San Diego is the one of the world's best vacation destinations. The San Diego Bay teems with life and surprises - its near-perfect weather make exploring it fun and interesting. You can take a moonlight paddle in a kayak, watch every-evening fireworks at Sea World or visit seventy miles of palm tree lined beaches to swim, surf or just chill. Following are six activities and things to do in San Diego that should not be missed on your visit.
1. Stroll through the historic Gaslamp Quarter and view the renovated turn-of-the-century Victorian architecture, home to boutiques, art galleries and specialty shops. Historic buildings have been relocated to Gaslamp from other parts of the San Diego, their nineteenth century architecture restored to its former glory. Restaurants, shops and clubs occupy former brothels and saloons. The nightlife is throbbing and vibrant 365 days a year. The Quarter is home to many events and festivals, including San Diego's Mardi Gras, Taste of Gaslamp and the city's St. Patrick's Day events ensuring that the Gaslamp Quarter will remain one of San Diego's favorite travel destinations.
2. Enjoy a free organ concert at 2 p.m. on Sundays at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in lovely Balboa Park. The Spreckels brothers donated this - one of the world's largest outdoor pipe organs - to the City of San Diego for the Panama-California Exposition way back in 1914. The organ has more than 4000 pipes in length from the size of your finger to 32 feet. At the concerts you will hear world-famous organists play traditional favorites, waltzes and show tunes on enormous 32-foot pipes.
3. Star Watch from Balboa Park on the first Wednesday of each month courtesy of the San Diego Astronomy Association who sets up their big telescopes to offer guests a great view of stars, planets and the rings of Saturn in the night sky. One of the greatest thrills for anyone is to view the heavens through a telescope. Have you ever seen Jupiter's moons? How about star clusters? Join them after dark outside the Reuben Fleet Science Center on the first Wednesday of each month.
4. See things you never saw before at The Museum of Contemporary Art in LaJolla featuring an enormous collection of 4,000 works created after 1950. Here you'll find exhibits of all media and genres: painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, video and film. Designed in 1916 by world-famous Irving Gill and originally the home of distinguished philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, the 60,000 square-foot Museum will thrill you with its breathtaking coastal views.
5. Explore the tide pools in Point Loma below Cabrillo National Monument when the tide is out and get up close and personal with flowery anemones, scampering shore crabs, elusive octopus, spongy deadman's fingers and many other cool sea creatures. Located on the western side of Point Loma, these pools lie in the rocky inter-tidal zone and offer a window into the ocean ecosystem. San Diego travel tip: Ranger walks are available during most low tides and a slide program is shown daily at the Cabrillo park visitor center.
6. The Beach. We've got 70 miles of coastline here in San Diego - dozens of sun-worshiping possibilities. All San Diego beaches are free - perfect for reading that mystery novel, swimming, watching world-class surfers, people watching or just chilling.
1. Stroll through the historic Gaslamp Quarter and view the renovated turn-of-the-century Victorian architecture, home to boutiques, art galleries and specialty shops. Historic buildings have been relocated to Gaslamp from other parts of the San Diego, their nineteenth century architecture restored to its former glory. Restaurants, shops and clubs occupy former brothels and saloons. The nightlife is throbbing and vibrant 365 days a year. The Quarter is home to many events and festivals, including San Diego's Mardi Gras, Taste of Gaslamp and the city's St. Patrick's Day events ensuring that the Gaslamp Quarter will remain one of San Diego's favorite travel destinations.
2. Enjoy a free organ concert at 2 p.m. on Sundays at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in lovely Balboa Park. The Spreckels brothers donated this - one of the world's largest outdoor pipe organs - to the City of San Diego for the Panama-California Exposition way back in 1914. The organ has more than 4000 pipes in length from the size of your finger to 32 feet. At the concerts you will hear world-famous organists play traditional favorites, waltzes and show tunes on enormous 32-foot pipes.
3. Star Watch from Balboa Park on the first Wednesday of each month courtesy of the San Diego Astronomy Association who sets up their big telescopes to offer guests a great view of stars, planets and the rings of Saturn in the night sky. One of the greatest thrills for anyone is to view the heavens through a telescope. Have you ever seen Jupiter's moons? How about star clusters? Join them after dark outside the Reuben Fleet Science Center on the first Wednesday of each month.
4. See things you never saw before at The Museum of Contemporary Art in LaJolla featuring an enormous collection of 4,000 works created after 1950. Here you'll find exhibits of all media and genres: painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, video and film. Designed in 1916 by world-famous Irving Gill and originally the home of distinguished philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, the 60,000 square-foot Museum will thrill you with its breathtaking coastal views.
5. Explore the tide pools in Point Loma below Cabrillo National Monument when the tide is out and get up close and personal with flowery anemones, scampering shore crabs, elusive octopus, spongy deadman's fingers and many other cool sea creatures. Located on the western side of Point Loma, these pools lie in the rocky inter-tidal zone and offer a window into the ocean ecosystem. San Diego travel tip: Ranger walks are available during most low tides and a slide program is shown daily at the Cabrillo park visitor center.
6. The Beach. We've got 70 miles of coastline here in San Diego - dozens of sun-worshiping possibilities. All San Diego beaches are free - perfect for reading that mystery novel, swimming, watching world-class surfers, people watching or just chilling.
About the Author:
Terry Hunefeld retired in 2007 from his job as a CEO to pursue his passion of sailing the Pacific Ocean to census pelagic seabirds and marine mammals. Hunefeld and his wife own and operate the delightful Inn At Moonlight Beach Bed and Breakfast in the San Diego area. For more information visit: Bed and Breakfasts in San Diego or Encinitas Hotels.
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