Everything San diego

Description:

This serene park within the park is one of my favorite hide-outs. Ferns, orchids, impatiens, begonias, and other plants -- about 2,100 tropical and flowering varieties, plus rotating exhibits -- are sheltered beneath a domed lath house. The graceful 250-foot-long building, part of the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, is one of the world's largest wood lath structures. Kids love the "touch and smell" garden and the smelly bog of carnivorous plants. The lily pond out front attracts sun worshipers, painters, and buskers.

Our Local Expert Says:

If the weather is fine, opt to sit on the garden patio!

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Graciously housed in the House of Hospitality, this venue has hosted myriad weddings, parties and intimate dinners. Casual elegance with a Spanish-fusion flavor is on the menu in the heart of Balboa Park. Zesty seafood paella, wild mushroom risotto, or adobo braised pork will all have your taste buds shouting "olé." The Chicken Milanese is richly flavored with garlic and sage, served with rosemary-infused potatoes with arugula in a tomato concasse. If you want plainer food, try the Prado Cheeseburger. The luscious dessert tray varies daily.

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Housed in a recently converted giant water cistern, this cultural center highlights performances and contemporary art by Latino, Chicano and Native American artists. Permanent and traveling exhibits are on display, including many featuring the work of local and trans-border artists. Ballet Folklorico performances brighten any visit. Enjoy Mexican folk dance lessons for both children and adults held four nights per week. Call for information on current exhibits and theater performances.

Our Local Expert Says:

With their sculptural, and often anthropomorphological shapes, the various cacti give the garden impression of being on a fantasy planet. Just watch out for all those spines!

Description:

Desert Park is more than just another garden in the vast circumstance that is Balboa Park.  Adjacent to the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden and Park Blvd, this relatively small attraction offers visitors a place to relax and enjoy the over 1,300 plants that are housed here. With it's peak bloom during the tourist off-season (January - March), visitors here are often few and far between, making it a home for the spontaneous. Open free to the public year-round, sniff out some of the delectable and intriguing plants that cover this 2.5 acres of land.

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Your first stop when touring Balboa Park should be this newly-renovated tourist information center. It provides schedules and route maps for the free tram that circles throughout the 1,200-acre park. In addition, you may purchase day passes for all museums located at the park. Free park tours begin at this site as well. With its unique style, landscaping and design, it is also the perfect setting for special events and weddings.

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This cottage presents exhibits about the culture, history, and traditions of the Ukrainian people. It was founded in 1935 and is dedicated to furthering understanding between national groups in the United States. Along with hosting the Ukrainian Festival, it also participates in many other related events. These events include the Ethnic Food Fair (Memorial Sunday), the Lawn Program, Christmas on the Prado (first Friday and Saturday evenings of December) featuring Svyatij Mykolai (St. Nicholas), and a seasonal Ukrainian Christmas display featuring Christmas music and ethnic foods.

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San Diego is blessed with a beautifully-housed art collection, which includes the work of Old Masters, American artists and an extensive selection of Asian art pieces. Founded in 1926, the museum originally focused on acquiring American works of art and the collection is still very strong, from "plein air" school of California Impressionist paintings to Putnam bronzes. The museum also hosts major traveling exhibitions. Credit cards are not accepted for admission.

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This cluster of small cottages built in 1915 is dedicated to the preservation of peace among nations. Each cottage represents a particular nation's cultural heritage. Each Sunday afternoon volunteers dress in native clothing, chat with you in their ancestral language and serve up favorite dishes from the homeland. On summer afternoons, folk dancers present traditional songs and dances. Different houses offer events each weekend on a rotating basis, and sometimes a full festival will draw large crowds.

Our Local Expert Says:

While it's known for hosting some Broadway specials, the best show is the annual Christmas special How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

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Modeled after Shakespeare's own theaters, this San Diego establishment is actually part of a complex of three theaters also including the Cassius Carter Centre Stage and the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. Sadly, the 1935 original Globe has been replaced since it was destroyed by fire, though it appears that the renovation is a success. In 1984, the 581-seat replica won a Tony award for best regional theater. Predictably, the theater is home to an annual Shakespeare festival, but it is open year round. It also hosts much more than the classics. Its focus is actually the opposite - opening new plays.

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How many art museums invite you to see great works of art for free? The Timken houses the Putnam Foundation's collection of 19th-century American paintings and works by European old masters, as well as a worthy display of Russian icons. Yes, it's a small collection, but the marquee attractions include a Peter Paul Rubens, Portrait of a Young Man in Armor; San Diego's only Rembrandt, St. Bartholomew; and a masterpiece by Eastman Johnson, The Cranberry Harvest. Since you can tour all of the museum in well under an hour, the Timken also makes for an easy introduction to fine art for younger travelers; docent tours are available Tuesday through Thursday from 10am to noon, the third Tuesday of the month from 1 to 3pm, or by appointment.

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If palm trees are California's floral claim to fame, then Palm Canyon serves as a tribute. Located in Balboa Park, Palm Canyon is open daily to the public and costs nothing for a walk through. Covering two acres, this ravine hosts over 450 palms. There are 58 different varieties gracing the canyon including a special group of Mexican fan palms, which have been growing steadily since the beginning of the 20th century.

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Presented to the citizens of San Diego in 1914 by brothers John D. and Adolph Spreckels, the ornate, curved pavilion houses a magnificent organ with 4,530 individual pipes. They range in length from the size of a pencil to 32 feet, making it one of the largest outdoor organs in the world. With only brief interruptions, the organ has been in continuous use. Today visitors can enjoy free hour-long concerts on Sundays at 2pm, given by civic organist Carol Williams; free concerts are also held in the evening during the summer months. There's seating for 2,400 but little shade, so bring some sunscreen.

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Spanish Village is a collection of 37 charming and historic casitas set around a colorful courtyard in Balboa Park. Dating from the 1935-36 California-Pacific Exposition, the structures today are home to more than 250 artists specializing in various mediums, including oil and watercolor painting, pottery, jewelry, metal art, origami, fused and blown glass, woodcarving, and wearable art. Many of the artists work on-site, allowing you to see their products in the making. Open daily 11am to 4pm.

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Learn about art and science in this centre. From the dynamics about your face and using masks, mirrors, graphic images, computers and videos to make funny faces, to learning about the varied display of signals. Reuben H. Fleet Science Center offers mind-boggling explanations that tell you the truth behind the make-up of image and sound. Admission required.

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Stop to smell the roses, all 2,200 bushes of them! This rose garden in Balboa Park is home to 178 varieties. April and May offer the best season for viewing, but flowers are in bloom anytime between March and December. With free admission, the award-winning garden offers beauty, tranquility and an incredible variety of rose scents. It is no surprise that this rose garden is the most popular spot for weddings in the entire Balboa Park.

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This museum was one of the first in the United States devoted exclusively to photographic art. Each year there are a number of shows displaying daguerreotypes, master works, pictorials, prints and photojournalism. The museum also offers a printviewing room, a library and a theatre. Seniors and military, and children under 12 are free. Admission is free for everyone on the second Tuesday of every month.

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Mingei' is a composite word that is now accepted as meaning "art of the people," and this museum is surely that. Housed here, visitors will find an eclectic collection of folk art, crafts and designs from around the world including jewelry ceramics, pottery, textiles, dolls, masks, stone carvings and decorative objects fashioned by ethnic peoples throughout the world. Permanent and rotating collections are on display. Admission: $6 adults; $3 children ages 6-17; children under age six are free.

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These absolutely lovely, tranquil grounds began their long history when the garden was built as part of the World Expo of 1915. Because the public enjoyed it, the garden remained cared for by volunteers for the next 30 years. The permanent spot has been maintained as, 'San-Kei-En', meaning 'our garden'. The Japanese gardens incorporate traditional elements and San Diego regional landscape. The exhibit hall includes objects of Japanese cultural arts.

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The scenic part of Route 163, the Cabrillo Freeway, is located in the heart of San Diego, where it cuts through the 1,173-acre Balboa Park, a world-renowned urban oasis featuring fifteen museums, various arts and international culture associations, as well as the San Diego Zoo. This stretch of Route 163 is lush and treelined, having been constructed along a wooded canyon bottom.

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This museum hosts exhibits that focus on geology, plants and animals of the Southwest region and farther. Photography, interactive exhibits, dinosaur bones and models, all contribute to the art of making natural history exciting. Giant screen theater shows films several times daily. General Admission for regular exhibits.

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In 1911, San Diego began planning the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, creating a unique educational concept to distinguish itself from the San Francisco exposition planned for the same year. Dr. Edgar Lee Hewett of the School of American Archaeology (now School of American Research) was appointed designer of the central exhibit The Story of Man through the Ages. He took expeditions to the Southwest to collect prehistoric pottery and to Guatemala to make replicas of Maya monuments. Dr. Ales Hrdlicka of the Smithsonian Institution was engaged to collect specimens for the most comprehensive physical anthropology exhibit ever assembled. Expeditions were sent to Alaska, Siberia, Africa, and the Philippines, and European museums provided important casts and photographs of early man fossils. From Peru, skeletal material and rare trephined skulls were collected. Panama-California Exposition postcardThe Panama-California Exposition opened on January 1, 1915, with The Story of Man through the Ages enjoying public acclaim. As the Exposition neared its close in November 1915, a farsighted group of San Diegans formed the San Diego Museum Association. Led by prominent citizen George Marston, they were determined to retain the valuable collections and to establish a museum of anthropology. Dr. Hewett became the first Director, and important collections followed, notably the Jessop Weapon Collection and the Scripps Egyptian Collection. Field work by Museum staff in the 1930s focused on prehistoric sites of Southern California. Through the efforts of pioneer archaeologist Malcolm J. Rogers, hundreds of sites, many now destroyed by development, were recorded. Because of the Museum's concentration on anthropology, its name was changed in 1942 to the Museum of Man (with "San Diego" added in 1978). During World War II, the Museum was converted to a hospital, and exhibits and collections were stored. During the 20-year directorship of Clark Evernham, beginning in 1951, the Museum entered a period of community outreach. Important acquisitions included Mexican apparel and ceramics. In 1966, the collection and research focus of the Museum was narrowed to the peoples of the Western Americas. This redefinition of purpose capitalized on collection strengths and acknowledged our proximity to these cultures. Exposition Christmas Gretings postcardIn 1972, Lowell E. English, retired Marine Corps Major General, became Director. For the next decade, the focus was on establishing a strong financial base. The Collectors Club was started in 1974 to support collection acquisitions. The Haber Collection of Mayan figurines and the Harkleroad Collection of Southern California archaeological material were accessioned. A 1980 amendment of the mission allowed for temporary exhibits from regions outside our area of specialization to provide cross-cultural perspective. In 1981, the Museum commenced planning for large scale capital improvements and exhibit enhancement. Anthropologist Douglas Sharon became Director, and major projects were undertaken: doubling of collection storage, remodeling the lobby, paving the Plaza de California, restoration of the historic St. Francis Chapel, installation of an elevator and modern HVAC, addition of a 16,000 sq. ft. education and design center, and renovation of expanded exhibits. Through the 1980s and early 1990s important collections were acquired: the Gildred Collection of pre-Hispanic Peruvian ceramics, Mexican and Guatemalan apparel, the Stanford-Meyer Osteopathology Collection, the Cannon Collection of Southern Californian Indian basketry, and the Smith Collection of Egyptian antiquities. The Museum's research collections reached 72,000 items plus 37,000 historic photographs, mostly of Native Americans, and unquantified archaeological holdings. In 1994, recognizing that cultural preservation is intimately linked to the environment, the Museum's mission was expanded to include human ecology. As we approach a new century, our original philosophy, whereby collections form the basis for relevant exhibits, education, and research, is being reaffirmed.

Description:

This museum houses a chronological tribute to the age of flight, boasting displays ranging from an exact reproduction of the Wright Flyer to modern-day war planes like Russian MIGs. Although a remnant of the past, a massive life size replica of the SR-71 seems an image of the future as its chic black curves dominate the museum's entrance. Admission: USD8 adults; USD6 seniors; USD3 children ages 6-17; free for active military and children under six.

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This 1,350 seat bayside theatre, picturesquely located on San Diego Bay, has been entertaining hordes of visitors year after year since 1982. The theater operates from May to October only. Humphrey's Concerts covers all genres of music such as rock, jazz, blues, folk and international music. Comedy shows are also held here.

Our Local Expert Says:

You can easily devote at least a whole day to wandering around this huge urban park. Package deals are available for museum entrances, and can include the San Diego Zoo, at the north end of the park, as well.

Description:

The world-renowned San Diego Zoo is only one part of this magnificent 1,200-acre city park that was built for the 1915-1916 Panama-California Expo. California's Hispanic roots were celebrated as the city erected breathtakingly ornate Spanish-style buildings, which were eventually permanently restored. So much more than just an urban park, it is home to the zoo, 14 museums, a pipe organ pavilion, botanical gardens, international cultural centers, theaters and performance venues, an antique carousel, off leash dog parks, sports fields, hiking trails, a tennis center, municipal pool, and a miniature-scale train. The December Nights Celebration is held the first weekend of December annually and this popular event is an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy pageants, plays, food and music all in the tradition of the Christmas holidays.

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This company is located at upscale Loew's Coronado Bay Resort, and cruises the quiet Coronado Cays in classic Venetian style. Your romantic glide begins with complimentary hors d'oeuvres or dessert plate and includes blanket and ice bucket for your choice of beverage. A Sunday Brunch cruise includes mimosas on board after brunch at the Market Cafe. Reservations are suggested two to three weeks ahead.

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Built in 1888, this world-famous all-wood Victorian beauty is worth a visit from all San Diego tourists. It was here, at this oceanfront resort in the quaint village of Coronado, that Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmmon filmed " Some Like It Hot" in 1958, and the"Del" has continued to attract a stellar clientele. Each room n the original building is unique and all are breathtakingly well appointed with antique furniture. Fine dining includes the historic and much celebrated Crown Room, as well as 2 other restaurants. There is sometimes dancing at the hotel on weekends. A stroll along it's beachfront walkway is always enjoyable, but especially so at sunset. During the Holiday season, this grand duchess is decorated in lights and an ice-skating rink provides great family entertainment. Popular with presidents, royalty and movie stars, rumor claims The "Del" is a favorite with ghosts, as well.

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Located on the sandspit that forms the outer edge of San Diego Bay between Coronado and Imperial Beach, Silver Strand has 2 1/2 miles of ocean beach and a 1/2 mile on the bay. The name comes from the silvery seashells found on the park's seaward side. Grunions spawn in the summer, the Pismo clam is common, and beachcombing is good for finding horn shells, moonsnails, cockleshells and an occasional sand dollar. Occasionally porpoises and the migrating gray whale can be seen from the beach.

The park is popular for swimming and the beach features a picnic area. Beachcombing is also good for finding horn shells, moonsnails, cockleshells and an occasional sand dollar.

The beach is 4.5 miles south of Coronado on Highway 75.

Description:

From Imperial Beach city limit to Avenida Del Sol in the city of Coronado and Coronado Bridge, this scenic route runs along the world famous Silver Strand. To the west are occasional glimpses of the Pacific Ocean and to the east across the bay is the skyline of the city of San Diego. At the north end of the route is the famous old Hotel Coronado, once a famous resort for the wealthy.

The $48 million San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, opened in 1969, is considered one of the most aesthetically beautiful spans in the world. The giant bright blue arc of concrete and steel more than 2.2 miles long embodies refreshing new concepts in bridge design. The span was painted a brilliant blue to blend with sky and sea.

A specially designed three-foot high railing on the nonsuspension span permits a 360-degree panoramic view of the area without sacrificing safety.

As travelers reach the bridge's highest point, 246 feet above the bay, they command a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean and Coronado, a resort and Naval community formerly accessible only by ferry or by auto trip around the bay and up the Silver Strand Highway.

Points of interest along the route include:Chula Vista Nature Center - a living museum open to the public and is part of the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Tours and nature walks are just a part of the activities to be found here,.Silver Strand State Beach - which offers a wide variety of recreation from camping and fishing to water-skiing and surfing, and the Tijuana River national Wildlife Refuge..The highway begins in San Diego at the junction of Interstate 5 and State Route 75. Follow Route 75 across the Coronado Bridge and after, as it curves to the south. The scenic highway ends just before Imperial Beach, but Route 75 curves to meet again with Interstate 5.

Our Local Expert Says:

The zoo isn't just for the kids - home to some of the most engaged species in the world, the San Diego World Famous Zoo is always welcoming new guests into its home!

Description:

This world-famous establishment is clearly no ordinary zoo. Walk or ride a double-decker bus throughout this expansive park, home to over 4,000 rare and exotic animals exhibited in beautiful garden habitats. More than a park, this zoo is a major research facility although it is cleverly disguised with entertaining shows and inspiring exhibits like Polar Bear Plunge and Hippo Beach. General Admission required.

Description:

Cabrillo National Monument sits high on the cliffs at the tip of Point Loma, and commands one of the most impressive views in all of San Diego of both the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay. It commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to set foot on what later became the west coast of the United States, at San Diego Bay in 1542 . Highlights of the monument include the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, Fort Rosecrans coastal defense remains, a coastal sage scrub ecosystem and the Cabrillo Tidepools.

The glass enclosed Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at this site offers a spectacular view of San Diego Bay, surrounding mountain ranges, as well as Tijuana and the Islas Coronados, Mexico. During the spring and fall migrations, several vantage points along the western portion of the monument provide excellent viewing of the gray whales passing through the area. The facility offers various programs and a small museum about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, audio stations in six languages. The facilities are fully accessible.

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The Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center provides panoramic views of the San Diego Harbor, as well as a plethora of information about the landscape. Within the visitor center you will find exhibits and a film about the natural and cultural history of Point Loma. A bookstore provides visitors with additional information about the region. The site is open daily.

Description:

Tecolote Canyon's 6.5 miles of trails are excellent for walking, jogging, hiking or mountainbiking. It is relatively narrow and steep sided, with homes and other buildings perched above on its rims. It runs north-south, with it's mouth at the southern end, in the Bay Park area of San Diego, just east of the Tecolote Rd. exit on I-5. This is where you'll find the Nature Center, with it's natural history exhibits and information about the Kumeyaay tribe that long ago called the canyon home, and the wildlife that still does. "Tecolote" means owl and several varieties can be found here. There are weekend ranger-led hikes and birdwalks most weekends. The southern end of the canyon is the most easily accessible, with a mostly flat, well maintained trail f(there are some hills after the first mile). Accessing the northern end of the canyon, which is the most scenic with riparian woodland as well as ccoastal scrublan, involves descending a somewhat steep trail to the canyon floor. This is most easily done at the North Clairremont community park at Bannock and Gennessee Aves. Directions: From I-5 take Sea world Drive/Tecolote R. Exit east. Go about 3/4 mile. Tecolote Rd. ends at the.parking area for the park.

Our Local Expert Says:

Locally hailed as the "booze cruise," this trip is fun for large groups and special occasions

Description:

Whether you stay at the Bahia Resort Hotel or not, you are welcome to come aboard its restored "turn-of-the-century" styled stern-wheeler boat for a starlight cruise of the bay. The moonlight, music and wine cruise is a very intoxicating way to experience the ambience of Mission Bay, especially for a romantic evening. If you enjoy music, jazz cruises run every Friday night. After 9:30pm, guests must be 21 or older. Admission required.

Our Local Expert Says:

Sunset Cliffs Park, at the southern end of Sunset Cliffs Drive provides walking trails and a good place for dog exercise

Description:

Sunset Cliffs might be a familiar name to many locals, but the real beaches and cliffs of the area are found by only a select few. Natives can often be seen walking to and from the boardwalk lined streets of Ocean Beach, crossing over cliffs of all shapes and sizes in order to find the perfect beach spot. Lined by some of the area's greatest views, this area in Ocean Beach is spread out for many and showcases some of the real beauty of the area. Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch on the grassy knolls that float atop some of the higher spots, or creep down into the secret beach alcoves where only a sprinkling of natives call home. Ocean Beach's Sunset Cliffs are a place to visit when the weather is fine and you're feeling a bit adventurous.

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This should be your first stop when planning to spend any time in the Mission Bay area. Here, you will find water regulations for Mission Bay Park, a self-guided tour map, and a small gift shop. Of course, information about all city accommodations, dining and attractions is available here, as well as discount coupons. If you have any questions or concerns about the area, you should bring them here to be answered.

Description:

Point Loma was selected by the U.S. Coastal Survey in 1851 as the site for the lighthouse, which would guide vessels into the San Diego harbor. In 1854 construction on the simple Georgian-style lighthouse was completed. The Fresnel lens was installed a year later and lit on November 15, 1855.

The point on which the light stands rises 422 feet above sea level. In clear weather the light could be seen by sailors 39 miles out from the point. Unfortunately, fog and low clouds obscured the light and therefore it's commission was brief. The flame was extinguished in 1891 when a new light station opened closer to sea level on the same point.

The lighthouse is open to the public on a daily basis for self-guided tours. Inside visitors can view the furnishings and material objects, in addition to the views, appropriate to the period when the house was occupied by the keeper and his family. Outside the house are interpretive panels that describe the house, it's use and the ecology of the point.

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The Bayside Trail covers two miles along the eastern side of Cabrillo National Monument, along San Diego Bay. Starting at the parking lot by the Visitor's Center, the mostly paved trail passes the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, where interpretive panels tell visitors about the light's history. Descending through areas of coastal scrub toward the tip of Point Loma, the trail leads toward the ruins of the U.S. military defense system which was active during World Wars I and II and follows an abandoned Army road through the monument.

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Relax and enjoy the panoramic view of San Diego Bay while lounging on the observation deck. During the one-hour cruise, well-trained guides point out areas of interest like the Coronado Bridge, U.S. Naval vessels, the world-famous Hotel del Coronado and the Star of India. On the two-hour cruise you may also see Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma and the U.S. Naval Fleet. Whale-watching adventures are offered mid-December through March.

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Elegant horse-drawn open carriages clip-clop their way through a leisurely tour of downtown San Diego. See the waterfront, historic buildings and the Gaslamp Quarter in sunlight or moonlight. In addition to the traditional tours, the carriages are available for private parties and weddings. Reservations are suggested for specific times, but walk-ups can be accommodated. Carriage rides can accommodate up to four people.

Our Local Expert Says:

Many people listen to the concerts on the Embarcadero for free by sitting at various locations outside the gates, such as on the pier or under the trees on the lawns near the ticket ticket boot. The sound is excellent, although you won't have much of a view!

Description:

The two parks are by the marina and are often used by local fisherman, picnicing families, and tourists alike. The San Diego Sympony Pops and other outdoor concerts are often held here in summer. The Embarcadero 'Marina' Park Pier or South Embarcadero Park Pier is located over the bay's mud bottom which makes it ideal for fishing because of the underlying eel grass. Good angling can also be had close to the shoreline rocks. Restrooms are adjacent to the pier. Metered parking, a picnic area, and basketball courts are near-by in the park. Handicapped parking and restrooms are also available.

Our Local Expert Says:

Parking is a real challenge in Little Italy, as it has become a popular residential district with a plethora of new condominiums and trendy restaurants and shops. Be sure not to let your parking meter expire--tickets are $4!

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Just outside of Gaslamp, San Diego welcomes some of the most distinctive and delicious culture in the area - Italy. Though the strip downtown is small, Little Italy's street sign is flavored with just the right amount of garlic, Italian music and festivals that make any visit fell like you're away from home. Little Italy houses some of the area's finest Italian restaurants, but additionally you will find one of a kind art galleries, fountains reminiscent of the Tuscany countryside and holiday festivals that welcome all. The district is extremely small, lining over a few city streets in the heart of downtown San Diego, but it makes up for its small figures with extremely wide taste and heart.

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Fun for adults and kids, this museum-on-water is the focal point of San Diego's historic Embarcadero Promenade. Comprised of several painstakingly restored historic ships, it is a tribute to the sea-faring age. One of the ships showcased here is the Star of India (1863), a stunning vision that graces the coastline as the world's oldest actively-sailed, square-rigged ship. Admission required.

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This historic venue was built in 1912 and since then has been host to a variety of shows including plays, musicals, comedy shows and concerts.

Our Local Expert Says:

During the summer months, a film series is held on the Star of India's decks, as are sea shanty concerts. These can often be enjoyed from the Embarcadero walkway right outside the ship.

Description:

Part of the San Diego Maritime Museum, this iron-hulled ship once sailed around the world. Now, a highly trained volunteer crew takes her out for a sail on special occasions, usually once a year. The barque-rigged ship is magnificent with sails furled: when at dock she can be toured and is surprisingly large inside.

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This house is one of a select few authenticated by the United States Department of Commerce as being haunted. Thomas Whaley, a New York entrepreneur who came to California during the Gold Rush, built the two-story brick home in 1856 in order to provide East-coast civility for his wife. Used as the county courthouse and government seat during the 1870s, artifacts and period furnishings remain intact. Apparently, so has the ghost. See website for more on the history of Whaley and his house, as well as group tour info, and special event announcements.

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This friendly company offers informative tours that cover the highlights of such San Diego landmarks as Coronado, La Jolla and Tijuana. Tours are small, personalized and professionally narrated. Tours for large groups can be arranged as well. Pick-up is free from most local hotels. Guests are advised to call at least one day in advance for tour reservations.

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One of the best bargains in this city is the fare to hop aboard one of the bright red trolleys that can quickly whisk you away to major attractions. Stops include notable places such as the Convention Center, the Gaslamp District, Seaport Village, Horton Plaza, the Embarcadero and Old Town. You can even travel south all the way to the San Ysidro stop, where then you can easily walk across the border to Tijuana, Mexico. This route is particularly popular on Saturdays. Self-ticketing machines line the tracks at the major boarding stations. Be sure to read the directions carefully or purchase a ticket from one of the agents to avoid any confusion. Trolleys run every 15 minutes on most lines and every half-hour after 7p.

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Designed as an ersatz Cape Cod community, this choice, 14-acre bayfront outdoor mall provides an idyllic setting that visitors love. Many of the more than 50 shops are of the Southern California cutesy variety, but the atmosphere is pleasant, and there are a few gems. Favorites include the Tile Shop, featuring hand-painted tiles from Mexico and beyond; Best of San Diego, where you can stock up on all your city-themed souvenir needs; and the Upstart Crow bookshop and coffeehouse, with the Crow's Nest children's bookstore inside. Other stores specialize in Scandinavian items, hammocks, travel accessories, and more. There are four sit-down restaurants and a variety of sidewalk eateries, and live music is often scheduled for weekend afternoons; the carousel, with its hand-carved menagerie dating from 1895, is a popular draw with families. You get 2 hours of free parking with purchase ($3 per hour thereafter). Open daily 10am to 9pm; restaurants have extended hours.

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The city's latest cultural icon is the Museum of Contemporary Art's downtown space, opened in 2007 and known as the Jacobs and Copley Buildings. The annex is boldly grafted onto the end of the historic Santa Fe Depot, built in 1915; it transforms what had been the train station's baggage building into a state-of-the-art museum and educational facility. Designed by the architect responsible for the Warhol museum in Pittsburgh and the Museo Picasso in Málaga, Spain, the new wing provides an additional 30,000 feet of programming space. The expansion also features permanent, site-specific work by artists Richard Serra, Jenny Holzer, and others. Across the street at America Plaza are MCASD's original downtown galleries (MCASD's flagship museum is in La Jolla). Lectures and special events for adults and children are presented, and the first Thursday evening of every month is "TNT" (Thursday Night Thing), an engaging music and arts program that's part cocktail party, part concert, part gallery opening. Free tours are given every third Thursday at 6pm and weekends at 2pm. Depending on the exhibits, allow yourself an hour.

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History, food and fun are all within easy walking distance. Father Serra established the first mission here more than 225 years ago; Kit Carson helped to raise the first American flag in 1846. Now there are 37 restaurants and entertainment is abundant with artisans, dancers, galleries, hotels, mariachis, professional theatre and shops. Most restaurants and shops accept major credit cards. You can access this area from Interstate-5 by taking the Old Town Avenue exit, driving east and turning left on San Diego Avenue.

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High above Old Town, sits the Presidio. First built in 1769 by the Spanish Army as a fort, the Presidio lookout still provides a panoramic view of the city. The adjacent museum was built in 1929 revealing a fine example of Mission Revival-style architecture. Inside the museum you will find clothing, artifacts, furniture, tools and army artillery. Admission required.

Our Local Expert Says:

Padres games can also be enjoyed from Altitude Sky Bar, the rooftop bar at the Marriott Hotel across the street.

Description:

Home to the San Diego Padres, Gaslamp's PETCO Park is one of the most distinctive features in downtown San Diego. Concrete walls separate the rest of the city from it's major league baseball players, where every summer hundreds of fans from all over the country come out to show their support for the blue and gold (officially "sand"). Just outside the massive doors are some of Gaslamp's most lively bars and nightclubs, perfect for before or after game drinks, while inside fans nosh on Friar Franks, beer and peanuts. In true San Diego fashion, the cheap seats offer up families and big parties grass seats, while kayakers can often be spotted catching the wide screen from the adjacent ocean. 

Our Local Expert Says:

You can drive on the trolleys, so if you're heading downtown for a night out or over to Petco Park, be safe and drink on the trolley instead of drinking and driving.

Description:

These highly visible green and orange trolleys with well-informed tour guides provide an excellent first glance at the city. For one price, you can tour the city of San Diego with plenty of time to stop and visit attractions along the way. Board or disembark at any of the eight stops, and as long as you reboard at the same stop, you can continue along the full tour. Trolleys embark every 30 minutes for the two-hour tour that stops at such attractions as Horton Plaza, the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park.

Description:

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park recreates life in the Mexican and early American periods of 1821 to 1872. Five original adobes are part of the complex, which includes shops, restaurants and a museum. La Casa de Estudillo is a mansion built around a garden courtyard. La Casa de Machado y Stewart is full of artifacts that reflect ordinary life of the period. Other historic buildings include a schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, San Diego's first newspaper office, and a stable with a carriage collection. (San Diego became California's first Spanish settlement when a mission and fort were established in 1769.)

Recreation includes shops, restaurants and a museum.

The park is located on San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street in San Diego.

Our Local Expert Says:

This place is great for all kinds of music, and welcomes all types of people; it's even a great place to host some of your own events!

Description:

A popular chain of concert venues, House of Blues is no foreigner to regular concert-goers. The San Diego venue offers pretty much the same experience as other HOBs around the country, but word is that the sound quality excels. The likes of Jakob Dylan, The Greyboy Allstars, The Fab Four, Switchfoot, and De La Soul, have performed here. Running up to 15 shows a week sometimes, the venue has garnered sufficient attention in spite of being around for barely one year.

Description:

While visiting Old Town, be sure to take time to step into the past. Maintained by the San Diego County Department of Parks & Recreation, these stately Victorian homes were moved to this site during the '40s in order to protect them for generations to come. The area includes Senlis Cottage 1896, Sherman-Gilbert House 1887, Italiante Christian House 1889, Queen Anne McConaughy House 1887, Stick Eastlake Burton House 1887, Classic Revival Temple Beth Israel 1889, Classic revival and the oldest Jewish temple in the city.

Description:

San Diego's rich Genoese and Sicilian history is explored in a flavorful way on this guided tour through the Little Italy district. Guests enjoy an Italian lunch and dessert, hear about Little Italy during the Prohibition era and discover the miracle that named a Little Italy church. The leisurely-paced walk also shows Italian gardens and Sicilian bread-making. Reservations are required; tours are offered year-round on Saturdays only. Lunch is included in the admission price. Admission required. Cash or traveler's checks only.

Description:

Each Saturday you have the chance to take an inexpensive guided tour through the historic Gaslamp Quarter. This 16-block area has it all. Beautiful Victorian houses line some of the streets, and you can choose from more than 60 restaurants for a later lunch or dinner. Of course, at any hour of the day or night, the Gaslamp Quarter is available for self tours, an opportunity to see the melding of old and new San Diego downtown. But, this guided tour is recommended to fully appreciate the history of this downtown San Diego district. Admission required. Cash Only.

Description:

This is a fun "fright-seeing," nighttime trolley tour of famous and not-so-famous haunted spots in San Diego and Coronado Island. The tour includes the Gaslamp Quarter, the wild heart of turn-of-the-century San Diego, and Old Town, the even earlier heart of Spanish-era San Diego. The tour is presented in cooperation with the San Diego Historical Society, which maintains some of the buildings and places featured on the tour. It is approximately two hours long. Reservations and admission are required.

Our Local Expert Says:

You can spend the whole trip in the Gaslamp district - with Petco, tons of exciting restaurants, shopping and elegant hotels!

Description:

Vibrant, eclectic, and endlessly entertaining, the Gaslamp Quarter covers more than 16 city blocks of downtown San Diego in the area once infamously known as Stingaree, with hundreds of specialty shops and dozens of trendy restaurants, bars and avant-garde playhouses. Most of the shops keep late hours, so delightful shopping, drinking, and dining can occur virtually simultaneously. Cutting-edge women's fashions elbow up against exclusive art galleries, and once- run down-hotels have undergone multi-million dollar makeovers and found new and chic lives. The San Diego Convention Center is just steps away from the Gaslamp, and during major conventions the flow of souvenir-hunting attendees floods the area. For an upscale shopping mall experience, the adjacent Horton Plaza offers major department stores and a hundred or so mall shops set in an architecturally amusing maze of bridges, stairways, and intricately tiled walls. If you have just a few hours to devote to shopping - or San Diego itself - spend the time and the money here. Credit card acceptance varies by business.

Description:

Are your feet tired from the walking tours through San Diego's expansive Gaslamp Quarter? Kick off your shoes and enjoy a tour on wheels! Pedicabs (bicycle taxis) will take you on tours throughout Seaport Village, Horton Plaza, Gaslamp Quarter, and other downtown San Diego spots. These pedicab tours are ideal not only for tourists, but also for long time San Diego residents, who may simply want a romantic, leisurely ride along the Seaport Village waterfront. Tours last from half hour to one hour in length.

Description:

Home to the San Diego Symphony, the Copley Symphony Hall was organized thanks to a brilliantly large donation by Helen Copley, who gave the previously homeless San Diego orchestra a home. The high tech theater is made to silence the sounds from the outside, making any concert experience there a real treat. What is even more, the historic Copley Symphony Hall is the only San Diego building owned and operated by the musicians themselves - the San Diego Symphony. Designed in French Rococo / Spanish Colonial, the building remains a home to musicians and performers worldwide - with Broadway shows, family specialities and more.

Our Local Expert Says:

You can get a taste of Mexico shopping here, without having to cross the border!

Description:

Touristy as it may be, the Bazaar Del Mundo in Old Town holds quite the San Diego heritage, offering visitors insight into the city's vast Hispanic past. Streets are designed with an Old Spanish theme and shops are filled with knick-knacks and designs found only at the Bazaar, or else across the border. This area should mark a whole day of exploration, where shopping is just the beginning of this attraction - as festival events happens year-round, historic architecture offer world views and Mexican restaurants line every block. Lining just a few blocks in Old Town (from Taylor to Juan Streets), the Bazaar Del Mundo takes straight to another culture. Sizzle up your nightlife with bars that explode with margaritas and meringues with shops filled with guitars, ponchos, sombreros and more.

Description:

One of the best places to catch the fabled green flash at sunset is from the end of the 872 ft long wooden planked Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach. It's also a great spot to fish from or watch surfers master the waves of Pacific Beach. For the true vacation experience of the Pier, the Crystal Pier Hotel rents small Cape Cod-styled cottages for both long and short term stays.

Description:

Named after San Diego schoolteacher and chief landscape designer of world-famous Balboa Park, this 79-acre park offers grassy areas perfect for picnics, kite-flying, and lounging on a sunny day. Sixty acres have remained undeveloped offering a great opportunity for hikers to explore. Structured amenities include concrete picnic tables, BBQ area, playgrounds, restrooms, walking paths and plenty of parking lots. It is a great oasis of green wild plants in springtime.

Our Local Expert Says:

Mission Bay isn't just a place for college kids - with tons of fine restaurants, a boardwalk and "celebrities" it's a great place to relax, enjoy the beach and eat!

Description:

Near the manmade islands of Mission Bay, this beach runs along Mission Boulevard and boasts a fabulous boardwalk. One of the best places in San Diego to soak up the city's beach lifestyle, this is an unsurpassed area for people watching or building sandcastles. For a faster pace, rent a bike or in-line roller skates. Or better yet, take a ride on Belmont Park's world-famous wooden roller coaster. Whatever attraction you choose, be prepared for large crowds and limited parking. Dogs allowed on leashes before 9am and after 6pm.

Description:

A local radio show made this park's roller coaster world famous. Hoping to win a new car, the show's fans spent several consecutive hours riding the coaster. Do not miss it, but try not to get carried away as you ride one of the oldest all-wood coasters still in operation. For those not into thrills that include fast-paced turns and long free-falling drops, the ocean-front park also has an indoor swimming pool, a new wave-generation pool, and a family playland, along with several shops and restaurants. Admission and parking are free; ride ticket prices vary.

Description:

MCASD La Jolla has a permanent collection of more than 3,000 works from different genres created after the 50s. There are paintings, sculptures, works on paper, photography, video, film, and installation. MCASD is an established patron of the arts and has helped many artists achieve success. MCASD maintains an extensive collection of minimalist, pop, conceptual, installation, Latin American, and Californian art. MCASD's downtown San Diego location is also worth a stop.

Description:

This fragile environment is the home of our nation's rarest pine tree - Pinus torreyana. Once this tree covered a larger area. It now grows only here and on Santa Rosa Island off the coast near Santa Barbara. The park preserves not only the trees, but also the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California. The reserve features high broken cliffs and deep ravines on headlands overlooking the ocean. Hikers can follow trails through stands of wind-sculpted pines. A picturesque, pueblo-style structure that served as a restaurant when it was built in 1923 houses the visitor center, featuring interpretive displays. Picnicking and camping are prohibited in the reserve. The reserve's rich plant community features wildflowers in the spring and visitors can see the California quail gathered in coveys in the early mornings of fall and winter. Torrey Pines State Beach can also be reached by trail from the Reserve.

Hiking if available in the preserve, however, picnicking and camping are prohibited.

Torrey Pines State Reserve is located between La Jolla and Del Mar, California, north of San Diego. From Hwy. 5, exit on Carmel Valley Road and drive west for about 1.5 miles till you reach the Coast Highway 101. Turn left and proceed along the beach for about a mile. The park entrance is on your right just before the highway begins to climb the Torrey Pines grade.

Description:

This wide, sandy beach stretches 4 1/2 miles from Del Mar past Los Peñasquitos Lagoon to the based of sandstone cliffs at Torrey Pines Mesa. Red-hued bluffs and wet sand make strolling on the beach popular at low tide. A picnic area and parking lot are near the entrance on North Torrey Pines Road. The beach can also be reached by trail from the Torrey Pines State Reserve.

Swimming, surfing and fishing are popular, as well as, strolling along the beach at low tide.

The Beach is located one mile south of Del Mar on North Torrey Pines Road.

Description:

Covering 6000 acres of ocean bottom and tidelands, this is the most easily accessible snorkeling and diving area in San Diego. Close-to-shore kelp forests and 2 artificial reefs provide a playground teeming with all manner of marine life, from golden garabaldi to spotted leopard sharks. In 1981, the 533 acre Ecological Reserve, accessed at La Jolla Cove, was added to the park and is a popular family snorkling and swimming area.

Description:

Enjoy the fun this Mission Beach icon has been offering for decades. Fully renovated, but still clattering, this roller coaster, offering 2600 feet of thrills and 13 hills, was part of the original Belmont Amusement Park, built in 1925. Today, Belmont Park offers 12 other rides such as bumper cars, an edless wave for surfing fun, and a carousel, game arcades, and shops and restaurants.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Cardiff State Beach includes a great bike path, cliff hanging views and easy access to some of Cardiff's most chic restaurants

Description:

Located on the San Diego Coast, which has been called the Riviera of the West, Cardiff State Beach has a gently sloping sandy beach. The park lies within a two-mile stretch of state beaches between Solana Cliffs and a series of tidepools to the north. The facilities include a boardwalk, firepits, restrooms and cold showers.

This park is open for fishing, swimming, surfing, biking and boating. Beach combing is also a popular activity at Cardiff Beach. Lifeguards are normally on duty and visitors will be charged a day use fee to enter.

The beach is located slightly north of San Diego between Cardiff By the Sea and Solana Beach on California State Highway 21.

Description:

Located on the San Diego Coast, San Elijo State Beach offers swimming, surfing and picnicking. The narrow, bluff-backed stretch of sand has a nearby reef popular with snorkelers and divers.

San Elijo State Beach offers swimming, surfing and picnicking, as well as, snorkeling, diving and camping.

The beach extends along old Highway 101 (Route S21) 3/4 mile north from San Elijo Lagoon's entrance channel, near the community of Cardiff-by-the-Sea.

Description:

This San Diego beach features swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing and picnicking. The large blufftop campground is very popular, especially in summer. Stairs lead to the beach.

This San Diego beach features swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing and picnicking. The large blufftop campground is very popular, especially in summer. Stairs lead to the beach.
The beach is 3 miles south of Carlsbad on Carlsbad Boulevard.

Description:

San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park, east of Escondido, honors the soldiers who fought in the battle between the U.S. and California forces on December 6, 1846 in the midst of the Mexican-American War. Generals Stephen Kearny and Andres Pico both claimed victory. The battle was only one of the military encounters in California in the war, but it proved to be the bloodiest and most controversial as to the outcome. The park has been set aside, not as a monument to war, but as a reminder of the human ideals, actions and passions that can drive nations to bloodshed. The park lies in a peaceful valley. Its fifty acres are within the granite foothills of the Peninsular Range. The Visitor Center/Museum, designed to blend in with the environment and preserve native vegetation, is the focal point of the park with displays about the history of the site. Three exhibit areas show the different cultures and influences of the area -- Native American, California and American. A video relates the events of the Mexican-American War as a background to the battle. There is also an observation area with a view of the battlefield.

There is a hiking trail in the park which is designed to give visitors the opportunity to not only view the area of the battle but also experience the beauty of the San Pasqual plant community.
The park is located next to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, at 15808 San Pasqual Valley Road, 8 miles south of Escondido on Highway 78.

Description:

Animal lovers of all kinds will want to make the trek to this beautifully designed park and refuge for endangered species, including a renowned display of extremely rare California Condors. Thirty two miles north of downtown San Diego, you'll be transported to the wilds of Africa, Asia and Australia. Here at the park, more than 3,500 animals representing 260 species roam in habitats designed to simulate their natural environs. Ride the Wgasa Bush Line Railway for a five-mile, 55-minute guided tour or walk the trails that weave through the 1,800 acre park. Exceptional Botanic Gardens, gift shops, research information and restaurants can all be found here. Check out some gear for you or your own companion animals in the gift shop. Admission required.

Description:

This is how San Diego must have looked prior to the landing of the Spanish in 1542. Spread over 5,200 acres, over 40 miles of trails wend through a magnificent variety of habitats, including rugged hills, peacefull valleys, a lake, riparian woodlands,and some of the last remaining grasslands in the area. Found there are numerous bird species, including both golden and bald eagles, and wildlife such as coyotes, bobcats, foxes and possibly mountain lions. Cowles Mountains, at 1592 feet is the highest point in San Diego, and climbing it, or East or West Fortuna Mountains, affords spectacular 360 degree views from their peaks. Of historical significance is the remains of the Old Mission Dam, built on the San Diego River by Kumeyaay Indian slave labor to supply irrigation water to the Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first of the chain of missions established by Junípero Serra in California. Scattered throughout the park, close to the course of the river, are remnants of "morteros', or grinding rocks, where the Kumeyaay ground acorns into flour. Lake Murray, a reservoir with recreational opportunities is a part of Mission Trails Park and there is one campground near the Old Mission Dam area.. The visitor center, open daily, is architecturally outstanding, and worth a visit for the dramatic views. Guided hikes and interpretive programs are offered regularly.

Description:

The Sunrise National Scenic Byway is 24 miles long, and extends north from Interstate 8, one mile east of Pine Valley, to State Highway 79, near Julian. Travelers will find mountain and forest vistas, some spectacular panoramic views as well as trailheads for the Pacific Crest Trail and the Noble Canyon National Recreation Trail. The route provides access to Lagunita Mountain Recreation Area within the Cleveland National Forest. Here visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, scenic driving, photography, and nature study. When enough snow falls in the Lagunita Mountain Recreation Area, there are opportunities for cross-country skiing, sledding and other winter sports.

The Sunrise National Scenic Byway is known for it's recreational and scenic attractions.

This byway in eastern San Diego County is a mountain route along S1 from U.S. Highway 79 to Interstate 8. It is located between the Cuyamaca Reservoir and Laguna Junction.

Description:

This mission is an artifact of North American history. California's first church, it was founded in 1769 by Father Junipero Serra himself. In 1775, it was burned down by protesting Native Americans. Then after being subsequently rebuilt, it was once again severely damaged in 1803 by an earthquake. Guided tours are available and the mission frequently hosts events. Still an active Roman Catholic parish, it now sits in the midst of busy Mission Valley.

Description:

Spreading over 24,677 acres of land, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park features meadows, mountains and oak woodlands. More than half of the park is classified as "wilderness," meaning all vehicles, even bicycles, are prohibited. There are more than 100 miles of riding and hiking trails, including the Cuyamaca Peak Trail which climbs to the 6,512-foot summit with a spectacular view of the Pacific, Colorado Desert, Mexico, and the Salton Sea. The park has exhibits about Native Americans, gold mining and natural history. Fishing is seasonal.

Recreation in this park include hiking and horseback riding, however, because of its "wilderness" designation vehicles, even bicycles, are prohibited.

This park is located east of San Diego, on Highway 79, five miles north of Interstate 8.