Sprawling over 1,200 acres smack-dab in the middle of the city, Balboa Park is an oasis for local residents and a mecca for out-of-towners. The park plays host to 15 museums, the World-famous San Diego Zoo, and panoply of theatres, gardens, recreational areas, and spontaneous street performances.

Nearby neighbourhoods reflect San Diego’s trademark diversity. To the west, Middletown harbours the India Street Art Colony. To the northwest, bustling Hillcrest draws tourists of all persuasions to its artsy shops and hip eateries. Farther north, Adams Avenue runs east into lovely, low-key Kensington, which has cafes, an art house cinema, and streets lined with intriguing dwelling places.