Sitting on the California coast, just north of Tijuana, Mexico is San Diego. This beach town is the hub of a major metropolitan area and the wonderful warm temperatures enjoyed year-round make it a popular North American winter getaway as well as a fun summer destination.
Located just 116 miles south of Los Angeles, San Diego is a few hours drive south, or a very short commuter flight. This is California's second largest city, so just about any amenity or distraction is available. The area is well-equipped for golfers and the coastal location makes all sorts of water events and activities popular year-round.
The San Diego Zoo is world-class, and there's plenty there to delight children of all ages. The features and educational programs hosted by this zoo are excellent. You'll want to allow a full-day to explore this one. The Wild Animal Park offers a unique hot-air balloon tour as well as conventional animal tours on the ground in lovely double-decker buses.
If water mammals and fish are more to your liking, then chances are that a visit to SeaWorld might satisfy more than the zoo. The park operates longer hours in the spring and summer, allowing for more time to see their famous killer whales. A variety of amusement rides also offer fun and let kids and adults explore the oceans and it's wildlife from a different angle.
For those who want a prime beach experience, try checking out Coronado. Meaning "crowned one," this peninsula is often called an island by the locals and is reached by crossing the Coronado-San Diego Bridge. Just a mile from downtown, this small area of land has fifteen miles of beaches and is much less crowded than the mainland beaches. The peninsula is only about a mile across, allowing visitors to get around easily by foot, bike or skates. A local shuttle costs $1 and goes anywhere you'd want to go.
Sports fans who find themselves in San Diego might just never leave again. This city boasts multiple major sports teams, some of which include the Padres (MLB) and Surf Dawgs (GBL) for baseball, the Chargers (NFL) and Riptide (AFL) for football, the Fusion (NPSL) and the Gauchos (USL) for soccer, and the Siege (NWBL) and Wildcats (ABA) for basketball. Sorry to the NBA fans, but twice San Diego had basketball teams in this city, but one moved to Houston (the Rockets) and the other moved to Los Angeles (the Clippers).
Rae Schwarz - Born and raised on the East Coast, Rae headed West for her college years and has stayed ever since. After college she attended the Clarion ...
