San Diego

San Diego is one of the coolest places on the Pacific Coast Highway. It has a quirky charm that manages to blend its history as a naval base with an atmosphere that's laid back even by California standards. It may not have Disneyland but it does have SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park and good opportunities for whale-watching from the San Diego shoreline and the unmissable San Diego whale watching cruises.

San Diego can also offer great nightlife in its downtown Gaslamp Quarter, cultural museums, beaches and bays. An influx of celebrity chefs has revitalised its restaurant scene, even if it is now more expensive to dine in San Diego than in Los Angeles. In short, it's got everything to justify a city break of a few days, or a full vacation. You can even take the San Diego trolley and spend a day in Tijuana.