From its world-famous zoo
and aquarium to its bountiful beaches, San Diego's vibrant and exciting
lifestyle has plenty to offer visitors and their whole families. It's
the kind of city where every day is a beach day, and where everyone is
busy having as much fun as possible. A relaxed atmosphere pervades the
city, probably one of the reasons that draw more than 30 million
visitors a year to San Diego. Given the beautiful weather and outdoor
activities abound, San Diego is probably one of the most pedestrian
friendly cities in America. Families walk, skate, and bike their way to
over 70 miles of beaches or any one of San Diego's numerous attractions.
San Diego's natural beauty is one of the city's greatest attractions.
An officially designated 52-mile long Scenic Drive brings visitors
through the city and its many neighborhoods. From the Harbor Islands
through Old Town and Balboa Park all the way to La Jolla, the Scenic
Drive is a great way to see all of the city's beautiful districts and
neighborhoods.
Balboa Park itself is the 1,200 acre home to the world-famous Zoo and
museums. This park is the cultural center of the city. The Rose Garden
has more than 2,000 rosebushes, and the entire park is really one giant
botanical garden full of beautiful flowers and trees. The Zoo, one of
the best in the world, holds nearly 4,000 animals representing more than
800 species. The animal habitats are designed to replicate each animal's
original ecosystem as closely as possible, down to the type of grass
used. Birds, gorillas, tigers, bears, hippos and other animals have
helped make this one of the most admired zoos in the world. In addition
to the zoo, Balboa Park is home to over a dozen museums dedicated to
history, science, art, cars, railroads, mankind, and of course, San
Diego itself.
Visitors who want to spend as much time as possible near the
glittering Pacific Ocean will love the Mission Bay area and its greatest
attraction: Sea World. The Mission Bay aquatic park covers 4,600 acres,
and includes 27 miles of bay shore beaches and 17 miles of ocean front
beaches. Admission to the beaches is free, and swimming, sunning, and
windsurfing are the preferred activities. Playgrounds and picnic spots
are found throughout the park, but the best place for kids has to be Sea
World. Covering over 100 bay-front acres, this park features the world
famous killer whale Shamu, as well as hundreds of other water animals,
like penguins, fish, and sharks. Sea World is one of the most famous
aquatic parks in the world, and kids and adults alike will love it.
San Diego has it all: sunny weather, great beaches, wonderful
museums, zoos, and aquariums, and history too. Old Town is the
historical heart of San Diego, and a great place to finish up a visit to
the city. The Spanish and Mexican heritage of the city is celebrated
here, amidst the famous Presidio fortress, the historical park, and the
adobe houses with Spanish tile roofs. San Diego has evolved immeasurably
since those early days as a Spanish settlement on the Pacific, and that
evolution has produced one of the most beautiful and happy cities in the
world. Visitors to San Diego are always sorry to leave behind what
residents know is heaven on earth.
