Best Spas in Mission Bay

"This 1800s former horse ranch on a rolling 10-acre estate still honors San Diego’s rancho roots—albeit with far more creature comforts. Its Spanish Mission-style buildings surround various courtyards, with bright and airy guest rooms featuring faux Mexican antiques and outdoor fireplaces surrounded by lemon trees and rosemary and sage. The heated saltwater pool is where you’ll find guests curled up on daybeds with a book or cooling off from the heat, while the spa is the place to go for sea stone massages and aloe wraps."

"Why go: If you like the feel of a mid-sized resort with a full-service spa, gorgeous landscaping, and good food, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is for you. It has a hacienda-style which means buildings are no more than two stories tall, and the 210 rooms are scattered throughout the property (though not far from each other). It’s a good place to unwind because it’s very quiet."

"Many families who need to be near UC San Diego stay at this gorgeous Spanish-style hotel with its stunning gardens, spa, and pool. The dining is also good at Estancia La Jolla and I am a fan of organic margaritas at Mustang y Burros. (Location: UC San Diego/Torrey Pines)"

"The best family-friendly resort in San Diego, sprawling Paradise Point sits on a small island in Mission Bay, wrapped in white sand beaches. The property features 5 heated, outdoor swimming pools (1 for adults only), a private marina with watersports (paddleboards, kayaks, jet skis, sailboats, and more), and plenty of kid-friendly amenities, including firepits for s’mores, complimentary lawn games, a kids’ club, and much more. Spacious rooms, suites, and bungalows sleep families of up to 5, all with private patios or balconies, most with views of the garden, lagoon, or bay."

"Paradise Point is a San Diego resort and spa where it is both beautiful and relaxing to explore as it receives one of their huge variety of pampering services. With beautiful pools and gardens full of natural beauty, you will want to stay at this San Diego spa resort for weeks. Located on an island in Mission Bay, the resort itself spans 44 acres and offers amenities such as a golf course, five pools, bonfire pits, and a marina."

"Paradise Point Resort & Spa is located on its own 44-acre private island so there is quite a bit to do here including a swim in one of the five pools. The pools are all a bit different. Of course, there’s one especially for adults and a larger family pool with poolside food and drink service."

"If staying in the mix downtown is your vacay of choice, make it an extended weekend by checking in to The Westgate Hotel on a Thursday afternoon to enjoy the Sunset Poolside Jazz Series on the rooftop pool deck. Rise and shine and head to the AquaVie Fitness + Wellness Club, which is adjacent to The Westgate. Incorporating organic skin care and body treatments, its holistic ethos purifies the body and restores balance."

"Feel the beauty of the waterfalls and greenery as you stroll the pathways of the Japanese Friendship Garden. Skip right past the entrance fee the third Tuesday of every month. As well, explore the Japanese rock garden and take in the current indoor display."

"The elegant Japanese Friendship Garden is also worth a visit. Grab lunch at The Prado, located within Balboa Park., and try to get a table on the outdoor terrace."

"The Garden originated as a teahouse during the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition and now lies on two acres near the Spreckels Organ Pavilion."

"SEA180 is a Cohn Group restaurant located inside the new Pier South Resort which sits right on the beach in Imperial Beach. Due to its southern location, it's a lesser known gem but that's probably to the benefit of current fans. The menu is largely seafood-based with items like roasted black mussels with chorizo, shrimp ceviche and macadamia nut crusted local catch of the day."

"SEA180 Coastal Tavern is definitely one of San Diego’s most famous restaurants!. Located at one of San Diego’s most distinctive locales, it features sweeping views of the Coronado I"

"The buzz:Hot southern food and cool boozy ice cream served with a side of rock & roll.The food: The Gaslamp Quarter isn’t usually a hotspot for locals, but it got a teensy bit cooler with the arrival of Metl. Dig into comfort food like poutine, chicken fried steak, and burgers, but save room for the headliners—more than 40 rotating flavors of liquored-up ice creams like Birthday Bitch (rainbow cake flavored vodka, birthday cake, blue raspberry pop rocks in white chocolate) or Slam Diego (Templeton rye, peanuts, Cracker Jack, and pretzels) available in scoops, cones, and pints, along with ice cream sandwiches and cocktail lickers (push pops). There’s a number of vegan options as well as menus for kids and fur kids, a first-rate cocktail program, and an extensive array of agave-based spirits.The cost: Food runs $3.50-25, cocktails are $10-12, ice cream is $7-8 a scoop and $10 for a 12-oz carton, and cocktail lickers are $6."

"Gaslamp Quarter, North ParkBoth Metl locations boast 38 rotating flavors of liquored-up ice creams like Birthday Bitch (rainbow cake flavored vodka, birthday cake, and blue raspberry pop rocks in white chocolate) or Slam Diego (Templeton rye, peanuts, Cracker Jack, and pretzels) available in scoops, cones, and pints, along with ice cream sandwiches and cocktail lickers (push pops). Boozy scoops are 21+, but there are non-alcoholic options as well. How to: Gaslamp Quarter: seating is on a first-come basis."

"Globe-trotting chef Junya Watanabe fuses food and art with a westernized take on Japanese classics at his Kearny Mesa and more recently opened Little Italy sushi restaurants. Here you’ll find Instagrammers charmed by intricately constructed vegan sushi while hungry patrons slurp up silky, handmade ramen noodles floating in a creamy dashi. Celebrate seasonality with a chef’s selection bento box available for take-out exclusively at The Yasai’s Little Italy location."