

For dinner, we walked down to the Gaslamp Quarter, a lively downtown neighborhood known for it’s nightlife. We ended up at Rustic Root, a restaurant and rooftop bar with New American Comfort food. So, we were there on a Sunday night. It wasn’t that lively, if you’re looking for more of a party scene in the Gaslamp make sure to go on a Friday or Saturday night. Also, we loved the Firecracker Shrimp, Heirloom Tomato Burrata, Kale Caesar Salad, Charred Broccolini and Mary’s Roasted Half Chicken.

Rustic Root Gaslamp Quarter | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Dinner at Rustic Root Gaslamp | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Where to Eat in Gaslamp San Diego | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation

Day 4: La Jolla/Sunset Cliffs

Morning Glory Brunch | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Morning Glory Brunch Spot | Where to Eat in San Diego California | Best San Diego Restaurants | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation

We checked out of the hotel and walked over to Morning Glory, an Instagrammable pink hued eatery, for breakfast. They don’t take reservations. So I suggest getting there early or going during the week. I can confirm the food is definitely worth the wait and just as tasty as it is aesthetic! You MUST order their signature Soufflé Pancakes and we also got the Veggie Benny & Veggie Scramble.

brunch food
brunch food and pancakes

La Jolla

After breakfast we drove up to La Jolla. It’s a hilly seaside area of San Diego County known for it’s rugged coastline. Also, one of the top beach destinations in the world. La Jolla Cove is a small beach surrounded by cliffs and home to hundreds (maybe thousands) of seals, sea lions and other animals!

La Jolla Cove Seals and Sea Lions
woman doing the peace sign at La Jolla Cove
Jeans: Gap | Sneakers: Vans | Bag: Coach
view at La Jolla Cove
two women at the La Jolla Cove

After getting our fill of seals and sea lions, we walked around the Village of La Jolla before driving down the coast through Pacific Beach and Mission Beach to our final destination, Sunset Cliffs and Point Loma!

Sunset Cliffs

If you’re looking for the best place in San Diego to watch the sunset – Sunset Cliffs is it! Sunset Cliffs is a coastal community in the Point Loma community of San Diego. It’s home to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. It features dramatic cliff formations and caves and expansive Pacific Ocean views.

Sunset Cliffs | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Golden Hour at Sunset Cliffs | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
view at the Sunset Cliffs

And I couldn’t leave Southern California without tacos. Hence, I ended my trips at La Perla Cocina Mexicana before heading to the airport for my red eye flight back to NY. By way of Boston because apparently there’s no longer a red eye to NY).

mexican food at La Perla Cocina Mexicana

Recommended Restaurants/Bars in San Diego:

  • Hash House a Go Go (location)
  • Sun Deck at Hotel del Coronado (location)
  • The Henry (location)
  • Dunedin New Zealand Eats (location)
  • Barbusa (location)
  • Craft & Commerce (location)
  • False Idol (location)
  • Nolita Hall (location)
  • Extraordinary Desserts (location)
  • Morning Glory (location)
  • La Perla Cocina Mexicana (location)
  • Born and Raised (location)
  • Cloak and Petal (location)
  • Pali Wine Co. (location)
  • M Winehouse (location)
  • El Prez (location)
  • Rustic Root (location)
interior of a bar
woman drinking

Where to Stay in San Diego

The rambler Motel
  • Located in Chula Vista, right off of I-5, so if you plan on being in the car exploring a large portion of San Diego County this is a great option!
  • Extremely affordable!!
  • Perks include a swimming pool, fire pits, free parking, retro arcade and 50% off at the Rambler Coffee Shop & Snack Bar.
  • Very aesethic and Instagrammable!
  • We stayed here during a portion of this trip!
Pendry San Diego
  • It’s a 5-star boutique hotel located in the Gaslamp district of San Diego. It’s just blocks from the San Diego Convention Center and Petco Park.
  • Amenities include rooftop pool with private cabanas, 6 restaurants and bars, 24 hour fitness center, full service spa and more!
Hotel del Coronado
  • A Curio Collection by Hilton hotel!
  • Quite possibly the most historic hotel in all of Southern California, located on beautiful Coronado Island.
  • If you’re looking for more of a laid back, beach vacation this is where you want to stay!
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  • Waterfront hotel overlooking in downtown San Diego connected to the convention center.
  • Every hotel room has a view of their private marina in San Diego Bay or the city!
  • Amenities include a day spa, 24 hour gym and outdoor pool.
Hampton Inn San Diego Downtown
  • It is located in the heart of downtown San Diego in the Little Italy neighborhood. It is just a block away from Waterfront Park.
  • Free daily breakfast!
  • We stayed here during a portion of this trip and I highly suggest staying in the Little Italy area of San Diego if you’re following this guide! It was my favorite area of the city.
woman at the sunset cliff
view of the ocean

PIN my 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, California for LATER:

4 Days in San Diego | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Sunset Cliffs | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Sunset Cliffs | 4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
4 Day Itinerary San Diego, CA | What to do, see and eat in San Diego California | San Diego Travel Guide | First Timer's Guide to a Long Weekend in San Diego | Best Things to do in San Diego | Southern California Vacation
Looking for more travel itineraries? Check out:
  • 2 Days in Boston | What to Do, See & Eat
  • 3 Day Itinerary Savannah, GA
  • First Time in Chicago: The Perfect 3 Day Itinerary
  • A First Timer’s Guide to 3 Colorful Days in Charleston
  • Travel Guide: 48 Hours in Newport, Rhode Island

In: Lifestyle, Travel · Tagged: california, San Diego

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Slowing transitioning my dark Winter wardrobe to m Slowing transitioning my dark Winter wardrobe to my colorful Spring & Summer self 🫶🏼

Also I keep forgetting to share daily outfits on stories so here’s a bunch 🫣

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18 months late, but my NEW Charleston Travel Guide 18 months late, but my NEW Charleston Travel Guide is LIVE 💙☀️ & thankfully I’m just as obsessed with these photos now as I was in September 2021!

Every corner of Charleston is picture perfect, but this spot was one of my favorites from this trip 😍

Also I promise to never let this happen again for future trips 🤪 (Folly Beach & Salem coming soon!)

📸 @t.a.d.photo 

#travelaftermidnite #explorecharleston #charlestonsc #charlestondaily #charlestoncharm #charlestonsouthcarolina #johnrutledgehouseinn #broadstreet #southofbroad #charlestontravel #travelguides #travelblogger #travelgram #instatravel #traveldiaries  #instagrammableplaces // Most Instagrammable Spots in Charleston
Planning a Spring Vacation? Here are my top 10 pic Planning a Spring Vacation? Here are my top 10 picks in the US to travel to visit in the Spring ☀️

1. San Diego, CA
2. Charleston, SC
3. Laguna Beach, CA
4. Florida Keys, FL
5. Newport, RI
6. New Orleans, LA
7. Vero Beach, FL
8. Portland, ME
9. Boston, MA
10. Savannah, GA

Are you headed on a Spring vacation this year? Where are you going!?

#travelaftermidnite #springbreak #springvacation #springtrip #springtravel #ustravel #usatravels #usavacation #sandiegotravel #floridatravel #californiatravel #charlestonsc #savannahgeorgia #neworleans
Come with me to @foxwoods 🎉 ad The temperature Come with me to @foxwoods 🎉 ad

The temperatures were dropping this weekend so @breakfastatetiffany @simplybysimone and I headed up to Foxwoods for a Winter Girls Getaway to escape the cold ❄️

When we visited last Summer we kept saying we COULDN’T WAIT to come back in the Winter because everything you need for the perfect girls weekend - restaurants, bars, fun activities, THE SPA - are all under one roof and you don’t need to step foot outside! So we packed up and headed to Connecticut for the first cold weekend of 2023 and it didn’t disappoint!

My perfect favorites from the weekend were…
🧖🏼‍♀️Massages at @gspaatfoxwoods
🏮Dinner at @redlanternct
⛸️Ice Skating at the Winter Terrace

…but everything we did was so much fun and as always I can’t wait to go back! PS if you’re looking to book a trip NOW is the time! Book your hotel stay by March 10th to receive 20% off deluxe hotel room stays now through April 30 OR 30% off between May 1 and July 31!!

#EscapeToFoxwoods #TheWonderOfItAll #Foxwoods #TravelAfterMidnite
Thanks to all of your recommendations my list of “Best Places to Travel with Friends” is up to 35 PLACES!!!!

After my trip to San Diego last month obviously that shot up to the top of my recommendations, but more places on my list include…

Charleston, SC
Savannah, GA
Boston, MA
& many many more!

Stay tuned for my full blog post, but in the meantime check out my full San Diego Travel Guide that will definitely have you wanting to visit there with friends ASAP!

& if you missed my question box on stories over the weekend, drop a place you’ve visited on a really fun group trip in the comments!

#travelaftermidnite #sunsetcliffs #sunsetcliffssandiego #sandiego #sandiegotravel #travelguides #visitcalifornia #visitsandiego #socaltravels // Jackie Giardina wearing faux fur leopard coat in Verbatim Book Store in North Park, San Diego, California.
10 Places to Eat & Drink in San Diego 🌴☀️ 10 Places to Eat & Drink in San Diego 🌴☀️

(in no particular order)
🥂 @nolitahall 
🥞 @pancakelordssd 
🍰 @extraordinary_desserts 
🍻 @belchingbeavernorthpark 
🍳 @dunedinsd 
🥓 @hashhouseagogo 
🍹 @delcoronado 
🧉 @craft_commerce 
🍺 @ballastpointsandiego 
🥗 @thehenryrestaurant 

Tap the link in my bio for my entire San Diego Travel Guide including a ton more restaurants/bars/breweries to bookmark if you’re planning a trip there!

#travelaftermidnite #sandiego #sandiegofood #sandiegotravel #travelguide #travelguides #visitcalifornia #visitsandiego #socaltravels #sandiegocalifornia #sandiegocounty #sandiegoeats #sandiegobars #sandiegobreweries #sandiegobrewery
My San Diego Travel Guide is LIVE ☀️ I’m sh My San Diego Travel Guide is LIVE ☀️

I’m sharing my exact 4 Day San Diego Itinerary including how to get around, where to stay plus more restaurant, bar and food recommendations I didn’t get a get to check out!

No matter if you’re a first time visitor me like me or a San Diego lover, this guide will help you plan your trip!

📸 @llocks 

#travelaftermidnite #sunsetcliffs #sunsetcliffssandiego #sandiego #sandiegotravel #travelguides #visitcalifornia #visitsandiego #socaltravels // Golden hour photos at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego California overlooking the Pacific Ocean
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I’m thinking of completely changing up mine with a burnt orange or dark gray comforter…something completely different than my normal off white…what do we think?

I’m craving something different than I’ve already had, but I can’t decide! Swipe through to see the different bedding I’ve over the 5 years I’ve been in my current apartment!

And tap the link in my bio for 19 more easy ways to refresh your home!

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feminine bedroom / master bedroom decor / floral bedding
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