Skip to content
Indie Travel Guides

San Diego

Independent hotel guides, travel articles, and travel videos for San Diego.

Hotel guides

Travel videos

Yellow Productions

youtube.com

Yellow Productions is a YouTube travel channel creating detailed guide videos, reviews, and practical travel advice.

This wide-ranging San Diego guide video is a strong planning resource, covering 50 things to do across beaches, Balboa Park, museums, the zoo, sports venues, waterfront areas, and food districts.

Creative Travel Guide

youtube.com

Creative Travel Guide is a YouTube travel channel from a British couple sharing travel vlogs, advice, hotel tours, hacks, and destination guides.

This San Diego guide video gives a clear shortlist of 10 attractions, including Balboa Park, the zoo, beaches, Gaslamp Quarter, Old Town, museums, Torrey Pines, Petco Park, and SeaWorld.

Hungry Passport

youtube.com

Hungry Passport is a YouTube travel channel offering short destination guides and tips for popular travel destinations.

This short San Diego travel video is helpful for a quick overview of 10 things to do, including Balboa Park, Little Italy, Old Town, Seaport Village, and the USS Midway Museum.

vagabrothers

youtube.com

vagabrothers is a YouTube travel channel from Alex and Marko Ayling focused on cultural and culinary discovery.

This 36-hour San Diego itinerary video has a lively local-planning angle, with food, sailing, surfing, Balboa Park, Belmont Park, and other stops shaped by Instagram polls.

The Endless Adventure

youtube.com

The Endless Adventure is a YouTube travel channel from Eric and Allison focused on travel, food, and ongoing trip experiences.

This San Diego weekend travel video offers a well-rounded mix of museums, nature, views, food, the USS Midway, Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, markets, and other stops.

Tourist to Local

youtube.com

Tourist to Local is a YouTube travel channel from Juliana and Martin focused on value-oriented trips and cultural experiences.

This dog-friendly San Diego weekend video is practical for travelers looking for food, beaches, hiking, Balboa Park, Old Town, Sunset Cliffs, and other approachable stops.

Wolters World

youtube.com

Wolters World is a YouTube travel channel offering first-hand travel advice, destination tips, and practical guidance.

This San Diego advice video gives practical don'ts for visitors while also grounding the trip around La Jolla, the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, and conventions.

Gabriel Traveler

youtube.com

Gabriel Traveler is a YouTube travel channel from Gabriel Morris, featuring travel videos, adventure chronicles, and practical travel information.

This on-location San Diego travel video follows downtown before continuing by ferry to Coronado Island and on to Imperial Beach, making it a useful route-focused watch.

Hey Nadine

youtube.com

Hey Nadine is a YouTube travel channel from Nadine Sykora focused on destinations, practical travel advice, and trip preparation.

This California road trip vlog starts in San Diego with tacos, Balboa Park, and Torrey Pines, giving the destination a fun first-stop travel perspective.

Travel articles & blogs

ViaTravelers
Travel guide

ViaTravelers is a travel media and planning site combining destination guides with practical comparison and itinerary-planning tools. This San Diego destination guide gives a well-rounded introduction to beaches, climate, attractions, neighborhoods, Balboa Park, naval history, and Mexican influence.

ViaTravelers: San Diego

Read the guide at viatravelers.com/destinations/san-diego/.

viatravelers.com/destinations/san-diego/

Lonely Planet
Travel guide

Lonely Planet is a major travel-publishing site offering professionally edited destination guides, articles, guidebooks, and trip-planning resources. Their San Diego destination guide is a strong planning resource for beaches, the Gaslamp Quarter, dining, attractions, nightlife, and places to visit.

Lonely Planet: San Diego

Read the guide at lonelyplanet.com/destinations/usa/san-diego.

lonelyplanet.com/destinations/usa/san-diego

Practical Wanderlust
Travel guide

Practical Wanderlust is a responsible budget travel blog and podcast offering detailed destination guides, itineraries, and practical travel advice. This three-day San Diego weekend itinerary is especially useful for linking major stops such as the zoo, Old Town, Balboa Park, La Jolla Cove, and Sunset Cliffs.

Practical Wanderlust: San Diego Weekend Getaway Itinerary

Read the guide at practicalwanderlust.com/san-diego-weekend-getaway-itinerary/.

practicalwanderlust.com/san-diego-weekend-getaway-itinerary/

As We Saw It
Travel guide

As We Saw It is a travel ideas, itinerary, culture, food, and photography site with practical independent-travel advice. Their San Diego attractions guide offers a concise, practical route through 10 things to do, including Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Old Town, and travel tips.

As We Saw It: San Diego Tourist Attractions

Read the guide at aswesawit.com/san-diego-tourist-attractions/.

aswesawit.com/san-diego-tourist-attractions/

Y Travel Blog
Travel guide

Y Travel Blog is a long-running travel blog by Caroline and Craig Makepeace covering destination guides, family travel, and trip planning. Their San Diego with kids article is a helpful family-planning guide, combining attractions with practical advice on where to eat and stay.

Y Travel Blog: Things To Do In San Diego With Kids

Read the guide at ytravelblog.com/things-to-do-in-san-diego-with-kids/.

ytravelblog.com/things-to-do-in-san-diego-with-kids/

The Family Voyage
Travel guide

The Family Voyage is a family travel site focused on practical advice for planning trips with children. This San Diego family getaway guide is practical for organizing kid-friendly activities, places to stay, restaurants, and broader planning tips.

The Family Voyage: Things To Do San Diego With Kids

Read the guide at thefamilyvoyage.com/things-to-do-san-diego-with-kids/.

thefamilyvoyage.com/things-to-do-san-diego-with-kids/

My Adventures Across The World
Travel guide

My Adventures Across The World is Claudia Tavani's travel blog, with destination guides, practical advice, food, hiking, and responsible travel coverage. Her free things to do in San Diego guide is a helpful resource for experiencing the city while keeping the trip budget-conscious.

My Adventures Across The World: Free Things To Do In San Diego

Read the guide at myadventuresacrosstheworld.com/free-things-to-do-in-san-diego/.

myadventuresacrosstheworld.com/free-things-to-do-in-san-diego/

Travel Off Path
Travel guide

Travel Off Path is an independent travel publication covering travel news, destination trends, tourism developments, and visitor-focused guides. This San Diego things-to-do article gives visitors a positive overview of city attractions and the Southern California sun-and-fun appeal.

Travel Off Path: Best Things To Do While Visiting San Diego

Read the guide at traveloffpath.com/best-things-to-do-while-visiting-san-diego/.

traveloffpath.com/best-things-to-do-while-visiting-san-diego/

Finding the Universe
Travel guide

Finding the Universe is a travel and photography blog by Laurence and Jessica Norah, focused on practical guides and visual trip planning. Their detailed San Diego things-to-do guide is useful for matching sights and activities with money-saving ideas and practical visit tips.

Finding the Universe: Top Things To Do In San Diego California

Read the guide at findingtheuniverse.com/top-things-to-do-in-san-diego-california/.

findingtheuniverse.com/top-things-to-do-in-san-diego-california/

Love and Road
Travel guide

Love and Road is a travel blog by Nat and Rob, with practical coverage of destinations, budgeting, accommodation, food, and trip planning. Their San Diego travel-costs guide is a practical resource for comparing prices and finding ways to save across a range of budgets.

Love and Road: San Diego Travel Costs

Read the guide at loveandroad.com/san-diego-travel-costs/.

loveandroad.com/san-diego-travel-costs/

The Planet D
Travel guide

The Planet D is an adventure-travel blog combining destination guides, itineraries, scenic travel ideas, photography, and personal travel stories. This day-trips guide is a helpful companion for extending a San Diego visit with options ranging from mountains to Mexico.

The Planet D: Day Trips From San Diego

Read the guide at theplanetd.com/day-trips-from-san-diego/.

theplanetd.com/day-trips-from-san-diego/

The Travel Hack
Travel guide

The Travel Hack is Monica Stott’s travel blog focused on weekend breaks, short trips, family travel, packing light, and travel tips. Her one-day San Diego itinerary is a useful short-trip guide for shaping a focused day in the city.

The Travel Hack: Perfect Day San Diego

Read the guide at thetravelhack.com/usa/perfect-day-san-diego/.

thetravelhack.com/usa/perfect-day-san-diego/

NOMADasaurus
Travel guide

NOMADasaurus is an adventure travel and photography blog with destination guides, sustainable tourism coverage, gear reviews, and visual storytelling. Their San Diego day-trips guide gives a varied set of ideas across deserts, coastal areas, Los Angeles, Mexico, and other nearby options.

NOMADasaurus: Day Trips From San Diego

Read the guide at nomadasaurus.com/day-trips-from-san-diego/.

nomadasaurus.com/day-trips-from-san-diego/

Travel Dudes
Travel guide

Travel Dudes is a community-led travel site publishing destination articles, practical travel tips, food, transport, adventure, and contributor recommendations. This girls weekend guide offers a practical themed framework for planning a sociable short trip in San Diego.

Travel Dudes: How To Plan The Perfect Girls Weekend In San Diego

Read the guide at traveldudes.com/how-to-plan-the-perfect-girls-weekend-in-san-diego/.

traveldudes.com/how-to-plan-the-perfect-girls-weekend-in-san-diego/

Girl About The Globe
Travel guide

Girl About The Globe is a social-impact travel blog focused on conscious solo female travel, safety, confidence, and destination planning. Their San Diego guide is a helpful fit for solo travelers, highlighting eight places to explore with confidence and a clear solo female travel angle.

Girl About The Globe: Things To Do In San Diego Alone 8 Awesome Hotspots

Read the guide at girlabouttheglobe.com/things-to-do-in-san-diego-alone-8-awesome-hotspots/.

girlabouttheglobe.com/things-to-do-in-san-diego-alone-8-awesome-hotspots/

Other destinations nearby