San
Diego
Surfers, Skin and
Sunsets! These
images go hand in hang with San Diego. Seventy miles of beaches are
open to exploration, and you can expect to see a collection of
surfers itching to win the man vs. ocean game, lots of bare skin
soaking up the suns rays, and soft kaleidoscope light from the ocean
setting sunsets. But San Diego is more than this. It is a town
immersed in history, culture and entertainment.
San Diego and its
surrounding areas
make it the 2nd largest city in California. It traces its
roots back as far as 20,000 years ago when tribes followed the
migration of the caribou, bison and mammoth and settled in the area. As
time went on they became known as the San Dieguito people. San
Diego is scattered with historical buildings, monuments, and
memorials to honor its rich history.
Hot City, Hot Spots
Among the more popular
attractions like
Sea World and the San Diego Zoo, you will see the history and culture
of the city weaved into modern day entertainment. The San Diego Zoo
is a prime example. It resides inside Balboa Park, which is filled
with activities and venues for every one. Take, for example, the
House of Pacific Relations International Cottages: 31 groups feature
music, dance, and food to promote an understanding of other cultures.
The Photographic Arts Building promotes the arts through photography
ranging from black and white, 3-D, digital and film making. The
Spanish Village Art Center houses 35 studios laid out in a Spaniard
town square setting. While there you can watch artists paint,
sculpt, carve wood, do glassblowing, create pottery and make jewelry
all before your eyes.
There is food and
entertainment
provided on the village’s patio. While you’re visiting Balboa
Park, stop in at the Museum of Natural History, the Aerospace Museum
and the Museum of Man. All of these will tantalize your desire for
knowledge. If you happen to be at the park on a Sunday, relax and
listen to a free concert on the largest outdoor pipe organ at The
Organ Pavilion.
At the Boardwalk
It would also be worth
any traveler’s
time to make a stop at Mission Beach. Known as The Boardwalk, it
stretches along two miles of boardwalk from the Mission Bay channel
to the north end of Pacific Beach filled full of shops and
restaurants. Belmont Park is housed inside with a premiere amusement
center with the historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. How much fun
do you think you could have on rides with names like Beach Blaster,
Chaos, FlowRider-the Endless Wave and Vertical Plunge?
Be sure to make it to
Mt. Soledad Park
to gaze out at the calming Pacific Ocean and watch the sun creep
beyond the horizon. As night falls, you will be amazed at how the
city of San Diego lays a blanket of sprawling lights across the
southland. This is where the locals head to watch the fireworks on
the 4th of July. Look east to see the 29 foot cross that
was erected in 1954. The cross was created to be the centerpiece of
a Korean War Memorial but has been caught up in legal red tape over
the ownership of the land.
Point Loma is home to
the Old Point
Loma Lighthouse. It is considered the most southwestern point in the
continental United States. In the winter you can watch the gray
whales as they make their yearly migration to the warm waters of
Mexico. During the summer, there are tide pools and crevices to
explore that are full of marine life.
San Diego is a
waterfront city full of
piers that offer adventure seekers a variety of activities. You can
look into harbor excursions that will give tours of the city from the
water. There is a passenger ferry that will take you over to
Coronado Island for an afternoon visit. The Maritime Museum of San
Diego is world renown for its collection of historic ships. It is
home to the oldest active ship – the Star of India.
There’s the 1898 steam ferry, Berkeley; a Royal Navy
frigate replica and others that you won’t want to miss. Across the
bay from San Diego, the United States Navy ports aircraft carriers
and fighter jets at the North Island Naval Air Station. The Navy
docks ships at Navy Pier and conducts free tours on the weekends.
A visit to San Diego
wouldn’t be
complete without a ride on the San Diego Trolley! It is the fifth
most-ridden trolley in the United States and will take you just about
anywhere you want to go in the city. This is the best mode of
transportation within the city and there are several sites that you
can only get to by trolley.
Gaslamp Quarters is a
historical
neighborhood filled with Victorian buildings and old fashioned gas
lamps that light your path down walkways filled with sidewalk cafes
and over 90 restaurants. Theatre, art galleries, coffeehouses and
rooftop lounges with oceanfront views beacon you to come in and
sample the diverse blend of culture and food. Events such as Cinco
De Mayo, the San Diego Film Festival, Monster Bash, Comic Con and the
KiFM Jazz Festival await your review in this bustling neighborhood
after dark.
Beyond the City
Lights
Outside the city, head
to the
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to see the Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves.
These are 22 mud caves that have recently been located and shared
with the public. With names such as Bat Cave, Blind Canyon Cave,
Footprint Cave, Plunge Pool Cave and Skylight Cave, you’ll find
yourself going deeper and deeper into the solid gray rock of the
desert. Don’t forget the flashlight!
The Julian Mining
District explores San
Diego’s gold rush days and takes you onto some forgotten mining
roads that lead to the remnants of the Washington and Roosevelt mines
There are numerous
hiking and biking
trails in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park located 50 miles east of San
Diego. The park was victim to the 2003 California wildfires but has
since rebounded into a flora of wildflowers and meadows dotted with
oaks and pines. There is plenty of camping, hiking, horseback
riding and biking in the 26,000 acre park.
Written
by Penny Smith
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