The Complete San Diego Bachelor Party Guide
If you're looking for good weather year-round and plenty of things to do, look no further than a San Diego bachelor party. Active groups can easily hit the links, cast a line along the Pacific, drink great craft beer options, party the night away, and so much more. This makes San Diego a laidback option, yet a great party destination for groups. Here's our guide to a best-in-class San Diego bachelor party.
San Diego Bachelor Party Planning in this Article:
- What Are Some San Diego Bachelor Party Ideas?
- What Do You Do at a Bachelor Party in San Diego?
- Where Should I Stay in San Diego for a Bachelor Party?
- San Diego Bachelor Party Nightlife
- Expert San Diego Travel Tips
What Are Some San Diego Bachelor Party Ideas?
San Diego has a lot to offer (along with its perfect weather). For starters, you're right on the Pacific, giving you ample opportunity for ocean fun, be it deep-sea fishing or boating. You've also got a great craft brew scene, great golfing, and amazing nightlife on offer.
For the Golfers
There are well over 70 golf courses across San Diego, so aspiring golf pros will appreciate this city for its options.
For Adventurous Types
Charter a fishing boat on Viator to reel in some yellowtail or even a barracuda. Take a surfing class. Or how about a private party boat that will take you out on the waves for a boozy yacht cruise?
For Craft Brewery Fans
If your groom and his men love a good beer, San Diego is a great place to be, with more than 120 breweries to choose from including Ballast Point and Green Flash.
For the Revelers
Don't miss San Diego's 16-block Gaslamp Quarter, a downtown area loaded with restaurants, bars, and nightclubs that will keep you entertained well into the early hours.
What Do You Do at a Bachelor Party in San Diego?
This three-day San Diego bachelor party itinerary has it all: Time on the waves, time on land, and time with a good brew in your hand to help make the most of your weekend getaway.
Day 1
Morning: Check in to your hotel or house for the weekend. Then it's off to brunch at Breakfast Republic, an aptly named spot that serves up options like chicken-mango sausage scramble, chilaquiles, and churro pancakes.
Afternoon: Dive right into things with some high-speed fun at K1 Speed, where you can race go-karts up to 45 miles per hour. From there, it's a short walk to Attitude Brewing, the perfect spot for a post-drive beer at their tasting room which features 22 brews on tap.
Evening: Start the night at the Cowboy Star, a steakhouse where you'll find traditional cuts, as well as housemade pappardelle, raw oysters, and a bison New York strip. From there, walk over to Fairweather Bar, a rooftop spot with excellent craft cocktails that pair perfectly with the views of Petco Park (don't forget to look up the Padres schedule if you're interested in catching a game).
Day 2
Morning: You have to have an early brunch today, but make it worth your while at Snooze Am Eatery, where you'll find coffee and breakfast cocktails along with tasty menu options like habanero pork belly benedicts, the bacon sensation sandwich, and huevos tacos.
Afternoon: After brunch, head out on a charter with H&M Landing where you'll find premier sport fishing for yellowtail, bluefin tuna, and other big catches. If you're not up for fishing, consider a 90-minute surfing lesson with San Diego Surfing School who will have you up on those boards in no time.
Evening: Forget a regular dinner tonight and opt for a Brothels, Bites, and Booze tour from So Diego Tours. The 2.5-hour excursion takes you to four different restaurants where you'll have a tasting at each, as well as sample cocktails and brews along the way. All while hearing some of San Diego's more scandalous history. After the tour, head to the Gaslamp district where you can hit up one of the many bars on offer.
Day 3
Morning: Today's brunch is at The Broken Yolk Cafe, right in the Gaslamp District. Don't miss out on their Tiki Toast, which serves up some island-style flavors. Plus, there are tons of omelets to choose from, as the name implies.
Afternoon: It's time to hit the links! Choose between some of San Diego's best golf courses, including Arrowood, a hilltop course with ocean views; Aviara, located at the Park Hyatt in Carlsbad and designed by Arnold Palmer; Coronado Golf Course, a short hop from downtown with coastal views along the coast, or Rancho Bernardo Inn, a fantastic course designed by the makers of Torrey Pines (if you're there with serious golfers, Torrey Pines is of course the place to be) that boasts a veranda with the ultimate apres-golf scene.
Evening: For happy hour, head to one of the breweries you've been dying to make it to, including Stone Brewery, Ballast Point, Karl Strauss, Green Flash, and San Diego Brewing Company. For your last night, have dinner at Barleymash, where the menu is entirely inspired by beer and bourbon. We're talking buffalo flatbreads, braised pork shoulder mac, and short rib fries. Then, it's off to the Level 9 Rooftop bar atop the Hotel Indigo for drinks, views, and a lively scene.
Where Should I Stay in San Diego for a Bachelor Party?
If you stick close to the Gaslamp District, you'll find yourself within walking distance of a lot of what you'll be doing for the weekend. But San Diego is a big city, so don't be afraid to depend on Ubers, which are plentiful in the area.
Best San Diego Bachelor Party Hotels
Intercontinental San Diego: This hotel is an excellent option if you have a big budget. The property offers waterfront views and a pool. It's in the heart of downtown.
Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Gaslamp/Convention Center: For tighter budgets, consider this option, which puts you right in walking distance of the city's top bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, without sacrificing quality.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego: The Manchester is the ultimate upscale escape with access to beaches, downtown, and the hotel's fantastic pool scene.
Pro tip: The Knot has partnered with Hotel Planner to help you secure the best group hotel rate and get free hotel advice from an expert travel planner.
Best San Diego Bachelor Party Home Rentals
There are plenty of housing options for a San Diego bachelor party, so check out TripAdvisor, VRBO , Airbnb and Hopper Homes. Pro tip: If you're looking to supplement your vacation rental stay with some hotel amenities such as a swimming pool or a fitness facility, you can secure San Diego hotel day passes on ResortPass.
A Five-Bedroom House: This option sleeps up to 14 and is perched right on the beach. Featuring a wet bar, three outdoor spaces, and a firepit, it has everything you could need.
New Luxury Estate: This sparkling accommodation will keep sixteen fellas entertained all weekend long. The huge amenities list includes a jacuzzi, grotto, rock slide, pool table, gym, theater and game room. And you can crank it up too: the glass is soundproof.
Resort-Like Home: Groups of up to 12 can stay at this rental, which offers five bedrooms, a private pool, and easy access to everything that is downtown.
San Diego Bachelor Party Nightlife
San Diego won't let you down on the seafood front. Sample the fresh catch of the day, then boogie down at the colorful bars and clubs of this fabulous all-inclusive city.
Best San Diego Bachelor Restaurants
Wrench and Rodent: When in San Diego, do sushi. The Japanese culinary scene is strong all over SoCal, but especially so in San Diego where the catch is oh-so-fresh. Be tantalized by the flavors of Wrench and Rodent's nigiri and sashimi, and don't miss their famous rolls. Wrench rolls like the rainbow and the Hawaiian are packed full of color, and plant-based options with tofu as the starring protein will keep the herbivores in your group happy. Sake, wine and cocktails seal the deal.
Market Restaurant & Bar: For a chance to sport your smart evening linens, try Market in Del Mar. The upscale restaurant is known for hyper-seasonal ingredients inspired by the bounty of local farms. To take the decision-making of large groups out of the equation, sign everyone up for their tasting menu, which features dishes like sake-glazed black cod and local sweet corn soup.
Charles + Dinorah: For city boys keen to leave all that concrete behind, may Charles + Dinorah be your retro escape. In the Pearl Hotel, you'll find this relaxed yet stylish restaurant nestled within their bamboo-lined poolside courtyard. Share some platters of ribs and calamari, and enjoy the classic films screened above the water for a total forget-your-worries kind of evening.
Best San Diego Bachelor Party Bars
The Grass Skirt: If a speakeasy tiki bar sounds like fun to you, then look for the freezer door at Good Time Poke on Grand Avenue. Here lies a Polynesian fantasy of hula dance, rum drinks in tiki mugs, and neon decor. Large parties must reserve in advance, and Asian bites are available to go with their hefty tropical cocktail list.
Kindred: What's great about Kindred is that it's the kind of bar you can spend six solid hours at, with the vibe changing as the night progresses. Start with some vegan fare and beers at the bar, then kick back on the breezy patio with their tequila-based creations, like The Mother of Pearl. If that doesn't get you going, the death-metal soundtrack sure will. Open till the early hours every day of the week.
Hillcrest Brewing Company: The inclusive nature of San Diego means that whatever your group's orientation, it's sure to be a fun-lovin' time. Hillcrest Brewing Company is the resident gay brewery that's frequented by anyone with an interest in extra-happy happy hours, rainbow chairs, and tunes that you can actually sing along to. The bar is both family and dog-friendly all day, and quite the fiesta when the evening draws in. With cheeky beer names like the crotch rocket, you know nobody's here to take things seriously.
Expert San Diego Travel Tips
San Diego International Airport is less than 10 minutes from downtown, so your rideshare will cost next to nothing, especially when sharing the journey with buddies. It's also incredibly walkable in most neighborhoods, so you can skip renting a car for the duration of your trip, and hail the occasional ride instead. Much like the rest of SoCal, the weather is good all year around (climate change permitting), so expect temperatures to hover between 50 and 75 degrees no matter when you touch down.
Finally, you'll notice there are no Mexican restaurants in our nightlife section; that's because the locals know the best Mexican food lies in the hole-in-the-wall taquerias. Avoid the swanky Old Town digs if you want authentic, and pop to the mom-and-pops for lunch instead. Trust.
Allyson Johnson contributed to this article.