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San Diego Attractions
Sure, you'll want to see a few sights while you're here, but don't forget to include these experiences on your to-do list.
Hop aboard the San Diego-Coronado Ferry for a scenic 15-minute ride to Coronado, the peninsula separating San Diego Bay from the Pacific Ocean. If you'd rather drive there, the San Diego-Coronado Bridge stretches more than 2 miles across the bay and soars 200 feet into the air, providing you with a wonderful vantage point from which to survey the city, the bay and Coronado.
Once in Coronado, drink a toast to Victorian opulence at the "Del," the grand Hotel del Coronado, a San Diego landmark since 1888. Beneath its distinctive red, peaked roof are almost a dozen restaurants, cafes and bars, making this historic beach resort a perfect spot for an elegant repast or a beachside cocktail.
Take in the spectacular views from Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma. The monument commemorating Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's 1543 exploration of the area is an interesting historical backdrop to the panoramic views of San Diego that are the real draw. Gray whales migrating offshore lure crowds of watchers to the monument and nearby Sunset Cliffs in winter.
Peer into tidal pools at La Jolla Cove where crabs, snails and other sea creatures dwell. A sand beach nestles between picturesque sandstone cliffs, and the cove's clear water is famous among snorkelers and scuba divers.
Wander alonginterst the Embarcadero, downtown San Diego's waterfront, a celebration of all things quaint and nautical and home to many of the city's best seafood restaurants. Just an oyster shell's throw away is Seaport Village, a shopping center disguised as a 19th-century California harbor town.
Rest up for an evening on the town in the historic Gaslamp Quarter, hub of San Diego's nightlife scene. Crowded with restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and boutiques, this 16-block vintage business district adjoins eye-catching Westfield Horton Plaza, the 5-story shopping and entertainment complex you can't miss thanks to its eye-catching jumble of balconies, stairs and walkways painted a spectrum of festive colors.
Climb aboard the San Diego Trolley's Blue Line and head for the border at San Ysidro where you're just a short walk and a taxi ride away from duty free shopping along Tijuana's Avenida Revolución. Whether you're searching for cheap souvenirs or imported goods from around the globe, you'll find them here and possibly at bargain prices. Added bonus: the vast majority of stores here accept U.S. dollars.
For a taste of Mexico closer at hand, stop by Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, a collection of structures--including seven original adobes--at the site of California's first permanent settlement. The flavor is decidedly Spanish and Mexican here, and a handful of Mexican-themed restaurants and shops will satisfy your craving for south-of-the-border cuisine, art objects and handicrafts.
Explore Balboa Park, the site near downtown where San Diego hosted two international expositions in the early 20th century. Balboa Park is like a theme park only the theme is Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture characterized by colonnades, red-tile roofs and elaborate plaster details adorning soaring entryways and towers. Within these lovely stucco buildings are more than a dozen museums, including the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Museum of Man and the Mingei International Museum.
Talk to the animals at the San Diego Zoo --if you are so inclined--but be forewarned that your vocal cords are in for a real workout. More than 4,000 animals crawl, gallop, slither, fly and swing from limb to limb at this world-class Balboa Park facility. Ride the double decker bus for a 40-minute zoo overview or, for a different kind of overview, ascend above the treetops aboard the Skyfari Aerial Tram.
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