Torrey Pines State Preserve

Located at the Northwest end of San Diego, within

the city limits, Torrey Pines offers you over 2000

wild and natural acres.  Along with the trees of 

Torrey Pines, there's a visitor center, miles and 

miles of trails, miles of beaches, and a lagoon

that's a vital area for seabirds.

The State Preserve of Torrey Pines not only preserves

the trees but the salt marshes and waterfowl refuges

as well.  The Torrey Pines State Beach here stretches

nearly four miles, from Del Mar to the sandstone 

cliffs of Torrey Pines Mesa.

Also found here is Blacks Beach, located at the 

base of the 300 foot cliffs.  The cliffs here offer

paragliding, remote control gliding, and even hang

gliding. At the north end of Blacks Beach, clothing 

is optional.  To be on the safe side, always read the

signs and follow the rules of the beach.

With plenty to offer, Torrey Pines State Preserve is

a great addition to the already vast area of San

Diego.  You can visit here from San Diego, as it's 

a short drive away.  Torrey Pines has great beaches

and plenty of trails for you to see.  As a family 

trip, Torrey Pines is a great place to spend the

afternoon on your once in a lifetime vacation.

Seaport Village San Diego

The Seaport Village of San Diego combines the best

of waterfront shopping, dining, and overall family

entertainment.  While the Marina Park is here as 

well, nearby is the small but popular San Diego

public park.  

In Seaport Village you'll find 14 acres of pleasure

with more than 75 shops and galleries, restaurants, 

and eateries on the sidewalk.  Even though the area

is primarily targeted towards visitors, locals get

the best of the best with the restaurants and their

out of town company.

The San Diego Pier Cafe is also here, which is one of

the best known restaurants in the area.  Located on

the bay, the cafe provides seafood with breathtaking

views.  

The Seaport village provides a great place to view 

Coronado and the Coronado Bridge, as it overlooks the

harbor.  Just a short stroll from the village, you have

the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park, and 

the Gaslamp Quarter.  

Providing plenty to do and plenty of things to see

nearby, Seaport Village has it all going on.  A visit

here is unlike any other, as the city of San Diego

will always have something unique to offer you and your

entire family.

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo, located in San Diego California is

one of the best zoo's in the United States.  Serving 

as one of the main reasons to visit San Diego, the

zoo houses nearly 4,000 animals.  Also in the zoo, are

the infamous pandas, one of the main reasons as to why

the zoo is so popular.

Among the many animals you'll find here are the pandas,

giraffes, tigers, and basically any other animal that 

you can think of.  The animals themselves have plenty

of room to run and play, giving you all the space you

need to view them in their active environment and 

best of all - while they are at their best.

Anytime you plan to visit San Diego, you should make

sure you visit the zoo.  Kids simply adore the animals

here, while parents find them adorable.  Even if you

have never been to a zoo before, the San Diego Zoo

can more than change your outlook.  

Once you enter the zoo, you can check out the animals,

get some food, or just walk around.  The park is 

enormous in size, having everything you can basically

think of when it comes to animals.  Once you visit, you

may find yourself hating time when it comes time to

leave!

San Diego Convention Center

On the Embarcadero in downtown San Diego, the 

Convention Center provides the best of facilities

for trade shows, conventions, and even corporate

meetings or all sizes.  For breaks and outdoor

events, there are landscaped terraces available

that overlook the bay.

The civic theatre in the Convention Center, offers

2,975 seats for meetings and formal assemblies.  This

helps to make the Convention Center the biggest and 

best equipped of all performing arts theaters in

San Diego.

With its great views of the water and city, the 

Convention Center is also convenient to hotels, 

shopping stores, and plenty of entertainment.  Within

walking distance you also have the Gaslamp Quarter,

Horton Plaza, Petco Park, and Seaport Village.

Held here, are events such as the International 

Auto Show, Boat Show, and many others.  The San Diego

Convention Center is located at 202 C. Street, in

downtown San Diego.

Undergoing expansion in 2001, the center doubled

it's space.  It now offers 500,000 square foot of

exhibit space, 90,000 square feet of multi-function

space, 72 meeting rooms, and now 90,000 square foot

of glass enclosed pavilion.

Those visiting the San Diego area or those who reside

here should check with the Convention Center to see

if there is anything going on.  The Convention Center

is a great place to visit - especially if there is 

something interesting going on.

San Diego At A Glance

Referred to as many as being the only area in the 

United States with perfect weather, San Diego remains

the oldest port on the West Coast.  Complete with a 

well known Naval Base and a high level of tourism, this

breathtaking city continues to dominate the economy.

Aside from offering high mountains, deserts, and over 

70 miles of the world's most renowned beaches, San Diego

also offers other great attractions such as Sea World,

the San Diego Zoo, and Wild Animal Park.

For art lovers, there are many different museums and

even the Shakespearean play at the Old Globe Theater. 

Throw in the fact that San Diego has more championship

golf courses than any other area in the world, and you

have a city ready for anyone's imagination.

As a tourist city or a place to call home, San Diego is

one place you should at least visit.  The night life here

rivals that of Las Vegas, giving you something for 

everyone in the family.  Young or old - San Diego is the

one city that you'll never find boring.

Mission Beach San Diego

The area of Mission Beach is a stretch of the sandbar

along the Pacific Ocean.  Through Mission Beach, the

main artery is Mission Boulevard.  This Boulevard is

a popular place to go in the summer or winter, as 

there are main shops and restaurants.

Near Mission Beach, you'll find attractions such as

Sea World and Belmont Park.  Both amusement parks are

well known, and very popular.  Within the two you'll 

find rides such as the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, 

Chaos, Vertical Plunge, the Liberty Carousel, and 

The Trampoline.

Mission Beach also gives you plenty of opportunities 

to participate in volleyball, tanning, surfing, 

skateboarding, and many other activities.  There is

also a local skating club, Skate This, which performs

for free on the weekends with sick tricks and dancing.

Even though nudity isn't allowed on the beach, alcohol

still is.  Thong bikinis aren't legal on the beach, 

although lifeguards and security personal normally don't

make a big deal about it.

With plenty of shops and restaurants, Mission Beach

in San Diego is a great place to go.  The beach is

very warm and offers a sandy environment.  If you like

the beach with other perks to offer, Mission Beach is

one place you should check out.

Mission Bay San Diego

Mission Bay Park in San Diego is the largest facility

of its kind, offering over 4,600 acres with free

recreational activities for visitors.  What was once

a sprawling swamp in the 1960's, was dredged and 

transformed into what is now a great attraction to

the San Diego area.

Across the 27 miles of bayfront, water activities are

all over the place here.  For beach lovers, there are

17 miles of oceanfront property, including Mission 

Beach and Pacific Beach.  There are separate areas

as well, for swimming, fishing, boating, and even 

sailing.  Mission Park also offers free events such

as volleyball, jetski, and many different types

of competitions and exhibitions.

For the children, Mission Bay Park offers a playground

area with plenty of other things to do as well.  

Mission Park has always been an attraction, one

that keeps people coming back for more.

For those living in the area, Mission Bay in San

Diego provides plenty of things to do.  The location

is great, with something always going on.  If you 

plan to visit San Diego in the near future - make 

sure you drop by Mission Bay and see what makes this

area one of the best in the world.

Maritime Museum San Diego

Since 1948, the Maritime Museum located in San Diego

has served the city in many big ways. The museum here

is dedicated to collecting and preserving the rich

maritime heritage and historic values of the city - 

then presenting it to the public.

The biggest attraction to the museum is the historic

ships.  Here, you'll find five great examples of

maritime vessels - Berkeley, Californian, Medea, 

Pilot, and the Star of India.

All across the museum you can find many examples of

Naval technology and ships of the past.  The guides

at the Maritime Museum are very friendly and helpful,

willing to answer any question that you may have.

Nearby to the museum, you have several attractions

and things to see.  With the museum being in the

downtown area of San Diego, it's very close to some

of the other things that San Diego is so very well

known for.

If you happen to be on vacation in San Diego, make

sure you visit the Maritime Museum.  Kids love to

see the ships on display, as well as the USS Midway

Aircraft Carrier Museum, which is a short walk from

the Maritime Museum.

Little Italy San Diego

Little Italy in San Diego is rapidly evolving as an

inner city neighborhood that's perfect to live in,

shop, dine, or visit.  The Little Italy offers great

views of the bay, art and cultural festivities, and

great food.  

The nearby street sign for Little Italy, created in

1999, signals that the area is the heart and soul

of San Diego's inner community.  The sign is truly

a signal of peace, and can be found on India Street

between Date and Fir.

Each and every year, there are nearly a dozen festivals

held in Little Italy.  There are tons of holiday 

celebrations, music, and art expo's.  During this 

time, Little Italy comes alive like never before.

The heart of Little Italy is India Street.  This 

street has plenty of outdoor cafes, restaurants, 

galleries, and specialty shops.  Nearby Amici Park

offers a playground for the Washington Elementary

School and a community park that's complete with

a bocce ball court.

Bigger than the Little Italy neighborhoods in New 

York and San Francisco, San Diego's Little Italy

keeps getting bigger and better.  The waterfront 

district of San Diego is bouncing back with Little

Italy, proving to be a great place for tourist

attraction.

La Jolla Caves

Along with the beaches La Jolla gives the San Diego

area, it also has some very nice caves.  The caves

of La Jolla are great for tours, exploring, or 

anyone wanting to see the best of La Jolla.

Carved into the sandstone cliffs of La Jolla, there

are seven caves.  Most of the time, you can visit 

any seven of these caves by sea kayak.  Although

all but one are accessible by foot, you should be

very carefully when minus tides sweep the area.

The Sunny Jim Cave is one of the most popular and

well known caves of La Jolla.  You can enter 

through the Cave Store by paying a small fee.  There

are 145 steep steps to get through the cave,

which is great for exploring and seeing the area.

The cave store can tell you many things about the

caves, including tours.  If you plan to visit the

La Jolla area of San Diego, the caves can be a great

place to explore.  Those of you who have kids coming

along for the trip, should remember to be very

careful - as the caves provide a lot of beauty -

they can also provide a lot of danger as well.

Cabrillo National Monument

Located in San Diego California, the Cabrillo National

Monument provides a historic lighthouse with plenty

of activities.  There are great views here as well,

with tidepools, flora and fauna, whales to watch,

and even military history.

The Monument offers hiking along designated trails,

bicycling on paved roadways, and swimming within the

park boundaries.  Fishing is permitted here as well,

with hook and line - although only one fish may be

taken.  When walking the trails and exploring, make

sure to be on the lookout for cliff areas, as they

can be very unstable.

A lot of visitors come to the National Monument to 

enjoy the breathtaking views of the San Diego Bay and

the Pacific Ocean.  Because of this very reason, the

park has become of the best harbor views anywhere in

California - or the world for that matter!

The tidepools are great to see here as well, although

you should always be careful.  Even though they are

great to admire, the surface may be very slippery.

Anytime you are in the San Diego area, a trip to 

the Cabrillo National Monument is more than worth the

time.  You can walk the trails, have fun, or just

enjoy the breathtaking views of San Diego that only

the Cabrillo National Monument can provide you with.

Sea World

One of the biggest and most attractive features to

San Diego is Sea World.  Sea World is one of the most

popular amusement parks and also happens to be one of

the main reasons behind tourists.  Anyone who visits

San Diego has the intentions to visit Sea World - or

at least they should.

Being famous for Shamu the killer whale, Sea World has

the ability to entertain kids and adults for hours.  

There are many different animal shows here as well,

along with other amusement park thrills.  While Shamu 

is a must see, there are other animals here as well,

that you simply have to see.

Sea World also offers an exciting dolphin interaction

program where you can get in the water and play with

the dolphins.  This is a great learning experience, 

especially for those who love dolphins.  Dolphins are

an integral part of Sea World, as there are literally

hundreds of them here.

Once you visit Sea World, you'll go below the surface

and see life that you may have never before thought

possible.  You can feed the dolphins and other mammals,

even count the teeth that a shark has!  When you 

consider what Sea World has to offer, you simply can't

compare it to any other amusement park.

On the entertainment side of things, Sea World offers

a haunted lighthouse and several other rides and shows 

for you to see.  You can even get an all day pass here,

which is great for anyone who is wanting to enjoy all

that Sea World has to offer.

New to Sea World is Believe.  This is a new show that 

will show you Shamu like never before.  It's a journey

of wonder and magic that you simply must see to believe

and appreciate.

No matter what season of the year you visit, you'll be

happy to know that Sea World is open year round.  It 

does close on major holidays though, which isn't really

a bad thing.  As long as you don't visit on a holiday 

you can pretty much expect Sea World to be open.

On a vacation, Sea World in San Diego will have something

to please everyone.  The kids will have plenty to do 

here, while you experience things that interest you as 

well.  The neighboring areas to Sea World have plenty

to offer you as well, from dining to many different 

sights to see.

When the time comes for you to go on vacation you 

shouldn't pass up Sea World.  It's in a great location

with plenty of activities and things to see.  Sea World 

can show you the creatures of the sea like never 

before - which is reason enough to go.

San Diego Wild Animal Park

Aside from the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Wild

Animal Park is the best place in San Diego to see

animals.  Over the spread of 1,800 acres, the animal

park gives animals the room they need to roam and

play.  The animals here play just like they do in

the wild, which almost makes you feel as if you 

are in their native of Africa and Asia.

Throughout the 30 year history of the animal park, 

the Noah's Ark symbol of endangered species has grown

to dozens upon dozens of animals. Now, every Arabian

Oryx found in the wild is the descendant stock from the

San Diego Wild Animal Park.

In the park, there are many different paths you can

take to visit the smaller animal exhibits.  Although 

the smaller animals are a sight to see, the main 

thing to see is the hour long trip on the Bush Line 

Railway.  Along the railway, you'll see animals that

you'd never get the chance of seeing anywhere else,

such as the white rhino and the rhinoceros.

If you plan to visit the park in the summer, it's 

always a good idea to visit early.  On a normal summer

day, ten - fifteen thousand people will visit the

park.  During the winter, the ratio is down as 

normally 2,000 people will visit.  Although it's much

colder in the winter, the park is less frequent with

people looking to see the animals the park offers.

You can find the animal park 32 miles north of 

Escondido in San Diego.  The park is in a peaceful

area, which makes things a lot better for the animals

that live there.  

When visiting in the summer, it's a great idea to walk

a while, then take the railway.  After you have took 

the railway a bit, you can walk some more.  It's also 

good to take plenty of sunscreen with you as well, as

summer at the park can get very hot.  Water is great

as well, simply because the summer in California can

be a bit of a scorcher.

The San Diego Wild Animal Park is ran by the San Diego

Zoological Society.  The society also runs the San 

Diego Zoo, which is one of the most popular animal

parks in the entire world.  With the park and the zoo,

the society does more than its part to bring the 

best of seeing the animals to you.

The next time you are in San Diego or if you are 

visiting for the first time, the Wild Animal Park is

a great place to visit.  You can check out some truly

endangered species and learn more about the types of

animals that you'll see in this once in a lifetime

opportunity.

San Diego Whale Watching

It's no secret to anyone that the coast of San Diego

is the ideal place to watch the annual migration of 

the gray whale.  Looked upon as one of nature's ultimate

spectacles; the migration of gray whales is nothing 

short of breathtaking.  The coastline of San Diego is

one of their migratory points as they travel from the 

waters of the Arctic to the warmer regions of the Baja

(California), where females also give birth.

Every year, roughly 26,000 gray whales will make the 

long journey of 10,000+ miles from the Arctic to the Baja

and back.  If you look at this journey and compare it to 

any other mammal, you'll notice that the gray whale by 

far has the greatest amount of traveling at hand.

If you've never experienced whale watching, you'll be

happy to know that anyone will find it memorable - young

or old.  Spotting a gray whale along the coastline is

something that is truly a memorable moment, making you

stop for a second and truly appreciate these awesome

mammals.

If you ask the Birch Aquarium in San Diego, you'll find

that gray whales are seen most frequently from December

through March.  While they travel in dozens normally, 

it's nothing to see pods of them (2 - 3) as they travel

during migration.  Throughout the coast of San Diego,

you can easily spot these whales as they are somewhat

slow swimmers.

During their swimming, they will normally dive to a depth

of 100 feet or more for a few minutes, then surface and 

blow.  Then, they will do a few shallow dives, before 

making that deep dive again.  When watching whales, figuring

out this pattern makes the success of watching them all

the more fun and exciting.

While there are many common places to watch whales, 

nothing seems to compare to the excitement of watching them 

from aboard a cruise.  There are many cruises that take

place in San Diego, many of which offer unbeatable deals.

From H&M Landing to the Birch Aquarium, cruises are some of 

the best ways to see the beauty and tranquility of the

traveling gray whales.

The beauty of the gray whales can also be seen from many 

points of the San Diego coast, including the Cabrillo 

National Monument on Point Loma or the cliffs of Torrey Pines

State Beach.  Along these points, you can see the whales as 

they make their travels.

Whether it's a cruise or just watching from the coast, whale

watching in San Diego is something you truly have to see to

appreciate.  You can take your kids, family, or even your 

friends.  Whale watching can definately be exciting, all you

have to do is plan your day and enjoy everything that the

beauty of the gray whale will provide you with.

San Diego Harbor Bay Tour

As vast as the San Diego harbor is, a simple walk

around it doesn't do it justice!  To partake in the

beauty that is San Diego Harbor, you need to take a

tour of the bay.  San Diego Harbor Excursion can 

help you do that, as they are the most established

tour company throughout the bay.

As a guest, they will treat you with as one of them,

helping to bring your cruise to life.  There are 

a few parts to the tour, ensuring that you get the

most out of your time on the cruise.  

Tour of the North Bay

On your tour of the North Bay, you'll see the North

Island Naval Air Station, Shelter Islands, and even

the Naval Sub Base.  If you look closely, you'll 

also be able see the Cabrillo National Monument as 

well.

The tour of the North Bay is around 12 miles in length

and lasts about an hour.  This is a fine tour for

anyone interested in the Navy as well.  During your

tour the guides will explain everything to you as

you see it.  This way, you'll always know what's going

on.

Tour of the South Bay

Your tour of the South Bay consists of the Star of

India, the Naval surface fleet, Coronado Bay Bridge,

and the shipyards.  This is a very busy and hectic 

area, which makes a tour excellent to see everything

that this area has to offer.

The tour of South Bay is roughly 12 miles in length 

and also lasts around an hour.  The guides will explain

things here to you as well, ensuring that you know

exactly what you are seeing.

Tour of the Bay

Those of you who are looking to see it all should go

for the deluxe tour of the entire bay.  You'll see

everything covered in the North and South Bay, along

with everything else the bay has to offer.  The tour

is around 25 miles in length and lasts around 2 hours.

To get started on your tour, all you need to do is 

contact the Harbor Excursion.  The price for the tour

is very reasonable, considering everything you'll be

seeing.  

If you happen to live in San Diego, taking the tour is

easier than ever.  Those of you who are visiting or on

vacation should give the tour a shot as well.  This way

you'll get to experience everything that San Diego Bay

has to offer you without having to walk around.  And

best of all - tour guides will explain the sights to 

you - so you'll never miss a second.

San Diego For Kids

Although San Diego has many things for grown ups to

enjoy, it hasa lot of activities for kids to enjoy

as well.  Custom made for families, San Diego has

plenty of public parks, nice weather year round, 

several museums, and many things for children of all

ages to amuse themselves with.

For kids who love animals, there's the well known

San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Animal Park.  The zoo

is located in Balboa Park, while the park is located

a bit north of the city.  If you have the time, you

should take a full day for your kids to enjoy the park

and the zoo.  If the traditional zoo makes your kids

uncomfortable, the park is a great alternative.

Kids of all ages also enjoy the world famous Sea 

World, which is home to Shamu the killer whale and

several other marine animals and exhibits.  Sea World

has been a great attraction for kids for many years,

showing them the marine life like never before.

When it comes to the winter months, whale watching is

a very popular activity.  You can watch them from 

the coastline or take a cruise.  Watching the gray

whale is very amusing to kids, openening their minds

to new possibilities.

Balboa Park is a great place to visit as well, as it

has a lot more than the San Diego Zoo.  There are 

places for kids to explore, with the children's museum,

the Fleet Science Center, and the Natural History 

Museum.

Another popular park for kids is Legoland California,

which is located north of San Diego.  There are a lot

of things to see in this park, with a majority of 

the park being built from the popular Lego blocks.  

Overall, this is one of the best and most quiet options

for younger children.

Hitting the beach is great as well, as San Diego has

many different beaches for kids of all ages.  On the

beaches, kids can build sandcastles, rent boogie 

boards, or just enjoy the swimming that San Diego so

proudly displays.

Older kids will enjoy the true recreation mode for 

San Diego - roller skating and rollerblading.  Along

Mission Bay there are great spots, along with

playgrounds and parks.  You can fly kites here as 

well, which is a great break from the ordinary.

Amusement Parks are a great attraction in San Diego,

with Belmont Park being very popular.  There are many

rides here, amusing kids for hours on end.  The

Giant Dipper and the Plunge are among the best, for

younger or older kids.

If San Diego is on your family vacation list, rest 

assured that there will be plenty for your kids to 

do on your stay.  They will feel right at home with

the many things to do - while you your mate are 

occupied with plenty of things for you to do as 

well.

Pacific Beach San Diego

Alive with the sea and plenty of activities for all

that visit, Pacific Beach is a great place.  With plenty

of activities to offer visitors, Pacific Beach in San

Diego has seen well over 26 million visitors!  With

numbers like these, you know you really can't go wrong

by visiting.

Aside from the wonders of the beach, the boutique 

shopping distric of Pacific Beach features hundreds and

hundreds of choices to find treasure in the sand.  With

local names such as the L.A. Rack and Starbucks, this is

truly a shoppers paradise.  There are also new and retail

clothing stores, salons, and many other stores to be 

found here in this shopping paradise.  

When it comes to the nightlife and exquisite dining, 

Pacific Beach has it all covered.  The restaurant experience

here is as diverse as the undersea life.  You can find

everything here from fusion Thai to gourmet pasta, seafood

to hamburgers and virtually everything in between.  

When the sun starts to set and the tide changes, the 

Pacific Beach seems to come to life.  There are dozens of

nighttime high spots with dancing, live music, and some of

the best beach bars in California.  With most being found

within walking distance of the hotels, Pacific Beach does

it's part to simplify your experience.

Arguably the best feature to Pacific Beach is the golden

sands that California is so very well known for.  The beach

and the Ocean Front Boardwalk are both modest in their 

approach to offer bike and board rental stores, beach-

front dining with great views, and plenty of green

parks for you to experience.

Being out on the sand, you can experience the thrill of

horseshoes, the hot girls, dolphins playing in the water, 

and endless surf competitions in the summer.  The summer

is definately a little bit hotter when you are sitting in 

the ocean at Pacific Beach with your toes in the sand.

With Mission Bay Park and the Historic Crystal Pier nearby,

you'll always find something to do here.  Mission Bay is a

public park, offering the world famous Sea World, with 

plenty of amusement park rides, undersea wildlife to see,

and plenty of fine dining.

On the other hand, the Historic Crystal Pier offers a

taste of Southern California reinvented.  A walk along

the pier can bring back a taste of days gone by, coupled

with the lifestyle that only California can bring.

With a taste of the ocean and everthing in between, Pacific

Beach makes for a great and unforgettable summer.  Offering

plenty of shops, fine dining, and California sand, this is

one area of San Diego that should be visited - time and 

time again!

Old Town San Diego

The Old Town San Diego Park serves as a way to recreate 

life in both the early American and early Mexican era

of 1821 - 1872.  Perfectly situated in San Diego, the

park helps to recreate what was once San Diego.  No

matter how you look at it, a trip to California isn't

complete without a visit to the Old Town.

Around the five adobes of the main complex, there are

shops, a museum, and several restaurants.  Around the

garden courtyard, the La Casa mansion helps to bring

back a taste of the Old Town.  Just a short hop from

there, the museum is full of artifacts that help to

reflect on the life that was once the Old Town.

The Old Town also has a blacksmith shop, schoolhouse,

and several other historic buildings, including the 

first newspaper office in San Diego.  This is truly

a place to visit, especially for those who are wanting

to learn more about the history of San Diego.

The city of San Diego was the first Spanish settlement

in California.  This occurred when a fort and mission 

were established in 1769.  Back in 1769, California 

was just beginning to get established, therefore it

wasn't near the state nor the size that it is today.

When visiting the Old Town Park, you should make sure

to visit the Robinson-Rose House Visitor Center.  This

center is reconstructed now and displays a model of 

Old Town and the way it looked back in 1872.  The model

that is on display was created by Joseph Toigo.

The Old Town Park also offers exhibits of the way things

used to be, programs, and even guided tours.  You can

get a personal tour of the park, with a guide who

will show you around and even explain things to you.

During your visit to the park, you can also enjoy a 

picnic at one of the picnic areas or get something to

eat from one of many vendors.  There are supplies here

as well, including restrooms.

Those living in San Diego can find the Old Town Park 

on San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street.  Being close to

the main city, visiting the Park is easier than you may

think.  If you live in the city but have never been to

the park, you should stop by and take a look.

On a vacation or a visit from town, the Old Town San

Diego helps to bring back a taste of the past.  There 

is a lot to see here and a lot of historical value.  All

you need to do is stop by the park and see what you

think about the way things used to be.

Ocean Beach San Diego

Located in the Ocean Beach Community, Ocean Beach is 

actually just south of the entrance to the Mission 

Bay channel.  Located at 1950 Abbott Street, the beach

is a very popular location in the summer.  During the

winter months, couples like to walk the beach and 

just bask in the presence.

The Ocean Beach is wide in structure, about a mile

long.  Along the north end of the beach, you'll find

a volleyball court.  During the summer, the court is

always teeming with people playing volleyball while

the sand around it is teeming with people watching.

At the south end of the beach you'll find the Ocean

Beach Municipal Pier.  The Pier is open to the public

with plenty of walking and fishing available.  Located

on the pier is a bait and tackle shop along with a 

restaurant.  Although you don't need a fishing license

to fish off the dock, catch regulations are enforced.

If you walk to the south end of the beach you'll find 

many restaurants, surfing shops, and many other commercial

shops and establishments.  Although you can travel to

the north end of Ocean Beach, it's mostly bordered by

residents of the ocean area.

The unique part of Ocean Beach is the Dog Beach, located

at the north end.  This sandy area is where dogs can

run and play without a leash - anytime - day or night.

Although dog owners are responsible for their dogs and

the clean up of them, Dog Beach is actually pretty 

nifty for anyone who owns dogs.

For your protection along the beach, lifeguards are

out each and every day, year round.  They are generally

on duty from 9 AM until dark although you can check with

them for their specific hours of operation.  They are 

there for your protection and very willing to answer

any question that you may have.

Keep in mind while on the beach, California beaches do

experience powerful rip currents.  It's because of these

currents that beaches in California experience over

1,000 rescues by lifeguards every year.  To be on the

safe side while in San Diego at Ocean Beach, it's

always a good idea to swim near a lifeguard.

For those who like surfing, surfing is permitted at

Ocean Beach in designated areas.  Scuba isn't recommended

however, because of the lack of undersea life, heavy

rip currents, and the surf.  

For swimming or enjoying the California lifestyle, Ocean

Beach is a great place to go.  It is a very popular

place in the summer, drawing hundreds of thousands of

people.  If you long for a taste of the California 

lifestyle, make sure you visit Ocean Beach in San 

Diego.

La Jolla San Diego

A sparkling jewel of San Diego, the La Jolla 

area is a picture perfect post card with several 

beaches along more than seven miles of coast 

against an array of rolling hills known as Mount 

Soledad.

Being a part of San Diego, La Jolla is only

15 minutes from the downtown district.  Along with

beautiful scenery, the area also offers many fine

restaurants, art galleries, hotels and resorts, 

and many other attractions such as the Scripps

Institution of Oceanography.

The Birch Aquarium is also a part of La Jolla, 

giving you the chance to enter the exciting world

of sharks, living coral reefs, and many other undersea

exhibits.  This aquarium showcases the mysteries of

the ocean and what actually lives there.

The shoreline of La Jolla consists of rocky headlands

seperated by pristine coves and sandy beaches.  All 

along the beach, you can find many different hotels

and resorts, designed to make your stay a little bit

better.

The North Pacific Beach extends to La Jolla, traveling

from the Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach.  If you travel

north of this area, you'll find yourself on the

beaches of La Jolla.

By going to the south end of the La Jolla shoreline,

you'll find Windandsea Beach.  Windandsea Beach has

long had a reputation for surfers paradise, although

the steep beaches and rocky cliffs can be very 

dangerous if you aren't aware of them.

Close to downtown La Jolla, there is an area called

Casa, which used to be a children's pool.  Now days,

the area has been taken over by seals and sealions.  

Although children can't swim here anymore, it's a 

great pastime to lay on the beach and watch them play.

Traveling along the La Jolla shoreline, you'll find

the tide pools.  These pools are great to look at, 

although you shouldn't touch them.  You should visit

during low tide and be sure to wear rubber soled shoes,

as they can get quite slippery.

The cove in La Jolla is very beautiful, although one

of the smaller beaches in San Diego.  On either side of 

the cove, there are sandstone cliffs.  This helps to 

add an isolated feel to the cove.

Throughout La Jolla, the Shores Beach is the widest and

longest beach.  If you look off to the distance on the

beach, you can see the Scripps Pier.  Also on the beach,

there are novice scuba classes held throughout the summer

months. 

With plenty to offer you and your family, the beaches of

La Jolla are among the best in San Diego.  There's plenty

to do and see here, with dining and swimming.  For a 

great visit to the beach, La Jolla seems to simplify the

best of life in California.