Most Recommended Points of Interest in San Diego, California

Balboa Park

Many of the park's buildings sport a Spanish Colonial theme. San Diego Museum of Art, which houses a modest collection of European paintings, American landscapes and Asian artifacts. Timkin Museum of Art has a collection of famous European art work. The Centro Cultural de la Raza exhibits Mexican and Native American art. The Casa be Balboa houses four museums, San Diego's History Museum, Model Railroad Museum and Photographic arts. One of the park's best places is the Rueben H Fleet Space Theater & Science Center, a hands-on science museum, and houses the large format Omnimax theater. The Museum of Man currently has a new permanent exhibition on human evolution to the west coast. and also specializes in Indian artifacts from the American Southwest from the San Diego area. San Diego's Automotive Museum has an excellent collection of antique cars and Motorcycles, and a couple of beautiful Harleys. The Aerospace Museum has a very large collection of Airplaines from the WWI and WWII era and a very good collection from the NASA space program. The San Diego Natural History Museum is dedicated to interpreting the natural world through research, education, and exhibits of the evolution and diversity of Southern California and the peninsula of Baja California.

Old Town

This area was the site of the first civilian Spanish settlement in California,
known as the Pueblo de San Diego.Old Town is 2.5 miles (4km) northwest of downtown.
It remained the center of San Diego until 1872, when the city's focus moved to the current downtown area. In 1968, Old Town became a State Historic Park, and a few surviving original buildings were restored. Visit the 1820s Casa de Carrillo, the oldest house in San Diego.

Hotel del Coronado

Just across the bay from downtown San Diego. This wood building with conical towers, cupolas, turrets, balconies and dormer windows. Opened in 1888, the hotel was where Edward Prince of Wales first met Mrs Simpson and where parts of the 1959 Marilyn Monroe movie Some Like It Hot were filmed. The hotel is also known for many hauntings by ghost. If you are very quiet, since this is a hotel were people relax, you can tour around the grounds and in and around the hotel for free. Also, Coronado Hotel is next to one of the most spectacular beaches in San Diego, this beach actually has flecks of gold in the sand. One of the best ways to experience the “Del” is their Sunday brunch. Please call (619) 522-8490 for reservations.

Gaslamp Quarter

In the city's early days, this downtown neighborhood was home to San Diego's most profitable businesses - saloons, gambling joints, bordellos and opium dens. Wyatt Earp operated three gambling halls and learn about the Gaslamp Quarter's oldest wooden structure William Heath Davis House which was constructed in 1850. Now, restaurants, bars and galleries occupy restored buildings dating back to the 1860s, and wrought iron street lamps in the style of 19th century gas lamps lead to give the area its historic name. By night this is a very vibrant partying neighborhood. Theatre, upscale shops, fine dining or dancing the night away, this place you defenently want to visit.

The Embarcadero and Seaport Village Just West of downtown San Diego.

The "original" ship dock is home of an old sailing ship, "The Star of Idia". There's many great restaurants, a public fishing pier and an open-air amphitheater where free concerts are held during summer in the Embarcadero Marina Park. The Embarcadero is situated along Harbor Drive and the Port of San Diego. Docked here is the harbor landmark, Star of India, a beautiful windjammer built in 1863, and now part of the Maritime Museum, open daily from 9 a.m. a collection of three ships that have been restored and are open to the public (619) 234-9153. A quartermile boardwalk connects the Embarcadero with the Convention Center and a waterfront shopping and dining complex, Seaport Village, located at West Harbor Drive at Kettner Boulevard.

Mount Soledad

This mountain just east of La Jolla has a an unbeleavalbe 360° view and now is home to the naval memorial.

Cabrillo National Monument

More than just an epic view, the Cabrillo National Monument on 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive in Point Loma offers everything from historical displays to tidepools. You can go inside the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, and check out interior rooms, furnished the same as they were a century ago. Climb to the top for an unrestricted view around Point Loma. There’s also an exhibit on Point Loma’s place in WWII history. It was a strategic point for West Coast defense, and the exhibit involves videos and recordings that commemorate Pearl Harbor Day. Annual events include the Cabrillo Festival in September and Whale Watch Weekend in January. 619-557-5450

Carlsbad

Located a few miles - around 16 miles, north of La Jolla, Carlsbad offers lots of attractions. The Museum of Making Music, 5790 Armada Drive, Phone 877-551-9976 jazz, rock and more. Videos and recorded examples can be enjoyed at the press of a button. Legoland, Phone: 760-918-5346, is a great outing for the whole entire family. Don't forget to go to the Children’s Discovery Museum of North County, Phone: 760-720-0737 is great fun for the little ones.

Palomar Observatory

A museum features stunning astrophotography and a video about the observatory’s operations. You can also tour the dome and see Palomar’s 200-inch telescope. The observatory, located on Palomar Mountain in northeast San Diego County, 66 miles from downtown San Diego, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 760-742-2119

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Part of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), the aquarium has more than 30 tanks displaying habitats, a 55,000-gallon kelp-forest exhibit and the Exploring the Blue Planet museum, the country’s largest museum of oceanography. Various interactive displays on currents, tides and waves, information on weather and plate tectonics and more make this informative and fascinating. Another exhibit relates Scripps research to global change. Free guided minivan or walking tours of UCSD are held Sundays at 2 p.m. Call (858) 534-4414 or (858) 534-3474. for reservations.

Qualcomm Stadium - Chargers Football
The Bolts- Every game counts for the Chargers, who compete in the AFC Western Conference, one of the toughest in the league. Tickets start around $40. Call 619 280-2121. The San Diego Padres battle opponents in hopes of earning another pennant. The Padres also play at Qualcomm until 2002, then soon to the new Satdium in Downtown San Diego. Get into the game for less than $10. Call (619) 283-4494

Temecula Wine Country is nestled in the north eastern erea of San Diego, 22 miles from the ocean, is about an hour’s drive north of San Diego on I-15. With more than 300 antique shops and 1890s buildings, to hot-air ballooning and golf. Hart Winery is open daily for tastings. Thornton Winery, in a charming French chateau, produces Café Champagne. Callaway Vineyard Winery is open daily for tasting and tours, and offers a grape arbor for picnics. Maurice Car’rie Winery has a lovely picnic area. For futher information on Temecula wineries, call (909) 699-3626 or (800) 801-WINE.