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From its world-class
zoo and aquarium to its great beaches, San Diego's vibrant and exciting lifestyle
has plenty to offer visitors and their families. It's the kind of city where
every day is a beach day; the folks of San Diego have turned “laid back” into
an art form. A relaxed atmosphere pervades the city, probably one of the reasons
that draw more than 30 million visitors a year to San Diego. Given the beautiful
weather and outdoor activities abound, San Diego is probably one of the most
pedestrian friendly cities in America. Families walk, skate, and bike their
way to over 70 miles of beaches or any one of San Diego's numerous attractions.
San Diego's natural
beauty is one of the city's greatest attractions. An officially designated 52-mile
long Scenic Drive brings visitors through the city and its many neighbourhoods.
From the Harbour Islands through Old Town and Balboa Park all the way to La
Jolla, the Scenic Drive is a great way to see all of the city's beautiful districts
and neighbourhoods.
Balboa Park itself
is the 1,200 acre home to the world-famous Zoo and museums. This park is the
cultural centre of the city. The Rose Garden has more than 2,000 rosebushes,
and the entire park is really one giant botanical garden full of beautiful flowers
and trees. The Zoo, one of the best in the world, holds nearly 4,000 animals
representing more than 800 species. The animal habitats are designed to replicate
each animal's original ecosystem as closely as possible, down to the type of
grass used. Birds, gorillas, tigers, bears, hippos and other animals have helped
make this one of the most admired zoos in the world. In addition to the zoo,
Balboa Park is home to over a dozen museums dedicated to history, science, art,
cars, railroads, mankind, and of course, San Diego itself.
Visitors who want
to spend as much time as possible near the glittering Pacific Ocean will love
the Mission Bay area and its greatest attraction: Sea World. The Mission Bay
aquatic park covers 4,600 acres, and includes 27 miles of bay shore beaches
and 17 miles of ocean front beaches. Admission to the beaches is free, and swimming,
sunning, and windsurfing are the preferred activities. Playgrounds and picnic
spots are found throughout the park, but the best place for kids has to be Sea
World. Covering over 100 bay-front acres, this park features the world famous
killer whale Shamu, as well as hundreds of other water animals, like penguins,
fish, and sharks. Sea World is one of the most famous aquatic parks in the world,
and kids and adults alike will love it.
San Diego has
it all: sunny weather, great beaches, wonderful museums, zoos, and aquariums,
and history too. Old Town is the historical heart of San Diego, and a great
place to finish up a visit to the city. The Spanish and Mexican heritage of
the city is celebrated here, amidst the famous Presidio fortress, the historical
park, and the adobe houses with Spanish tile roofs. San Diego has evolved immeasurably
since those early days as a Spanish settlement on the Pacific, and that evolution
has produced one of the most beautiful and happy cities in the world. Visitors
to San Diego are always sorry to leave behind what residents know is heaven
on earth. Two interesting side trips and an opportunity to get out of the city
are to the nearby, elegant resort town of La Jolla, a few miles north of San
Diego, with its manicured lawns, fine houses and blue Pacific pounding against
the rocks. Or, in total contrast a trip a few miles to the south of the city
to the Mexican border at Tijuana. Whilst not typical of all Mexican towns Tijuana
will provide you with an instant insight into the huge rift in wealth between
these neighbouring countries.
If those two trips
are a little on the strenuous side, or you can’t tear yourself away from the
city try some of theses recommended attractions around the city.
Belmont Park
3100 block of Mission Boulevard
Phone: 619-491-2988
Located directly on the Mission Bay Boardwalk, this park features a beautifully
restored wooden roller coaster guaranteed to delight enthusiasts of classic
amusement park rides.
Sea World
World Drive off I-5
Phone: 619-226-3901
One of San Diego's premier attractions, Sea World gives visitors the opportunity
to view impressive performances by Shamu the killer whale, be amazed and amused
by the acrobatic antics of dolphins, and come face to face with fearsome looking
sharks in the Shark Encounter. Those who wish to keep nature at a slightly greater
distance can view one of the bird shows occurring periodically throughout the
day. Other featured attractions include the Penguin Encounter, Manatee Rescue,
Wild Arctic and Shipwreck Rapids ride.
San Diego Harbour Excursion Whale Watching
1050 N. Harbour Dr
Phone: 619-234-4111
Seemingly placid by comparison to the more widely known killer whale, the California
grey whale is by no means less beautiful. Those wishing to observe the California
greys during their southerly migration can do so by means of daily tours departing
both morning and afternoon from the foot of Broadway (downtown).
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Highway 163/I-15 to Via Rancho Parkway (in Escondido)
Phone: 619-234-6541
For those wishing to see nature in an uninterrupted state, the Wild Animal Park
is the place to go. With two animal shows, a quiet monorail, and unobtrusive
paths, this 851 hectare (2,100 acre) preserve dedicated to the preservation
of endangered species strikes a balance of preserving nature while still allowing
visitors to appreciate the beauty of the animals and exotic plants found within
its grounds.
San Diego Zoo
In Balboa Park
Phone: 619-234-3153
One of the most widely known zoos in the entire world, the San Diego Zoo is
also one of the largest. Numbering among its eight hundred species of animals
are some of the rarest and most exotic species in captivity. Most widely known
for the animals it houses, the Zoo also contains a wide variety of tropical
and semitropical plants. Its 40 hectares (100 acres) feature over 6,500 species
of plants. Some of the featured exhibits at the Zoo include the Tiger River,
Sun Bear Forest, Gorilla Tropics, Polar Bear Plunge and the new Ituri Forest
and RainForest Aviary. Also available to visitors at no additional price are
a guided bus tour and a skytram.
Stephen Birch Aquarium Museum
2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla
Phone: 858-534-3474
The Stephen Birch Aquarium Museum, associated with the world-renowned Scripps
Institute of Oceanography, is the largest oceanographic exhibit in the U.S.
With over 3,000 fish from waters cold to tropical, the museum features enough
species to keep even Jacques Cousteau busy. The museum's bookshop sells a variety
of works focusing on marine science and oceanography and includes teaching materials.
Balboa Park
Phone: 619-232-2721
With perhaps the most to offer of any area of San Diego, the beautifully landscaped
acres of Balboa Park include museums featuring world class collections, the
San Diego Zoo, the Starlight Bowl outdoor theatre, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion,
the Old Globe Theatre complex, rose and cactus gardens, and the Japanese Friendship
Garden, where the occasional traditional tea ceremony can be observed. If you
are in the mood for a walk or a picnic, this is the area for you. Even the open
areas feature entertainment with both artists and street performers being common
sights during the weekend.
San Diego Museum of Art
1450 El Prado, Balboa Park
Phone: 619-232-7931
The largest museum in San Diego, the Museum of Art features works by Old Masters
from several continents.
Reuben H. Fleet Space Theatre and Science Centre
1875 El Prado, Balboa Park
Phone: 619-238-1233
Fax: 619-231-8971
With activities both entertaining and educational, the Reuben H. Fleet Space
Theatre and Science Centre has something for every member of the family. With
the latest technology, giant OMNIMAX films treat visitors to a variety of entertaining,
educational topics. From the comfort of their seats, visitors can go on exciting
adventures or view planetarium shows. The Science Centre portion of the facility
is definitely a hands-on experience, where visitors are both invited and encouraged
to experience the variety of exhibits firsthand.
Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr., Point Loma
Phone: 619-557-5450
With over 1.2 million visitors each year, the Cabrillo National Monument is
one of the country's most visited national monuments. Dedicated to Juan Rodruiguez
Cabrillo, who arrived in the San Diego area in 1542, the monument consists of
a statue that sits at the tip of Point Loma. Visitors can also view the restored
lighthouse (circa 1855), or visit the nearby Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
Visitors are invited to partake in guided tours of the Cemetery or view one
of the hourly films on Cabrillo, the history of San Diego, and the California
grey whales, whose yearly migration can be seen from Point Loma from December
through March.
Maritime Museum
1306
N. Harbour Dr.
Phone: 619-234-9153
Consisting of three uniquely historical vessels, the Maritime Museum exhibits
the variety of naval architecture and function of the 19th and early 20th century.
Visitors can board each vessel and explore for himself or herself or view movies
on-deck (April - October). The vessels that comprise the Museum are the full-rigged
merchant vessel Star of India (1863), whose impressive masts are an integral
part of the San Diego cityscape, the gleaming white San Francisco-Oakland steam-powered
ferry Berkeley (1898), which worked round-the-clock to carry people to safety
following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and the sleek Medea (1904), one
of the world's few remaining large steam yachts.
Coronado
1047 B Avenue
Visitor's Centre
Coronado, CA 92118
800-622-8300
If an interest in getting away from it all has led you to San Diego, let upscale
shopping and beautiful white sand beaches bring you to Coronado. Spend a few
hours strolling or shopping, explore the yacht harbour or visit the Imperial
Beach, then relax and enjoy one of the many excellent restaurants located on
this beautiful island, but be careful you may not want to go home.
Have you been to San Diego and know about some more great highlights worth a mention? Add details for other visitors to read about.
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