A Very Scenic Stroll (and Sugar Rush) Through Seaport Village, San Diego
Where the views are stunning, the beignets are powdered, and your city lights tour begins with a carrot cake chaser.
Katherine: Should we tell people we planned this outing?
Kelsi: Not unless “strolling until we hit sugar” counts as planning.
Picture it: a bluebird day in San Diego. You know, the kind where the sky is aggressively perfect, the breeze is flirty, and the seagulls look like they’ve been cast in a Visit California commercial.
We had no itinerary. No goal. Just comfy shoes, an aggressively overstuffed camera roll, and a shared understanding that at some point, we were definitely getting a snack.
And where better to meander than Seaport Village (San Diego’s ultimate waterfront choose-your-own-adventure)?
The Vibe Check
Let’s set the scene: palm trees swaying, acoustic music in the air, a couple in matching linen outfits taking engagement photos like they invented romance, and the distant sound of a carousel gently spinning like a background track from a Nancy Meyers movie.
Kelsi: Are we on a coastal Pinterest board right now?
Katherine: All we’re missing is a golden retriever and a basket of produce.
There’s something about Seaport Village that feels both whimsical and wildly nostalgic. Like you could just as easily stumble into a caricature artist as you could a wine tasting. Which we almost did. But then…
A Beignet Break at Louisiana Charlie’s
(Because powdered sugar > self-control)
About 10 minutes into our “let’s just walk around” plan, the unmistakable scent of fried dough and powdered joy hit us like a warm hug from a Southern grandma. Cue: Louisiana Charlie’s.
Katherine: I blacked out and ordered beignets.
Kelsi: Same. They handed me a bag and I just said, “Thank you” like it was a spiritual experience. These beignets were no joke. They are pillowy, golden, and absolutely covered in powdered sugar, which, for the record, immediately became part of our outfits.
Worth it? A thousand times, yes. They transported us straight to a Bourbon Street daydream without the humidity or questionable Mardi Gras choices.
And if you haven’t read our full review of Louisiana Charlie’s yet, what are you even doing? Click on over to live your best beignet life.
Boutique Browsing & Delusional Souvenir Decisions
Fueled by fried sugar and sunshine, we did what any responsible adults would do: contemplated buying wind chimes, joked about matching tourist tees, and spent way too long debating whether a tiny ceramic sea lion counted as “coastal chic” or “chaotic neutral.”
Kelsi: Are we… just wandering with no purpose?
Katherine: It’s called meandering. It’s French. It’s elegant.
Kelsi: It’s giving “mall walk but make it coastal.”
Seaport Village is basically a slow-moving treasure hunt. Around every corner is a new little shop with trinkets, treats, or t-shirts that say things like “Resting Beach Face.”
It’s half adorable, half dangerous for your wallet.
Seagulls, Kites, and Peak Main Character Energy
Okay, so yes, we came for the snacks, but what we accidentally stumbled into was a whole waterfront wonderland that feels like San Diego’s answer to a seaside storybook.
There are 70+ shops, cafes, snack stands, and artists packed into this winding little village of whimsy—and while some are definitely for the cargo-shorts-and-crocs crowd, others are genuinely charming
(Looking at you, bookstore with the cat.)
But the real magic? It’s outside.
We ended up sitting on a patch of grass near the bay, watching colorful kites dance like caffeinated jellyfish in the wind.
Kids were running around in a full post-ice-cream sugar frenzy. Couples were slow-walking like they were in a Nicholas Sparks montage.
And behind them? The water. The skyline. The boats just casually existing like the world’s most relaxed flex.
There are also pedicabs zipping by, street performers on weekends (juggling, acoustic guitars, possibly a ukulele moment?), and that iconic hand-carved carousel from 1895 that looks like it holds actual secrets.
You could easily spend two hours here without even entering a shop. Just walking. Sitting. Watching the harbor. Taking pictures of other people’s dogs. (Guilty.)
Events Happen Here Too (Yes, You Can Be Purposeful)
It turns out the “we’re just wandering” approach works here, because sometimes you’ll wander into an event without even meaning to—and you’ll thank yourself for showing up.
🎶 Live Music by the Bay
On weekends, Seaport Village hosts free live music by the waterfront. Think acoustic sets, jazz guitar, and whatever the proper term is for “the ocean breeze giving backup vocals.”
Shows typically run in the early afternoon, around 1 to 4 PM. It’s the kind of vibe where you grab a late lunch, perch on a bench, and realize you’re part of the soundtrack (whether you like it or not).
🎉 Seasonal Festivals and Themed Events
Seaport Village doesn’t just serve sunshine and snacks—it also delivers on the events calendar.
- Holiday lights and festivities: The annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights floats by (literally) with boats lit up like Christmas threw a rave. Seaport Village is prime real estate for viewing.
- Car shows, bubble zones, and “Daycation Celebrations”: In early summer, you might stumble into a free event with live music, food vendors, and classic cars parked right along the boardwalk.
- Pop-ups and themed weekends: From Valentine’s setups to trick-or-treating and spring petting zoos, there’s usually something seasonal happening if you time it right.
🗺️ Why This Matters for Your Wander and Snack Strategy
- Arrive early if something’s on the calendar. Parking fills fast, and the good benches disappear even faster.
- Double-check the official event schedule before you go. Seaport’s website lists everything happening now and next.
- Don’t panic if nothing’s scheduled. Even on a “normal” day, the vibes are elite—kites flying, performers busking, kids laughing, and a sea breeze that makes you forget you ever paid for Wi-Fi.
Malibu Farm and the Carrot Cake That Broke Us
Let’s talk dessert. Again. Because if one powdered-sugar-coated treat was enough, we wouldn’t be us.
Enter Malibu Farm, the kind of breezy minimalist waterfront spot that feels curated by someone who drinks green juice, owns exactly one linen jumpsuit, and has never raised their voice in a group setting.
Our server recommended the carrot cake, which was not your average “office birthday party” situation.
It was moist (sorry), subtly spiced, stacked tall with cream cheese frosting, and delicately whispering, “you’re going to want more of me.”
And yes, there’s a full Malibu Farm article right here because this cake? Deserves its own moment.
The “Wait, We Have a Tour to Catch” Realization
After what felt like hours of sun-drenched wandering and dessert-induced memory loss, we remembered: Oh yeah—we’re not just here to eat our way through Seaport Village.
Katherine: Don’t panic, but we need to be on the San Diego City Lights Tour in… 11 minutes.
Kelsi: I’m not panicking. You’re panicking. Also, where did I put my sunglasses?
The best part? The tour picks up right at Seaport Village—because sometimes the travel gods smile upon you and say, “You shall eat beignets and make your reservation.”
You can check out our full take on the San Diego City Lights Tour here, but just know this: it was the perfect high note to end a golden hour kind of day. Rooftop skyline views, twinkling lights, and exactly the right amount of chill after a sugar-fueled Seaport sprint.
Final Thoughts: Should You Go to Seaport Village?
Kelsi: We showed up with zero expectations and left wondering why more people don’t talk about this place.
Katherine: If you like walkable waterfronts, people-watching, and snacks that borderline on spiritual, go.
Key Takeaways
Vibe: Waterfront whimsy meets low-stakes shopping adventure.
Must-Snack: Beignets from Louisiana Charlie’s and carrot cake from Malibu Farm.
Activity Add-On: Catch the San Diego City Lights Tour for a magical nighttime finish.
Souvenir Danger Level: High. You will consider buying sea-themed everything.
Best Time to Go: Golden hour. The lighting? Immaculate. The crowds? Manageable.
If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to wander, snack, shop, and stumble into unexpected joy, Seaport Village is calling. Don’t fight it. Just bring comfy shoes and a sugar tolerance.
