March 31, 2012

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 beautifulcity 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.

March 27, 2012

Cabrillo National Monument

Located in San Diego California, the Cabrillo National Monument provides a historic lighthouse with plenty of activities. There are great views here as well, with tidepools, flora and fauna, whales to watch, and even military history.

The Monument offers hiking along designated trails, bicycling on paved roadways, and swimming within the park boundaries. Fishing is permitted here as well, with hook and line - although only one fish may be taken. When walking the trails and exploring, make sure to be on the lookout for cliff areas, as they can be very unstable.

A lot of visitors come to the National Monument to enjoy the breathtaking views of the San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Because of this very reason, the park has become of the best harbor views anywhere in California - or the world for that matter!

The tidepools are great to see here as well, although you should always be careful. Even though they are great to admire, the surface may be very slippery.

Anytime you are in the San Diego area, a trip to the Cabrillo National Monument is more than worth the time. You can walk the trails, have fun, or just enjoy the breathtaking views of San Diego that only the Cabrillo National Monument can provide you with.

March 24, 2012

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.

March 21, 2012

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

March 18, 2012

Old Town San Diego

The Old Town San Diego Park serves as a way to recreate life in both the early American and early Mexican era of 1821 - 1872. Perfectly situated in San Diego, the park helps to recreate what was once San Diego. No matter how you look at it, a trip to California isn't complete without a visit to the Old Town.

Around the five adobes of the main complex, there are shops, a museum, and several restaurants. Around the garden courtyard, the La Casa mansion helps to bring back a taste of the Old Town. Just a short hop from there, the museum is full of artifacts that help to reflect on the life that was once the Old Town.

The Old Town also has a blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, and several other historic buildings, including the first newspaper office in San Diego. This is truly a place to visit, especially for those who are wanting to learn more about the history of San Diego.

The city of San Diego was the first Spanish settlement in California. This occurred when a fort and mission were established in 1769. Back in 1769, California was just beginning to get established, therefore it wasn't near the state nor the size that it is today.

When visiting the Old Town Park, you should make sure to visit the Robinson-Rose House Visitor Center. This center is reconstructed now and displays a model of Old Town and the way it looked back in 1872. The model that is on display was created by Joseph Toigo.

The Old Town Park also offers exhibits of the way things used to be, programs, and even guided tours. You can get a personal tour of the park, with a guide who will show you around and even explain things to you.

During your visit to the park, you can also enjoy a picnic at one of the picnic areas or get something to eat from one of many vendors. There are supplies here as well, including restrooms.

Those living in San Diego can find the Old Town Park on San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street. Being close to the main city, visiting the Park is easier than you may think. If you live in the city but have never been to the park, you should stop by and take a look.

On a vacation or a visit from town, the Old Town San Diego helps to bring back a taste of the past. There is a lot to see here and a lot of historical value. All you need to do is stop by the park and see what you think about the way things used to be.

March 14, 2012

Things to Experience in San Diego

Visiting San Diego for the first time can be quite overwhelming, especially when you consider that there are so many things you can do. Deciding where to go and what to do can be quite time consuming, which is where we can help. Below, you'll find the 8 best spots in San Diego - things you simply must experience.

1. Hitting the beach.

No matter what season you visit, the beach is one area that personifies the entire San Diego lifestyle. Whether your watching the tide come in or soaking in the sun, the beach is where the action is. From Mission Beach to the Belmont Park rollercoaster - make sure you hit the beaches here.

2. Trying a fish taco.

Although it may sound a bit weird, the fish taco is one of the best foods in San Diego. Deep fried, battered fish encased in a corn tortilla is one of the foods that once you try it the first time - you'll crave anytime you come back!

3. Going to Mexico.

It's no secret that San Diego borders Mexico, with Tijuana being a metropolis in its own right. Visting Tijuana or Baja Mexico is perfectly safe day or night, no matter what you have heard. Keep in mind that they have their own laws, bring your passport, then enjoy everything that this foreign paradise will provide you with.

4. Take a ride on the trolley.

San Diego doesn't have the best public transit system, yet they do have the well known trolley. The highways here can be quite intimidating, making the trolley the ideal way to travel. If you want to learn more about the city, simply buy an all day trolley pass - you'll see more of San Diego this way than you ever thought possible.

5. Visiting the Pandas. While Sea World and Legoland has their share of animals, the

San Deigo zoo is no stranger to Pandas. The zoo is a tourist attraction, with the baby Su Lin, which is quite a feast for the eyes. When you visit the San Diego Zoo, visit in the morning - when the pandas are most active.

6. Balboa Park.

After you check out the pandas, take a trip to the jewel of the city - Balboa Park. The atmosphere is breathtaking here, no matter when you visit. If you visit on Tuesdays however; you'll find that most museums have free admission. After you visit a while, dine at the Prado Restauraunt and experience great food in a great setting.

7. Gaslamp and the nightlife.

The Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego is the place to be for dancing, eating, or just people watching. You can experience the best of life in San Diego here, with food to fit every taste.

8. The Old Town.

While historical San Diego isn't always apparent, a visit to the Old Town State Historic Park can bring back the past. There are snippets of Old San Diego found everywhere you look here. Although there are many fine restaurants here, make sure you visit the Old Town Mexican Cafe, as it serves the best Mexican food around San Diego.

March 10, 2012

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.


March 1, 2012

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.