San Diego Places of Interest
San Diego Zoo
Formed as a result of the abandonment of exotic animal exhibitions following the 1915 Panama-California Exhibition, the San Diego Zoo is one of the only primarily open-air exhibit zoos in the world. With more than 3,800 animals and 6,500 different species of plants across 100 acres of land, it attracts thousands of visitors every day. Open year-round, the San Diego Zoo is more than just a zoo; it serves as a major conservation and research center for endangered animals. One of the Zoo's most notable characteristics is its ability to recreate animals' habitats as close to their natural habitats as possible.
The panda exhibit is the Zoo's most popular exhibit; the zoo has had a love affair with giant pandas ever since the first pair of adorable black-and-white bears came to live in San Diego in the late 1980's. The Zoo currently houses four pandas with room for two more. Winding elevated viewing paths give visitors the opportunity to have a personal encounter with the pandas. A Panda Narrator is available daily to answer questions and provide more information about the giant bears.
In the Spring of 2005, John B. Kroc's Monkey Trails and Forest Tales opened as the largest and most complex animal habitat in Zoo history. Here visitors can wander through Asian and African forests while interacting with some of the world's most endangered wildlife. Other popular activities include the sky tram, baby animal nursery, children's petting zoo, and a three-mile guided bus tour.
The San Diego Zoo is open 365-days-a-year, but hours of operation change with the seasons. General admission is $21 for adults and $14 for children ages 3-11; group, theme, guided and VIP tours are also available.
Balboa Park
Built for the 1915-1916 Panama-California Expo, this 1,200-acre city park is recognized all over the world. Celebrating California's Hispanic roots with ornate Spanish-style architecture, the park is home to edifices like the California Building whose polychrome tile roof was designed after a Spanish Colonial Church. The Balboa Park buildings represent some of the first structures in the United States to be designed in the elaborately decorative and ornate style of the Spanish.
Culture abounds at this Park with a rotating calendar of exhibitions, plays, concerts, and classes. Balboa Park's Old Globe Theatre hosts as many as 14 performances a year on its three stages, making it San Diego's largest arts organization. The city's broad ethnic diversity is echoed in the Park's many institutions including the Centro Cultural de la Raza, the World Beat Center, the Museum of Man, the Japanese Friendship Garden, and the Mingei Museum of International Folk Art.
Located just minutes from downtown San Diego, approximately 14 million visitors make their way to Balboa Park every year to enjoy its famous zoo, 15 museums, antique carousel, Tony award winning theater, beautiful botanical gardens, pipe organ pavilion and miniature-scale train. For sports enthusiasts, Morley Field includes a bicycle track, a swimming pool, a disc golf course, and USTA awarded tennis courts. The Park also offers three leash-free dog parks, lawn bowling, a golf course, hiking trails and numerous picnic areas. With so many options, Balboa Park is sure to have more than enough to keep you busy!
The Park is open daily from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm with extended hours in the summer. Admission to the park and gardens is free, but admission to institutions and museums may vary depending upon museum and membership.
The Gaslamp Quarter
Named for its gas lamp lined streets, the Gaslamp Quarter is one of San Diego's most historic downtown neighborhoods. The 16 and one-half block area is lined with charming Victorian Era buildings, one-of-a-kind stores, and hundreds of places to eat. Nightlife in the Quarter is happening with 35 nightclubs offering live music including everything from salsa and merengue to rhythm and blues. The Quarter is also located only one block from PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres.
Coronado
Approximately 7.4 miles long, Coronado is a small town situated in the San Diego Bay. Referred to as "the Crown City," it is connected to the City of San Diego by the San Diego-Coronado Bridge and to Imperial Beach by State Highway 75. Coronado is full of character with unique shops, restaurants, boutique hotels, and three destination resorts. This waterside jewel is also a neighbor to the Coronado Naval Base which includes Naval Air Station North Island, the training camp for elite SEALS and home port for two aircraft carriers. Coronado's most famous asset is its award-winning beach, recently ranked second best beach in the country by the Travel Channel.
San Diego Entertainment
From museums to art festivals and live music, the San Diego entertainment scene is alive and anxiously awaiting your discovery. Whether exploring one of the many historic ships at the Maritime Museum, art gazing at Kettner Nights in Little Italy, or shopping Seaport Village's one-of-a-kind shops, San Diego promises to excite and captivate all who visit.
Croce's Restaurant & Jazz Bar
Located on the corner of Fifth & F Streets in Downtown San Diego, Croce's Restaurant & Jazz Bar has occupied the Gaslamp Quarter since before the Quarter became the chic and trendy hot spot that locals and tourists know it as today. In fact, it is one of the Gaslamp Quarter's longest-standing attractions. The restaurant was opened by Ingrid Croce in honor of her deceased husband and well-known musician, Jim Croce, who hit the charts with classics like Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown and Time in a Bottle.
Winner of the 2006 and 2007 Wine Spectator Award, as well as the 2005 Lamplighter Award for favorite live music venue, Croce's offers delicious contemporary American Cuisine, while keeping the spirit of Jim Croce alive with the sounds of live music every night. The Restaurant & Jazz Bar is open Monday through Friday from 5:30 pm to midnight and from 10:00 am to midnight on weekends. For more information: 619-233-4355
San Diego Natural History Museum
Dating back to 1874, the San Diego Society of Natural History is not only the oldest scientific institution in Southern California, but it is also the second oldest scientific institution west of the Mississippi. In 1992, the Museum board established a ten year plan with three major goals: establish a Biodiversity Research Center, create an Environmental Science Education Center, and complete a $38 million renovation to double the facility's size. All of three goals were accomplished in 2001.
With a new 90,000 square foot addition, the Museum welcomes hundreds of visitors every day. A Giant-Screen Theater allows guests to explore the geography of worlds from different time periods from Ancient Qumran to the Oceans of Baja, California. The Fossil Mysteries exhibition invites visitors to engage in the mystery of the dinosaurs that once inhabited the region of Southern California. The Museum also offers many temporary exhibits like the Contemporary Israeli Photography Exhibit that will be available from June 21, 2007 - January 1, 2008 and A Day in Pompeii that will be available from February 15, 2008 - June 15, 2008.
Currently, the Museum is hosting an impressive exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Spanning two floors and 12,000 square feet, the exhibit showcases 27 Dead Sea Scrolls, making it the largest, longest and most comprehensive exhibit of scrolls in the country. Exhibition highlights include ancient illuminated manuscripts from the National Library of Russia; a virtual reality tour of the archeological site of Qumran, authentic artifacts, the original excavation equipment used in the 1950s, and the manuscripts containing the text of the Ten Commandments.
The Museum is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.; the last tickets are sold at 4:15 pm everyday. The Dead Sea Scroll hours are Monday from 1:00 pm - 6:30 pm; Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 am - 6:30 pm; Friday from 10:00 am - 7:30 pm; and Saturday, Sunday and Holidays from 9:00 am - 8:30 pm. General Admission is $9 for Adults; $7 for Senior Citizens (62+); $6 for Active Military, Youth (13-17), and students with (ID); $4 for Children (3-12), and free for children under the age of 2. For more information: 619-232-3821
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Spend an afternoon at the San Diego Air & Space Museum and watch aviation history unfold before your eyes. Over 10,000 square feet of murals, painted by Mexican artist, Juan Larrinaga, adorn the Museum's walls, chronicling man's ideas and methods of transportation throughout history and providing insight into Larrinaga's view of what the future would hold when he painted the murals in 1930. Fascinating exhibits like the newest Women of Flight: Aerobatics Exhibit that remembers significant aerobatic women like Julie Clark and Patti Wagstaff attract visitors from all over the world.
The Museum also serves as home to exhibits like the model of the Montgolfier brothers' hot air balloon of 1783, which was the first vehicle flown by man recorded in history and the only International Aerospace Hall of Fame in the world. Through its many exhibitions, the Museum seeks to celebrate the history of flight through the conservation of noteworthy artifacts, the presentation of dynamic exhibits and the commemoration of the momentous figures in air and space history. The Museum also strives to provide the public with an understanding of the future social and historical implications of aerospace technology, while inspiring students to pursue life-long careers in support of aerospace advancement.
The Museum is open from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm with admission until 4:00 p.m. seven days a week. Hours are extended during summer months (Memorial Day through Labor Day) with admission from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm; the last tickets are sold at 5:00 pm. Tickets range in price from $3 to $15. Children under 5, Active Duty Military, and SDAM Members are free. The museum is also free the fourth Tuesday of every month to San Diego County residents, active duty military, and college students who have a valid San Diego County School ID. For more information: 619-234-8291
San Diego Restaurants
As cultures continue to mingle across San Diego and its surrounding areas, its unique and flavorful selection of cuisine grows more diverse. Delightfully warm days and refreshingly cool nights create the ideal setting for year-round outdoor dining. Sip cocktails while enjoying a romantic view from one of the city's many roof-top restaurants or get dolled-up for an elegant and sophisticated evening out at some of the best restaurants the West Coast has to offer.
Betrand at Mister A's
Located just minutes from Downtown, Betrand at Mr. A's offers an exceptional dining experience complimented by top-notch staff and spectacular views of the city. Gaze upon the glittering lights of the city's skyline at night; watch the sunset over San Diego Bay; or, look down upon the famous San Diego Zoo all while enjoying delicious Modern American Cuisine with French and Mediterranean influences. With mouth-watering menu selections like Lobster Bisque, Fresh Dungeness Crablump Cocktail, Duck Confit, Roasted Alaska Halibut, and Pan Seared Kobe Flat Iron Steak, it is easy to see why this elegant restaurant was received the 2007 San Diego Union Tribune Readers Poll award for Best Fine Dining Restaurant.
There are five different private dining areas available for reservation at Betrand at Mister A's including the Board Room, the Rotunda, the Park Banquet Area, the Downtown Area, and the Patio. The Board Room can accommodate up to 22 guests for a more intimate gathering while the Park Banquet Area can set up to 100 guests for a larger corporate or private gathering; all rooms afford incredible views of the city. With plenty of parking, a close proximity to the San Diego Convention Center, and a full-service banquet staff, Betrand at Mister A's is an ideal place to host your next meeting or event. For more information: 619-239-1377
George's at the Cove
This San Diego favorite has been recognized by notable critics such as Wine Spectator, Ranch & Coast Magazine, and Food & Wine Magazine. Soft Pale woods, frosted pastel candles, and a recycled aluminum wall give George's a modern, but inviting feel. George's at the Cove offers three unique oceanfront dining experiences: George's California Modern; George's Ocean Terrace; and George's Bar.
California Modern is George's newest addition, a $2.6 million renovation that opened in 2007. An upscale contemporary restaurant and bar with a sophisticated, but relaxed indoor environment, California Modern provides an exquisite menu prepared by award winning Chef, Trey Foshee. The Ocean Terrace offers a casual, open-air setting with inspiring views of the Pacific Ocean and serves everything from grilled fresh fish tacos to flat iron steak. With an outdoor balcony, as well as indoor seating, George's Bar is an ideal place to watch the sunset over La Jolla Cove while sipping a cocktail or enjoying lunch or dinner with friends or colleagues. Exceptional service and an impressive international wine list make for an unforgettable dining experience in any of George's three dining spaces. For more information: 858-454-4244
Mille Fleurs
The perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, Mille Fleurs, is a newly remolded, romantic French restaurant set off a windy road in Rancho Santa Fe. Glowing fireplaces, dark mahogany wood beams, walls adorned in a French country motif, and fresh flowers on every table create a warm and inviting setting that make guests feel more like they are at home than in a restaurant. Entrée selections include Maine Lobster on Israeli Couscous, Sauteed Veal Sweetbreads, Vegetable Ravioli with Cave Aged Gruyere, and Dover Sole and Salmon Soufflee to name just a few. Serving the city for over 20 years, this nationally acclaimed restaurant is widely known as one of the best restaurants in the Greater San Diego area.
Mille Fleurs is open for lunch Monday-Friday from 11:30 am - 1:45 pm and for dinner nightly starting at 6:00 pm. Enjoy the smooth sounds of piano jazz nightly Tuesday through Sunday from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.For more information: 858-756-3085
San Diego Nightlife
San Diego's nightlife is at its height with more hip bars, clubs and lounges than ever before. The city is famous for bringing in some of the world's best DJs and most beautiful people. While the San Diego club scene is undeniably jumping, the city's numerous bars offer more affordable and relaxed options for gallivanting around town. Looking to hang out with the high rollers in a more intimate setting? Grab a table and kick-back like royalty while enjoying VIP bottle service at one of San Diego's fine lounges.
Stingaree
Occupying a historic warehouse in the once forbidden Red Light district, Stingaree is a three-story multi-million dollar glass-encased restaurant, nightclub, and event center located on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Island Street. Highlights include a floor-to-ceiling waterfall, a sunken granite-top bar, catwalks, rooftop cabanas, a fire pit, and a VIP lounge. Lines often wind around the corner to enter this exclusive San Diego Hot Spot so unless you are on the list, plan to arrive before 10:00 pm to ensure entry; the cover charge is $20.
With over 22,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, Stingaree offers six venue selections under the umbrella of one roof. The state-of-the-art entertainment center boasts that it is the only venue in San Diego with a bar, banquet kitchens and bathrooms on every floor. Stingaree's on-site production team, photographer, entertainment and rental companies, as well as parking partners have come together to create a one-stop-shop to accommodate all of your event planning needs. For more information: 619-544-9500
Starlite Lounge
Formerly known as Six Degrees, Starlite Lounge is a posh restaurant and bar located in Little Italy. When guests arrive, they are greeted by Starlite's hexagonal, wooden-framed entrance stained in rich cherry. Comfortable perimeter booth seating, a massive polished steel pipe chandelier, 60's style wood-work, exposed beam ceilings, and a big sunken square bar create a funky and modern setting inside. Six Degrees is famous for its wide selection of hard-to-find alcohols and ever-changing menu; every visit to Starlite is guaranteed to be unique. For more information: 619-358-9766
Altitude
Located 20 floors up on the rooftop of the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter, Altitude is the place to mingle with the best of San Diego. Sip on a cocktail and be captivated by the city's magical skyline, while breathing fresh Pacific air and taking in a baseball game at Petco Park. Recently named as one of the 25 best bars in the world by Conde Nast Traveler, you won't want to miss this popular San Diego hot spot. For more information: 619-696-0234
Family Activities in San Diego
San Diego has all of the right ingredients for the perfect family vacation, weekend-trip, or afternoon adventure. The city's white sandy beaches, fun-filled amusement parks, myriad of museums, and dozens of public parks are just a few of the attractions that make San Diego such a family-friendly city.
LEGOLAND California
Welcomed by a 9-foot, bright red, LEGO dinosaur, LEGOLAND California invites visitors of all ages to explore their creative sides. This 128-acre park is a dedication to the LEGO art form, replicating seven regions of the United States constructed with 20 million LEGO bricks. Notable regions include
New York
New York Skyline, New York City, Florida, Washington, D.C.
Older kids will enjoy the Imagination Zone which features a LEGO TECHNIC coaster, while Fun Town is more suitable for younger kids with a biplane, captain LEGO boat, and even a pilot helicopter ride. LEGOLAND even has an area especially designed for toddlers; Explore Village has an interactive Playtown and Fairy Tale Brook boat ride, as well as a family-oriented theater experience. With more than 50 thrilling rides, shows and attractions, this one-of-a-kind amusement park has something to offer the entire family.
LEGOLAND is located about 30 miles north of San Diego on Carlsbad, straight up I-5. Adult one-day passes can be purchased for $57 and $44 for children or senior citizens. Two-day passes are also available for an increased fee. Any PAID ticket can be upgraded to a 2-day ticket for $12. Membership passes can be purchased for $106 and provide holders with unlimited access to the park for one year. Hours of operation vary by season. For more information: 760-918-5346
San Diego Sea World
Founded in 1964 by four UCLA graduates, the 22 acre marine park along Mission Bay drew more than 400,000 visitors in its first year. Here, park guests will have the opportunity to "Journey to Atlantis" on a water coaster that plunges eight stories down, a great way to cool off on a warm day. The entire family will enjoy the "SeaWorld Skyride," which glides slowly over the Park offering scenic views of the Mission Bay. Enjoy the sounds of a rock concert while watching a spectacular light show as Shamu performs tricks. Laugh until your stomach hurts at "Sea Lion Tonite," a comedy featuring sea lions Clyde and Seamore in variety show spoofing many of today's popular television shows. Interact with bottlenose dolphins at "Rock Point Preserve" and visit with penguins in a 25° snow-filled habitat at "Penguin Encounter." Visitors are even able to come face-to-face with hundreds of fascinating sharks; Shark Encounter is a 280,000-gallon attraction featuring a 57-foot walk-through acrylic tube. With numerous rides, shows, and attractions, visitors of all ages will find delight in San Diego's magical marine world.
The Park's hours of operation vary by season. Hours are often extended during holidays and summer (May through Labor Day). Admission for guests 10 years of age and up is $57 and for guests ages 3 through 9, it is $47. Park admission is free for children under the age of 2. Parking fees are based upon vehicle type: $10 for cars; $15 for RVs and campers; $6 for motorcycles; and, $15 for preferred. For more information: 619-226-3901
Recreation and Outdoors in San Diego
With an expansive coastline, majestic mountains, and mesmerizing deserts to explore, San Diego offers an abundance of destinations for those in active pursuit of the glorious outdoors. Get a taste of the healthy San Diego lifestyle by testing your surfing, hiking, biking, fishing or kayaking skills. Enjoy playing golf? From seaside to desert terrain, this city has golf courses suitable for golfers of all skill levels. Pros will take pleasure in the challenge of courses like Torrey Pines and Maderas, while amateurs will find the Balboa Park Course more their style.
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Climb up the Coast Highway, rising 0.8 miles in only 300 feet, and enter the gates of Torrey Pines State Reserve. Conveniently located within San Diego city limits, Torrey Pines State Reserve is a 2000-acre stretch of wild land comprised of the Nation's rarest pine trees, miles of pristine beaches, and a lagoon that serves as a haven to migrating seabirds.
Eight miles of trails with stunning overlooks allow visitors to connect with nature while exercising in an untouched environment. Watch the sunset from the bluffs at Torrey Pines and be enamored by breathtaking views of the California Coast. The bluffs are also great places to observe the migration of Gray Whales and dolphins who navigate the shores year-round. Due to its elevation that ranges 300 feet from sea level and below, the Reserve is exposed to varying amounts of salt water, fresh water, wind, and fog, resulting in various unique plant communities including coastal strand, coastal scrub, and salt marsh to name a few. Locals, visitors from neighboring states, and tourists from all over the world travel to Torrey Pines to watch birds, pick wildflowers, learn about oceanography, paint, jog, and simply enjoy the serenity of nature.
The park is open everyday from 8:00 am to sunset. Nature walks are given on weekends and holidays at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm; however, group requests for these walks should be made two weeks in advance. There is a parking fee for any car that enters Torrey Pines State Reserve: General $8; Senior $7 (62+); and Disabled $4 (with qualified Dept. Parks Rec pass). No overnight camping facilities are available and while picnics are permitted on the beach, no food or drinks (other than water) are permitted in the Reserve. For more information: 858-755-2063
Mission Bay Park
Mission Bay Park is 4,235-acres, making it the largest man-made public aquatic recreational area in the world. The park boasts 27 miles of shoreline with 19 beaches and 8 designated swimming areas. Famous for its excellent surf conditions, Mission Bay draws droves of surfers; it is also a favorite spot amongst locals for water skiing, fishing, wind surfing, and sailing. Biking and walking paths, basketball courts, playgrounds, fire-rings for cooking out, and a 43.5 acre golf course-all placed in a magnificent setting, create an ideal environment for an afternoon outdoors. For more information: 619-235-1169
Ocean Beach
A quaint beach town a few miles northwest of downtown San Diego, Ocean Beach, is an down-to-earth community characterized by the smell of cookouts, the sound of barking dogs and laughing children, and the site of beautiful sunsets. It is one of the few places in the United States that remains untouched by Americanization-no Gap or Pottery Barn on every corner. Here, visitors will find it refreshing to learn that all of the shops are locally owned and managed. While in this inviting waterfront town, choose from a variety of activities: Swim, surf, bike, picnic, walk on the beach, fish from the pier, or window shop along Newport Avenue. Depending on the time of visit, tourists might want to check out one of the beach's many festivals including the Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cookoff in late June, a jazz festival in late September, the Ocean Beach Christmas Parade in December, and the Ocean Beach Kite Festival on the first Sunday of March. With an eclectic group of bars, restaurants, musicians, artists, and bikers, Ocean Beach is a casually hip place to retreat from the city for the afternoon or a long weekend.
San Diego Tours
Discover, explore, study, and learn in this city bursting with culture, history and exquisite scenery. Take a narrated trolley tour, a guided bike tour of the San Diego mountains, a day trip to Tijuana, a San Diego Seal tour on a Coast Guard approved Hydra-Terra amphibious vehicle, or hop on an open cockpit biplane for a birds-eye view of the city. From common informational walking and bus tours to the adventurous hot air balloon and WWII Warbird rides, San Diego has just the right sightseeing experience for you.
San Diego Whale Watching Expeditions
Whale Watching Expedition and Cruises are provided twice a day during whale migration season which lasts from Mid-December to early April. During this time nearly 20,000 Gray Whales travel approximately 6,000 miles from the cold waters of the Artic to the warmer waters of the Artic Coast.
Take a 3.5 hour cruise and enjoy scenic views of the California Coast, while participating in an up-close encounter with the Gray Whales-so close that you can even hear these creatures of the sea spout. Learn how to determine how long whales dive: three spouts is equivalent to three minutes, two spouts is equivalent to two minutes, etc. Visitors are also likely to see dolphins, sea lions, and other colorful fish so make sure to bring a camera. Trips cost approximately $30. Do not miss out on this thrilling and educational experience! For more information: 619-234-4111
Old Town Trolley Tour
Climb aboard the Old Town Trolley and take a step back in time as some of the best tour conductors in San Diego tell the stories of San Diego's past with humorous anecdotes and an abundance of historical facts. The two-hour, fully-narrated tour will cover over 100 points of interest. Hop on and off at your leisure as you explore sites like Old Town State Park, Seaport Village, Hotel Del Coronado, the San Diego Zoo, the Gaslamp Quarter, the Natural History Museum, El Prado, Balboa Park, the San Diego Museum of Art and much more.
Tours are operated seven days a week from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm with no tours offered on Thanksgiving or Christmas day. Trollies depart from boarding locations about every 30 minutes. Tickets range in price from approximately $30 for adults to $15 for children (ages 4-12); children under four ride for free. Reservations are not required; however they are recommended for groups of 20 or more.
La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour
No prior experience is necessary to participate in this unique tour of the San Diego coastline. Explore the seven sea caverns of La Jolla, located at the base of a 75-million-year-old sandstone sea cliff. These magical caves have inspired many authors, poets, artists, and musicians throughout the years. Catch a glimpse of harbor seals, sea lions, and orange garibaldi, and paddle through an Ecological Reserve on this two-hour kayak adventure.
Tours are available 365-days-a-year and depart at multiple times: 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, noon, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm and at sunset. Schedule your tour in advance as reservations are required. Single kayaks are available for $50 and double kayaks for $80. It is imperative that visitors arrive twenty minutes prior to the time of their reservation to complete a training session, as well as vest up. For more information: 858-454-1010
