A Local’s Guide to San Diego in Summer
When visiting San Diego, doing what the local San Diegans do is usually a great plan for an exciting adventure! Not only does pretending you’re not a tourist give you the most authentic vacation experience, but you’ll find the best things to do in San Diego during your stay at the Pacific Terrace Hotel.
Here are some of the most popular things to do in San Diego that locals enjoy that will keep you from looking like a tourist and ensure you won’t miss some of the most amazing experiences during your San Diego getaway!
Spend the Day at the Beach (1.0 Mile to Hotel)
Beautiful Pacific Beach is just across the street at the Pacific Terrace Hotel and is a popular way locals like to spend the day in San Diego. A great way to stay cool and enjoy the SoCal coast, Pacific Beach has a casual vibe with a lively atmosphere that locals and visitors enjoy. Relax on the beach, go for a swim, and lounge in the sun at this popular San Diego beach where you can also explore the shops, bars, and restaurants at Ocean Front Walk, the popular 3-mile long boardwalk in Pacific Beach.
Beach Yoga at Law Street (0.9 Miles to Hotel)
If you want to fit right in to the SoCal lifestyle, take part in one of the most popular things to do in San Diego - beach yoga! Join the locals for a sunset yoga session in Pacific Beach with plenty of positive vibes and amazing ocean views! Monday through Friday from 6 to 7pm at Palisades Park on Law Street!
Take a Fitness Class at La Jolla’s Museum of Contemporary Art (3.7 Miles to Hotel)
Act like a San Diego local and join the team at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla for their Mornings at the Museum, a bi-monthly arts and wellness experience. The morning of art and healing focuses on Holistic Happiness with Yin Yoga + Sound Healing, Wholehearted Yoga Flow, a meditation room, Reiki, and more.
Enjoy a Waterfront Concert at Humphreys (8.1 Miles from Hotel)
Prepare for a great evening under the stars with live music at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, a unique waterfront venue in San Diego. The summer concert series is a must-do for locals and visitors and offers shows from all of your favorite bands. Check out the summer concert and event schedule and make plans for a great night of live music with an exciting show at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay in San Diego!
Experience the Rooftop Cinema Club (10.6 Miles to Hotel)
The downtown Rooftop Cinema Club is one of the most popular things to do in San Diego that locals love. This fun outdoor cinema with a rooftop bar offers plenty of fun with outdoor games, movie snacks, amazing city views, great flicks, and your favorite adult beverages!
Visit the Best Local Establishments
The Best San Diego Coffee Shops
- Pump Coffee (0.6 Miles to Hotel) With a mission to bring back the mom-and-pop coffee shop in San Diego, Pump Coffee is where the community comes together over a cup of Joe. This popular Pacific Beach coffee shop offers high-quality, direct trade, craft coffee you can feel good about!
- Java Earth Coffee (1.3 Miles to Hotel) Tucked away in North Pacific Beach, Java Earth Coffee is a cozy neighborhood favorite serving up locally roasted coffee, smoothies, and light bites. Just a quick drive or bike ride from the hotel, it’s the perfect spot to start your morning or recharge after a beach walk— with a laid-back vibe that feels authentically San Diego.
- Molly’s (1.5 Miles from Hotel) Molly's is a great local hangout near the waterfront that is nestled in the heart of Mission Beach. This fun restaurant offers two outdoor patios with made-from-scratch pastries and amazing in-house roasted coffee that locals come for. It’s the perfect coffee experience on Mission Beach with an ocean view!
Local Shopping in San Diego
- Bobbi Rocco (0.5 Miles to Hotel) Just a short stroll from the hotel, Bobbi Rocco is a stylish boutique offering a curated mix of beachy-chic apparel, accessories, and gifts. Whether you're looking for a new outfit for dinner or a unique souvenir, this local favorite blends SoCal vibes with on-trend fashion in the heart of Pacific Beach.
- Trendy & Tipsy (0.7 Miles to Hotel) Located on the Promenade at Pacific Beach, this fun women’s boutique is where the locals shop for the coolest selection of trendsetter clothing for every season. Located just a few blocks from the Pacific Terrace Hotel, you can find everything from repurposed vintage shirts to cowboy boots and stylish tees at Trendy & Tipsy in Pacific Beach.
- Randall’s Sandals (0.7 Miles to Hotel) If being kind to the environment is important to you, Randall’s Sandals is a great place to shop! This laid-back shoe and lifestyle apparel company serves the San Diego community by carrying only local, eco-friendly, charitable items. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere filled with positive energy while shopping for everything from footwear and clothing to hammocks and hats at their Pacific Beach location.
Stop by the Farmers Markets in San Diego
- Pacific Beach Farmers Market (0.5 Miles to Hotel) This popular farmers market is popular with locals and is a great way to spend Tuesdays in San Diego. You will find fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and cheeses, plants, and flowers, as well as gourmet dining opportunities, handcrafted pieces by local artisans, and a unique outdoor shopping opportunity where you can meet the local farmers and sellers at the Pacific Beach Farmers Market.
- Ocean Beach Farmers Market (4.8 Miles to Hotel) Held every Wednesday from 4–8pm, the Ocean Beach Farmers Market is a vibrant coastal event just under 5 miles from the hotel. Stroll through rows of local vendors offering fresh produce, street food, handmade goods, and live music—then take your dinner to-go and catch the sunset just steps away on the sand. It’s a perfect midweek outing with laid-back San Diego charm.
- Hillcrest Farmers Market (10.0 Miles to Hotel) Locals enjoy food and crafts from over 175 vendors at the Hillcrest Farmers Market in San Diego. Hosting over 10k people each week, Hillcrest is San Diego's first and largest farmers market for locally grown produce, flowers, unique gifts, clothing, arts, and crafts, and more! This San Diego farmers market also features delicious prepared and hot food items with an emphasis on international cuisine as well as live entertainment from a variety of local, talented musicians.
San Diego Locals Love the Pacific Terrace Hotel and So Will You!
Welcome to the Pacific Terrace Hotel, our popular beachfront hotel in San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood. You’ll enjoy the San Diego lifestyle with panoramic ocean views from the balcony or patio of your private guest suite, tropical cocktails from our oceanfront pool, and a relaxing bike ride along the waterfront boardwalk.
Make plans today for the San Diego vacation you’ve been dreaming of with an itinerary of all of the best things to do in San Diego that locals love! And we invite you to take advantage of the Deals and Special offers to help you save on your San Diego escape!
