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| The San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter |
The city of San Diego, historically the home of the Kumeyaay people, is the 8th largest city in the United States and the 2nd largest city of
California, located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California,
roughly 120 miles (193.1213 km) south of Los Angeles and proximately adjacent
to the Mexican border. The city of San Diego which is also the county seat of San
Diego County is known for its year-round mild climate, natural deep-water harbor,
beaches, and historically its long association with US Navy. Its main driver of
economic growth is the presence of military and defense-related activities, global
trade, manufacturing, and tourism.
Tourism
The heartbeat of every city lives in its downtown, and San Diego is no exception. Located only minutes from the airport, San Diego's thriving urban center offers an abundance of options for accommodations, activities, dining, and cultural attractions, all easily accessible by foot, bike, car, or public transportation. In the historic Gaslamp Quarter, where modern architecture and Victorian-age buildings stand side-by-side, you'll discover eclectic galleries, chic boutiques, trendy nightclubs, rooftop bars, gastropubs, craft beer haunts, and fine dining restaurants lining the streets.
During the day, families can enjoy compelling cultural attractions in San Diego's downtown, like The New Children's Museum, take in a baseball game at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, or catch the trolley to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. With plenty of places to eat, shop, and explore, families can enjoy a true California urban safari.
After dark, the city transforms into a sophisticated playground for adults. With an endless variety of posh nightclubs, sizzling music venues, and sky-high rooftop bars, there's plenty of ways to enjoy a memorable night on the town.
The waterfront Embarcadero (or "landing place" in Spanish) lines the western edge of downtown. Its boardwalk hugs the San Diego Bay, home to the cruise terminal, the Navy Pier, and Seaport Village. Climb aboard to explore the ships at the USS Midway Museum, the Star of India, or the Maritime Museum of San Diego. If a moving sea vessel is more your style, hop on a harbor cruise and explore the bay, while taking in the skyline views. For fun on land, head to the Headquarters at Seaport Village to grab a gourmet bite or browse for one-of-a-kind take-home treasures.
If you're looking for some authentic local flavor, immerse yourself in San Diego's Little Italy district, just north of downtown, where you can grab a slice of pizza or espresso and biscotti from a local café, or dine at one of the celebrity chef restaurants located on bustling Kettner Boulevard known as "Top Chef Alley." Just south of downtown sits the vibrant East Village, a revitalized warehouse district with a hip social scene, and trendy cafes, craft beer bars, and a high-energy vibe. East of downtown you'll find Barrio Logan, the epicenter of San Diego's Hispanic community, where art and food converge in a symphony of sights, sounds, and tastes. The colorful murals and outstanding fare are worth the trip
Activities
1. GoCar ToursGoCar is the world's first GPS-Guided Storytelling Car, nominated by TIME Magazine as "One of the Most Amazing Inventions of the Year". With GOCar you can roam the streets of San Diego and see all the sights that America's Finest City has to offer and learn the history and facts behind them without a guide book or map.
2. Speed Boat Adventures
Join a Speed Boat Adventure Tour, a guided-narrated
San Diego Harbor Tour and experienced an adventure of a lifetime. You will be
able to navigate and captain your own speedboat for the whole tour while
subsequently following trained and knowledgeable guides through witty, historical
narration is done through 2-way communication systems installed in each boat.
3. Offshore Blue Adventures
Experience San Diego whale watching
at its best! Everyone gets a front-row seat in fast expedition-style boats to
the whales. Join sunset tours of San Diego Bay for two hours especially during
summer and fall.
Top Attractions
1. Sea World San Diego
Embark on a journey to the ocean's surface at Sea World San Diego. Touch a dolphin’s fin, gaze down some giant sea creatures like whales
and sharks or connect with all the sea creatures. Encounter polar bears at
Wild Arctic Interaction and try some daring drop on the Journey to Atlantis
water coaster.
2. San
Diego Zoo
Mind you, this is no ordinary Zoo! It is a zoo like no
other. This is the world well-known zoo where you can stroll its vast expanse
or ride a double- deck bus throughout the zoo cum park. This zoo is home to
over 4,000 exotic and rare animals showed in beautiful, natural environments.
The San Diego Zoo is also a major research facility disguise with entertainment
shows and exhibits like the Polar Bear Plunge and the Hippo beach.
3.
The Balboa Park
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| Balboa Park, The cultural heart of San Diego |
The San Diego Zoo is
only a part of this magnificent 1,200 acres Balboa Park built for 1915-1916
Panama-California Expo. At the park, Spanish-styled buildings were erected in
honor of California's Hispanic roots, notably the California Building modeled
after a Spanish colonial church topped with a polychrome tiled dome. The Balboa
Park is filled with green space, beautiful landscapes, and cultural
establishments. You can’t help in admiring the wonderful displays of art pieces
found in the San Diego Natural History Museum.
If you are a fan of Rembrandt works then you have to visit the Timken
Museum of Art. You can know more about
the Apollo 9 spacecraft by going to the Air & Space Museum. People who love the theater would surely
regret it if they can’t visit the Old Globe. Balboa Park has truly the best
amazing places that can make your entire vacation exciting.
The park is also home to
14 museums, botanical gardens, a pipe organ pavilion, miniature-scale train, an
antique carousel and a Tony award theatre. One particular event that most
people got interested in is Balboa Park’s long-standing traditions of Christmas
on the Prado held every first weekend of December each year.
Top
Foods & Drinks
This is
one of the well-loved Italian restaurants in San Diego area because of its
highly celebrated pizza being served since 50 years ago. One has to pass
through the front of the restaurant where an Italian shop is selling canned
goods, olives, dried pasta, wines, and a deli selling Italian cheese and
sausages. The restaurant has all the classic lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs,
ravioli and more or paired it with imported and domestic wine and beer.
2.
Ponces Mexican Restaurant
This is a 1950’s era building recently renovated to accommodate more dramatic rust-colored walls were scores of patrons dine-in during the weekend particularly when an independent film is premiering at the Ken Cinema
directly across the street. This is a family-run restaurant that still
continues to serve unique, wholly Mexican menus such as fresh-made tortilla
chips in spicy salsa, a bowl of jalapenos, and mild carrots. Try handmade Chile
Rellenos for your entrée, it’s a good bet!
This authentic Italian restaurant is a family-owned and
runs restaurant specializing in homemade submarines, pasta, and pizza. If you are
salivating for Union Square pizza, some little Italian meatballs, and spaghetti,
this is it!
Getting
There
Airport – The San Diego International Airport is one of
the busiest single-runway airports in the USA, is also called Lindbergh
Field. This airport is at a short distance from the central district of San
Diego. It has three terminals with the
latest facilities and high-end security measures such as lounges, baggage
counters, and information screens. Flights in San Diego are available with all
leading airlines and are usually packed due to the availability of attractive
offers on airfare to San Diego.
Mass Transit – From San Diego airport, commuters do not have
any trouble because the airport has its own Shuttle buses, government-owned and
private for inter-terminal transportation. There is also public
transportation available to any part of San Diego including buses, Coaster and
Amtrak rail link. Tourists can also reserve private cars and limos from the
airport. Cabs are also readily available. Rates are base on the distance
covered.
Getting Around San Diego
San Diego has several networks of freeways and
highways, including Interstate 5, which runs to Tijuana in the south and to Los
Angeles in the north, Interstate 8, which runs to Imperial County in the east
and the Arizona corridor, Interstate 15, which runs through the Inland Empire
in the northeast to Las Vegas and Interstate 805, which splits at the junction
of I-5 near the Mexican border and reconnects i-5 at Sorrento Valley.
There are 965 vacation rentals in San Diego
starting at the US $70 per night.
