San Diego has got almost everything to match everyone’s taste be it Sea World or San Diego Zoo, La Jolla Cove or Point Loma. Speaking high of Spanish-mission style architecture, full-of-activity sea-life and adventurous sea beaches, this finest city of America is an all-inclusive tour package one can ask for. Studded with more than 50 tourist attractions, the place offers a tepid climate to travelers round the year. Here are some of the best Vacation spots in San Diego:
San Diego Zoo in South California is a must-see for all. Dappled with animals such as gorillas, tigers, sun bears, flamingos, mandrills, polar bears, giant tortoises and much more, the place is inevitably the urban paradise of all ages. San Diego Zoo is one of the country’s largest and most educational animal assemblages where you not only get amazed by the diversity of the animal-life but also get an opportunity to stay close with nature. Water-buffalos, Hogs, Pandas, Elephants etc. which make up for the African jungle crowd can also be seen here. Get your San Diego Zoo tickets now!
Sea World:
Be a part of the amazing Shamu Show and enjoy electrifying rides like Journey to Atlantis, Shipwreck Rapids and Wild Arctic. Jump into the world of turtles and learn through animal interaction that how they defend themselves from real-time threats in water-life. Get a chance to be close with bottlenose dolphins while you feed and touch them. Even you get to know where sea meets the sky with Blue Horizons spectacular dolphin show and experience the moment of a lifetime.
Coined as the Jewel of San Diego, La Jolla Cove is a city with world-class shopping destinations, super dining options, sparkling beaches and reefs. Studded with fun-filled sports, the place is the most desirable spot for snorkeling, kayaking and diving. Besides you also get to see the cute sea mammals gliding in the clear waters of the ocean. The place is home to places like Prospect Street, Girard Avenue and La Jolla Boulevard where you can get everything from boutiques to ice-cream parlors.
Pacific Beach is the favorite spot among youth and adults in San Diego. It offers a variety of things to do beyond the miles of sandy beaches, sleek modern hotels to funky beach bars and taco stands that welcome sandy toes, to fine dining establishments and sultry night clubs and much more.
P.B. (as the locals call it) is the iconic Southern California beach town. Visit the Tourmaline Surfing Park which is extremely popular as surfing-only beach. Then there is North Pacific Beach which is quiet and great for families. At Pacific Beach you will love to watch the sun set into the Pacific Ocean.
Just a few miles from San Diego Downtown you will find yourself on California’s popular vacation spot, Coronado Beach. The beach is a perfect amalgamation of glamour, laid-back culture and natural artistry. Be a part of famous water sports which includes fishing, snorkeling, boating, body-surfing and jet-skiing. Also get a chance to come terms with the beauty of glamorous mansions like Ocean Boulevard. Come and feel like a celebrity on this amazing beach.
Hotel Del Coronado:
Hotel del Coronado (also known as The Del and Hotel Del) is a beachfront luxury hotel in the city of Coronado, just across the San Diego Bay from San Diego. Rated one of the top 10 hotels in the world by USA Today, The Del continues to maintain its rich history while also offering contemporary conveniences such as unique beachfront dining experiences, an award-winning spa, upscale shopping, a variety of recreational activities and the luxurious cottages and villas at Beach Village. The hotel’s spectacular setting, impeccable service and award-winning cuisine also makes it the perfect setting for a fairytale wedding. Today, guests visit the resort for family vacations, to celebrate a special occasion, have their storybook wedding, host a meeting or conference, or just spend the day. Today, the resort has become a living legend, visited by celebrities, dignitaries and U.S. presidents.
Explore the beauty of the Hotel del Coronado during Holidays and Make memories that will last a lifetime by celebrating the holidays in a very magical way and enjoying special events at the Hotel del Coronado. On Christmas Day, the oceanfront Ballroom and the magnificent Crown Room will feature traditional holiday buffet dinners decked with all the trimmings.
Torrey Pines:
Take an exciting hiking tour of Torrey Pines State Reserve, with two thousand acres of land untouched. With the chaparral plant community, the rare Torrey Pines trees, miles of unspoiled beaches, and a lagoon that is vital to migrating seabirds, this Reserve offers awe-inspiring views and over eight miles of trails. The reserve is bordered immediately on the south side by the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course, on the north by the city of Del Mar, on the west by the Pacific Ocean, and by the Pacific Coast Highway to the east.
Mission Beach is a perfect blend of traditional old village life & the new-fangled modernistic approach. Enjoy the sun-tanning on this wonderful beach which continues to mesmerize the tourists for over 100 years without losing its old charm. A long walk along the relaxed beach with street performers adding to the liveliness of the place is something that you can’t afford to miss. Even you can shop souvenirs, jewelry and handicrafts made out of sea stuff.
Belmont Park is another park of San Diego which has preserved its old culture and but has always welcomed modern concept. Thus along with traditional aura, the place also offers the thrill and adventure of new rides and attractions. While you enjoy electrifying music and power-packed rides at theme parks, the beach offers you a relaxed walk on the smooth sands. Giant Dipper roller coaster and the Plunge swimming pools are the two major attractions which have been enticing visitors for years.
Legoland California:
Legoland California is the best place to stand around for kids. Kids who are looking for a combo of adventurous rides and breathtaking performances of popular click-and-build toy, Legoland California is the name for you. It also houses an amusement park, a hotel and a water park with lots of interactive games and other Lego creations. Get a chance to hail the ocean waves by LEGO pirate ship and stroll among life-like historical figures fabricated out of bricks.
Balboa Park is located in the heart of city and is undoubtedly a meeting place of San Diego’s culture and nature. Everything from gardens to world-famous zoos makes it a craze among locals as well as International tourists. The San Diego Museum of Art, the Air & Space Museum, the Natural History Museum and dozens of other names. Galleries and theaters also speak high of the Spanish Colonial-style buildings. Besides seeking a peaceful respite, travelers can also experience amazing performances such as Old Globe and other plays and musicals.
Gaslamp quarter being the heart of San Diego’s nightlife is a historic location in Downtown San Diego. You can enjoy Victorian architecture, shop at boutiques, art galleries and at specialty shops. Gaslamp is San Diego’s one of the most historic districts. Enjoy fine dining and entertainment too. You can also enjoy live music at one of local pubs, enjoy late night coffees and dance at one of the happening nightclubs.
Fun with the family continues as you are near to Petco Park to enjoy Baseball Live, explore educational and informational exhibitions at New Children’s Museum, and visit Seaport Village to explore 50-plus diverse shops, 17 unique eateries, outdoor entertainment and much more.
With so many artifacts and Spanish Colonial architecture to offer, San Diego Museum of Art is one of the largest and the oldest museums situated in Balboa Park. Witness the beautifully painted classics from renowned Spanish people like Murillo, Ribero and El Greco. Many other painters such as Italian and Asian also make up for the museum’s photography collection. Margaret Bourke-White and Henri Cartier-Bresson are two such popular names who speak high of the museum’s culture.
You cannot swim here but you can obviously enjoy the scenery of waves rolling on the cliffs and explore tidepools in the rocky reefs of San Diego Point Loma.
You can even enjoy the great surf breaks offered by point Loma or visit the old Cabrillo Lighthouse or Cabrillo National Monument. Enjoy fishing at Osprey Point and scuba diving in the kelp beds. If you are looking for some soothing moments, than you can definitely spend a day in Cabrillo National Movement. The historical monument offers spectacular whale watching experiences with amazing city views from the cliffs of Point Loma. Built in the name of Cabrillo, the first European who arrived on the West Coast of America, the place also hosts a week-long festival where his landing is depicted in an impressive way. Surrounded by National Park and the Point Loma lighthouse on the outskirts, Cabrillo National Movement is a complete entertainment solution for tourists.
San Diego Air and Space Museum:
Visit the San Diego Air and Space Museum and experience something never seen before. Let your imagination do all the talking with flying achiness in front of you as you take a superficial flight to moon. With over dozen aircrafts, get a better understanding of how these aircrafts helped military fight back. Get a chance to witness the legendary Golden Age of Flight and don’t miss the opportunity to find the difference between this and the modern carriers. Even GPS Satellite is put to public display.
Birch Aquarium:
Birch Aquarium offers an experience never seen before. It gives you a chance to unravel what lies beneath La Jolla Beach. It is simply not a large aquarium but houses marine life from over 60 different habitats round the world. What is amazing is that you can touch and feel them. Even you can gain as much knowledge as you can from this tourist attraction. Kelp Forest Dive Show and other things like feeding the animals will keep you engaged throughout the day.
Navy Pier:
If you are a fan of military in any way, visiting Navy Pier can be totally different experience for you. San Diego’s waterfront showcases the longest-serving military vessel, USS Midway. Not only do you get a chance to tour this magnificent Navy Ship but you can also delve into the complete military life with all the instruments and machinery used in World Wars put to display in Navy Pier. These Navy ships are not only old additions but even working vessels are also open to public for free guided tours.
USS Midway Museum:
A San Diego Landmark, USS Midway Museum captures the military life in the most meaningful way. Here you can taste the thrill, adventure and the hardships involved in the Navy life. With over 20 aircrafts put to public exposure, the museum shows the evolving era of warfare. Climb into the cockpit to experience what it feels like when it is taken to big heights. Even some flight simulators belted with real-time recordings from various U. S missions add to the real picture of what military people go through during battle.
