San Diego is a paradise on Earth. We have 70 miles of perfect coastline, palm trees, all the entertainment that just rolled right on down from L.A., shopping to make your most hedonistic consumerist dreams come true. We have parks, of the natural and amusement kind. We have clubs, pubs and sports. We have spas and museums, fairs and piers. We have diverse restaurants (ever tried Ethopian cuisine? or Persian?) that will leave you craving more. We have desert. We have mountains. We even have stars (at the Palomar Observatory). You can wake up in the morning and hit the surf, then jump in your car and in two hours hit the slopes in the afternoon. For the love of everything holy, people, we have polo.
And we have it all in one of the most temperate climates in the world. Welcome to San Diego.
While there are far too many attractions to list out, I have qualified "best" to mean those that are quintessentially San Diego: the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, Old Town, the Hotel Del Coronado and Balboa Park.
The world-famous San Diego Zoo and its sister site, the Wild Animal Park, are two completely different yet unforgettable experiences. The Zoo is directly to the north of downtown, square in the middle of everything, adjunct to Balboa Park. While its habitats are lush and the landscaping is beautiful, it still feels very much like going to the zoo. The Wild Animal Park, about 30 miles north of the city by freeway, is a much more natural and open environment, with more hands-on opportunities with the animals and the chance to see them interacting with each other in diverse settings. You'll have to choose between them, if only to decide which day to spend at each. There is more than enough at each to fill up the whole day, and both parks require a good deal of strenuous walking to really see and appreciate the habitats.
Zoo Tips and Tricks:
- Zoo parking is free. The lot is extensive, and there is an overflow lot in case the main lot fills up (and it will, in the summer). To get to the overflow lot, drive up to the main entrance as if you were dropping off passengers. Follow that road past the entrance, and the dirt overflow lot will be on your left.
- The Zoo has the pandas. But be warned: Panda viewing is controlled access only, and they are only available for public display at certain times of the day. Check on the website or at the main entrance when you arrive for the current day's panda viewing times.
- The Zoo has some really steep hills. There is a tour bus that will take you around the zoo, but you'll want to be on foot to see everything. You only have to walk one-way, though; there is a spectacular aerial tram that goes from right next to the entrance of the park to the furthest point in the back of the park, the Polar Bear Plunge. Warning: The trail from the panda enclosure past the birds of prey up around to the polar bears is crazy steep.
Wild Animal Park Tips and Tricks:
- Parking is not free. And there's nothing you can do about that; the park is out in the middle of nowhere and there are no park-and-walk options. The $9 (non-member) parking charge is not included in the ticket price. Forewarned is forearmed.
- The line for the train may seem long and tiresome, but it moves rather quickly and is entirely worth it. The train, unlike the tram and bus tours at the zoo, is not an extra charge.
- The Park has some really steep hills. There is no nifty trick around them, because the park is too big. The only way to avoid one of the biggest hills is to only visit the Heart of Africa by train, and to spend the rest of your time up near the Congo Fishing Village and the Hidden Jungle. But you'll miss a lot that way.
Consider buying your tickets to both online at the San Diego Zoo website, as it has online specials and some great package deals.
Enough wildlife. The next major attraction in San Diego is Old Town, a state park just north of downtown. This was the original heart of the city, back when missionaries were still converting the natives. The buildings are recreations of the old wooden fort and mission buildings. Some of the recreations house museums, while others have shops and restaurants. The theme is old Spanish-American Southwest, and the theme is kept up from the dusty walkways to the delectable Mexican-style restaurants (with the biggest margaritas in town). One of the best places in Old Town to visit is the Bazaar Del Mundo, a handful of international specialty shops, filled with unique, crafty gifts that positively scream perfect souvenir.
Old Town Tips and Tricks:
- Parking in Old Town is possible, but not obvious. There are three main lots that are away from the huge transit center lot off of Pacific Highway, which is often full from commuters. If you turn down Congress Street from Taylor, you'll find a small lot to the left just past the transit center that commuters cannot park in. But the most convenient lots are over by Juan Street. Turn onto Juan from Taylor and there is a public lot on the right. If this one is full, continue on Juan and take a right on Harney. There are two more lots, one on each side of the street.
- Explore. The community just outside of the park proper (to the south, mostly on Congress) carries on that Southwest flair and has a number of good restaurants and shops. Heritage and Presidio Parks are right there to the east, boasting a number of preserved Victorians, some more museums, and a trip up to the top of Presidio Drive will give you an amazing view of the valley. To get to Presidio Drive, take a left on Mason Street from Juan (away from Old Town) and take a right on Jackson Street. That will loop back on itself and turn into Presidio.
Another uniquely San Diego attraction is the Hotel Del Coronado. The Emerald Isle, Coronado, sits across the bay from downtown San Diego. Half of the island is a Navy base, but the other half is a quaint seaside village that feels like it never really left 1950 behind. The Hotel Del is the highlight of the Coronado experience. The 115-year old hotel has been the site of Hollywood shoots (Some Like It Hot), of presidential stays and of an infamous haunting. The Del is a red-roofed Victorian confection, and it still has every inch of its turn-of-the-century (the century before last, that is) charm.
While there is an entire host of activities for its guests, the hotel still has a number of things to do on the grounds for visitors. It is situated directly on the beach, and there is no one to stop you from enjoying the sun, sea and air. In fact, the back of the Del has a large wraparound boardwalk with tables to sit at and admire the view. The sitting area is right outside of the bar, so you can even order drinks from the roving wait staff without lifting a finger. If you are in the mood for something more substantial, there are three restaurants on site. The Del has a bunch of specialty shops, including a stellar bakery and an ice cream parlor. The 32-acre grounds are beautiful and littered with walking paths. There is a even a spa for the ultimate pamper-yourself SoCal relaxation getaway.
The Hotel Del Tips and Tricks:
- To get there, take the 5 South just past downtown and take the Coronado Bay Bridge exit, and across the bridge you'll go. Follow the road (Third Street). You'll take a left on Orange, the first major cross street after the bridge. The Del will be on the right side. You'll have to pay to park there, unless you feel like parking on one of the nearby side streets and walking onto the grounds.
- The Del has free WiFi service, which reaches all the way out over the beach.
- On Sundays, the Del has a famous buffet-style brunch in the Crown Room. In the afternoon, it hosts a formal tea in the lobby facing the Palm Court, where the hostesses even dress up in period clothes. Neither of these activities are for someone on a budget, but they make a great splurge.
You really shouldn't miss out on Balboa Park. The 1200-acre city park sits on a mesa overlooking downtown, verdant with gardens and natural growth. Inside the park is an enchantingly strange cornucopia of sights: some of the best museums that San Diego has to offer, the nation's largest outdoor organ, the Botanical Building, the Spanish Art Village Center where local artisans work on their craft for your entertainment and some world-class performing arts venues. Many of the museums are housed in sandstone buildings designed in rich Spanish Revival architecture and covered in intricate carvings. As a final touch, many local entertainers turn the main walk, the El Prado, into an impromptu fair on the weekends. Palm readers, jugglers and henna tattoo artists all set up temporary shop.
Balboa Park Tips and Tricks:
- In the summer at 2 p.m., there are free organ concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. For more information (about the concerts and everything else at the Park), check the park's website.
- While all of the museums have interesting exhibitions, the MOPA (Museum of Photographic Arts) consistently has breathtakingly amazing exhibits. And for something really different, try San Diego Art Institute's Museum of the Living Artist. The exhibits feature local artists and change every four to six weeks.
- Over near the parking lot for the Zoo is a delightful old-style, working wooden carousel. Not only is riding it a glorious moment to relive your youth or to make a child's day, if you are really lucky you'll see a daring photographer taking oh-so-sweet wedding shots of the dolled-up bride and groom.
- If you cross the pedestrian bridge over Park Boulevard near the Natural History Museum, you'll end up in an impressive rose garden surrounding a monstrous pergola/arbor. There is also a small desert garden here, too.
But wait! What about SeaWorld? When is she going to get to the SeaWorld, you're asking yourself. And so I have to mention it, because people do flock here for the aquatic theme park. Stunning fish, great shows, fireworks every night, sharks and a pretty spectacular location on Mission Bay are all not to be missed. But honestly, did you really need me to tell you that?
SeaWorld Tips and Tricks:
- Try to go on a Wednesday; it's less crowded. Also, if you go directly to the back of the park and start your day by the sharks and manatees, you will miss a lot of the long lines at the attractions.
- During the summer, SeaWorld has camp programs for kids and families, from overnight stays to day camps. For more information, try the Busch Gardens website.
This tidbit of real travel advice was contributed by Kate Lusifee.
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