San Diego City

San Diego: A City That Has It All

by on March 7, 2013

From the warm weather to the beaches, San Diego city is the perfect getaway. The city is home to some of the most famous attractions in the world. And you won’t have a dull moment in this city. San Diego County has 18 incorporated cities and several other neighborhoods you could explore.  And if you enjoy meeting people, you’ve come to the right city. According to the U.S. Census, San Diego is the 8th largest city in the U.S. and the 2nd largest in California.  In this week’s article, we’ll venture to some of San Diego’s must-see cities and attractions.

Beach Communities

First we’ll start on the coast and slowly make our way around San Diego. A popular city that draws thousands of visitors and locals every year is La Jolla. This hilly community is known for its beautiful, tranquil beaches.  There’s also a popular golf course that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Torrey Pines Golf Course is known for hosting the PGA Tour of America every year. However, booking a tee time requires patience. The golf course does not take online reservations, so make sure you call in the morning. And if you want to play like the pros, expect to pay anywhere from $110 to $229.

The city also has great hiking trails that oversee the ocean. Torrey Pines State Reserve is open daily from 7:15 am until sunset. If you want to embrace Mother Nature, bring a lunch so you could eat at the beach.

If you drive 20 minutes north, you’ll run into Del Mar, a small beach town known for its racetrack and annual horse race.  Del Mar’s North Beach welcomes furry friends.

Further north from Del Mar is a great little town known as Solana Beach. This city sits on the coast of California. It’s a great city if you enjoy smaller crowds. However, getting to the beaches can be difficult since the staircases are right near the condos. Another great perk about this small town is the Amtrak Train Station, which takes you straight to downtown San Diego.

Explore San Diego

If you’re ready to leave the coast, head to Balboa Park where you’ll find several attractions and activities. If you love animals, make sure you visit the San Diego Zoo, one of the largest zoos in the world. Here you’ll find more than 3,000 animals, and you could even feed the giraffes. The park is open daily, but hours vary by season.

Balboa Park is also home to more than 15 museums, gardens and theaters. The cultural park also has a historic carousel your kids will enjoy. The carousel is open on the weekend and holidays days 11 am to 5 pm.

And it wouldn’t be a trip without visiting SeaWorld, just north of Balboa Park.  This theme park has more than just animals; it also offers rides, shows and exhibits. A few must see shows are “One Ocean” and “Shamu Rocks.”  The beautiful orcas make a big splash in front of visitors. However, make sure you arrive at least 30 minutes before the show starts to secure a seat. And don’t forget to catch the playful dolphins and sea lions performance. The theme park also offers a great deal on tickets. For the price of one ticket, you can enjoy 7 consecutive days exploring the park.

If you’re ready to explore the downtown area, head to the Gaslamp Quarter, a historic little town located in the heart of San Diego. This small town is packed with shopping, restaurants and several nightclubs. At night this little town becomes vibrant with the sound of music and rooftop bars.

Next week we’ll catch a boat ride and head to Catalina Island, so stay tuned!

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