Birthday Ideas in San Diego: Celebrate in the Sunshine
Celebrate your special day on the California coast.
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Ringing in another year in San Diego? First of all let us congratulate you on the great choice for a birthday destination. With a number of luxurious and charming Plum Guide properties in the area, our fastidious home critics have already done the tough job, ensuring your standards are met for the place you choose to stay on your holiday. After all, you can’t get a year older without the ultimate comforts you’ve come to expect and enjoy in your life – you’re not in your 20s anymore.
But beyond your perfect home away from home, San Diego boasts some fantastic options to celebrate your ageing in style. Thanks to this expertly curated list of birthday ideas in San Diego, you might just have the best one yet.
Start as you mean to go on
Wake up to breathtaking sea views at My Blue Horizon, a contemporary and luxurious Plum Guide property located in the Bird Rock area. Ask your personal butler – yes, he comes with the house – to serve coffee in the garden and spend the first hour or two of your special day feeling grateful for this luxe life that you and your better half created. It’s no small feat after all - imagine the creepy hostel you could be staying in if you hadn’t.
My Blue Horizon, Plum Guide home in San Diego
Next it’s time for one of the activities San Diego does best – brunch. Blade 1936 in Oceanside serves up scrumptious breakfast food in trendy surroundings. Try the lemon ricotta pancakes, Blade Benedict or if you insist on keeping it light – we know you’re not as svelte these days as you used to be – go for the acai bowl. For something a little more upscale, head to the elegant Jeune et Jolie where you can feast on oysters, steak frites, soft scrambled eggs and perfectly cooked French omelettes.
Splash the cash
Once you’ve had your fill of birthday brunch, it’s time to work off some calories with what we know is your preferred form of exercise, shopping. When it comes to San Diego birthday ideas, taking advantage of its many designer shops and unique boutiques is kind of non-negotiable. After all, we all know presents to yourself are the best kind.
Beach in La Jolla, San Diego, California
One of the fanciest places to stay in San Diego is La Jolla. Known as the ‘jewel by the sea,’ posh La Jolla’s Prospect Street offers enviable views of the Pacific with a healthy side of designer stores, antique shops, independent boutiques and art galleries to peruse. Spend some time browsing, buying and soaking up the atmosphere of this beautiful place. The area is also renowned for its locally made fine jewellery in case any of you are in the mood for a touch of birthday bling.
Sea Bass Cove, Plum Guide home in La Jolla, San Diego
Speaking of La Jolla, we should probably mention Sea Bass Cove right about now. Located in walking distance to the beach, this contemporary yet cosy cottage is the perfect base for your birthday trip to San Diego. Or if you want to really go ham and glam, try a stay at Lemon Parasol.
Lemon Parasol, Plum Guide home in San Diego, California
And now back to shopping.
If you’re looking for a more culturally unique and authentically San Diego shopping experience, head to Fiesta de Reyes, a popular destination for food, folklore and fun that will take you right back to the 1800s. The festive environment here is perfect to celebrate a birthday and you’ll love the unique tidbits you can pick up as souvenirs from the traditional local shops.
Culture up
Let’s remember the hard truth – you’re a year older now (sorry) – and if you ask us that means you have zero excuse not to be a year wiser too, so pump up the culture valve and hit the museum to get this new age off to the right start.
Balboa Park, San Diego, California
A favourite on many lists of things to do in San Diego is local gem Balboa Park. The park not only boasts beautiful nature but is also home to 17 museums covering every possible cultural passion and interest you could ever imagine. Are you a fan of photography? Make your way to the Museum of Photographic Arts. More of a cars and trains nerd person? Try the San Diego Automotive Museum or San Diego Model Train Museum. There’s also the Air and Space Museum, San Diego Natural History Museum, Timken Art Museum and a Japanese Friendship Garden to explore and that’s naming but a few. You’ll leave feeling enlightened and if nothing else ready for a drink.
Sunset on the sand
Sunset drinks are a must when it comes to birthday ideas in San Diego. Firehouse in Pacific Beach offers chill tunes and delicious cocktails with a splendid ocean view. Sit back and sip a cool drink while meditating on how far you’ve come in this life. Who would’ve thought as a slightly confused traveler on your gap year, that you’d one day end up here, staying in incredible accommodations like this.
Beach Bulb, Plum Guide home in La Jolla, San Diego
Hello Betty Fish House is another great spot for drinks with a view (and you can stay for dinner too if you’re getting nibbly). Perched just one block from the beach, the views of the Oceanside Pier from here truly can’t be beaten. Swig down an oyster shooter and cheers to your health – it is your birthday after all.
