San Diego provides a feast of fun attractions for visitors of all ages, including world-famous theme parks, 70 miles of unspoiled coastline, and a variety of diverse neighborhoods and historic sights that detail the city’s storied past. With its tepid year-round temperatures and clear skies, visitors often embrace recreational activities in the great outdoors. As California’s second largest city, San Diego is also an active metropolis filled with cultural landmarks.
SeaWorld San Diego
Set on nearly 200 acres, SeaWorld San Diego is a marine life theme park. Take in stage shows highlighting such sea life as dolphins, seals and the world-famous killer whale, Shamu. You can also view aquariums filled with colorful tropical fish and tour underwater shark-viewing tunnels. Fun can be found on the park’s roller coaster, motion simulator and whitewater rafting rides.
Belmont Park
Built in the early 1920s, Belmont Park is on the shores of Mission Beach. The amusement park has a number of activities to choose from, including carnival games, a miniature golf course and laser tag arena. If you’re feeling adventurous, ride the man-made wave machine or climb the 30-foot rock wall. Old-fashioned carnival rides include bumper cars, a carousel, tilt-a-whirl and a 1925 wooden roller coaster.
San Diego Zoo
The revered San Diego Zoo covers 100 acres and is home to 4,000 animals, including massive exhibits dedicated to elephants, giraffes and rare giant pandas. Tour the zoo on foot or aboard the 35-minute tram ride. Come face-to-face with animals in the petting zoo, or get a unique perspective of the zoo on the miniature train or aerial tramway.
Old Town
Step back in time in Old Town, a historic neighborhood that preserves its mid-1800s look, back when California was under Mexico’s rule. Nineteenth century adobe buildings that house one-of-a-kind boutique shops and lively Mexican restaurants line dirt roads. Mariachis and Mexican folk dancers frequently perform in public squares. Old Town Saturday Market is a massive weekly market showcasing local arts and crafts vendors.
Gaslamp Quarter
Covering 16 blocks in downtown San Diego, Gaslamp Quarter is a bustling neighborhood lined with Victorian buildings, old-fashioned lampposts, and more than 100 restaurants, bars and shops. The area has an active nightlife as well, particularly on weekends when crowds pour out of nightclubs filled with live music and dancing.
Petco Park
Cheer on the home team as you take in a baseball game at the San Diego Padres’ waterfront Petco Park. Bring a blanket and take in the game on the sprawling lawn behind the centerfield wall. The area also includes a miniature baseball diamond where kids can play during the game. You can stuff yourself on peanuts and hot dogs if you buy a ticket in the park’s all-you-can-eat section.
Seaport Village
Explore the waterside Seaport Village, home to colorful cottages that house more than 50 shops and 15 restaurants. Enjoy a stroll along the brick pathways and over bridge-covered ponds as you watch street performers, from jugglers to magicians, provide entertainment.
Coronado Beach
Across the harbor from downtown San Diego is Coronado Island, home to Coronado Beach. Although it measures just 1.5 miles, the Travel Channel named it one of the nation’s best beaches. You can spend your day surfing, boogie boarding and exploring tide pools, or let your dog roam free as he splashes about in the crashing waves on Dog Beach. During the winter, you can also go whale watching.
Balboa Park
Covering 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is dotted with ornate Spanish Colonial architecture, some of which house the park’s 15 museums. Spend the afternoon touring the San Diego Natural History Museum, which includes dinosaur fossils and short nature films screened at the 3D theater. You can also take in the distinguished Summer Shakespeare Festival at the park’s Old Globe Theater or tour the ground’s more than 15 gardens, including rose, Japanese and desert gardens.
La Jolla Cove
Twenty minutes north of downtown San Diego is the affluent community of La Jolla. There you’ll find La Jolla Cove, home to craggily cliffs, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and oceanfront caves and coves. Kayak or snorkel in the waters that are home to such colorful creatures as leopard sharks and garibaldi.
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