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When you can’t travel to San Diego, what’s the next best thing? A SoCal-inspired staycation! Here are our favorite ways to experience the greatest parts of SD, no matter where you happen to be.

A Day at the Zoo.

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San Diego Zoo Cam

Kids and adults alike will get a kick out of the San Diego Zoo’s many live web cams. Check in with penguins and baboons in the Africa Rocks exhibit, scope out koalas snoozing in their outback environment, or watch tigers, elephants, and more wild animals at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Eat & Drink

San Diego Brews

Crack open a local San Diego brew; you’re likely to find Stone, Ballast Point or AleSmith bottles wherever you live. The zoo allows visitors to bring their own food, so pack yourself a picnic of sorts with hummus and pita, apples, pb&j sandwiches, and try your hand at a DIY kettle corn for dessert.

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Jungle Sounds

Ask your Amazon Alexa to play Sleep Sounds: Jungle Night.

A Day at the Beach.

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Beach Cams

Craving salt water and sand? Stream several San Diego surf spot locations for free on Surfline.com. You’ll likely see plenty of surfers and stand-up paddle boarders in the water. Grab your shades and remember the sunscreen if you’re able to soak up some sunshine!

Eat & Drink

Kombucha

Quench your thirst with a lemonade, watermelon slices, or experiment with smoothie recipes. Kombucha would also be a healthy, California-cool drink of choice. There’s no better way to beat the heat than with an ice cream cone, especially on vacation.

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Beach Sounds

Ask your Amazon Alexa to play Beach Sounds.

A Day on Coronado Island.

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SD Movies

A true weekend on Coronado would include outdoor activities and a whole lot of leisure. Before parking it for a movie marathon, opt for a quick yoga flow or online workout class for a quick hit of almost-as-good-as-a-vacation endorphins. When you’re ready to veg out on the couch, watch the iconic “Some Like It Hot,” the Marilyn Monroe classic filmed at the Hotel Del Coronado. And while they weren’t filmed on Coronado, “Top Gun” and “Anchorman” are both great picks for your San Diego-esque staycation.

Eat & Drink

Mexican Food!

You wouldn’t come to San Diego and skip out on Mexican food, would you? Have a fiesta at home! Start with chips and guac – the ultimate appetizer. Burritos, tacos, bowls, nachos, quesadillas; they’re all pretty easy to make at home on the fly. Wash it down with a homemade horchata, icy cold brew or tequila cocktail.