girl in front of pool
01 Mar 2026

Solo in San Diego: A Spring Guide to Shelter Island & Beyond

By Humphreys Half Moon Inn

Spring break travel is often associated with family vacations or group trips filled with busy schedules and nonstop plans. While that can be fun, a slower-paced, wellness-focused solo escape can be just as rewarding. In fact, many travelers are turning towards “soft travel,” a trend centered on relaxation, flexibility, and meaningful experiences at a gentler pace. With our year-round sunshine, beautiful waterfront views, and laid-back coastal lifestyle, San Diego is the perfect destination for a solo spring getaway where you can unwind, explore, and recharge on your own schedule.

What is “Soft Travel” & Why is This Trending With Millennials and Gen Z?

a woman relaxing in her room

"Soft travel" is a modern term that defines the newest travel trend with millennials and Gen Z, where they are looking for vacations that include peaceful wellness escapes, low-pressure trips, and quiet getaways where the focus is on a slower, more relaxing vibe, where they can choose what they want to do and explore at their own pace. The ideal solo travel plan is to create a relaxing vacation experience that recharges and motivates, rather than a jam-packed schedule that can be exhausting and even overwhelming.

The Growing Trend for Solo Travel Opportunities

girl standing in pool with a drink

According to recent travel industry reports, the trend for solo soft travel opportunities continues to grow and is expected to surge this spring. Statistics indicate there is already a growth rate of 90% for spring solo travel plans compared to last year’s travelers. Not only is the solo travel experience trending up, but these relaxation mode specialists are also doubling the number of vacation days, making their downtime a priority… and we’re here for it!

Spring break isn’t just for groups anymore. Today’s spring breaker is looking for a trip that will recharge and motivate. Here are the top things a typical solo traveler is looking for when planning a San Diego vacation adventure.

Top 5 Things Solo Travelers Want in a Vacation Destination:

  1. Walkable neighborhoods to explore
  2. Plenty of fun activities nearby
  3. Safe, comfortable place to stay and relax
  4. A splash of local culture to experience
  5. Lots of local dining options worthy of foodies

Why Humphreys is Perfect for Solo Travelers

wine by marina

Photo: @photosbycece93

Humphreys Half Moon Inn on Shelter Island is the perfect place for solo spring break travelers who are looking for the best San Diego hotel for their vacation experience. In fact, we have created a special package just for our solo travelers called One Happy Traveler that includes a King Bed and a Welcome Bottle of Wine!

In addition to amazing accommodations with water and tropical view suites, our solo guests at Humphreys Half Moon Inn will also enjoy resort-style amenities, including waterfront dining at Humphreys SoCAL Dining & Music, an outdoor pool and spa, a fireside terrace, onsite bicycle rentals, a modern fitness center, onsite massage services, and even a private marina and music venue! Our Shelter Island hotel is the perfect place to escape the grind and unwind during your solo vacation in San Diego.

Solo Traveler Places to Visit in San Diego:

On-site at Humphreys Half Moon Inn:

  • Enjoy a concert during your stay in San Diego at Humphreys Backstage LIVE or Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, which are both located onsite at our Shelter Island hotel.
  • Treat yourself to a massage during your stay at Humphreys Half Moon Inn in our treatment room or in the comfort of your own suite! Choose from a variety of treatments, including deep tissue, aromatherapy, hot lava shells, and more.
  • Guests are invited to hop on your complimentary bicycle rental and explore Shelter Island via the paved seaside trails for a relaxing day near the water in San Diego.
  • Enjoy the amazing onsite resort-style amenities that range from a relaxing hot tub and pool to an onsite restaurant and waterfront bar.

Around San Diego:

torrey pines
  • Learn to surf during your stay at Humphreys Half Moon Inn. San Diego Surf School in nearby Pacific Beach offers lessons with a pro that includes everything you need – from the wet suit to the surf board! Take a private lesson or join in on the group session.
  • Take an invigorating hike on an amazing San Diego trail! There are so many great places to take a hike in San Diego. From trails with water views to those with rugged cliffs, our unique and diverse trail system is popular with locals and visitors.
  • Visit the 18 museums at Balboa Park! No matter what your interests, you are sure to find a museum at this popular park to pique your interest! From the Comic-Con Museum to the Fleet Science Center, this is a great opportunity to explore at your own pace in San Diego.
  • Get yourself a ticket to the hottest game in town at Petco Park! Check out a San Diego Padres baseball game during your solo travels to San Diego! Cheer for the home team and enjoy a Major League Baseball experience while staying at Humphreys!
  • Explore Old Town San Diego and learn about our culture and the historic buildings. Enjoy the California sunshine as you walk downtown to visit the local shops and boutiques. Grab lunch or dinner at a fun restaurant and enjoy the adventure.

The Best Place for Solo Travelers in San Diego – Humphreys Half Moon Inn on Shelter Island

girl standing by marina with glass of wine

If you’re looking for a relaxing island oasis in San Diego that is still close to all the best attractions and things to do — Humphreys Half Moon Inn is exactly what you are looking for! We invite you to experience our peaceful Shelter Island location for the ultimate escape. You will enjoy a solo getaway with resort-style amenities and the best location in town that is still located near all the most popular things to do in San Diego! Book the One Happy Traveler solo package today for a comfortable room and an experience in San Diego you won’t soon forget.

Golf Course
01 Jan 2026

New Year, New Experiences: Things to Do in San Diego That You Can’t Do at Home

By Humphreys Half Moon Inn

A trip to San Diego is like no other, and it’s the perfect place to experience amazing adventures and see some of the most unique sites in the U.S. If you are looking for a little excitement in the New Year, plan your escape to Humphreys Half Moon Inn today and experience the most amazing things to do in San Diego that you definitely cannot do at home! From concerts by the bay to a hot tub boat ride — get ready for an adventure in SoCAL that you won’t soon forget.

Bucket-List San Diego Things to Do in 2026:

See a Concert at the Best Waterfront Venue in San Diego (Onsite at Hotel) 

outdoor concert at Humphreys

There is truly nothing better than being able to see your favorite band in concert at the coolest music venue in San Diego… our very own Humphreys Concerts by the bay! Welcome to Humphreys, where you can see the best bands, in the most amazing waterfront venue right here at our Shelter Island hotel. Guests of Humphreys Half Moon Inn can take a short walk to the show and even pull up on a boat or paddleboard if that’s your thing. We are excited about the 2026 Concert Season schedule and can’t wait to drop the details soon

Take a Wild Ride on Sea & Land

san diego skyline from the water

You are in for an amazing adventure in San Diego when you book a tour with Sea & Land and experience the boat on wheels tour! Splashing down from our onsite Shelter Island marina, you will see the best of San Diego on sea and land with a 100-minute, narrated SEAL Tour. The exciting tour takes you through the streets of San Diego before splashing down for a cruise through the waters of the San Diego Bay. Learn about the military history of San Diego as you cruise past the whales, seals, and sea lions. A totally unique and fun way to spend the day in San Diego!

Rent a Hot Tub Boat (4.1 Miles From Hotel) 

san diego at sunset

Cruisin’ on a hot tub boat with views of the California coast definitely isn’t something you can do at home! Share a unique experience on Mission Bay with a unique and fun hot tub boat rental in San Diego. Hot Tub Cruisin’ offers a one-of-a-kind hot tub boat rental experience that is perfect for a group of friends or a romantic cruise in San Diego. Enjoy a leisurely boat ride and a comfortable hot tub soak with a nice sound system that connects to your favorite devices. There’s also a cooler, extra seating, and a swim ladder for a dip in the bay. So much fun and such a great one-of-a-kind experience in San Diego!

See a Rooftop Movie with Skyline Views (5.3 Miles From Hotel) 

a film projector

Watch your favorite movie with the city skyline as your backdrop for a perfect evening under the stars in San Diego. Enjoy a movie at the open-air Rooftop Cinema Club in the Embarcadero for a fun and unique night in San Diego. You’ll love the pre-movie games, amazing skyline views, delicious cocktails, and yummy snacks. When it’s movie time, you will wear personal headphones and get lost in the movie with premium audio and video on the big screen. 

Say Hello to the Seals in La Jolla (12.7 Miles From Hotel) 

A seal peers out from the water

Known locally as Seal Beach, La Jolla Cove is a great place to visit during your trip to San Diego. La Jolla Cove is popular with locals and guests because it offers the opportunity to observe marine life, including the playful seals and sea lions along the coast. You can see them frolicking on most days in the clear water along the rugged coastline. You will also enjoy unique sea caves and unobstructed sunset views from this unique spot in San Diego.

Tee Off at a Championship Golf Course (14.8 Miles From Hotel

Golf Course

Touted as one of the nation’s best golf courses, Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course is the perfect place to spend the day teeing off in the California sunshine. Offering majestic views of the Pacific Ocean, Torrey Pines has been home to the U.S. Open several times as well as the Farmers Insurance Open, which is happening this January! This is one of the best golf courses in San Diego for challenging play with stunning ocean views. The legendary course opened in 1957 and today it offers two 18-hole Championship courses — the North and South courses — which offer a challenge with tight fairways, deep rough, bunkers galore, and amazing length.

So Much to See and Do in San Diego at Humphreys Half Moon Inn on Shelter Island

pool at night

From onsite concerts and amazing seaside dinners to golfing by the ocean and visiting the sea creatures in La Jolla, San Diego is the place to be for unique adventures and plenty of exciting places to explore. If you are ready for a unique adventure with plenty of things you can’t do at home, book your suite at Humphreys Half Moon Inn, and prepare for a new year of new experiences in San Diego. Humphreys Half Moon Inn is the place to be — no matter what you want to do for fun in San Diego.