Planning for Summer 2025 | Maya Wilbrun

Picture this: you are lying on the warm sand with the sun brushing your face. You have crisp tan lines and are waiting five more minutes to flip and tan the other side. This is what summer feels like. As the school year continues, it is almost time to start planning your summer vacation. Ranging from a staycation here in San Diego all the way to a European summer on the Amalfi Coast, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few destinations for your summer 2025.

To start, our home city of San Diego offers up to 70 miles of coastline, exceptional restaurants and dining, and many locations for day trips such as the San Diego Zoo or Balboa Park. The US News & World Report ranks San Diego as the third-best summer vacation destination in the country. Staycations don't have to be boring and spent at home when we live in such a beautiful city. Take a trip down to Balboa Park and visit one of the park’s botanical gardens, see a show in the Old Globe Theatre, or explore one of the park’s many arts and cultural museums. Balboa Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in San Diego, but that doesn't mean it has to be limited to non-residents. For a more relaxed Sunday in our beautiful city, drive down to La Jolla and tan in front of an inlet full of sea lions at La Jolla Cove. Later, take a trip to the La Jolla Aire Farmers Market for 150 food, art, and gift vendors paired with live music. End the day with an oceanfront dinner at one of the town's best restaurants such as the Marine Room or Cove House.

A largely underrated and affordable beach destination within the United States would have to be the Outer Banks (OBX) of North Carolina. The coastal villages paired with outdoor sports such as surfing and fishing make the Outer Banks a relaxed place to vacation. Stay in the village of Nags Head, as it is the heart of vacationing in the OBX, and the beaches are the village’s #1 destination. Jennette’s Pier is a popular daytime activity, offering in-shore fishing, a small museum, and a research center with activities for kids. If the beach isn't your top priority in vacation destinations, the village of Nags Head is also home to Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Full of outdoor activities, this 426-acre park holds the largest living sand dune on the East Coast. For the risk-taking type, this park is a large launching ground for hang gliders but it also offers sand castle contests, self-guided trails, and scavenger hunts. The food in the OBX is more than exceptional, including seafood, bar, and grill-type restaurants as well as a selection of fine dining options. Although it is not always considered a tropical vacation location, the Outer Banks should definitely be on your list for this summer.

Finally, any summer vacation list should not neglect the stunning Amalfi Coast of Italy. Each year the coast is a destination for 5 million visitors, stretching across 34 miles of cliffs, vegetation, multicolored towns, and beaches. The wealthy, luxurious island of Capri is one of the top places to stay along the coastline. Home to grand yachting tours, designer shopping, crowded beach clubs, and turquoise waters, Capri is not short of activities. In the daytime, walk through the village and reserve beachside chairs at Lido del Faro beach club in the town of Anacapri for a relaxing day of tanning and food. At night, shop along one of the car-free streets for designer handbags, shoes, and clothes as they are cheaper there than in the US! Finally, end the night with dinner at one of the world-renowned restaurants, such as Caesar Augustus, for a meal within the gorgeous gardens that is self-catered to your dietary preferences. While this is definitely a more expensive approach to a summer vacation, it is worth the price!

Instead of sitting in class extremely bored, take the time to plan your next exciting vacation lying on the beach somewhere. It could be somewhere extravagant such as Europe, but don't count out our own beautiful city of San Diego. No matter where you end up, I’m sure it will be a lot more enjoyable than school.