Discover the Very Best of San Diego, CA with Family & Friends
Whatever you want to do, you can do it in San Diego. To help give you some ideas, take a look at some of the very best places in this beautiful part of the country.
Gaslamp Quarter
Once a very seedy part of San Diego best known as a place where sailors and shady characters would hang out in saloons and enjoy female companionship in brothels, the Gaslamp Quarter is now a hot spot for shopping, dining and entertainment. The 16 1/2 block area that stretches from the Bay to Broadway, and between 4th and 6th Avenues, was part of a big revitalization project in the 1970s. Old Buildings, brick sidewalks and gas lamps give the area the feel of its nineteenth century roots. The massage parlors, adult bookstores, tattoo parlors and bordellos are gone. Today, tourists and locals head into this small, but very vibrant, part of San Diego to eat, drink, shop and be entertained at the more than 200 restaurants, bars, nightclubs, galleries and fancy boutiques.
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a wonderful place to relax and spend a day. Only a short taxi ride or a nice walk from downtown, this most popular location is known for its more than 20 museums, awesome open spaces and great restaurants. While there are hundreds of things to do in Balboa Park, here are some suggestions to get you started.
Air and Space Museum
Natural History Museum
Carousel
Miniature Railroad Ride
San Diego Zoo
Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater
Japanese Friendship Garden
Golf, Tennis or Lawn Bowling
Little Italy
Little Italy is one of the best places to go if you like Italian restaurants, art galleries, shopping and friendly people. The streets are always busy with tourists and area residents and the crowds swell during the many festivals, carnivals and special events held throughout the year. You can get in on a game of Bocci Ball at Amici Park or maybe take the kids to the San Diego Firehouse Museum. Little Italy's business district is bounded by Laurel Street to the north, "A" Street to the south, Front Street to the east and the Pacific Highway to the west.
Seaport Village
Wander along the 4 miles of winding cobblestone pathways and take in the scenic landscaped grounds. Seaport Village is a 14 acre stretch of prime waterfront property that is home to 54 specialty shops and 17 casual and fine dining restaurants. At any time you might be serenaded by a talented musical artist or entertained by a street performer. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing stroll along the quarter mile long boardwalk overlooking the San Diego Bay. Keep walking and the boardwalk will take you to the doors of the San Diego Convention Center.
Coronado Island
Take the 20 minute ferry ride from San Diego to the Coronado Ferry Landing for a fun and relaxing day on beautiful Coronado Island. If you prefer, you can make the two mile drive over the San Diego-Coronado Bridge to get to the island. You will be able to see for yourself why the Hotel del Coronado has consistently ranked as one of the best beach resorts in the world. Built in 1888, the hotel, with its signature red turrets, is recognizable from miles away. Coronado's wide sandy beach and gentle waters make it ideal for families. Every first and third Friday of the month, you can see the creations of local artists at the Art-in-the-Park show in Spreckels Park. Coronado boasts one of the best public golf courses in the nation and shoppers will love browsing through the many specialty shops and art galleries. It is hard to argue that if you want the best beach, best resort hotel and best public golf course, Coronado is a pretty good place to go.
Marina at Shelter Island
The really big and expensive yachts can find safe harbor at the Shelter Island Marina. Yachtfest is an annual September event that showcases these playthings of the very rich. You can step aboard and imagine what it would be like to be in command of such a luxurious vessel. As part of the event, the San Diego Maritime Museum sends two replica nineteenth century tall ships to engage in an entertaining mock gun battle. If you are in the area for the fourth of July, Shelter Island is one of the best viewing spots to watch the big fireworks show.
Mission Bay Boating
San Diego is a great area for boating. Mission Bay features a big marina that can accommodate sailboats and powerboats of all different sizes. If you do not own a boat, but want to fish or just go out on a nice weekend on the water, you can rent a boat. Bring your Captain's Hat and First Mate and enjoy a day at sea.
Surfing USA
When the Beach Boys wrote their big hit called Surfin' USA, they were probably talking about the great beaches along the San Diego coastline. La Jolla, Del Mar and Solana Beach are just a few of the great surfing spots where you can hang ten and catch the big waves.
Mission Valley Resort
When you are visiting San Diego, you will need a great place to stay. The Mission Valley Resort, with 20 acres of tropically landscaped grounds, fits the bill very well. Families, couples and singles will find very comfortable accommodations in the 202 guest rooms. Each room features an abundance of the best amenities and the resort has an on site restaurant, sports bar, two heated pools and much more, all at a very affordable price.
San Diego is full of fun things to do, and if you somehow want even more to do, there are many other great places nearby. You can jump in a car and be on the rides at Disneyland, or Universal Studios in no time at all. If you want to see the movie stars, Hollywood and LA are just a short ride north. Even Las Vegas in just a few hours away from San Diego.
For more information visit our website http://www.missionvalleyresort.com
875 Hotel Circle South - San Diego, CA I 92108
Tel 619-298-8281 or 800-362-7871
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
