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Ten Tips for San Diego

Something for Everyone

By J.J. Scott

Ten ways to sample sunny San Diego with its near-perfect Mediterranean climate, superb coastline, colonial heritage, and a plethora of fun things to see and do.

1. Get orientated with a narrated Old Town Trolley climb-on climb-off tour of Old Town, Seaport Village, Horton Plaza, Balboa Park, Coronado and the San Diego Zoo, then pick a favorite area to explore in-depth. www.historictours.com, (800) 868-7482
    

2. Wander the Embarcadero, San Diego's original dockside, which retains its nautical ambience thanks to the old ships moored at the Maritime Museum. Climb aboard the world’s oldest active ship “Star of India.” www.sdmaritime.com, (619) 234-9153
    

3. Visit America's largest urban cultural park, Balboa Park, with a Spanish Colonial theme. It boasts greenery, museums, theatres, a zoo and an abundance of sports facilities. The park is home to the ornate San Diego Museum of Art. www.balboapark.org
    

4. What the Del? Hotel del Coronado is a beloved San Diego institution. Opened in 1888, the hotel was where Edward, then Prince of Wales, first met Mrs. Simpson and where parts of the 1959 Marilyn Monroe movie “Some Like it Hot” was filmed. Enjoy lunch on the Sun Deck with magnificent views of the Pacific. Guided tours are available. www.hoteldel.com, (800) Hotel Del
    

5. Take a walk in the past lane. Visit Old Town, site of the first civilian Spanish settlement in California. The plaza was laid out here in the 1820s, and remained the center of San Diego until 1872. It is now a State Historic Park with displays, shops, and restaurants. Have the world’s largest margarita with dinner at Old Town’s Casa de Bandini. www.oldtownsandiego.org, (619) 291-4903
    

6. What’s cooking in San Diego? Head to the Good News Cooking School to learn how to prepare some local recipes in their state-of-the-art classroom with seven large-screen TV monitors for easy viewing. www.great-news.com, (888) GR8-CHEF
    

7. Say “Hello” to Shamu at SeaWorld, one of San Diego's best known and most popular attractions. Shamu, their resident killer whale, has become an unofficial symbol of the city. Get wet with the Dolphin Interaction Program.  www.seaworld.com, (800) 25-SHAMU
    

8. For a shore thing, put on your tie dyed shirt and head to Ocean Beach, a small beach community of San Diego and one of the most relaxed places in all of Southern California. Experience the way California was in the 50s and 60s. It is one cool and hip place that is very laid back. http://oceanbeach.pacificbeachonline.com
    

9. Head south of the border, down Tijuana way. Even though Tijuana has not overcome the 'sin city' image it acquired during Prohibition in the US, it is trying to reinvent itself. Visit the Cultural Center, LA Cetto Winery, have a Margarita where it was invented - alcohol-free - for Rita Hayward, then cross the street for a Caesar Salad where it was first created. www.tijuanaonline.org
    

10. End the visit with a sunset cruise. Or, grab a bottle of champagne, drive up along the winding coastline to Sunset Cliffs on Point Loma to watch the sun set over the Pacific. There are a lot of parking turnouts. www.sandiego.org/beaches/pointloma.asp

San Diego will draw you back again and again for all the great things you didn’t have time for the first time: The San Diego Zoo, Gaslight Quarter, harbor tours, LegoLand, and many first rate museums.  For more information check www.sandiego.org or call (619) 236-1212.

Images by John and Sandra Scott

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