Coronado Island In San Diego

Everyone in California knows that the best beaches

in San Diego are on Coronado Island. Being linked to

downtown San Diego by the Island Bay Bridge, Coronado

is home to the SEALs training center and the Naval

Air Station Coronado. A military powerhouse, the

island of Coronado always has something going on.

One of the best features to Coronado is the world

famous Hotel Del Coronado. This Victorian style

seaside hotel was established in 1888, and was easily

one of the biggest and best hotels of that era. The

hotel was hosted in the past by the infamous Marilyn

Monroe and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

The Hotel Del Coronado has some of the best service

in California, along with breathtaking views of the

San Diego area. The restaurant here is one of the

best around, and even if you aren't staying here, you

can enjoy a great meal. Each and every year, thousands

of people visit Coronado just to stay at this world

class hotel - yes, it's that good.

The Ferry Landing is also a great addition to what

Coronado Island has to offer. The Ferry Landing

Marketplace offers you 30+ shops, restaurants, and

art galleries. You can walk around and check out

what the marketplace has to offer, or enjoy a

visit to the Tidelands Park.

There are great places to walk and bicycle here,

with awesome views of skyline San Diego. At sunset,

this is one of the best places to be. On Tuesdays, you

can find a farmers market here as well.

The Coronado Beach is located here as well, along the

Travel Channel. North of the beach there's the Best

Weekend Getaway Beach. Even in the summer, the

Coronado Beach isn't crowded, giving your family plenty

of room to enjoy the splendors of one of California's

best beaches.

From the Glorietta Bay Inn in Coronado, you can take

a walking tour. Tours leave several times a week,

showing you everything the area has to offer. This is

a great way to learn more about the area. Or, if you

like, you can let someone else do the driving and

try a pedicab tour.

For the romantic, the Gondola Cruise helps to take the

pressure out of life. A romantic spin through the

canals of Coronado Cays can be quite the break from

the ordinary.

You can reach Coronado Island from San Diego by taking

the Coronado Bay Bridge exit off I-5. By water from

San Diego, you can take the Coronado Ferry that runs

hourly from 9 AM - 10 PM. Walking from the Ferry

Landing to Hotel Del Coronado is a little over a mile.

Maritime Museum San Diego

Since 1948, the Maritime Museum located in San Diego

has served the city in many big ways. The museum here

is dedicated to collecting and preserving the rich

maritime heritage and historic values of the city -

then presenting it to the public.

The biggest attraction to the museum is the historic

ships. Here, you'll find five great examples of

maritime vessels - Berkeley, Californian, Medea,

Pilot, and the Star of India.

All across the museum you can find many examples of

Naval technology and ships of the past. The guides

at the Maritime Museum are very friendly and helpful,

willing to answer any question that you may have.

Nearby to the museum, you have several attractions

and things to see. With the museum being in the

downtown area of San Diego, it's very close to some

of the other things that San Diego is so very well

known for.

If you happen to be on vacation in San Diego, make

sure you visit the Maritime Museum. Kids love to

see the ships on display, as well as the USS Midway

Aircraft Carrier Museum, which is a short walk from

Seaport Village San Diego

The Seaport Village of San Diego combines the best

of waterfront shopping, dining, and overall family

entertainment. While the Marina Park is here as

well, nearby is the small but popular San Diego

public park.

In Seaport Village you'll find 14 acres of pleasure

with more than 75 shops and galleries, restaurants,

and eateries on the sidewalk. Even though the area

is primarily targeted towards visitors, locals get

the best of the best with the restaurants and their

out of town company.

The San Diego Pier Cafe is also here, which is one of

the best known restaurants in the area. Located on

the bay, the cafe provides seafood with breathtaking

views.

The Seaport village provides a great place to view

Coronado and the Coronado Bridge, as it overlooks the

harbor. Just a short stroll from the village, you have

the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park, and

the Gaslamp Quarter.

Providing plenty to do and plenty of things to see

nearby, Seaport Village has it all going on. A visit

here is unlike any other, as the city of San Diego

will always have something unique to offer you and your

La Jolla San Diego

A sparkling jewel of San Diego, the La Jolla

area is a picture perfect post card with several

beaches along more than seven miles of coast

against an array of rolling hills known as Mount

Soledad.

Being a part of San Diego, La Jolla is only

15 minutes from the downtown district. Along with

beautiful scenery, the area also offers many fine

restaurants, art galleries, hotels and resorts,

and many other attractions such as the Scripps

Institution of Oceanography.

The Birch Aquarium is also a part of La Jolla,

giving you the chance to enter the exciting world

of sharks, living coral reefs, and many other undersea

exhibits. This aquarium showcases the mysteries of

the ocean and what actually lives there.

The shoreline of La Jolla consists of rocky headlands

seperated by pristine coves and sandy beaches. All

along the beach, you can find many different hotels

and resorts, designed to make your stay a little bit

better.

The North Pacific Beach extends to La Jolla, traveling

from the Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach. If you travel

north of this area, you'll find yourself on the

beaches of La Jolla.

By going to the south end of the La Jolla shoreline,

you'll find Windandsea Beach. Windandsea Beach has

long had a reputation for surfers paradise, although

the steep beaches and rocky cliffs can be very

dangerous if you aren't aware of them.

Close to downtown La Jolla, there is an area called

Casa, which used to be a children's pool. Now days,

the area has been taken over by seals and sealions.

Although children can't swim here anymore, it's a

great pastime to lay on the beach and watch them play.

Traveling along the La Jolla shoreline, you'll find

the tide pools. These pools are great to look at,

although you shouldn't touch them. You should visit

during low tide and be sure to wear rubber soled shoes,

as they can get quite slippery.

The cove in La Jolla is very beautiful, although one

of the smaller beaches in San Diego. On either side of

the cove, there are sandstone cliffs. This helps to

add an isolated feel to the cove.

Throughout La Jolla, the Shores Beach is the widest and

longest beach. If you look off to the distance on the

beach, you can see the Scripps Pier. Also on the beach,

there are novice scuba classes held throughout the summer

months.

With plenty to offer you and your family, the beaches of

La Jolla are among the best in San Diego. There's plenty

to do and see here, with dining and swimming. For a

great visit to the beach, La Jolla seems to simplify the

best of life in California.

San Diego At A Glance

Referred to as many as being the only area in the

United States with perfect weather, San Diego remains

the oldest port on the West Coast. Complete with a

well known Naval Base and a high level of tourism, this

breathtaking city continues to dominate the economy.

Aside from offering high mountains, deserts, and over

70 miles of the world's most renowned beaches, San Diego

also offers other great attractions such as Sea World,

the San Diego Zoo, and Wild Animal Park.

For art lovers, there are many different museums and

even the Shakespearean play at the Old Globe Theater.

Throw in the fact that San Diego has more championship

golf courses than any other area in the world, and you

have a city ready for anyone's imagination.

As a tourist city or a place to call home, San Diego is

one place you should at least visit. The night life here

rivals that of Las Vegas, giving you something for

everyone in the family. Young or old - San Diego is the

one city that you'll never find boring.

Pacific Beach San Diego

Alive with the sea and plenty of activities for all

that visit, Pacific Beach is a great place. With plenty

of activities to offer visitors, Pacific Beach in San

Diego has seen well over 26 million visitors! With

numbers like these, you know you really can't go wrong

by visiting.

Aside from the wonders of the beach, the boutique

shopping distric of Pacific Beach features hundreds and

hundreds of choices to find treasure in the sand. With

local names such as the L.A. Rack and Starbucks, this is

truly a shoppers paradise. There are also new and retail

clothing stores, salons, and many other stores to be

found here in this shopping paradise.

When it comes to the nightlife and exquisite dining,

Pacific Beach has it all covered. The restaurant experience

here is as diverse as the undersea life. You can find

everything here from fusion Thai to gourmet pasta, seafood

to hamburgers and virtually everything in between.

When the sun starts to set and the tide changes, the

Pacific Beach seems to come to life. There are dozens of

nighttime high spots with dancing, live music, and some of

the best beach bars in California. With most being found

within walking distance of the hotels, Pacific Beach does

it's part to simplify your experience.

Arguably the best feature to Pacific Beach is the golden

sands that California is so very well known for. The beach

and the Ocean Front Boardwalk are both modest in their

approach to offer bike and board rental stores, beach-

front dining with great views, and plenty of green

parks for you to experience.

Being out on the sand, you can experience the thrill of

horseshoes, the hot girls, dolphins playing in the water,

and endless surf competitions in the summer. The summer

is definately a little bit hotter when you are sitting in

the ocean at Pacific Beach with your toes in the sand.

With Mission Bay Park and the Historic Crystal Pier nearby,

you'll always find something to do here. Mission Bay is a

public park, offering the world famous Sea World, with

plenty of amusement park rides, undersea wildlife to see,

and plenty of fine dining.

On the other hand, the Historic Crystal Pier offers a

taste of Southern California reinvented. A walk along

the pier can bring back a taste of days gone by, coupled

with the lifestyle that only California can bring.

With a taste of the ocean and everthing in between, Pacific

Beach makes for a great and unforgettable summer. Offering

plenty of shops, fine dining, and California sand, this is

one area of San Diego that should be visited - time and

Sea World

One of the biggest and most attractive features to

San Diego is Sea World. Sea World is one of the most

popular amusement parks and also happens to be one of

the main reasons behind tourists. Anyone who visits

San Diego has the intentions to visit Sea World - or

at least they should.

Being famous for Shamu the killer whale, Sea World has

the ability to entertain kids and adults for hours.

There are many different animal shows here as well,

along with other amusement park thrills. While Shamu

is a must see, there are other animals here as well,

that you simply have to see.

Sea World also offers an exciting dolphin interaction

program where you can get in the water and play with

the dolphins. This is a great learning experience,

especially for those who love dolphins. Dolphins are

an integral part of Sea World, as there are literally

hundreds of them here.

Once you visit Sea World, you'll go below the surface

and see life that you may have never before thought

possible. You can feed the dolphins and other mammals,

even count the teeth that a shark has! When you

consider what Sea World has to offer, you simply can't

compare it to any other amusement park.

On the entertainment side of things, Sea World offers

a haunted lighthouse and several other rides and shows

for you to see. You can even get an all day pass here,

which is great for anyone who is wanting to enjoy all

that Sea World has to offer.

New to Sea World is Believe. This is a new show that

will show you Shamu like never before. It's a journey

of wonder and magic that you simply must see to believe

and appreciate.

No matter what season of the year you visit, you'll be

happy to know that Sea World is open year round. It

does close on major holidays though, which isn't really

a bad thing. As long as you don't visit on a holiday

you can pretty much expect Sea World to be open.

On a vacation, Sea World in San Diego will have something

to please everyone. The kids will have plenty to do

here, while you experience things that interest you as

well. The neighboring areas to Sea World have plenty

to offer you as well, from dining to many different

sights to see.

When the time comes for you to go on vacation you

shouldn't pass up Sea World. It's in a great location

with plenty of activities and things to see. Sea World

can show you the creatures of the sea like never

before - which is reason enough to go.

Mission Bay San Diego

Mission Bay Park in San Diego is the largest facility

of its kind, offering over 4,600 acres with free

recreational activities for visitors. What was once

a sprawling swamp in the 1960's, was dredged and

transformed into what is now a great attraction to

the San Diego area.

Across the 27 miles of bayfront, water activities are

all over the place here. For beach lovers, there are

17 miles of oceanfront property, including Mission

Beach and Pacific Beach. There are separate areas

as well, for swimming, fishing, boating, and even

sailing. Mission Park also offers free events such

as volleyball, jetski, and many different types

of competitions and exhibitions.

For the children, Mission Bay Park offers a playground

area with plenty of other things to do as well.

Mission Park has always been an attraction, one

that keeps people coming back for more.

For those living in the area, Mission Bay in San

Diego provides plenty of things to do. The location

is great, with something always going on. If you

plan to visit San Diego in the near future - make

sure you drop by Mission Bay and see what makes this

area one of the best in the world.

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo, located in San Diego California is

one of the best zoo's in the United States. Serving

as one of the main reasons to visit San Diego, the

zoo houses nearly 4,000 animals. Also in the zoo, are

the infamous pandas, one of the main reasons as to why

the zoo is so popular.

Among the many animals you'll find here are the pandas,

giraffes, tigers, and basically any other animal that

you can think of. The animals themselves have plenty

of room to run and play, giving you all the space you

need to view them in their active environment and

best of all - while they are at their best.

Anytime you plan to visit San Diego, you should make

sure you visit the zoo. Kids simply adore the animals

here, while parents find them adorable. Even if you

have never been to a zoo before, the San Diego Zoo

can more than change your outlook.

Once you enter the zoo, you can check out the animals,

get some food, or just walk around. The park is

enormous in size, having everything you can basically

think of when it comes to animals. Once you visit, you

may find yourself hating time when it comes time to

San Diego Wild Animal Park

Aside from the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Wild

Animal Park is the best place in San Diego to see

animals. Over the spread of 1,800 acres, the animal

park gives animals the room they need to roam and

play. The animals here play just like they do in

the wild, which almost makes you feel as if you

are in their native of Africa and Asia.

Throughout the 30 year history of the animal park,

the Noah's Ark symbol of endangered species has grown

to dozens upon dozens of animals. Now, every Arabian

Oryx found in the wild is the descendant stock from the

San Diego Wild Animal Park.

In the park, there are many different paths you can

take to visit the smaller animal exhibits. Although

the smaller animals are a sight to see, the main

thing to see is the hour long trip on the Bush Line

Railway. Along the railway, you'll see animals that

you'd never get the chance of seeing anywhere else,

such as the white rhino and the rhinoceros.

If you plan to visit the park in the summer, it's

always a good idea to visit early. On a normal summer

day, ten - fifteen thousand people will visit the

park. During the winter, the ratio is down as

normally 2,000 people will visit. Although it's much

colder in the winter, the park is less frequent with

people looking to see the animals the park offers.

You can find the animal park 32 miles north of

Escondido in San Diego. The park is in a peaceful

area, which makes things a lot better for the animals

that live there.

When visiting in the summer, it's a great idea to walk

a while, then take the railway. After you have took

the railway a bit, you can walk some more. It's also

good to take plenty of sunscreen with you as well, as

summer at the park can get very hot. Water is great

as well, simply because the summer in California can

be a bit of a scorcher.

The San Diego Wild Animal Park is ran by the San Diego

Zoological Society. The society also runs the San

Diego Zoo, which is one of the most popular animal

parks in the entire world. With the park and the zoo,

the society does more than its part to bring the

best of seeing the animals to you.

The next time you are in San Diego or if you are

visiting for the first time, the Wild Animal Park is

a great place to visit. You can check out some truly

endangered species and learn more about the types of

animals that you'll see in this once in a lifetime

Downtown San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego contains some of

the most extensive and dramatically designed

historic buildings in the area. Constructed between

1873 and 1930, these Victorian style buildings are

truly a sight to behold.

The Victorian era buildings found in the Gaslamp

Quarter are home to night clubs, restaurants,

theaters, and shops. A simple stroll down 4th

and 5th avenue will put you at the heart of the

Gaslamp Quarter.

Also found in the Gaslamp Quarter is the Horton

Plaza and Horton Plaza Park. The Plaza is the

first place in the United States to feature a water

fountain containing electric lights; a true

tribute to the designer Alonzo Horton.

The Gaslamp Quarter received its name from the

gaslamps that were used in the area around the early

1900's. During those times, gaslamps were the

main source of light for the area that is now

the vision of Modern Day San Diego.

Now days, there are more than 130 stores and shops

filling the Gaslamp Quarter. With everything from

Macy's to Mervyns, Gaslamp Quarter has plenty for

you to see and do. In Horton Plaza, you can find

a multi screen movie theater that is sure to please

movie lovers.

For a wonderful experience, the Gaslamp Quarter of

San Diego shouldn't be overlooked. There is a lot

you can do here, from fine dining to excellent

shops. For a family vacation, San Diego has a

little bit of something for everyone.

Mission Beach San Diego

The area of Mission Beach is a stretch of the sandbar

along the Pacific Ocean. Through Mission Beach, the

main artery is Mission Boulevard. This Boulevard is

a popular place to go in the summer or winter, as

there are main shops and restaurants.

Near Mission Beach, you'll find attractions such as

Sea World and Belmont Park. Both amusement parks are

well known, and very popular. Within the two you'll

find rides such as the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster,

Chaos, Vertical Plunge, the Liberty Carousel, and

The Trampoline.

Mission Beach also gives you plenty of opportunities

to participate in volleyball, tanning, surfing,

skateboarding, and many other activities. There is

also a local skating club, Skate This, which performs

for free on the weekends with sick tricks and dancing.

Even though nudity isn't allowed on the beach, alcohol

still is. Thong bikinis aren't legal on the beach,

although lifeguards and security personal normally don't

make a big deal about it.

With plenty of shops and restaurants, Mission Beach

in San Diego is a great place to go. The beach is

very warm and offers a sandy environment. If you like

the beach with other perks to offer, Mission Beach is

one place you should check out.

San Diego For Kids

Although San Diego has many things for grown ups to

enjoy, it hasa lot of activities for kids to enjoy

as well. Custom made for families, San Diego has

plenty of public parks, nice weather year round,

several museums, and many things for children of all

ages to amuse themselves with.

For kids who love animals, there's the well known

San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Animal Park. The zoo

is located in Balboa Park, while the park is located

a bit north of the city. If you have the time, you

should take a full day for your kids to enjoy the park

and the zoo. If the traditional zoo makes your kids

uncomfortable, the park is a great alternative.

Kids of all ages also enjoy the world famous Sea

World, which is home to Shamu the killer whale and

several other marine animals and exhibits. Sea World

has been a great attraction for kids for many years,

showing them the marine life like never before.

When it comes to the winter months, whale watching is

a very popular activity. You can watch them from

the coastline or take a cruise. Watching the gray

whale is very amusing to kids, openening their minds

to new possibilities.

Balboa Park is a great place to visit as well, as it

has a lot more than the San Diego Zoo. There are

places for kids to explore, with the children's museum,

the Fleet Science Center, and the Natural History

Museum.

Another popular park for kids is Legoland California,

which is located north of San Diego. There are a lot

of things to see in this park, with a majority of

the park being built from the popular Lego blocks.

Overall, this is one of the best and most quiet options

for younger children.

Hitting the beach is great as well, as San Diego has

many different beaches for kids of all ages. On the

beaches, kids can build sandcastles, rent boogie

boards, or just enjoy the swimming that San Diego so

proudly displays.

Older kids will enjoy the true recreation mode for

San Diego - roller skating and rollerblading. Along

Mission Bay there are great spots, along with

playgrounds and parks. You can fly kites here as

well, which is a great break from the ordinary.

Amusement Parks are a great attraction in San Diego,

with Belmont Park being very popular. There are many

rides here, amusing kids for hours on end. The

Giant Dipper and the Plunge are among the best, for

younger or older kids.

If San Diego is on your family vacation list, rest

assured that there will be plenty for your kids to

do on your stay. They will feel right at home with

the many things to do - while you your mate are

occupied with plenty of things for you to do as

San Diego Whale Watching

It's no secret to anyone that the coast of San Diego

is the ideal place to watch the annual migration of

the gray whale. Looked upon as one of nature's ultimate

spectacles; the migration of gray whales is nothing

short of breathtaking. The coastline of San Diego is

one of their migratory points as they travel from the

waters of the Arctic to the warmer regions of the Baja

(California), where females also give birth.

Every year, roughly 26,000 gray whales will make the

long journey of 10,000+ miles from the Arctic to the Baja

and back. If you look at this journey and compare it to

any other mammal, you'll notice that the gray whale by

far has the greatest amount of traveling at hand.

If you've never experienced whale watching, you'll be

happy to know that anyone will find it memorable - young

or old. Spotting a gray whale along the coastline is

something that is truly a memorable moment, making you

stop for a second and truly appreciate these awesome

mammals.

If you ask the Birch Aquarium in San Diego, you'll find

that gray whales are seen most frequently from December

through March. While they travel in dozens normally,

it's nothing to see pods of them (2 - 3) as they travel

during migration. Throughout the coast of San Diego,

you can easily spot these whales as they are somewhat

slow swimmers.

During their swimming, they will normally dive to a depth

of 100 feet or more for a few minutes, then surface and

blow. Then, they will do a few shallow dives, before

making that deep dive again. When watching whales, figuring

out this pattern makes the success of watching them all

the more fun and exciting.

While there are many common places to watch whales,

nothing seems to compare to the excitement of watching them

from aboard a cruise. There are many cruises that take

place in San Diego, many of which offer unbeatable deals.

From H&M Landing to the Birch Aquarium, cruises are some of

the best ways to see the beauty and tranquility of the

traveling gray whales.

The beauty of the gray whales can also be seen from many

points of the San Diego coast, including the Cabrillo

National Monument on Point Loma or the cliffs of Torrey Pines

State Beach. Along these points, you can see the whales as

they make their travels.

Whether it's a cruise or just watching from the coast, whale

watching in San Diego is something you truly have to see to

appreciate. You can take your kids, family, or even your

friends. Whale watching can definately be exciting, all you

have to do is plan your day and enjoy everything that the

beauty of the gray whale will provide you with.

La Jolla Caves

Along with the beaches La Jolla gives the San Diego

area, it also has some very nice caves. The caves

of La Jolla are great for tours, exploring, or

anyone wanting to see the best of La Jolla.

Carved into the sandstone cliffs of La Jolla, there

are seven caves. Most of the time, you can visit

any seven of these caves by sea kayak. Although

all but one are accessible by foot, you should be

very carefully when minus tides sweep the area.

The Sunny Jim Cave is one of the most popular and

well known caves of La Jolla. You can enter

through the Cave Store by paying a small fee. There

are 145 steep steps to get through the cave,

which is great for exploring and seeing the area.

The cave store can tell you many things about the

caves, including tours. If you plan to visit the

La Jolla area of San Diego, the caves can be a great

place to explore. Those of you who have kids coming

along for the trip, should remember to be very

careful - as the caves provide a lot of beauty -

they can also provide a lot of danger as well.

Facts About San Diego

Considering how San Diego is one of the best cities in

the United States, its really easy to tell how popular

the city is for tourists. Among the many accomplishments

behind San Diego, let's take a look at several facts behind

this amazing city.

Fact 1

Inside the city limits of San Diego, more than 1 million

people live there. This makes the city the second largest

in California and the sixth biggest in the entire United

States! For the city to be this big, the residents still

have that hometown experience - which is quite amazing!

Fact 2

No matter what type of year it is, it's never the wrong

time to visit. The weather is near perfect year round, giving

you the chance to experience everything to offer here. With

an annual high of 70 degrees and a low of 55 degrees,

you can pretty much go swimming year round.

Fact 3

If you visit between December - March, you can catch some

glimpses of the impressive gray whale. All along the coast

or on a cruise, you can catch this very amazing mammal.

Fact 4

If you travel just 23 miles south, you'll be in the beautiful

city of Tijuana. What was once thought of as dangerous,

happens to be an amazing place of Mexican hospitality,

with great restaurants, shopping, and a pleasing nightlife.

Fact 5

San Diego offers an amazing array of flowers and roses. With

the climate being dry, it's the perfect conditions for roses,

wild daises, and other exotic flowers. With different flowers

in the winter and summer months, avid flower lovers will fall

in love with everything San Diego has to offer them.

Fact 6

It's no secret that one of the biggest attractions to San

Diego are the beaches. Make sure you read the signs though,

as the beauty behind the beaches vary almost as much as the

rules do.

Fact 7

When it comes to nightlife, San Diego has something to please

everyone. From country dancing to singing in a bar, the city

has a very happening nightlife. No matter what you like to

do at night, San Diego has it all - and probably a bit more.

Fact 8

The most attractive feature to San Diego is the zoo. The 100

acre zoo here houses almost 4000 animals all of which who have

plenty of room to roam around. With pandas for everyone to see,

the San Diego zoo is reason enough to give the city a visit.

For more reasons than one, San Diego is the perfect city to

visit. You can visit here with family or friends and know that

you'll always have places to go and things to see. Winter or

summer, San Diego is the one place you'll never find boring.