San Diego is among the 25 most beautiful cities in the world to visit according to Canada's leading online travel agency. Toronto-based Flight Network said it compiled the list based on suggestions from more than 1,000 travel writers, bloggers and agencies. Travel+Leisure magazine published a list of the most attractive cities in the United States. And it's no wonder that San Diego has earned the national recognition it deserves.
Skyline of Downtown San Diego in California, USA at Sunset Known for its beautiful beaches, quality cuisine, numerous parks and great weather, the Southern California Hot Spot is a frequently visited destination for travelers from all over the country. If you're willing to take a hike, you should visit Stonewall Peak at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. When you reach the top, you'll have a 360-degree view of Lake Cuyamaca and all the surrounding nature. Possibly one of the most majestic spots in San Diego is the 68-acre resource-based Sunset Cliffs park that stretches along the Pacific Ocean bordering the western edge of Point Loma.
Be sure to keep an eye out for California gray whales, which can sometimes be seen migrating annually from the Bering Sea to Baja California and back. I just mentioned this lightly, but it's worth mentioning, a big advantage of living in San Diego is that you're always within a reasonable distance of the beach. I've had a handful of friends come up and mention they're considering moving to San Diego and asking what life is really like in San Diego. Not only is it one of San Diego's most impressive views, but the Mount Soledad Natural Veterans Memorial honors all veterans from all branches of service.
If you were born and raised in San Diego, of course, you'll know that this is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. If you're looking for great beaches in San Diego, my favorites are La Jolla, Coronado Beach and Pacific Beach. It's like those people who live less than two miles from the beach for years and then move to the east of the county and complain that “San Diego never used to be this hot, yes, because you moved 12 miles inland. Even though he's one of the most iconic and beloved figures in surfing, he never strays too far from his favorite San Diego waves.
A few miles from the Mexican border, it's no surprise that San Diego has one of the BEST Mexican foods outside of Mexico. Based on my personal experience and that of my co-workers, most locals have come to the conclusion that you can't live in San Diego without a car. You don't have to be a world traveler to realize that San Diego is one of the most beautiful places on the planet with basically perfect weather, regardless of the season. T+L readers also commented on the best time of year to visit San Diego, and the top spots include July 4th, Spring Break, and Valentine's Day.
Today, I'd like to cover the honest pros and cons of living in San Diego for anyone considering living or moving to San Diego. San Diego is consistently ranked as one of the 10 most expensive cities in the country, so you can bet that living in San Diego won't come cheap. You can't mention San Diego without talking about its phenomenal outdoor lifestyle, much of which has a lot to do with the fact that it's located in the extreme southwest of the U.S. Department of State, just along the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
But I'll be the first to admit that there are a handful of drawbacks that sometimes make me question my decision to move to San Diego from time to time. It's beautiful and I like it, but I've lived in places that I personally felt were much more beautiful.