San Antonio/ Fun & Entertainment
Published on February 06, 2019
Travel watch: San Antonio to San Diego, and back againPhoto: iStock

Have you been craving a California getaway, without the congestion of LA? San Diego offers plenty of sandy beaches and sunny days, with an even more laid-back vibe and the best border town tacos you can find.

The city’s top-rated local craft brewing industry is a major draw, along with the famous San Diego Zoo, other amusement parks, and many historic sites from the city’s Spanish and Mexican heritage. And San Diego’s deep-water harbor supports a wide range of coastal activities, including sightseeing cruises, whale-watching and Southern California’s largest sport fishing fleet.

Thankfully, there are plenty of relatively inexpensive flights between San Antonio and San Diego. We pulled from travel site Skyscanner to provide you with a short list of flights and hotels handpicked with the trendy adventurer in mind.

(Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Prices and availability are subject to change.)

Cheapest San Diego flights

The cheapest flights between San Antonio and San Diego are if you leave on March 2 and return from California on March 5. Frontier Airlines currently has tickets for $150, roundtrip.

There are also deals to be had later in March. If you fly out of San Antonio on March 30 and return from San Diego on April 2, Frontier Airlines can get you there and back for $189 roundtrip.

Top San Diego hotels

Regarding where to stay, here are some of San Diego’s top-rated hotels, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction.

The Hotel del Coronado (1500 Orange Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

If you're looking to treat yourself, consider The Hotel del Coronado. The hotel has a 4.6-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $290.

The La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club (2000 Sprindrift Drive)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

There's also the five-star rated The La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. Rooms are currently set at $265/night.

The Omni La Costa Resort and Spa (2100 Costa Del Mar Road)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

A third option is The Omni La Costa Resort and Spa. The 4.7-star hotel has rooms for $249/night.

Featured San Diego restaurants

If you're looking for a popular spot to grab a bite, San Diego has plenty of excellent eateries to choose from. Here are a few from Skyscanner's listings to help you get started.

Extraordinary Desserts (2929 Fifth Ave.)

First things first: dessert. For a popular option, check out Extraordinary Desserts, which has an average of 4.7 stars out of 160 reviews on Skyscanner.

"It's a very nice place to hang out with friends and share some beautifully decorated treats," wrote visitor Roque. "I loved the fresh fruit tartlets, they're so delicious and beautiful to see that you will never want to eat them!"

The Prado at Balboa Park (1549 El Prado)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

One of San Diego's most popular restaurants is The Prado at Balboa Park, with 4.6 stars from 133 reviews.

Set in the rich landscape and finely manicured gardens, the Prado Restaurant is located at the historic House of Hospitality in the center of San Diego

"One of our favorites in Balboa Park," wrote reviewer Sandra. "We love the fried green beans and the potstickers."

In-N-Out Burger (2005 Camino Del Este)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Also worth considering is In-N-Out Burger.

"Favorite place to grab a burger and it's so cheap," wrote Kim. "Freshly made fries and milkshakes made with real ice cream round out a great meal!"

Mister A'S (2550 Fifth Ave., 12th Floor)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Finally, there's Mister A's.

Mr. A's is just minutes from Downtown and an eternity from the ordinary dining experience. 

"The place is beautiful, the view is gorgeous and the food is amazing!" wrote Makiah.

What to see and do in San Diego

San Diego is also full of sites to visit and explore. Here are some popular attractions to round out your trip, again from Skyscanner's listings.

The San Diego Zoo (2920 Zoo Drive)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

First up is The San Diego Zoo, one of the most prolific and popular zoos in the world.

It houses more than 4,000 animals from roughly 800 species. At more than 100 acres, the zoo offers exhibits that run the gamut of the world’s ecosystems: rainforest, savannah, desert and more. 

"Lovely walk," wrote visitor Christina. "I enjoyed the tram and the treehouse-type areas."

Balboa Park (1549 El Prado, San Diego)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Then, there's Balboa Park, a massive urban park with countless green spaces and gardens.

The park is home to multiple museums, shops and restaurants, as well as the San Diego Zoo. 

The Gaslamp Quarter (614 Fifth Ave.)

Photo: Trip by Skyscanner

Lastly, spend some time at The Gaslamp Quarter.

The Gaslamp is often referred to as the hippest area in San Diego, alive with daily activity. The neighborhood boasts an assortment of restaurants, bars fashion boutiques, art galleries, movies and more.