With the ocean at your feet and countless ways to play, learn and have fun, bring the family to San Diego and make La Jolla your playground.

Whether you're shopping for yourself or hoping to bring home a special gift for a loved one, San Diego has you covered. The key is to find those unique items that create lasting memories. Check out these 12 hidden gems to achieve exactly that!

A gigantic aquatic playground, Mission Bay is ideal for just about every kind of watersport, from sailing and SUPing to jet skiing and kayaking. It also has 27 miles of park- and beach- lined shores which are perfect for sunbathing, playing beach volleyball, and picnicking. Cyclists and runners will fall in love with the paved, 12-mile long path that winds around the bay and along the beachfront boardwalk. With resorts, theme parks, restaurants, and 19 miles of beaches, everyone will find a few reasons to love Mission Bay. Here are just a handful of them.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, located on the cliffs above Torrey Pines State Beach, is a 1,750 acre reserve dedicated to preserving its namesake, the Torrey Pine tree and other indigenous wildlife in its native environment. A coastal wilderness of pine forests and sandstone canyons, the park has a series of well-kept trails that wind along the cliffs offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. With both easy, family-friendly paths and more advanced trails, the park provides a great hiking experience for all levels.