How to Execute the San Diego Honeymoon of Your Dreams

San Diego may not be the first city that comes to mind when considering your postwedding getaway, but you shouldn't rule it out. A San Diego honeymoon has a lot to offer, providing a great travel experience for different types of couples and budgets. What's great about San Diego as a honeymoon destination is that there is no shortage of things to do. From award-winning restaurants and zoos to its more than 31 beaches, you can craft the honeymoon of your dreams in this Southern California city.

San Diego honeymoon tips in this article:

• Is San Diego Good for a Honeymoon?
• The Best Time to Honeymoon in San Diego
• San Diego Honeymoon Planning Tips
• Best San Diego Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts
• San Diego Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas
• What to Pack for a San Diego Honeymoon

Is San Diego Good for a Honeymoon?

Yes, San Diego is a great spot for a honeymoon. San Diego is a popular honeymoon destination as it offers a space for all types of couples to celebrate the next chapter of their love story. Whether you want to keep your honeymoon relaxing and lie on the beach or engage in a continuous adventure together, San Diego offers the perfect balance.

Pros of a San Diego Honeymoon

There are many pros to having a San Diego, California, honeymoon, with the beautiful weather (and little rain) as one of the main ones. Furthermore, while San Diego is a city, its surrounding (and beach) neighborhoods have a more laid-back energy. San Diego is also home to many hotels (oftentimes local and boutique), which you can book to feel truly at home during your visit. You'll also find high-quality restaurants, as the city is filled with local and award-winning spots.

Cons of a San Diego Honeymoon

Although San Diego can be a great place for couples to spend time together following their big day, it's important to note that San Diego can be quite loud, especially if you're residing at a hotel near the Gaslamp Quarter. Furthermore, you may encounter some street traffic (if you decide to drive) due to its nightlife scene.

The Best Time to Honeymoon in San Diego

The best time to plan your honeymoon destination in San Diego depends on your preferences and the type of honeymoon experience you want to have. Although the weather can change, you can generally expect it to be sunny with temperatures between 60°F and 70°F. Since the weather is nice, you'll notice that there are visitors, but the city won't be as saturated as in the summer when the weather is hotter and the city's major events, including the San Diego County Fair, are taking place. Furthermore, since Comic Con is often held in the city in July, you'll notice an influx of visitors, and you'll likely see an uptick in the price of hotels.

While not a bad time to visit, the fall and winter can bring some cooler temperatures, which may require wearing a sweater. That said, fewer tourists will likely be at the beach, so there's a higher chance you'll have more of the shore to yourself. That said, San Diego International Film Festival and Restaurant Week take place during these seasons, so while you can enjoy some delicious and local food for a discount, the weekends of those events might bring more people. However, you might even be lucky enough to encounter a celebrity.

San Diego Honeymoon Planning Tips

To execute the most successful honeymoon in San Diego, you'll first want to determine the time of year and dates. This way, you can ensure you're receiving the best possible rates on accommodations and can book any must-have dining reservations and excursions in advance. It is best practice to inquire about any honeymoon suites in San Diego or San Diego honeymoon packages at any hotels of interest to ensure they'll be available during your stay.

Although San Diego does have ride-share services and some public transportation, you'll likely want to have a car with you (if you're able to) so you're in charge of how you reach your itinerary destinations and when. That said, San Diego is walkable. If you select a hotel within walking distance to your itinerary items of interest, you likely won't have problems navigating through the city. Scooters are also a popular mode of transportation.

You should also check what times and days the beaches, attractions and restaurants are open and closed to plan accordingly. Scheduling activities near each other or within walking distance on specific days can help you maximize your time. Don't be afraid to ask your honeymoon planner and/or hotel concierge for help. Luckily, you can use The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find a planner specializing in San Diego honeymoons to help you plan your honeymoon.

Best San Diego Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts

Whether a beachside hotel or a luxury metropolitan one is what you seek for your San Diego honeymoon, the city has options for you. Read on for some of the best accommodations in the area—you might even be able to reserve a honeymoon suite.

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa

Newlyweds who seek a San Diego honeymoon resort with Mediterranean flair will appreciate Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa. Unlike some other properties in the area, this one is comprised of 49 hacienda-style suites. Some of the resort's signature suites or private casitas include the Agave Suite, Eucalyptus Ada Suite, Palm Suite, Valencia Suite and the Olive Grove Suite. Furthermore, this resort offers many activities, including a couples massage at The Spa at Ranco Valecia or a private yoga session at the Serenity Yoga Pavilion.

5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

4.7 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Orli La Jolla

Located in San Diego's La Jolla neighborhood, Orli La Jolla offers honeymooners modern-style accommodations and beach views. As far as honeymoon suites in San Diego go, this property is home to the two-floor Irving Grill Penthouse. When you reserve this suite, you'll also have access to a cocktail lounge and an ocean view on its second story. Plus, this hotel is within walking distance to many nearby sightseeing attractions, including La Jolla Cove and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

7753 Draper Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037

4.7 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Lafayette Hotel & Club

For a boutique hotel filled with maximalist charm, look no further than Lafayette Hotel. Start your trip by relaxing each morning in one of the property's notable suites, including the Penthouse Suite or King Patio Suite, before enjoying live music at Lou Lou's Jungle Room Jazz Club or sipping on drinks at the pool bar near the outdoor pool. We can't forget to mention that this hotel also features a bowling alley where you can knock down pins together.

2223 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92104

4.6 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Pendry San Diego

Pendry San Diego sits in the heart of San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter. This hotel is made up of more than 350 rooms and contains suites where you and your partner can make yourselves feel at home. The Pendry Suite is one of the hotel's most lavish suites, spanning 1,497 square feet. Not only does it feature a soaking tub and walk-in shower, but it also has 180-degree views of the city via its floor-to-ceiling windows. You can enjoy cuisine at the hotel's six food and beverage locations, or indulge in some in-room dining if you wish.

550 J Street, San Diego, CA 92101

4.6 Star Rating | Read Reviews

InterContinental San Diego

Consider InterContinental San Diego to serve as your San Diego honeymoon hotel. Although this hotel offers sophisticated yet relaxed guest rooms and suites with bay and skyline views, what really makes this hotel stand out is its proximity to some of San Diego's most popular neighborhoods, including Little Italy and Seaport Village. Once you return from your excursions, treat yourself to an Italian dinner filled with pasta and other classic favorites at the hotel's rooftop restaurant, Garibaldi.

901 Bayfront Court, San Diego, CA 92101

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Fairmont Grand Del Mar is one of the best honeymoon hotels in San Diego, and for good reason. This hotel sits on a 400-acre property beside Carmel Valley and Torrey Pines. When you book the Fall in Love With San Diego package, you'll receive bubbly and chocolate-covered strawberries to make your stay even more romantic. This hotel also houses Addition by William Bradley, a Michelin-starred restaurant in San Diego.

5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego, CA 92130

4.7 Star Rating | Read Reviews

San Diego Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas

Planning your San Diego honeymoon itinerary can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. From wine tours to beach excursions, read on for some San Diego honeymoon itinerary ideas you can reserve ASAP.

Watch Sea Lions at La Jolla Cove

For a true San Diego experience, head to La Jolla Cove to watch the sea lions. Although La Jolla Cove may be a small area, the space offers unmatched views. While your best chance to spot sea lions might be during the later part of the morning or early afternoon, that doesn't mean you won't see them wandering about if you visit at another time. That said, make sure you're following the directions posted on any signage or from any working personnel to ensure your safety and that of the sea lions.

4.6 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Go on a Shopping Spree at Seaport Village

A honeymoon is about treating yourself and your partner. This can include gifts from local shops, new experiences, good food or anything you and your partner can bond over. San Diego's Seaport Village offers all of the above with retail shops including Kite Flite and Captain's Cove, and restaurants including Shorebird and Zytoun. This San Diego hot spot also often hosts live music—you might just happen to encounter a performance (especially if you visit on the weekends).

4.2 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Traverse the San Diego Zoo

While there are many things to do in San Diego, the San Diego Zoo is one of the most popular. Spanning 100 acres, this zoo houses more than 12,000 animals from more than 680 species and subspecies. Although you admire the animals at your own leisure, you can upgrade your zoo experience with the purchase of an hour-long Discovery Cart Tour, where you'll find out fun facts about the zoo and its animals while saving some steps.

4.6 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Dine at One of San Diego's Best Restaurants

Reserve a romantic dinner at the award-winning Wolf in the Woods wine bar in San Diego's Mission Hills neighborhood. Open Tuesday through Sunday, you can reserve a table for two to enjoy tapas, including harissa octopus and steak tartare, in addition to other menu items such as fennel pollen goat cheese and vanilla bean panna cotta, to name a few. It's worth noting that since this is a wine bar, this establishment offers an assortment of alcoholic beverages to delight in while looking at the florals and chic light fixtures mounted on the walls.

4.7 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Go on a Gondola Ride

San Diego is surrounded by such beautiful water, which is why it would be a missed opportunity not to go out and enjoy it, especially from the point of view of a gondola. The Gondola Company in San Diego's Coronado County offers daytime and nighttime gondola cruises. While you can make any cruise romantic, the Pasaporto Notte Gondola Cruise is regarded as the most romantic. During the nighttime cruise, the water is calmer, and some light is present to ensure you can see your surroundings. There's an upgrade option to surprise your partner with a bouquet of roses during your cruise experience.

4.8 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Embark on a Wine Tasting Tour

We can't think of many other ways to get to know a region than through its food and drinks. That said, Destination Temecula Wine Tours and Experiences is beloved by locals and tourists alike. You'll have the opportunity to experience family and local wineries nestled in San Diego and beyond.

4.9 Star Rating | Read Reviews

What to Pack for a San Diego Honeymoon

Packing the right items for a San Diego honeymoon is necessary for the best possible trip. With this in mind, it's important to keep in mind the month you're visiting and the general weather climate the region typically experiences. If you plan on having your honeymoon in San Diego during the spring or summer, packing a swimsuit to wear or take with you to one of the area's many beaches is essential. You'll also want to bring sunscreen and flip-flops, sandals or another type of shoe you won't mind getting sandy. You can benefit from packing a couple of sweaters or longer shirts, pants, dresses or skirts if you're embarking on your San Diego honeymoon during the fall or winter months. Although the likelihood of rain is slim, having an umbrella in your luggage is a solid idea. If you and your partner plan on doing some sightseeing during your honeymoon, you should probably pack sneakers and sunglasses or a hat to keep yourself protected from the sun. If your phone doesn't have a camera, having a camera handy can help you capture those special memories.