Welcome to San Diego, America’s finest city...

With Beaches to the West, Deserts to the East, Seasonal Snow Mountains to the North and Mexico to the South, San Diego has many activities and atrractions for everyone to enjoy.

A city that is as diversified in its culture as in its people. Here you’ll see the early influences of Spain and Mexico interspersed with modern-day skyscrapers dotting the downtown skyline. The climate and culture are some of the best-kept secrets of Southern California.

San Diego not only is an exciting place to visit but is a great place to live.

Attractions

Parks and Points of Interest

Balboa Park
Located in the heart of San Diego, Balboa Park is situated on more than 1,200 acres. The cultural heartland of the city, Balboa Park boasts lush greenery, old-world architecture and street performers. In addition, it is home to the world famous San Diego Zoo, thirteen museums, art galleries, the Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center, the Tony Award winning Globe Theater, one of the nation's largest outdoor organ pavilions and the California Tower with a working 100-bell carillon. For more information, call (619) 239-0512.

Old Town State Park
Located in San Diego, Old Town State Park marks the site of the first European settlement on the West Coast.
Founded by Father Junipero Serra in 1769, San Diego's population and culture were a mixture of Spaniards, Indians and Mexicans. With the shift of the populace to what is now present-day downtown, Old Town is devoted to the preservation of life in early San Diego and is popular with shoppers and tourists. Nestled below Presidio Park, you'll enjoy walking along the streets flavored with an authentic Mexican atmosphere.

Bazaar Del Mundo is considered the center of Old Town; access to all tours, shops and restaurants is an easy walk from there. For more information, call (619) 220-5422.

Cabrillo National Monument
This monument commemorates European explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's arrival on the Californian coast. Located on the tip of Point Loma, the monument provides visitors with a spectacular and complete view of San Diego. Three months out of the year, the site is an observation point for visitors who come to watch whale migration off the coast. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is another attraction. Call (619) 557-5450 for more information.

Embarcadero/Harbor Drive
This bay-front area downtown features Seaport Village, wide sidewalks and a lovely harbor. The Star of India is also docked here.

Belmont Park
3146 Mission Blvd., #F
San Diego, CA 92109
This beachfront amusement park features shops, dining, a swimming pool (The Plunge), an historic wooden roller coaster (The Giant Dipper) and other amusement rides. http://www.belmontpark.com.

Seal Beach at La Jolla Cove
850 Coast Boulevard
La Jolla
Here, wild seals congregate without fear of human harrassment. People are allowed to mingle freely on this beach as long as they don't bother the seals. This provides an excellent opportunity to take closeup shots of wild seals.

Quail Botanical Gardens
Quail Botanical Gardens
230 Quail Gardens Drive
Encinitas, CA 92024
Unique plants from all over the world thrive on these 30 lush acres in north San Diego County. Log on to http://www.qbgardens.com.

Birch Aquarium
2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla, CA 92093
(858) 534-FISH
Marine life from around the world displayed in more than 30 aquariums and interactive displays, an education center and a manmade tide pool.

A hippo greets the crowd at the San Diego Zoo.

A close encounter with rhinos at San Diego’s Wild Animal Park.

Shamu and friends leap into the hearts of guests at California’s Sea World. Photo courtesy of Sea World, San Diego

?Photo provided by Pvt. Charlie Chavez Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego personnel attended a weekend at Petco Park Sept. 17-18. The San Diego Padres donated tickets to the USO to distribute to military organizations thought the city.

?Photo provided by Bill Ahrend The renovated historic district of the Gaslamp Quarter, features more than 60 restaurants, galleries and jazz bars.

?Photo provided by Bill Ahrend Hotel del Coronado.

San Diego offers many attractions as well as a beautiful skyline for everyone to enjoy. Courtesy Photo

?Beach Cpl. Samuel Palmer More than 5,000 people turned out May 21 for Oceanside’s fourth annual Operation Appreciation, including Camp Pendleton Marines and sailors who recently returned from Iraq.

The Carlsbad Flower Fields provide a spectacular and colorful site in bloom. Courtesy Photo

Communities

Coastal Areas

Downtown
San Diego’s revitalized central city offers a mix of historic perservation, lively nightlife and fabulous restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter as well as state-of-the-art architecture of the Horton Plaza, a dramatic 6.5 block shopping and entertainment complex in the heart of downtown. At the foot of Fifth Avenue you will find San Diego’s Convention Center. If you are an incureable “sidewalk superintendent”, downtown is the place for you. You can really feel the dynamics of a growing, ever evolving city, as there is usually some kind of awesome construction in process somewhere.

Mission Bay
Mission Bay is a 4,600-acre aquatic park dedicated to those who appreciate leisure time near the water. There is an inexhaustible array of activities to include swimming, boating, jet-skiing, power boating, fishing or sailing. The 17 miles of coastline is also popular for walking, swimming, kite flying, bicycling and picnicking. Located within Mission Bay is Sea World San Diego, Fiesta Island and Belmont Park.

Coronado
Enjoy the charm of Coronado, take a ferry boat from the B Street Pier to the Coronado Ferry Landing or drive over the beautiful Coronado Bay Bridge to the Hotel Del Coronado or down the Silver Strand. Relax at one of the fine resorts, hotels or B & Bs. Dine at your choice of close to 100 restaurants. Take home a souvenir from more than 200 unique shops, boutiques and galleries. Watch the sun set over the Pacific from our award-winning beach. Call the Visitor Center at (619) 437-8788 or visit www.coronadovisitors.com.

La Jolla
The seaside village of La Jolla is very popular among travelers for its spectacular oceanfront setting, first-rate lodgings and fine dining at some of the best restaurants in the region.

Del Mar
Del Mar means “by the sea”. The main attraction of visitors is the beach and sunny weather, the annual San Diego County Fair (formally Del Mar Fair) and the well-known Del Mar Racetrack.

Torrey Pines
The Torrey Pine is one of North America’s rarest pines. Only two native stands exist; one in coastal San Diego, California, and the other on Santa Rosa Island near Santa Barbara, California. The Torrey Pines State Reserve features high broken cliffs and deep ravines on headlands overlooking the ocean. Hikers can follow trails through stands of wind-sculpted pines down to the beach. Guided tours are available starting at the visitors center (The Lodge), call (858) 755-2063 for times and other information.

Carlsbad
Where else would you find a seaside community that is small enough to hold village charm, yet large enough to be a premiere business environment?
Carlsbad is a community with near perfect weather and two world-class resorts. It is a city that supports economic development yet sets aside 40 percent of its land for open space.

Carlsbad has attracted an international theme park, “LEGOLAND California,” and has become the golf capitol of the world. Two freeways, a commuter train, bus service and the busiest single runway airport in the nation serve the community. The community has two first-class public libraries, full-service police and fire services, a park and recreation department and high quality schools. Carlsbad has miles of beaches, a wide variety of housing options and shopping including Plaza Camino Real (a regional mall), North County Plaza, specialty stores, antique stores and a new outlet center.

Local attractions in addition to LEGOLAND California include the Carlsbad Village Fair, the largest one-day street fair in the nation (held the first Sunday of May and November). Carlsbad is also home to the famous Flower Fields, La Costa Resort & Spa, Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Carlsbad Triathlon, Anderson Consulting Golf Championships and Toshiba Tennis Classic.

For more information on Carlsbad, please call the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce at (760) 931-8400 or check out our website at www.carlsbad.org.

Oceanside
Oceanside is situated on three miles of sandy beaches and is an ideal mix of urban and rural environments blessed with an almost perfect, year-round weather.

Three major highways, Interstate 5 and Highways 76 and 78, provide easy access to and from Oceanside. The city is also served by Amtrak and Greyhound bus lines. Local commuter and private aircraft use the Oceanside Municipal Airport. Palomar Airport in nearby Carlsbad is a general aviation facility, offering both private and commercial air travel.

Oceanside’s weather, being much like the rest of San Diego, offers the perfect climate for the outdoor enthusiast. Residents have access to numerous golf courses, parks, tennis courts and biking trails as well as facilities for volleyball, basketball and softball.

For those who just want to relax, Oceanside Harbor and Harbor Beach are the ideal spots for an afternoon stroll or picnic. Oceanside Harbor, a man-made facility, is one of the best in Southern California and considered to be one of the most beautiful. For shopping, Cape Cod Village plays host to many unique shops and restaurants.

Oceanside has a total of 16 elementary schools and three high schools. Health care for the city is provided by Tri-City Hospital located in Oceanside. Several medical, dental and professional health-care complexes also surround the hospital. For more detailed information, call the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce at (760) 722-1534.

Two commuter trains, the Coaster that travels between Oceanside and San Diego and the Metro Link, which travels between Oceanside and Los Angeles, also serve Oceanside.

Oceanside Visitors Information Center is ideally located at the Coast Highway exit adjacent to the I-5, Highway 76 intersection, situated at the gateway to San Diego County. Volunteers assist travelers, offer assistance with directions, information, hotel reservations and discount tickets for San Diego attractions.

Oceanside Harbor is a mecca for sport fishing, whale watching, boating and other water-oriented activities. The marina inside the harbor has slips ranging in length from 25 to 51 feet. Transient moorings and limited RV beach camping are available.

Mission San Luis Rey is a national historic landmark and the largest in a chain of Californian missions established by the early Spanish missionaries. This magnificent structure, known as the “King of Missions,” shelters a museum, gift shop and conference center.

Situated a few steps from the shore Buena Vista Lagoon, the Audubon Nature Center offers a variety of natural history experiences. Walk along a shore trail amid native plants to see views of the lagoon and its bird life.

Observe the surfers “catching the waves” as you stroll the longest wooden over-water pier on the Pacific Coast. The Oceanside Pier has a bait and gift shop and you can dine at the restaurant at the end as you watch a Catalina sunset.

Other Oceanside attractions include the Oceanside Sea Center, Heritage Park Village and California Surf Museum.

San Clemente
San Clemente is located at the northwest corner of Camp Pendleton, on Highway 101 between Los Angeles and San Diego.

There are numerous shops and unique restaurants as well as a historic pier.

San Clemente offers 16 city parks/ball fields, five miles of public beaches, fishing, tennis and golfing. There are three public golf courses: San Clemente Municipal Golf Course, Shorecliffs Golf Course and Talega Golf Club.

The city hosts the “San Clemente Ocean Festival” on the third weekend in July. The city’s Chamber of Commerce produces the annual “Fiesta Street Festival” and “5k Run/Walk/Stride.” The Chamber also hosts the “San Clemente Seafest” on the second Sunday in October and the “Taste of San Clemente” on the first Friday in November.
Thousands of visitors attend each year to watch and participate in local events.

San Clemente has six elementary schools, three middle schools, one high school as well as numerous adult education centers. The San Clemente Hospital and Medical Center serves the community. For more information, call the San Clemente Chamber
of Commerce at (949) 492-1131 or visit www.scchamber.com.

San Juan Capistrano
Nestled in a coastal valley, San Juan Capistrano is a beautiful historic town that maintains the old flavor of early California. The old mission aptly named the “Jewel of the Missions” is a lovely and educational adventure for a day.

Quaint shops and unique restaurants surround the mission to serve you, whatever your heart desires. For additional information, call the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce at (949) 493-4700.

Inland Areas
Escondido
Escondido lies about 18 miles inland, 100 miles south of Los Angeles and 30 mile northeast of San Diego.

Escondido is the hub of Inland North San Diego County, which is emerging as a regional economic leader, in the forefront of job development and new industries. Escondido has one of the lowest crime rates of any city its size - a population of 128,000. It features the $81-million Californian Center for the Arts, Escondido. For more information, call (619) 745-2125. Bordered on the west by the uncrowded beaches of the Pacific and on the east by the magnificent Laguna Mountains and Anza Borrego Desert, the seven incorporated North County cities comprise one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

San Marcos
San Marcos is located in an ideal location in the heart of North San Diego County. It is situated between the state’s two largest cities, Los Angeles, 90 miles to the north and San Diego, 30 miles to the south.

Climate is a major contributor to the attractive quality of life in San Marcos. Generally characterized by mild winters, plenty of sunshine and little rainfall, the average temperature ranges from a high 77 degrees and a low 47 degrees. Inland, the terrain is made up of rolling hills and deep canyons. Fortunately, San Marcos enjoys being in the direct path of an ocean breeze, making it cooler than neighboring Escondido, located only four miles to the east.

San Marcos features a resort climate without a “tourist” atmosphere, offering a host of popular attractions all within close proximity. San Marcos is enviably situated 10 minutes from many clean Pacific beaches, 20 minutes from the famous Del Mar Racetrack, a 35-minute drive from Sea World and Mission Bay, a half-hour tour from San Jacinto Mountains and 90 minutes from the rugged Anza Borrego Desert. Other nearby attractions are the Mission San Luis Rey, Palomar Mountain Observatory with its world-renown Hale Telescope, San Diego Wild Animal Park where many rare species roam free in their natural habitat and the colorful San Diego Zoo.

San Marcos has become well known for the variety and quality of its restaurants. Greek, Japanese, Chinese, Italian and Mexican are all favorites in addition to fresh seafood, steak and continental cuisine. The historic Restaurant Row is on San Marcos Boulevard.

Unlike some resort-type communities, San Marcos doesn’t have an “in season” or “off season.” Instead, the year-round mild weather and excellent location make it a favorite for those seeking sport-related recreational activities in summer and winter.

For more information, call the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce at (760) 744-1270 or www.san-marcos.org.

Vista
Vista rests seven miles inland from the ocean and is a short 15-minute drive from Oceanside. Located in the heart of Highway 78, midway between Oceanside and Escondido, it benefits from cool breezes in the summer and is far enough away from the water to escape the coastal fog.

Keeping up with the rest of the fast-growing North County cities, Vista has a number of retail stores. Vista boasts a reputation of its own; growing from 19,700 residents back in 1965 to its present population of over 80,000 residents.

For recreation, Vista has two private golf courses, the WAVE Waterpark, Moonlight Amphitheater and AVO Playhouse along with many historical buildings and museum to visit. The Holiday Parade is always a highlight.

Vista is served by Tri-City Hospital in Oceanside and is home to National University, North County campus. Nearby are Mira Costa College in Oceanside and Palomar College in San Marcos, both community colleges.

In the Vista Unified School District, there are 14 elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools. Vista has a special Education High School, Vista Home Education and a Charter School. Vista has an industrial park that boasts more than 5,000 high-tech businesses. For more information, call the Vista Chamber of Commerce at 726-1122.

Fallbrook
Fallbrook is located on the eastern boundary of Camp Pendleton and the Naval Ordinance Station. From Camp Pendleton it is reached via Ammunition Road and is 15 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean.

Fallbrook is the Avocado Capital of the World. Its rural community of 38,000 encompasses 127 square miles, offers a wide range of housing options, a 540 acre high school campus with excellent academic and extra-curricular programs including the 2000 CIF Division I champion football team, six elementary schools, a junior high and community hospital. The town boasts a healthy retail and service business base supplemented by six shopping centers in Fallbrook and neighboring Bonsall. The Main Street typifies the charm of a small town with many of its shops, galleries and restaurants housed in buildings dating to the late 1800s.
The Avocado Festival in April, Hot Summer Nights from May through September and the nighttime Christmas Parade are but three annual highlights. Live theater, symphony performances, museums and a thriving arts colony nestled in acres of groves and flowers make Fallbrook the perfect place to live. For families who go back generations or those who have just arrived, Fallbrook becomes a part of the people who live here. For more details, call the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce at (760) 728-5845 or www.fallbrookca.org.

Poway
A family-oriented community, Poway “The City in the Country” is conveniently located in the center of San Diego County. Visit Lake Poway for fishing or a picnic in the park. Or take a nature walk at the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, a free guided wildlife/plant walk is also offered. Visit www.poway.com for more information.

East County
San Diego’s East County is rich with historical museums, parks, lakes, mountains and much more. Many communities make up the east county such as El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and Alpine.

Photo provided by Ray Phifer Duck Pond in Temecula

?Photo provided by Ray Phifer. Blue Sky Ecological Reserve.

?Photo provided by Cpl. Joseph L. Digirolam The California Speedway

Recreation

Outdoor Activities

Golfing
If you like to golf, you’re at the right place. San Diego has many golf courses in varing degress of difficulty. Torry Pines Golf Course (a municipal golf course) is host to the annual Buick Invitational.

Camping
Great camping experiences are just a short drive away. From the local mountains to the coast, San Diego offers great climate with the best scenic views that any camper would enjoy.

Ballooning
Ballooning is available and usally starts from the Del Mar area and travels east for a great birdseye view of the area. More ballooning can be found a short drive north to Temecula.

Biking
Many of San Diego’s roadways are shared with bicyclists creating a great environment for the sport. If you perfer the dirt, there are many trails with great views and challening rides.

Hunting and fishing
California has a wonderful diversity of hunting opportunities. Everything from Antelope, Deer, Elk, Wild Pig. Chuckar, Dove, Hungarian Partridge, Sage Grouse and Quail. Waterfowl of all descriptions. Most hunting opportunities are established using the zone system with varying dates and bag limits. Special muzzleloader and archery seasons are available for most upland game and big game species. Call the San Diego office of the California

Department of Fish and Game Department at (858) 467-4201.

San Diego has great fresh water fishing, visit www.sannet.gov/ water/recreation/index.shtml for information on the local lakes.

There are many sport fishing charters available for salt water fishing off San Diego’s coast.

Water Activities

Beaches
In San Diego, the beach is a way of life, a source of pride and joy, a defining influence in people’s lives. Others have a more intimate relationship with the sea: surfing and sailing, biking and running, swimming and diving along San Diego’s many coastal beaches and bays.

San Diego’s temperate climate makes the beaches pleasant virtually year-round. Find more information by visiting www.sandiego.org/beaches/index.asp. Recreational Lakes
Waterskiing is normally offered at two lakes in San Diego County: San Vicente and El Capitan, you should check the lake conditions before going to the lake. El Capitan is the only lake in San Diego County that allows the use of personal watercraft, such as jetskis. One arm of the lake is dedicated to the use of these vessels. You can visit www.sannet.gov for more
information.

Boating and Water Skiing
Mission Bay Park, 4200 acres large, offers a network of waterways, inlets and islets for many different activities such as jet boats, jet skis, waverunners, wakeboarders and waterskiers, sailboats and sailboarders or swimming beaches. Also enjoy the many parks, beaches, islands and coves, restaurants and resorts. Excellent bathroom facilities, parking lots, picnic parks and playgrounds, boat rentals, charters and launch ramps. Roads and running paths access every nook and cranny of the park.

Other Water Activities

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Most of the diving in San Diego is off the shores of La Jolla. Boat trips are available to the Point Loma kelp beds, wreck alley and the Los Coronado Islands in Mexico, a shark expedition is also available leaving from both Mission Bay and San Diego Bay.

More information and dive conditions can be found at www.caldiveboats.com.

Surfing
San Diego County has miles and miles of great beaches with west by southwest orientation and the Continental Shelf extends many miles offshore, protecting us from the brunt of localized North Pacific storm surges and distant Southern Ocean swells. From San Onofre at the north all the way down to Imperial Beach to the south, you’ll find beaches that offer a varity of surf conditions and levels of skill. For more information. visit www.sandiego.org/beaches/index.asp. Hiking
Love to hike? You will find no end the the trails available for hiking in San Diego County. Enjoy trails above the beaches of Torrey Pines or the boardwalk along Mission Beach. If the mountains are more your style, then you can explore the historic trails of the Pacfic Crest Trail. Zigzagging its way from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington. Visit www.pcta.org for details.

As with any other sporting activity, you should research the trail conditions before setting out and be aware of any restrictions or hazards.

Snow Skiing
A short drive north of San Diego County you can find great snow skiing at Bear Mountain, Snow Summit and Snow Valley, all are in the Big Bear Area.
A little further you will find Angeles Crest with areas such as Buckhorn, Mt. High, Mount Baldy and Ski Sunrise. Even further north, from about 9 to 12 hours drive, you can ski some other popular areas like Mammoth Mountain, Bear Valley and Lake Tahoe.

??Photo provided by Bill Ahrend The San Diego Trolley is known for its reliability, safety, and convenience. Often called San Diego’s “moving landmark”, the Trolley is also a fun way to get around.