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THERE aren’t many places where you can experience Mediterranean weather, Asian cuisine and Californian vibes all in one go.

Step up, San Diego, which makes you feel like you’re on three continents at once.

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The stunning US city makes you feel like you’re on three continents at once[/caption]

The US city may be home to film legend Ron Burgundy of Anchorman fame, but it is often overlooked in favour of West Coast neighbours Los Angeles and San Francisco.

It does, however, have its own charm, with mellow weather all year round and much friendlier locals wherever you go.

I could barely get a coffee without stopping to chat about the UK (locals were often left disappointed when I said I didn’t support a football team)

Even a drink at a bar was accompanied by recommendations of the best places for a night out courtesy of the bartender.

But with an empty stomach on arrival, my first port of call was finding the city’s two staple dishes — sushi and tacos.

The famous Baja fish taco is linked to Asian cuisine, believed to have been inspired by Japanese fishermen who emigrated to nearby Mexico in the 1950s.

While it’s easy to find good sushi — some of the best being at beach-facing Cannonball restaurant — the finest tacos in San Diego were harder to find.

Our guide Enrique cheekily told us they were actually found at street stall Taco el Frank in Tijuana (after we walked across the US-Mexico border, something all the locals do), and taken back into San Diego.

I definitely agreed after devouring their most popular carne asada taco, costing just a few pounds, and then regretting not buying another three.

But the rest of San Diego has its own amazing cuisine, with Asian influences too.

Michelin Guide-recommended Kingfisher offers up comforting mushroom congee and a Peking duck dish which sells out every night if you aren’t quick enough.

If you want to go where all the cool kids hang out, then head to the outlandishly pink brunch cafe Morning Glory — with its champagne vending machines and mirrored ceilings.

It wasn’t hard to be excited when the dim sum brunch trolley gets wheeled over. I eagerly asked for one of each as I ended up with bitesize corndogs and devilled eggs — and they were just the starter before my huge plate of wobbly souffle pancakes.

Pink streamers and smiles

Being the trendiest place in town, I was warned that some people wait up to three hours to grab a seat.

So for anyone too impatient, wait for the sun to set and head to Part Time Lover, a bar in North Park owned by the same group.

As it is designed like a Japanese speakeasy, I was quickly intimidated by the stylish locals as I waltzed in wearing more casual jeans and trainers.

To settle my nervous stomach, I easily knocked back the sweet cocktails while browsing the vinyl records at the back of the bar as they played overhead.

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With its rich history and amazing food, it’s hard to think what else San Diego could have to offer[/caption]

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With an empty stomach on arrival, my first port of call was finding the city’s two staple dishes — sushi and tacos[/caption]

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The US city is home to movie legend Ron Burgundy from Anchorman[/caption]

But while North Park is seen as hipster central, San Diego is also home to Barrio Logan, previously voted by Time Out magazine as one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods.

Coming from Folkestone, also named one of the trendiest places in the UK, I was dismayed to find that it trumped my town by far.

Along the sidewalks are an array of female-owned businesses selling local products including jewellery, artwork and clothing, all of which are surprisingly affordable.

And a visit to Mujeres, a female-run brewery in the district, is also a must — where you’re welcomed in by pink streamers and smiles from everyone inside.

Yet hiding beneath the sparkling facade is a darker side to the area, expressed in murals across Chicano Park.

One of the largest outdoor mural collections in the world, the art tells the story of the difficult history of the Mexican-Americans, who were ostracised in society.

Set across 100 concrete pillars, they take over the structure of the huge freeway and are a fascinating insight into the struggles of the local community.

With its rich history and amazing food, it’s hard to think what else San Diego could have to offer.

But it’s also home to the historic, free-to-visit seaside theme park Belmont Park, with the Giant Dipper rollercoaster dating back to 1925 — and much faster than I expected for a 100-year-old ride.

For Center Parcs vibes, stay at Paradise Point Resort which has heated pools and beaches along the 44-acre private island.

And kids will love Balboa Park, a huge 1,200-acre complex designed in the style of Spanish Colonial Revival which makes you feel like you’ve returned to Europe.

Losing a day is easily done — the park has 16 museums and art galleries to choose from as well as themed outdoor gardens, with my favourite being the Spanish Village Art Centre.

So with belts tightening due to the cost of living, why go to three countries when you can get the best of them — all in one city?

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HOW many litres of water does it take to feed one banana plant?

The answer is about 23. That’s a great fact — although I’m a little distracted munching my way through one of the sweetest, freshest bananas I’ve ever eaten to give the tour guide my full attention.

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Winter sun, affordable holidays and a glorious coastline make Gran Canaria a popular holiday destination[/caption]

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A visit to the banana plantation in Trasmontaña is just one of several free activities offered to guests staying at the hotel Paradisus by Melia[/caption]

The fruit may not be what first springs to mind when you think of the Canary Islands.

Winter sun, affordable holidays and a glorious coastline are more likely to be your primary reasons for booking.

But tradition is a big part of what keeps Gran Canaria ticking over.

With a population of less than a million, this sun-drenched patch of volcanic land, just 93 miles from the northwestern coast of Africa, prides itself on being relatively self-sufficient, recycling enough seawater to ­supply the hotels and those that live here, as well as growing enough bananas for all.

A visit to the banana plantation in Trasmontaña is just one of several free activities offered to guests staying at the hotel Paradisus by Melia (other excursions include visits to a rum distillery and the Gran Canaria Museum).

The laid-back, beachfront resort has local culture and tradition at its heart, hosting activities to highlight the island’s natural beauty. The lobby and lounge areas are decorated with ceramics from the indigenous Guanche people, who lived on the island before the arrival of Europeans.

Stargazing is a must in this part of the world and it is free at the resort’s on-site observatory, which is home to two powerful telescopes.

The Canaries have some of the darkest night skies in the world, making them an ideal holiday spot for budding astronomers.

And it was the perfect way to end my final night, learning all about the shimmering planets from an expert guide before taking a closer look through a telescope so strong we could even make out some of the craters on the moon.

This is exactly why my mum and I had chosen the Paradisus by Melia Hotel — so we could blend culture with relaxation.

After all, when it’s a balmy 22C in the middle of winter, who wouldn’t want some time sprawled on a sun lounger being delivered cocktails on repeat?

Arranging a package trip with British Airways Holidays took all the faff out of organising flights, accommodation and activities separately, with the all-inclusive offer bundling everything into one.

It’s not something I’d normally                      opt for — all-inclusive, that is — out of fear that I’ll tire of the options available, but that didn’t happen here.

With seven restaurants to choose from, our bellies were kept satisfied with saucy Italian dishes, hearty salads and fish cooked over a smoky charcoal grill.

The standout for me, though, was the sushi at the hotel’s Lemon Fish, a Peruvian-Japanese-Mexican fusion restaurant (try the pisco sours if you’re a cocktail fan).

There was a saxophonist performing while we dined that evening, something that’s not uncommon at this resort where musicians are dotted around restaurants and relaxation areas at all hours.

Deep pink and hazy purple

We enjoyed mellow tunes from a harpist during breakfast and favourite hits from a cover band in the evening.

With so much going on, the hotel rarely felt crowded, even at 82 per cent capacity in the half-term holidays.

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When it’s a balmy 22C in the middle of winter, who wouldn’t want some time sprawled on a sun lounger being delivered cocktails on repeat?[/caption]

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Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 5H Paradisus by Melia Gran Canaria is from £1,549pp[/caption]

Perhaps it was because we were booked into an adults-only room which gave us access to The Retreat — areas available only to those aged 16 and over.

Retreat guests have use of a separate pool with huge, comfy Bali beds, as well as a sandy area with loungers overlooking the beach, and a bar that can whip up pina coladas, spritzes and soft drinks delivered by a waiter.

Even the most basic of the Retreat bedrooms, the one we were staying in, felt luxurious — with a freestanding bath tub, the comfiest super king bed (with enough room for a family of four to sleep in!) and all the modcons including USB ports by the bed and a smart TV.

Make sure to book a sea-view room — that way your balcony will remain in the sun for most of the day.

On our last morning, following the advice of some fellow guests, we set our alarms for the early hours so we could pad down to the beach directly opposite the hotel and watch the sunrise.

To my surprise, we weren’t the only ones to gather on the sand.

Locals, couples and dog walkers had all paused to watch as an orange glow pierced the ocean’s horizon, transforming a misty sky into deep shades of pink and hazy purple. It wasn’t long until the entire beach was drenched in the sun’s warmth.

When every morning starts like that, it’s not hard to see why this winter sun spot is so popular among Brits.