Ocean Beach, San Diego. Photography courtesy Kyle Wilson.

San Diego

With perfect weather year-round, the official birthplace of California is just a few miles from Mexico and is a haven for surfers, beach bums and party-goers alike.

Must do: Take a dip in the ocean. Thanks to San Diego’s perfect temps, you can swim in the ocean all year. You’ll feel like a local hanging out at Ocean Beach where the vibe is very relaxed, and even if you don’t feel like dipping your toes in the water, you can stroll down the main drag to shop for antiques, records, and beachwear.

—Stephanie Gray