SAN DIEGO, CA – From guided meditations amongst cherry blossom trees to paddleboard yoga sessions on the bay, customized spa treatments and numerous ways to reconnect with nature, San Diego is the perfect escape for a self-care getaway.   

Get Centered with a Spa Day

Find a sense of calmness and peace with a spa treatment that's customized to your needs. Drift away during a full-body massage or get cocooned in a detoxifying wrap at Wellness Lounge Day Spa, a locally owned space within the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina, and then wind down in the steam room sanctuary. Incorporate aromatherapy and an invigorating scalp massage into a treatment at The Hideaway at Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, or get glowing with the brightening facial featuring Yon-Ka Paris' signature Vitamin C serum to shed away dry winter skin. For a quicker pick-me-up, The Now is an oasis within the Little Italy neighborhood and offers Swedish, sports and stress-relieving massages, and offers enhancements including hot crystal stones, cupping, and gua sha with rose quartz tools. Make a whole day of it at The Spa at Paradise Point, a full-scale retreat within the expansive resort in Mission Bay. Treatments here have a tropical twist — bath soaks scented with coconut and tiare (Tahitian gardenia), Balinese massages, heated volcanic stones — and there are private bungalows for couples massages. You'll want to stick around and enjoy the property after your treatment, as spa guests have access to all of the resort's five pools.

Active Escapes

For a more energetic day of physical well-being, AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club is a luxury health club and spa that spans 40,000 square feet at The Westgate Hotel in Downtown. After sweating it out during a workout session with top-of-the-line cardio and weight training equipment or a group fitness class, you can relax with spa services or lounging by the rooftop pool and having food and drinks delivered right to your seat. Did you pack your yoga mat with you? Sign up for a free group morning yoga class at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, which happens seasonally, or drop in to a donation-based bayside yoga class on Sunday morning at the Mission Bay Beach Club.

The Practice of Being Present

Adorned with cherry trees, Zen stone arrangements, koi ponds and soothing waterfalls, the Japanese Friendship Garden is a haven in the heart of San Diego's iconic Balboa Park. Among the garden's variety of educational programs, exhibits, events and classes offered, its monthly sound meditation sessions incorporate sounds from crystal bowls, chimes, gongs and drums to create a soothing environment for meditation and relaxation — sessions must be booked in advance. For winding down before or after your flight, San Diego International Airport has The Spirit of Silence, a reflection room where travelers can meditate, contemplate and pray. Located in Terminal 2, the non-denominational space created by artist Norie Sato encourages visitors to quiet their minds and escape from the stress of air travel. Want a pre-flight massage or spa experience instead? Be Relax Spa in Terminal 2 at the San Diego International Airport offers quick foot and neck massages to full-body treatments in private rooms. You can also lounge in an adjustable massage chair or treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure before takeoff.

Nourishing the Body

With more small farms than any other county in the nation, it is no surprise San Diego is home to a vast selection of health-driven restaurants utilizing the freshest ingredients. With locations in La Jolla, Little Italy, Coronado, Del Mar and Carlsbad, Parakeet Café focuses on promoting a healthy lifestyle by serving health-conscious food, coffee, tea, and freshly baked goods. The café's all-day menu includes vegan, gluten-free, keto and paleo items like salads, rice and veggie bowls, avocado toasts, and unique finds like blue corn and activated charcoal waffles. In North Park, Donna Jean and Evolution Fast Food are two tasty plant-based eateries in one shared space. Donna Jean offers table service for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch with dishes like fried maitake mushrooms and vegan country gravy, pizzas with white bean “mozzarella” and a chocolate chip cookie served in a small cast iron skillet. Evolution Fast Food is a quick order-and-go option with plant-based burgers, “chik'n” sandwiches and tacos with breaded coconut. Plumeria is a longtime local favorite for vegetarian Thai dishes with locations in University Heights and Encinitas, and offers an array of meatless protein options ranging from jackfruit to vegan tempura-fried duck for its flavorful curries, noodles and stir fries. For creative twists on Japanese food and sushi that are completely plant-based, The Yasai has locations in Little Italy and the Convoy District — try the bento boxes with the “no-chicken karaage” or truffle ramen with a creamy vegetable broth. There are just a handful of nightlife establishments that offer vegan dishes, and Mothership in the South Park neighborhood is a top choice for locals. Its trippy, space-themed interior, fun tiki drinks and appetizers like bao with smoked jackfruit will make for a memorable evening. The owners of Mothership also recently opened Dreamboat in University Heights, a retro-themed diner with counter seating serving cocktails and plant-based breakfast and lunch, including burgers and a hoagie with braised yuba (tofu skin). 

Next-Level Alcohol-Free Alternatives

Mocktails have come a long way since the days of virgin daiquiris and are no longer an afterthought on bar and restaurant menus. Mixologists in San Diego are crafting flavorful, rejuvenating beverages that hold their own alongside their boozy counterparts. Estancia La Jolla, an award-winning resort and spa in La Jolla, debuted its new “elixir” bar and eatery, The Remedy Lounge, that is devoted to wellness and will be open through December 2025. Refreshing drinks (all sans alcohol) that incorporate flavorful herbs and botanicals, like the bright blue “Phoenix” with coconut and spirulina, are presented beautifully with floral accents and served in a calming garden setting. Non-alcoholic beer is another beverage that has more options today than in years past, as craft brewers are applying their knowledge to make a better buzz-free brew. Athletic Brewing Company, a pioneer in non-alcoholic beer, expanded its operations to San Diego and its ales can be found at breweries and stores around the county. AleSmith makes a zero-proof India Pale Ale and dark brew, and has both on tap at its tasting room in Miramar. Original 40 Brewing Company in North Park brews a fruity guava-flavored hop water and also serves canned mocktails. For beverages on the go, Monday Morning in Pacific Beach is a unique non-alcoholic bottle shop where you can browse and sample a variety of beers, wine and spirits that won't give you a hangover. Coming soon to the University Heights neighborhood is Good News Bar, which will be the city's first bar and lounge that is totally alcohol-free.

Connecting with Nature

Spending time in nature can help reduce stress and elevate the mood, which is probably why San Diego locals are known for their positive outlook. San Diego is home to a variety of natural landscapes ranging from beaches and wetlands to mountains and desert. Located on the cliffs above Torrey Pines State Beach in La Jolla, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers a spectacular blend of coastal wilderness, canyons, parks and hiking trails where visitors and locals can feel the healing power of the earth and ocean. Adjacent to Silver Strand State Beach in Coronado, the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge encompasses a remarkable 4,000-acre oasis for protected birds, fish and other animals. Bird watching is popular year-round in the refuge and is a perfect practice for those seeking to reconnect with nature. There is also a walking trail that runs parallel to the neighboring Bayshore Bikeway offering beautiful views of San Diego Bay and the reserve. In Encinitas, the San Diego Botanic Garden spans 37 acres and houses dozens of themed gardens, including a glass conservatory with rare plants such as the titan arum, or “corpse flower.” The garden hosts monthly guided bird walks and other educational programming on the property. For an afternoon of breezy hiking, Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma has scenic coastal trails that lead to tide pools that can be explored at low tide. For a quintessential San Diego wellness experience, try a morning of standup paddleboard yoga at Mission Bay Aquatic Center, where during a two-hour class you'll paddle out into a peaceful cove, anchor your board and then be guided through a relaxing yoga session. No prior experience with paddleboarding or yoga is required — just be prepared to get splashed. 

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ABOUT SAN DIEGO TOURISM AUTHORITY

San Diego Tourism Authority is a private, non-profit, mutual benefit corporation composed of approximately 950 member organizations, businesses, local governments, and individuals seeking a better community through the visitor industry. San Diego Tourism Authority members include tourism-related entities in such categories as lodging, dining, arts, attractions, shopping, and transportation, among others, as well as other companies indirectly involved in tourism. Visit sandiego.org to learn more.

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