As the sun officially sets on summer, it can be easy to slip into a fall funk. The days are getting darker and cooler, and the “fresh start” feeling that kicks off the season can quickly transform into a monotonous or overpacked schedule as life resumes with the activities you put on pause for the summer.
So, how do you avoid the autumn blues? Give yourself something fun to look forward to. And truly, what’s more exciting than taking a trip?
Of course, San Diegans have no shortage of places to visit to enjoy a quick escape. You can head to the beaches of Santa Barbara or the deserts of Borrego Springs for a weekend getaway, or relax on the ultimate staycation at the city’s beloved La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. If you’re craving something a little further from home, consider Missoula, where temperatures aren’t too cold yet for outdoor adventures and the views of fall foliage cannot be missed.
Whether you want to explore or unwind, stay close to home or hop on a flight, we have the perfect fall travel ideas for you here.
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
The Omni La Costa Resort & Spa completed a multimillion-dollar renovation just last year, making the legendary Carlsbad escape even better. Book a tee time at its championship golf courses, hang at one of its eight pools while lounging in a private cabana or plunging down a 100-foot waterslide, or experience a world-class facial or massage at the spa.
Santa Barbara
Photo by Blake Bronstad, Courtesy of Visit Santa Barbara
Craving a getaway with a little bit of everything? Look no farther than Santa Barbara. Want to relax on the beach and take in great views? Check. Kayak in Santa Barbara Harbor? Check again. And if you want your trip itinerary to include dinner at Michelin-starred restaurants, an urban wine trail with dozens of tasting rooms, countless museums and art galleries, and even the chance to fly around on a trapeze—no previous experience necessary!—know that, yes, Santa Barbara has you covered there, too.
La Jolla Shores Hotel
La Jolla Shores Hotel and Restaurant is a perennial San Diego staycation staple for a reason: You’re steps away from the beach, plus dozens of locally owned places to eat, shop, and explore. Wake up in a spacious room with breathtaking views of the sea or the hotel’s lush gardens, then grab a complimentary bike to meander along the coast. Come lunchtime, sit down at the open-air Shores Restaurant for coastal fare with a natural soundtrack of crashing waves.
Alaska Airlines
If you’re seeking a fall getaway that fully leaves home behind, we’ve got two words for you: nonstop flight. Alaska Airlines offers more nonstop flights out of San Diego than any other airline, which means your wish is truly their command, from sojourns to Las Vegas or Chicago to adventures in Salt Lake City or Phoenix. If you’re really up to travel far, you might even consider visiting our 49th state, Alaska, where you can take advantage of the darker fall days and experience the Northern Lights.
Borrego Springs
A designated International Dark Sky Community, Borrego Springs is home to some of the best stargazing in the country—and nowhere is that truer than in the 650,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. When the stars disappear and the sun comes up, there’s still plenty to see in California’s largest state park, from Borrego Palm Canyon to the gigantic metal sculptures of mammoths, birds, and saber-toothed cats at the Galleta Meadows Estate. With no chains or big-box stores in town, this relaxing and rustic desert community will leave you charmed with memories of an older way of life.
Missoula
Fall foliage makes this part of the year the time to visit Missoula—also known as the Garden City. (Fall also marks the end of tourist season, meaning fewer crowds and lower prices!) Just south of Missoula, you’ll find Bitterroot Valley, with scenery as colorful as it is breathtaking. Hike to the top of Mount Sentinel for a view that includes all of Missoula, the valley, and more. Eclectic local shops, restaurants, and breweries are must-sees when you’re done communing with nature for the day.
Rancho Valencia
Relaxation and privacy meet pampering and luxury on Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa’s lush property. The Mediterranean-inspired resort features 49 hacienda-style suites. Each have their own patios and fireplaces, making them the perfect place to hang out with family and friends on a fall evening. When you do decide to leave the room, check out the upscale spa—rated five stars by Forbes—to refresh your body and mind. At The Pony Room, you’ll experience the ultimate in coastal ranch cuisine while sipping on locally brewed craft beer, high-end wines, or one-of-a-kind cocktails.
Most homeowners want two things before they commit to a remodel: a realistic sense of cost and a clear picture of what the finished space will look like. Milan Design + Build helps deliver both through its online remodeling estimator and personalized design consultations, supported by a showroom experience and 3D renderings.
“The online estimate gives homeowners a starting number in about a minute, and the showroom and 3D renderings let them see materials and layouts before anything is built,” says David Noriani, CEO of Milan Design + Build. “Keeping design, permits, and construction with one team helps us manage expectations and keep everyone working toward the same vision.”
Courtesy of Milan Design
Modern design is a particular focus for Milan, with an emphasis on clean lines, natural light, functional layouts, and carefully selected materials. The team adapts each design to the homeowner’s lifestyle and the character of the property. Milan Design + Build combines thoughtful design with construction expertise, creating spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.
The online estimator covers kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, full-home remodels, and ADU construction. At Milan’s showroom on Carroll Road, visitors can review real materials, finishes, and design options, meet the design-build team, and discuss project scope, budget, and timing. Consultations can also be held virtually for homeowners who prefer to start remotely.
At Milan Design + Build, one integrated team works on the entire project. Design and construction aren’t divided between separate firms. The process begins with a consultation and feasibility review, followed by design, space planning, and 3D renderings developed from detailed measurements and digital scans. The team also coordinates architectural plans, structural engineering, city approvals, and material selection, with construction overseen by a dedicated project manager.
Homeowners can explore their remodeling options, get an initial estimate, or request a design consultation at MilanBuild.com.
At any given time, there are roughly 200 research investigations and clinical trials being conducted at Scripps Health in as many as 25 medical specialties. Research and patient care go hand-in-hand at Scripps. Those studies can be categorized as clinical trials of a medication or device that are conducted by Scripps physicians and studies designed by Scripps’ physicians and clinicians. Click here to learn about three exciting studies underway at Scripps and the benefits to patients.
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Scripps has recently unveiled new features in the MyScripps patient portal and mobile app to help patients connect with their primary care team and simplify the payment process. Among the recent updates is the addition of primary care E-visits for minor conditions. Patients who have an established primary care physician can schedule an E-visit, complete an online questionnaire and, if needed, send a photo. Their doctor can then advise and prescribe medication, when appropriate. Autopay is also now available through MyScripps. Patients can enable or disable autopay, allowing them to more easily manage payments. Learn more about MyScripps and how it helps patients stay connected here.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
Farrah Adams had a persistent dull ache in her lower back that her massage therapist suggested might be caused by the way she sat or drove. That explanation seemed reasonable, but when coupled with heavy, painful periods led the then 46-year-old to seek answers. When she looks back on it now, she’s beyond grateful she trusted her gut. She made an appointment with a Scripps OB-GYN, who determined she had Stage 3 cervical cancer that had spread to several lymph nodes. Farrah was overwhelmed, but immediately found a “champion” in Scripps Clinic gynecologic oncologist Jo Marie Tran Janco, MD. After undergoing successful treatment at Scripps Cancer Center, Farrah is now using her story to inspire other women to make time for care. Read more of her story here.
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In the last several years, there’s been a surge in FDA approvals for what’s known as oral oncolytics. Oral oncolytics are targeted cancer therapies that come in tablet, capsule or liquid form that patients can take at home, rather than in an infusion clinic. Scripps physicians have seen exponential growth using this approach, with patients citing convenience as a major quality-of-life enhancement in their cancer treatment. This approach also allows treatments to be customized based on specific genetic mutations and a patient’s unique disease biology. Find out more about oral oncolytics here.
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Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Unio Specialty Care is a multi-specialty practice specializing in urology, gastroenterology, and radiation oncology.
Unio’s Radiation Oncology team—Dr. Donald B. Fuller, Dr. Tahir Ijaz, Dr. Reza Shirazi, and Dr. Siavosh Vakilian—combines extensive clinical experience with a commitment to personalized cancer care. The RO team treats cancerous and non-cancerous conditions using precision therapies including SBRT, IGRT, and the CyberKnife® S7 System, the only system of its kind in Southern California. Their expertise spans prostate, breast, lung, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and central nervous system cancers, as well as low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis.
In 2026, Dr. Shirazi and Dr. Vakilian were recognized as San Diego Top Doctors, joining Dr. Fuller and Dr. Ijaz, who have previously received this distinction.
