Alright, so we were looking for a little getaway in February, and San Diego popped into my head. I’d heard good things, you know, sunshine and all that, even in winter. So, I figured, why not? Booked some flights, found a place to stay not too far from the main stuff, and off we went.
Getting Settled and First Vibes
Landed, got our rental car – which, let me tell you, is pretty much essential there if you want to move around easily. The first thing I noticed was the air. It just felt different, a bit salty, a bit fresh. We checked into our spot, nothing fancy, just a clean place to crash. Dumped our bags and decided to just walk around the first evening, get a feel for the area.
February weather, well, it wasn’t exactly beach blanket bingo time. It was pleasant, though. You could walk around in a light jacket or a sweater most of the time. Mornings and evenings were definitely cool, but the midday sun, when it was out, felt nice.
What We Actually Did
Okay, so we weren’t on a super tight schedule. I like to just see where the day takes me sometimes.
- Balboa Park: Spent a good chunk of a day here. Man, that place is huge. We walked and walked. Looked at some of the gardens, saw the outside of a bunch of museums. Didn’t go into all of them, just picked a couple. It was pretty, lots of green.
- The Coastline Stuff: We drove up to La Jolla. Saw the seals and sea lions. Yeah, they’re there, alright. And you can smell them! But it was cool to see them just lounging around. The coastline there is really something, all rocky and dramatic. We also hit up Coronado Island. Walked along the beach, saw that big famous hotel. It was a nice, chill afternoon.
- Gaslamp Quarter: Went down there one evening. Lots of restaurants and bars. Had some decent food. It’s lively, for sure. A bit touristy, as you’d expect, but still fun to see.
- Eating, of course: Tried fish tacos from a couple of different spots. That’s a must-do, right? Found this little hole-in-the-wall place that was actually the best. Funny how that works out sometimes.
The February Reality
Now, about that February sunshine. We got some, definitely. Had a few really bright, clear days. But we also had a couple of overcast ones, a bit grey. Not raining, thankfully, just not full-on sun. Which, honestly, was fine for walking around. If I’d gone expecting to bake on the beach every day, I might have been a bit disappointed. But for general exploring, it was pretty comfortable.
One thing I’d say: layers are your friend. T-shirt, sweater, light jacket. You’ll probably use all of them at some point during the day. And comfortable shoes, because you’ll do a lot of walking if you’re like us.
Wrapping It Up
So, yeah, San Diego in February. It was a good trip. Relaxed, not too crowded, which I appreciate. Saw some cool sights, ate some good food. It’s a different vibe than a summer beach vacation, more about exploring and enjoying the milder weather. Would I do it again in February? Sure. It was a nice change of pace. Just don’t go expecting it to be a tropical paradise heat-wise, and you’ll have a good time. It’s more like, pleasant spring weather for folks from colder places. That’s the best way I can put it.
