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Fashion aficionados and culture vultures should seriously consider their choice of holiday destination next time they are planning a trip to the USA. Southern California has much to offer everyone – for both young and old this is the place to be. San Diego’s temperate climate makes it an annual sunshine destination, and with British Airways now flying non-stop to San Diego, who needs LA when you’ve got San Diego, the birthplace of California?
Where you should stay
Opened in 1888, it has to be the most famous San Diegan establishment of them all – Hotel Del Coronado – known locally as The Del. This hotel was made super-famous by the 1959 classic Billy Wilder film, Some Like It Hot, which starred Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis. The hotel still trades very much on its history, with references and images from the movie throughout the establishment. The Del has played host to many of the US presidents, celebrities and heads of state – and rumour has it that Edward, Prince of Wales, first met Wallis Simpson at The Del, although this has never been officially confirmed.
Although the hotel is a tourist attraction for visitors to photograph and nose around, it really is a great place to stay when visiting San Diego, especially since its resort facilities include a pool, a spa and a very well equipped 24-hour fitness centre. A suite overlooking the Pacific is the room of choice, especially with the Coronado beach ranking amongst the finest beaches on the West Coast of the States. With a choice of seven eateries, you have plenty dining options at the hotel, from typically Southern Californian alfresco options, such as Eno Pizzeria and Wine Bar, to the more formal restaurant, 1500 Ocean.
Where you will be shopping – ‘til you’re dropping
The place for shopping when visiting San Diego is the fabulous Simon Shopping Destinations Fashion Valley, which is a fashionista’s idea of heaven. With over 200 stores, it is San Diego’s premier retail destination. It is easy to understand why some of the biggest names in fashion are represented in Fashion Valley. And being totally outdoors, it’s a real treat to shop while enjoying the sunshine and appreciating the landscaping of this retail haven. Some of best American designer stores, such as Halston Heritage, Michael Kors, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bloomingdales, can be found in Fashion Valley, in addition to a huge range of European designer boutiques, including Prada, Hermes, Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Jimmy Choo.
Having just launched their new free two-hour personal shopper service, Simon Shopping Destinations Fashion Valley now offers customers a designated shopper who will send you a detailed questionnaire to discover what you are searching for, and will then do all the footwork in finding everything for you. On arrival at the mall, your personal shopper will meet and take you to the stores where your requested shopping items will await you. Sandra, my designated personal shopper, was so well informed about my requirements based on my detailed and completed questionnaire, that she was able to pre-select most my clothes, which were all perfect. With no commitment to buy, this service is extremely time-saving and offers frustration-free shopping.
I must admit that I am a bit of a bargain hunter, especially when shopping in the USA (I love their bargain rails), so I was delighted to also find a Macy’s at Simon Shopping Destinations Fashion Valley. The store wasn’t too large, but still had a terrific sale rail of designer jeans. Luckily, after searching for a while, I found my favourite Paige and Hudson’s at a fraction of their UK price. What joy!
What you’ll be doing
There’s plenty to see and do while visiting San Diego. Your first purchase has to be a pass for the San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour, which offers a guided ride with on-and-off access throughout Balboa Park, Downtown and Coronado Island.
Balboa Park was created to host the 1915 Panama-California Exposition and spans over 1200 acres, housing numerous museums within the San Diego, such as the San Diego Natural History Museum and the San Diego Museum of Art. It is also where the famed San Diego Zoo is located, which is well worth a visit if time permits. Also within the Park is Spreckles Organ Pavilion, one of the world’s largest open-air pipe organs, as well as the magnificent botanical gardens. San Diego is often referred to as the Smithsonian of the West, because after New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, the city has the most museums in the USA.
The Gaslamp Quarter is a popular night-time haunt with over 100 restaurants and bars, putting San Diego firmly on the map as one of the best-known craft beer towns in the USA. Mission Bay is one of the world’s largest water park areas, making it a water sports enthusiast’s dream, where you can enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, kite boarding and surfing. For those who prefer dry land, you can jog on the beach on the softest, finest sand imaginable, or fly a kite along the shoreline (there’s 27 miles of it). San Diego area is also a golfer’s paradise, with over 90 public and private courses to choose from.
Seaport Village is close to Mission Bay, located next to the shoreline, offering diverse speciality shops, ideal for gift buying and taking in the local crafts. There is even a year-round Christmas shop. But it is very “touristy”, so allowing an hour to walk around the area will be enough.
Although many think of New York City as the American shopping paradise, I think San Diego is the alternative shopping destination with Fashion Valley right on its doorstep – and one that incorporates sunshine, beaches and culture. In fact, the type of retail therapy that ticks all my boxes!
by Amanda Bernstein