San Diego is Home to Unforgettable Vacation Sights and Attractions

It’s time to pack up the car or book your airline flights because San Diego’s white sand beaches, amazing attractions, and sunny weather are the perfect ingredients for a great vacation.

Whether you decide to explore Mission Bay or take a short drive north to La Jolla, the Jewel of San Diego, you have plenty of options to keep you entertained. Downtown San Diego, with its wonderful assortment of restaurants, nightclubs and boutiques is a huge draw, as are the more than 30 Museums in Balboa Park. Spend a day on Coronado Island, exploring its miles of beaches, unique shopping, and fine dining, or head just northwest of Downtown to explore Shelter Island – San Diego’s own Hawaiian Isle. North San Diego County not only features beautiful coastlines to explore, but is also home to some of San Diego’s most notable attractions, including the Wild Animal Park. Just outside of the city, lie several casinos for those inclined to try their luck!

San Diego is full of beauty and adventure. All that is missing is you.

San Diego Beaches
San Diego features some of the best beaches in the world. Sunny days and mild year-round weather make San Diego's beaches ideal for your vacation destination. Spend a lazy day in the sun or jump on a surfboard and head out into the blue Pacific Ocean. Some of the most popular beaches in San Diego include Coronado, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Shores,  Windansea Beach, La Jolla Children's pool, and Torrey Pines State Beach.

Golf
With over 90 courses throughout the San Diego region, many designed by leading golf course architects, you'll want to walk a few miles and enjoy the many settings offered in this California oasis. Year-round play awaits, all you have to do is choose the course.

Water Sport Activities
What better way to experience San Diego than from the water? Learn how to wakeboard or water ski on Mission Bay. Adventure Water Sports at The Dana on Mission Bay offers a wide variety of equipment rentals including jet skis, power boats, paddle boats, bikes water-skiing, wakeboarding, motor boat rides, Wave Runners, Aqua Cycles, kayaks and more.
www.adventurewatersports.com

Other popular activities in San Diego
Some of San Diego’s most spectacular sights can only be seen from the water!  From Kayaking tours of La Jolla’s Sea Caves, to Whale Watching Excursions by Kayak, to Snorkeling with the Leopard Sharks in the waters off La Jolla, to surfing lessons, Hike, Bike, & Kayak Sports offers an incredible variety of unique San Diego experiences!
http://www.hikebikekayak.com

Other popular pastimes include sailing, sports fishing, skydiving, parasailing, horseback riding, and hot air balloon rides. There is so much to do in San Diego, you'll want to visit again and again to experience it all.

Mission Bay – located 15 minutes Northwest of Downtown

Sea World
Located in Mission Bay, SeaWorld is home to Shamu, the killer whale. Spend your day experiencing thrilling rides, live animal shows, and tons of fun featuring aquatic life. There are plenty of family-friendly activities including rides at the Sesame Street Bay of Play and nighttime fireworks. Opening in May 2011 is SeaWorld's brand new Shamu show, One Ocean. Opening in summer 2011 is SeaWorld's brand new exhibit, Turtle Reef. Turtle Reef will feature more than 60 threatened or endangered sea turtles in a 300,000 gallon aquarium with underwater viewing.

www.seaworld.com

Purchase Tickets


(800) 25-SHAMU ((800) 257-4268)

Balboa Park’s Museums and Botanical Gardens

San Diego Zoo
Located in Balboa Park, the world famous San Diego Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world. This 100-acre zoo is home to a rare giant panda, gorillas, and polar bears. Take a guided tour or see the zoo from above in the Skyfari gondola. Exhibits have been created according to habitat so you can observe several species and native plants together.
www.sandiegozoo.org


Purchase Tickets


(619) 231-1515

Rueben H. Fleet Science Center/IMAX Theatre
The science center in Balboa Park offers seven galleries of fun, interactive exhibits, and a 23-passenger motion simulator. Experience Southern California's only IMAX® Dome Theater where you'll see amazing films and planetarium shows that will make you forget you’re sitting in a theater.
www.rhfleet.org
(619) 238-1233

Old Globe Theatre
Located in Balboa Park, the famous Old Globe Theatre features three venues offering Shakespeare and world-premiere productions throughout the year.
www.TheOldGlobe.org
(619) 23-GLOBE

Downtown San Diego

Gaslamp Quarter
The historic Gaslamp Quarter consists of 16-blocks around Fourth and Fifth Avenues where grand Victorian-era buildings still stand. Many of the city’s finest restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, and shops are located here. There’s an active nightlife in the Gaslamp Quarter and you’ll find yourself here enjoying an evening out at one of the many theaters, restaurants, or nightclubs.
www.gaslamp.org
(619) 233-5227

Seaport Village
Right on the waterfront in downtown San Diego, Seaport Village is one of the top tourist destinations in San Diego. The 14-acre center recreates the look of a century-old harbor village, with a quarter-mile boardwalk along San Diego Bay and meandering cobblestone paths bordered by ponds, lakes, fountains, and lush colorful landscaping. Shoppers enjoy 54 unique shops, 13 casual dining eateries, and 4 fine dining waterfront restaurants.
www.seaportvillage.com

USS Midway
Located on the waterfront of downtown San Diego, the retired aircraft carrier USS Midway offers self-guided tours daily. Along with videos, real Midway veterans, and docents, more than 60 exhibits tell the story of Midway. See restored aircraft onboard and try out the flight simulators.
www.midway.org
(619) 544-9600

Little Italy
Located in downtown San Diego, Little Italy sprang up around San Diego's thriving tuna fishing industry. Spend an afternoon strolling through this multi-generational neighborhood and after enjoying lunch at a patio cafe, peruse art galleries and shops, and finally relax in the lovely Amici Park.
www.littleitalysd.com

Hornblower Cruises
Located on the San Diego Harbor in Downtown San Diego, Hornblower features Nightly Dinner Cruises, Scenic Champagne Brunch Cruises, Sightseeing Harbor Cruises & Sea Lion Adventures. Plan for a Whale & Dolphin Watching Adventure seasonally.
www.hornblower.com
(888) 467-6256

San Diego Harbor Excursions
Located on the San Diego Harbor in Downtown San Diego, These harbor excursions tour the north and south bay. Enjoy dinner or brunch cruises, whale watching, nature cruises, private charters and more.
http://www.sdhe.com/
(619) 234-4111

Old Town San Diego
Just 5 minutes north of downtown, experience San Diego as it was in the beginning. Feel the Latin flavor as mariachis and dancers perform in the streets. Visit the historical sites that tell the story of the Europeans who came to California and started a town. Explore shops, restaurants, and museums.
www.oldtownsandiego.org

San Diego Old Town Trolley Sightseeing/Historic Tours
Enjoy the outdoors when you travel in the open-air Old Town Trolley. You can hop on and off as needed and visit several locations throughout the day.
www.trolleytours.com
(800) 868-7482

Coronado - 5 minutes from downtown

Coronado Island

Other activities include beach volleyball, tide pool exploration, and kite flying. There is also a bike path south of the Hotel Del Coronado. Additionally, in early winter, watch for migrating whales.

For some, the elegant Hotel Del Coronado— a cultural centerpiece of San Diego — is the primary reason for visiting the City of Coronado. But this tiny upscale island city, separated from downtown San Diego by bridge, also boasts flat sandy beaches, stately homes, boutiques, restaurants, and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego.
www.coronadovisitorcenter.com

Point Loma / Shelter Island  - 5 min from airport, and 10 minutes from Downtown

Conclude your day at Humphreys to take in one of the many world class concerts scheduled each season from April through October.  The options are endless.

Humphreys Concerts by the bay
The beautiful bayside setting is nestled between Humphreys Restaurant and Humphreys Half Moon Inn & Suites, overlooking the bay and private marina. Concert goers enjoy the tropical ambiance with soothing breezes, swaying palm trees and twinkling stars. This unique and intimate venue seats just 1,450 giving all guests the opportunity to see their favorite performers up close.

Running May through October since 1982, Humphreys Concerts has presented a wide variety of world renowned entertainers including Stevie Wonder, Ringo Starr, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Jackson Browne. Hosting approximately 60 evenings of entertainment each season, Humphreys covers the total spectrum of entertainment from rock and jazz to comedy and blues. .

For an enhanced night of entertainment, Dinner and Premium Packages are available. Dinner packages include dinner in Humphreys Restaurant before the show with preferred seating for the concert. Premium Packages include dinner in the restaurant and overnight accommodations at Humphreys Half Moon Inn & Suites along with seating in the first 4 rows, center section.

Come enjoy world-class entertainment San Diego-style at Humphreys Concerts by the bay!
www.humphreysconcerts.com

Sail San Diego 
Located at the Shelter Island Marina at the Best Western Island Palms Hotel, Sail San Diego offers both sailing lessons and mid day and Sunset sailing excursions on San Diego's Big Bay. They have a variety of vessels, including a 40’ Catalina. Perfect for family outings, up close whale watching excursions, or a romantic celebration.

http://sailsandiego.com

San Diego Sportfishing
With the Pacific Ocean as its front yard, San Diego is a sportfishing paradise. Most outfits offer half-day, three-quarter day, and full day trips in addition to multi-day excursions. Summer and fall fishing targets yellowtail, bass, barracuda, bonito and tuna; winter and spring fishing targets yellowtail, sand bass, rockfish, sheephead, sculpin, white sea bass and barracuda.
www.pointlomasportfishing.com/
http://www.hmlanding.com/

Cabrillo National Monument
Point Loma's own historical sight commemorating Cabrillo's 1542 exploration of the California coast. The Point Loma Lighthouse provides a spectacular view of the San Diego Harbor, the Pacific Ocean, and the winter Gray Whale migration. Enjoy hiking the Bayside Trail with fantastic views of San Diego Bay and the city. Or step into the tidepools and discover a wide variety of sea-life.
www.nps.gov

La Jolla - Just 15 minutes north of downtown San Diego

Torrey Pines Golf Course
Drive just 15 minutes north of downtown San Diego and you’ll find yourself at the Torrey Pines Golf Course atop towering cliffs with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. Torrey Pines’ two 18-hole golf courses are legendary among golfers and you won’t soon forget your experience here. www.torreypinesgolfcourse.com
(858) 452-3226

La Jolla Cove
Discover a protected marine sanctuary just perfect for a safe swimming and snorkeling experience. Located adjacent to La Jolla Village, the cove is sheltered by picturesque cliffs and offers amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. Part of the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve, La Jolla Cove has some of the clearest water of all of San Diego Beaches, making it ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling.

La Jolla Children’s Pool
Close to downtown La Jolla, the Children’s Pool is a small cove protected by a concrete breakwater. It was once a swimming area for children until the seals and sea lions took over. Now visitors can sunbathe and enjoy the added bonus of an ongoing marine mammal show courtesy of the seals and sea lions that play in and around the shore or at Seal Rock, their offshore reserve.

Torrey Pines State Beach
Torrey Pines offers a popular beach right off the highway, with lifeguards and bathrooms for beach activities. Or take the high road to the top of the beautiful sandstone cliffs to experience some of the finest hiking in San Diego County. Hiking Trails meander through the reserve’s Torrey Pines, wildflowers, and other native plants, and the panoramic ocean views cannot be beat! Three miles of beach make up the Torrey Pines State Beach. Stay to the north if you don’t want to run into the nudist beach to the south.

Scripps Birch Aquarium
Located on a coastal bluff overlooking La Jolla Shores beach and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Birch Aquarium at Scripps is renowned for its ocean views, both inside and out. Marvel at the dazzling marine life exhibits, from the amazing 70,000 gallon kelp tank to a shark reef to seahorses to corals. Make a visit to the country's largest Oceanographic Museum and enjoy San Diego's "best ocean views". Touch and learn about sea stars, hermit crabs and other ocean living creatures at one of three tide-pools. Family days featuring hands on programs for children. www.aquarium.ucsd.edu

Torrey Pines Glider Port
Located on the cliffs overlooking the majestic Pacific Ocean, the Torrey Pines Gliderport is home to hang gliding, paragliding, scale models, and sailplane flight. It provides quality instruction, certification, tandem flights, and fantastic year round flying conditions. Torrey Pines Gliderport is also home to the Cliff Hanger Cafe. Come enjoy a delicious sandwich while watching the gliders soar the site! Even the view of the Pacific Ocean is breathtaking!
http://flytorrey.com

San Diego North – located 30 to 60 minutes north of Downtown

San Diego Wild Animal Park
Located 50 minutes north of San Diego in Escondido, the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park is home to wild and endangered animals from all over the world. Let the Journey to Africa tram take you through expansive African exhibits. Free-range enclosures allow you to see cheetahs, antelopes, lions, giraffes, zebras, and rhinos in their natural habitat.
www.sandiegozoo.org


Purchase Tickets
(760) 747-8702

LEGOLAND California
Located 30 minutes north of San Diego in Carlsbad, LEGOLAND features rides and attractions for the Lego lover in us all. You can build with Legos, see models of famous landmarks built out of thousands of Legos, and play in themed areas such as Pirates, the Lost Kingdom, and Knights.
Call (760) 918-LEGO or visit www.LEGOLAND.com

Purchase Tickets

Carlsbad Flower Fields
For over sixty years, Mother Nature has transformed the rolling hills of North San Diego County into one of the most spectacular and coordinated displays of natural color and beauty anywhere in the world. The nearly fifty acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that make up The Flower Fields® at Carlsbad Ranch, in Carlsbad, California, are in a full bloom for approximately six to eight weeks each year - from early March through early May - literally bringing the famous fields back to life. This annual burst of color, which has become part of the area's local heritage, is also one of nature's official ways of announcing the arrival of spring in Southern California.
www.theflowerfields.com

Del Mar Horse Racing
Located 20 minutes north of downtown at the Del Mar Racetrack, the excitement of horse racing begins annually in July. The Friday concert series brings great live entertainment to the track. Other special events include Family Fun Day, Craft Microbrew Festival, and the Pacific Classic Racing Festival.
www.dmtc.com
(858) 755-1141

Other/Surrounding Areas:

Destination Temecula Wine Tours

A knowledgeable guide provides insight into the intriguing area history, and the tour includes wine tasting at three Temecula Wineries as well as an upscale picnic lunch served in an attractive vineyard setting.
www.destem.com

Anza Borrego State Park
Looking for something completely different? Head two hours east to the dramatic desert landscape and brilliant wildflowers of Anza Borrego State Park. Anzo Borrego is the largest state park in California with over 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and numerous hiking trails. Amid the untouched wilderness, guests encounter soothing warm desert breezes and a beautiful barren land teeming with wildlife like roadrunners, golden eagles, kit foxes, and bighorn sheep.

Sycuan Casino – located 30 minutes east of Downtown
Sycuan Casino features a wide variety of  games to choose from including 2,000 video & reel slots and video poker,  and 63 tables of action including Blackjack, Caribbean Stud, Sycuan-style craps and roulette, Pai Gow and much more.   Bingo players enjoy a massive bingo hall, including separate smoking and non-smoking rooms, and p players can enjoy smoke free action in San Diego's friendliest poker room.
www.sycuancasino.com

Barona Casino – located 30 minutes east of Downtown
Barona Casino boast’s that it is the loosest casino in San Diego, featuring 2,000 slots and 75 exciting table games. Whether you visit Barona Casino to play poker, enjoy casino restaurants, or try your luck at the loosest slots in San Diego, Barona is one of the best casinos San Diego has to offer.  The resort also is home to Barona Creek Golf Club, that features over 7,000 yards of immaculately manicured fairways and untamed and unforgiving roughs, placing it in the company of Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill. Players of all levels are challenged on this truly superlative course.
www.barona.com