San Diego Vacation
From LoveToKnow Travel
Those looking for a variety of outdoor activities, culture, good food, and beautiful, temperate weather should make their next vacation a San Diego vacation. This southern California metropolis, the second largest in California and the seventh largest in the U.S., is modern, sunny, and filled with activities for everyone in the family. Visit the pandas at the world-famous San Diego zoo. Explore Balboa Park and the wide range of museums located there. Learn about the region’s Mexican heritage and enjoy traditional Mexican food, crafts, and music in San Diego’s Old Town or travel south of the border to nearby Tijuana.
San Diego Zoo
One of the largest and most innovative zoos in the world, the San Diego Zoo sits on 100 acres in Balboa Park. It is the highlight of many a San Diego vacation and features a large aviary, large expanses of natural habitats, and the stars of the zoo, the giant pandas, particularly Su Lin born at the park in August of 2005. The zoo, established in 1915, is known for its African rain forest, large free-flying aviary, a frozen tundra polar bear exhibit, and Koala bears in their own Eucalyptus forest. Visitors to the zoo can take a wild African safari or even a hot air balloon ride over the animal exhibits. In December, the park transforms itself into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, visits with Santa, carolers, and up-close encounters with exotic animals.
Balboa Park: A San Diego Vacation Must
In addition to being home to the San Diego zoo, Balboa Park Balboa Park is a complex of gardens, museums, theaters, shops, and restaurants. Perched on a mesa high above the city, Balboa Park, founded in 1868, includes the San Diego Museum of Art, the Museum of Photographic Arts, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and its IMAX theater, and the Museum of Fine Art. Most of these buildings line El Prado, a wide promenade running the length of the park and are excellent examples of Spanish Revival architecture. Other highlights of the area is an authentic recreation of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, which houses the world’s largest pipe organ.
Coronado
Located just across from downtown San Diego, the city of Coronado is an exclusive enclave with beautiful white sand beaches, quiet streets, and luxury resorts. The narrow peninsula is home to the unique, red tile roofed Hotel Del Coronado, built in 1888 and featured in the film, “Some Like it Hot” with Marilyn Monroe as well as to the U S Naval Air Station. Visitors cross over to Coronado from downtown San Diego via the towering San Diego-Coronado Bridge or via ferry. Coronado has a village-like feel with quiet, tree-lined streets, stately old mansions, and 28 miles of beach.
Tijuana: A "South of the Border" San Diego Vacation
Located just 15 minutes south of downtown San Diego, Tijuana is Mexico’s fourth largest city and the gateway to the Baja Peninsula. Avenida Revolucion is the traditional tourist destination in Tijuana. It’s lined with Mexican restaurants, pasajes (shopping arcades), and bawdy bars. At the end of the street is the Palacio Fronton, a faux Moorish palace, fronted by an ornate fountain and home to fast-paced Jai aLai matches. Locals and tourists alike gamble on this noisy, mind-boggling game. Tourists can reach Tijuana by car or on the San Diego trolley, which departs regularly from downtown. Make sure to take your passport or certified copy of your birth certificate accompanied by a photo ID for entry into Mexico.
The Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter is a charming neighborhood within downtown San Diego and an essential part of any San Diego vacation. Named for the gas lamps that line the streets here, the quarter dates back to the 1890s. The sixteen-block area includes over one hundred restored original buildings that today house charming small hotels, restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, and vibrant nightspots and jazz clubs. San Diego’s new ball park, PETCO Park, is located just one block away as is the sparkling San Diego waterfront.
Other Places of Interest In and Near San Diego
Legoland
From the makers of the world-famous brightly-colored interlocking blocks ocmes the amusement park: Legoland. While this park is appropriate for all ages, younger children are more excited by many of the attractions; there are only a few big thrill rides.
Wild Animal Park
Operated by the same organization as the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park has hundreds of acres of preserve land for wild animals from around the world. You can walk to see smaller animals or take a tram through the plains of Asia and Africa to see hundreds of rare species. The park is committed to breeding and conservation and offers an enjoyable as well as educational experience for all ages. If you plan to visit both the Wild Animal Park and the Zoo, look for the two-park ticket package for money savings.
Sea World San Diego
No trip to San Diego would be complete without a day at Sea World. This park, owned by Anheuser Busch, combines rides and attractions with exciting sea animal shows, encounters and aquarium-style displays. The world-famous Shamu killer whale show is the highlight, but you can also see penguins, polar bears, an aqua-acrobat show, manatees, sea lions, otters, dolphins, octopi, ride a roller coaster or a river raft ride or pet rays and baby sharks. This is our second favorite family amusement park (Disneyland remains number one!).
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