First time San Diego: discover the best of America’s finest city

San Diego calls itself America’s Finest City, and who are we to argue? Its sunny, breezy countenance animates the pandas and koalas at its world-famous zoo, skaters and surfers on its iconic beaches, tousled-haired valet parkers and vested bartenders slinging drinks in hipster hangouts of the Gaslamp Quarter. It’s the nation’s eighth-largest city, yet we’re hard-pressed to think of a more laid-back burg of any size.

First-timers looking for quintessential San Diego experiences should head to the zoo, venture off on a quest to find the perfect fish taco, spend the day unwinding on their own favorite beach, and spend an evening joining the party in the Gaslamp Quarter. All that, plus America’s most perfect weather to enjoy it in.

Read more at LonelyPlanet.com