Nothing brings out the feeling of wanderlust in us quite like spring. We can’t say for sure whether that’s because the days are getting longer and warmer or if it’s the fact that the kids have school vacation coming up, so the time to plan a trip is now. Either way, spring has sprung, and we’re here for it. And we’re also here for you with a list of some of our favorite spring travel locations.
We have suggestions for hitting up the desert when the flowers are in full bloom and the weather is still reasonable, as well as some excellent mountain spots to make the most of spring skiing. If your idea of the perfect vacation involves not leaving your amenities-heavy resort or looks more like living life as a local, keep reading for some perfect options. If you prefer your vacations with a side of active adventures, there’s plenty below to scratch that itch, too. And if distance makes a difference, we’ve got you covered with choices that include heading down to Mexico or staying closer to home — and we mean, like, really close to home. As is, you don’t actually have to leave the city for a good time. That’s the beauty of living in San Diego after all! So, get ready to celebrate spring with whatever kind of trip sounds best for you. We’re here to help figure out the planning, so all you’ve got to do is pack your bags.
Cross Border Xpress
Making a trip to Mexico has never been easier thanks to Cross Border Xpress, a pedestrian bridge that provides fast, seamless, and convenient access to Tijuana’s International Airport. You simply check-in from San Diego, then walk over the bridge to Mexican customs to catch your flight—totally skipping the time and stress that comes with a traditional border crossing process. And since the Tijuana airport has the most connections of any airport in Mexico, you can use Cross Border Xpress for trips anywhere from Cancun to Mexico City.
La Quinta Resort & Club
Everything you need for the ultimate desert getaway you’ll find at La Quinta Resort & Club. Unwind with a flight of wine and massage at a world-class spa, play a round of golf at a PGA West course, or relax at one of its 42(!!) different pools, either by wading in the water or lounging in a private cabana. The resort, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, features three on-site restaurants, serving everything from contemporary American to authentic Mexican cuisine, and there’s stunning views of the Santa Rosa Mountains all around.
Death Valley Natural History Association
Yes, DeathValley is busy in springtime, but crowds are there for good reason: This is the only time you can see the park’s wildflowers in full bloom. Spring is also the perfect season to hit the trails by foot or on a mountain bike before the weather gets too hot. But if you happen to visit on a particularly warm day, you can take a scenic (and air conditioned) drive to Dante’s View for spectacular panoramic views of desert landscapes, mountains, and salt flats.
Mammoth Lakes Mountain Club
If the start of spring reminds you that, as San Diegans, we never really get to experience winter, why not sneak away to the mountains for the weekend-or even a week? At Mammoth Lakes Mountain Club, the town’s newest private ski and social club, Ikon passes and private parking access make it easy to maximize time on the slopes, while a refined private lounge and an all-day bar offer the perfect haven for ski-tired muscles.
Drift Hotels
We love all four of Drift Hotels’ locations for their boutique feel and emphasis on authentic travel experiences, but we’re particularly keen on the Palm Springs spot this time of year. The hotel’s style is fully California cool meets mid-century modern minimalism, which is exactly what we want for our desert vacation. The complimentary beach cruisers make exploring downtown fun and convenient, but the expansive pool complete with cocktails, cabanas, and priceless views sort of makes us never want to leave the property. Grab a bite at Maleza or try some of their rare mezcal and tequila selection.
Queen Bee’s Art & Cultural Center
If the sunny weather has you feeling ready to dance, head east for the Magical Mystery Campout, a Beatles tribute fair at De Anza Springs Resort hosted by Queen Bee’s Art and Cultural Center. On April 4–5, spend your days hiking desert trails and making s’mores, then rock out under the stars to 20 different Beatles tribute bands for a weekend that feels equal parts festival and camping trip.
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Studio S
AUGUST 10, 2026
The Secret to a Home That Feels Just Right
Behind every beautiful space is a thoughtful process, and ASID San Diego is helping homeowners understand the value of professional design.
A perfectly designed home rarely happens by accident. Those kitchens that feel effortless and rooms that seem to tell a story the second you walk in? They’re usually the work of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.
It’s knowing which ideas will actually work, which materials will hold up over time, and how to turn a collection of choices into a space that feels intentional. That’s where a professional interior designer comes in.
For the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) California San Diego Chapter, the goal is to help people see interior design as more than just the finished look. Behind every well-designed space is a process built on technical expertise. Designers are educated in everything from professional software and construction details to building codes, space planning, materials, and functionality.
Courtesy of ASID
“People don’t always realize how much goes on behind the scenes,” Kirsten Recce , current president of the ASID California San Diego Chapter, says. “Our designers are not just doing furniture placement and color selection and picking out new fluffy pillows. That’s not what they’re trained for.”
ASID members bring formal education, continued learning, and industry knowledge to their projects, helping create spaces that are not only beautiful, but designed to work. A paint color that changes completely depending on the lighting. A material that looks beautiful in a showroom but doesn’t make sense for everyday life. A layout that photographs well but doesn’t function for the people living there. These are the details where professional guidance can make all the difference.
Still, one of the biggest misconceptions about hiring an interior designer is that it’s reserved for massive renovations, luxury homes, or people who already know exactly what they want. The process can feel intimidating. Where do you begin? Is a designer worth the investment? What if you only need help with one room?
ASID’s answer: start with one hour.
ASID’s Spruce Up events break down one of the biggest barriers between homeowners and professional design: knowing where to begin. Held twice a year, the community program gives homeowners the chance to work directly with an ASID designer through a one-hour, $125 consultation in their own home. Whether you’re looking for advice on furniture placement, window treatments, kitchen and bath updates, remodeling ideas, vacation rentals, color selections or something else entirely, the upcoming September 2026 event offers an approachable way to get expert guidance before committing to a full project. Signups are open through Sept. 7, with consultations taking place Sept. 21 through Oct. 31. Proceeds benefit ASID San Diego’s educational and community programs. Register here!
Courtesy of ASID
“It’s a great opportunity for people who are in that exploratory phase,” Recce says. “Maybe they’re not sure they want to hire an interior designer yet, or they think it sounds daunting or expensive. This gives them a chance to discover what working with a designer is actually like.”
Design is personal. A good designer isn’t just creating a beautiful room; they’re helping create a space that fits the way someone lives.
“We’re a resource to all of San Diego County,” Recce says. “It doesn’t cost anything to pick up the phone and call and ask. We’ll answer.”
Growing up, Laika Nur, MD, Scripps Clinic sports medicine specialist, loved watching beach volleyball when the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour came to her hometown of Chicago. A talented volleyball player herself, she remembers sitting in the stands all day, and once, even got a couple autographs. Years later, Dr. Nur was attending a professional event focused on women’s sports, and the discussion turned to a new professional women’s volleyball league. The general manager and coaching staff for San Diego’s team, the Mojo, happened to be in attendance, and Dr. Nur took the opportunity to ask them if they needed a team doctor. Flash forward to the Mojo’s inaugural 2024 season, when Dr. Nur officially became the team physician. Click here to read more about Dr. Nur and how she incorporates lessons she learned on the court into her practice.
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Your feet and ankles probably aren’t something you give much thought to—until something goes wrong. Orthopedic surgeons at Scripps Clinic are on the leading edge of foot and ankle reconstruction, treating patients with sports injuries, deformities, traumatic injuries and other conditions. That includes repairing torn Achilles tendons with a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks the incision site to less than a centimeter, and performing advanced ankle replacement on some patients with ankle arthritis. Read more about Scripps’ innovations in foot and ankle care here.
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Mai Vue was just 34 weeks pregnant when she delivered her baby. Her pregnancy had been complicated, and she’d had a recent second trimester pregnancy loss, which led to her receiving specialized care from Sean Daneshmand, MD, a Scripps Clinic perinatologist who oversees high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Daneshmand and his team took care of Mai during her pregnancy, through the birth of her healthy baby girl and beyond. Mai was part of a program Scripps launched to provide support to new moms in the weeks and months after delivery. The postpartum program, known as Scripps Health’s Fourth Trimester Continuum of Care, provides care for women with high-risk pregnancies to optimize their health after childbirth and reduce the risk of complications in future pregnancies. Click here to learn more.
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It’s estimated that one in five people in the U.S. will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. When you factor in living in a sun-soaked city like San Diego and the outdoorsy lifestyle that comes with it, that figure can jump to as high as one in three, which makes early detection and intervention all the more important. Dermatologists at Bighorn Mohs and Dermatology Center are using innovative imaging methods and advanced surgical techniques to diagnose and treat skin cancer. For certain cancers in sensitive spots, like the face, dermatologists perform Mohs surgery, removing skin tissue layer by layer until reaching healthy, cancer-free tissue. They also use a process called immunohistochemistry to view tissue samples taken during Mohs surgery in far greater detail than previous methods. Read more about how Scripps is advancing skin cancer care here.
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When endurance athlete Isaac Sanchez learned he had cancer, he felt blindsided. He was healthy, surfed often and was training for an Ironman triathlon. But he had to put that on hold to undergo treatment. His physicians at Scripps Cancer Center developed a plan to treat the cancer in his tonsil and lymph nodes that included six-and-a-half weeks of near-daily radiation and weekly chemotherapy. He also worked with a Scripps Cancer Center dietitian to enhance his nutrition to promote strength and healing. Today, Isaac’s back to doing what he loves. Read more of his story here.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
