1. Visit Seaport Village on the weekends for free entertainment and hours of leisurely window-shopping.  Or you can sit in the grass and gaze at passing ships or yachts in the San Diego Bay.
2. One of the most beautiful natural settings in the world, visit La Jolla Cove and view the magnificent sunset.
3. Fly a kite in Mission Bay Park which has plenty of grass.    It’s a great place to fly a kite because of the bay breezes.
4. Head to one of San Diego’s beaches, which are free for the puglic to swim, surf and much more.
5. Take a walk through the historic Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego and check out the renovated architecture, art galleries and boutiques.
6. Visit Old Town and check out San Diego’s history by viewing Old Town’s historic buildings, blacksmith shop, Stewart House, Seeley Stables and the oldest schoolhouse in San Diego.
7. Jog or bike through the popular Mission Bay Park’s many trails where joggers share more than 20 miles of scenic running paths that win through shade and sunlight near the shoreline.
8. Park on the first Wednesday of every month in front of Reuben H. Feet Science Center in Balboa Park to stargaze.  The San Diego Astronomy Association sets up huge telescopes to offer guests a great view of the night sky.
9. Enjoy free organ concerts at 2 p.m. on Sundays at the Spreckels Organ Pavillion in Balboa Park which features one of the world’s largest outdoor pipe organs.
10. Check out the apple-town, Julian, and its century-old gold mining town in the Cuyamaca Mountains.  You can pick up a free map at the Chamber of Commerce for a self-guided walking tour of the area’s historic sites.  Make sure to sit down for a slice of homemade apple pie – a Julian specialty.
11. Take a one-hour drive to Mt. Laguna and take an invigorating hike while enjoying the fresh mountain air.
12. Rollerblade, bicycle or skateboard along Mission Beach Boardwalk on a scenic 3-mile boardwalk.
13. Head out to Torrey Pines State Park for a picnic where you can also watch the talented and daring hang-gliders do tricks in the strong winds along the coastline cliffs.
14. Visit the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista for a free tour of the 150-acre facility, including athlete dorms, training fields, tracks and the Otay Lake Reservoir.  Tours are offered daily from Copley Visitor Center between 10am-3pm on Monday-Saturday and 11am-3pm on Sunday.
15. Visit the Mission Tails Regional Park to explore the recreational, historical and cultural aspects of San Diego.  Learn about nature and the people who once lived on the land.  Or roam, the park’s 40 miles of natural and developed hiking trails.
16. Cross the board and visit Tijuana, Mexico.  Entrance is free and the shops offer unique gifts and apparel or make great window-shopping.
17. Go bird watching at Torrey Pines, where there are many thrashers, woodpeckers, wrentits and swifts.
18. Have a beach bonfire on one of the beaches in San Diego County, including Mission Beach, Coronado Beach and La Jolla Shores.
19. Go scuba diving or snorkeling off San Diego’s shores.  La Jolla Cove offers some of the clearest waters on the California coast and miles of protected underwater preserves.
20. Check out the tidepools in Point Loma at low tide and discover anemones, octopui, spongy deadman’s fingers, shore crabs and many other sea creatures up close and personal.
21. Visit museums that offer free days each month at the Balboa Park while marveling at the beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.  Free days are with select museums on Tuesdays.
22. At the top of Mt. Soledad in La Jolla is a breaktaking, 360-degree view of San Diego which includes the curvy Mission Bay and La Jolla coastline.
23. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is free on the third Tuesday of each month, the downtown facility is free daily.
24. Take a scenic walk along The Big Bay, San Diego’s “largest attractions”.  Over 27 miles of waterfront feature bayside parks, shops and restaurants, marinas and miles of promenades and bikeways.
25. Visit the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.  The 600,000 acre park is one of the largest state parks in the United States and each spring after rain, gives forth a rainbow of colorful wildflower blossoms.

January
Buick Invitation Golf Tournament – Torrey Pines

February
San Diego Restaurant Week (Winter) – Downtown San Diego
Restaurant Week at The Shores – La Jolla Shores
Brazil ‘Carnaval’ 2008 – Downtown San Diego
Intimate Winemakers’ Dinner – Temecula
Cirque du Soleil Corteo – Del Mar
Mardi Gras – Gaslamp
Magic 92.5 Singles Cruise with Hornblower Cruises – Hornblower Cruises
Valentine’s Day at the Shores – La Jolla Shorez
Valentine’s Day at Kelly’s at Town and Country Resort – Mission Valley
Valentine’s Day Dining Cruises on the Bay – Hornblower Cruises

March
Whale Watching Kayak Tours – La Jolla
Haute Dog Couture Fashion Show – Mission Valley
Biosciences Day at the Fleet – Balboa Park
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Balboa Park/Hillcrest
San Diego Latino Film Festival – Mission Valley
ShamRock St. Patrick’s Day Block Party – Gaslamp
Intimate Whale Watching Tours without the Crowds – Shelter Island
California Half Ironman Triathlon
Kid’s Day Flower Fields – Carlsbad

April
Whale Watching with San Diego Natural History Museum – Hornblower
California Wine Festival – Downtown
Moto X World Championships – Mission Valley/Old Town
Art Alive – Balboa Park/Hillcrest
Family Day at the Maritime Museum & Boat Ride – Downtown
Taste of the Nation – Coronado Bay
Fridays at the Fleet – Weekly IMAX Film Festival in Balboa Park
Fallbrook Avocado Festival – Fallbrook
Art & Crafts Fair – Flower Fields of Carlsbad
Balboa Park Earth Fair – Balboa Park/Hillcrest
Full Moon Dinner Cruises – Hornblower
Annual Lakeside Rodeo & Parade – Lakside
ArtWalk
Orchids at Flower Fields – Carlsbad

May
Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo – Old Town
Carlsbad Spring Village Faire – Carlsbad
Fleet Week – Join our Military for the Parade – Shelter Island
Del Mar National Horse Show
Red Bull Air Race – San Diego Bay
Spring Busker Festival – Seaport Village
Mothers Day Cruise – Hornblower
Mothers Day Sleepover – San Diego Zoo
Flower Fields Ranunculus Tours – Carlsbad
Nature Cruise
BioBlitz – San Diego Natural History Museum

June
Fathers Day Cruise – Bay
San Diego County Fair – Del Mar
Sea World’s Summer Nights – Sea World
The Park at Dark – San Diego Zoo
Father’s Day: Pedal, Paddle & Picnic with Pops – La Jolla
La Jolla Festival of the Arts – La Jolla

July
4th of July – La Jolla Shores
4th of July – Hornblower
San Diego LBGT Pride Celebration – Hillcrest

August
Festival of Sail – Downtown

September
Julian Fall Apple Harvest – Julian
Pacific Islander – Mission Bay

October
Little Italy Precious Festa – Downtown
Borrengo Days Desert Festival – North County Inland

November
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival – Downtown
Mother Goose Parade – East County
Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival – Mission Valley/Old Town
Holiday of Lights – Del Mar

December
Balboa Park December Nights – Balboa Park/Hillcrest
Festival of Lights – Wild Animal Park
La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival – La Jolla

San Diego Zoo – Buy with Go San Diego Card

More than 4,000 animals are at the World-renowned San Diego Zoo, which is home to a diverse collection of animals, of which many are rarely seen at other zoos. Meet Mei Sheng, the 2nd baby panda porn at the San Diego zoo or take a look at the zoo’s newest attraction, Absolutely Apes, which has an expansive rain forest habitat where orangutans and siamaungs live and play together as they do in the wild. Arrive at the park early to get in line to see the pandas. This line forms fairly quickly, and remember…shhhh, you have to be very quiet!

San Diego Wild Animal Park – Buy with Go San Diego Card

This is a magical place in San Diego, where the animals live very close to their natural habitat. At the Wild Animal Park, you can stretch out a hand to feed a gentle giraffe, rub noses with an endangered rhino or get very close to a California Condo. The San Diego Wild Animal Park is one of the few places to see rare and exotic species roam free. Check out the Heart of Africa, a 32-acre safari adventure into the dense forest and grassy savannas of Africa. There is even a kiddie area for your children to run and play in tunnels and much more. Many restaurants are available to dine at plus many shopping opportunities. If you’re lucky, each year around April you can see many beautiful breaking from their cocoons.

Sea World San Diego – Buy with Go San Diego Card

Sea World San Diego is a great place to take the kids to touch and feed dolphins or manta rays, come face-to-face with a polar bear and check out sharks up close and personal. Encounter a spine-tingling 4-D movie experience at R.L. Stine’s Haunted Lighthouse and check out Shamu.

With over 70 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline, San Diego County has many outdoor recreational choices, especially due to San Diego’s perfect weather. Where to go? What beaches to choose from? Here’s a short list of favorite beaches to do activities:

Best Snorkeling:

La Jolla Cove Snorkeling – Hands down, La Jolla Cove is the best location for snorkeling in San Diego. The water is calm, making it suitable for children and beginners. The undersea life is abundant and close to the shore. Arrive early for the best experience.

Best Tide Pool:

Cabrillo Mounment/Point Loma Tide Pool – Some of the best tidepools in California can found at Cabrillo National Monument. On the west side of Point Loma lies a rocky inter-tidal zone, that gives you a nice window into the ocean ecosystem. If you look closely you can see flowery sea anemones, spongy deadman’s fingers, an elusive octopus, starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumber and even more creatures.

Best Activity Selections:

Mission Beach – Over 2 miles of beach which include a boardwalk to jog, bicycle, kayak, sunbathe or roller blade. You even have easy access to check out Belmont Park to ride the Big Dipper rollercoaster, play at the arcade or ride in the bumper boats.

Most Child-Friendly:

Mission Bay - Mission Bay’s clam calm and protected water allow children to splash around without the danger of the ocean surf. There is plenty of places to have a picnic and fly a kite.

Best Surfing:

Black’s Beach – The waves break long and in organized lines. A submarine trench offshore comes within a half mile off the coast and raw ocean swells come fast and forceful. Black’s requires a long hike down the cliff and a lot of extra paddling effort to get into the lineup. It can hold rideable surf well into the 10′-12′ realm.

Most Relaxing:

Solana Beach – Head north to where there are quieter beaches in the more residential areas to get away from the crowds.

Best Unique Feature:

La Jolla Children’s Pool – The swimming area used to be a place for children to swim, is now used for seal and sea lion when they took over the beach. Now visitors can watch them sunbathe and get a free marine mammal show.

First Tuesday Each Month

San Diego Model Railroad Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

Second Tuesday Each Month

Museum of Photographic Arts
San Diego Historical Society Museum and Research Archives

Third Tuesday Each Month

San Diego Museum of Art
San Diego Museum of Man
Japanese Friendship Garden
Mingei International Museum
San Diego Art Institute

Fourth Tuesday Each Month

San Diego Aerospace Museum
San Diego Automotive Museum
Hall of Nations free film
San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum

Always Free

Spreckels Organ concerts Sunday afternoons 2:00–3:00
Spreckels Organ concerts Monday 7:30–9:00 p.m., July & August
The Timken Museum of Art

The San Diego Natural Museum has a giant-screen film called the Ocean Oasis, that takes visitors on a journey through Baja, California and the Sea of Cortes. There are also traveling exhibitions and regional displays of the museum’s 7.5 million specimen scientific collection of marine invertebrates, ornithology, mammalogy, herpetology, botany, mineralogy and paleontology. There are also educational programs that include lectures, nature walks, teacher workshops and a loan library.

Website: http://www.sdnhm.org/about/index.html

The Casa Del Prado building is next door to the Natural History Museum and originally built for the 1915 Exposition and called the Varied Industries and Food Products Building. After many years and name revisions, the original building was torn down and rebuilt in 1971 and named the Casa Del Prado Theatre.

Website: http://www.sandiegohistory.org/bpbuildings/casaprad.htm

The Botanical Building was built for the 1915 Panama California Exposition. A 193 by 43 foot reflecting pool south of the Botanical building contains water lilies, goldfish, koi and lotus.

During World War II, the reflecting pool was used as a swimming pool for sailors at the Naval Training Station, to learn to swim. When the Botanical Building was opened to the public in 1915, bird cages holding Linnets, thrushes and canaries had been placed among the palms, banana trees, bamboos, Aralia chabrierii and Aralia elegantissima. Some plants grew too tall, so were either removed or cut down.

Website: http://www.inetours.com/San_Diego/Botanical_Building.html

The San Diego Museum of Art occupies the fine arts buildign for the 1915 Panama-California Internal Exposition in Balboa Park at 1450 El Prado. The museum was established in 1922 when a local business and civic leader, Appleton S. Bridges, agreed to fund the conservation of a permanent structure. The collections of the museum include Italian Renaissance, Asian art, south Asian paintings, American art, nineteenth-century European paintings, Dutch and Spanish Old Masters, twentieth-century paintings and sculpture and a contemporary California Art gallery.

Website: http://www.sdmart.org/

The San Diego Museum of Man occupies the most recognized building in Balboa Park, the California State Building and Quadrangle, which marks the entrance into the Exposition from the West Gate.

Exhibits portray the chapters of mankind and display collections of artifacts, folklore and physical remains. The museum is the place to learn about ancient Egypt and native cultures of the Western Americas.

Live demonstrators make tortillas in the traditional Mexican manner and a Oaxacan weaver demonstrates spinning and floor loom on Wednesdays through Sundays.

Website: http://www.museumofman.org/

The Old Globe Theatre is the oldest Californian professional theater organizatio nthat occupies the refurbished Old Globe Theatre building. Originally constructed for the 1915 Exposition for the presentation of Shakespeare Plays the building went through several remodels and was destroyed by a fire on March 8, 1978. The new Old Globe Theatre was dedicated on January 5, 1982.

Website: http://www.theoldglobe.org/

The Mingei International Museum is dedicated to further the understanding of the world of folk art. The name “Mingei” is coined by the late Dr. Soetsu Yanagi by combining the Japanese words for all people (min) and art (gei).

The structure of the Mingei International Museum resides was built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition and like several other buildings in Balboa Park, it had gone by other names. In 1935, the Building was renamed the House of Charm by which it is generally recognized today.

Website: http://www.mingei.org/

The Japanese Frienship Garden began with a Japanese Tea House built in 1915. San Diego’s Sister City relationship with Yokohama in 1950 contributed to the desire for a Japanese Garden at the Balboa Park. The 1.5 acre garden includes an entry plaza with tea stand, outdoor seating, koi pond, fountain, trellised bonsai garden, 100 cherry trees and a learning center for children.

Website: http://www.niwa.org/

Spreckels Organ Pavilion is home to one of the largest outdoor pipe organs in the world. THe organ was donated to the City of San Diego by John D. and Adolph Spreckels in 1914 for the Panama-California Exposition and contains over 4,500 pipes. The Spreckels Organ Pavilion can seat up to 2,400 people and is wheelchair accessible.

Website: http://www.sandiegohistory.org/bpbuildings/organ.htm

John D. Spreckels is a dedicated musician and pipe organist who added an enormous 41-rank Aeolian Pipe Organ to his home on Glorietta Bay. Spreckels owned the San Diego Street Railway System which he wanted to extend through Balboa Park to hasten development and San Diego’s economy on the other side. Spreckels funded daily concerts on the outdoor organ until his death in 1926.

Balboa Park Club was built for the 1915-16 Exposition as the New Mexico Building. It’s an example of early mission architecture. In 1935-36, the Club became the Palace of Education when a dance floor was added. Another renovation of the building, included a new ballroom floor and kitchen was completed in 1995.

Website: http://www.sandiegohistory.org/bpbuildings/newmex.htm

The Palisades Building was known as the Hollywood Motion Picture Hall of Fame when the motion picture industry exhibited there and was used as Navay Barracks during World War II, like most of Balboa Park. The 234-seat Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre is at the north end of the building. The Recital Hall can be rented for dance classes, meetings, conferences, exhibits, flower shows, aprties and rehearsals.

Website: http://www.balboaparkpuppets.com/

The San Diego Automotive Museum is home to many classic and antique cars, vintage motorcycles, racers, exotics and prototypes that illustrate the history of cars.

Website: http://www.sdautomuseum.org/ContentPage.asp?ContentID=105

San Diego’s Aerospace Museum has a collection of over sixty-five aircraft and spacecraft. The museum opened in the Ford Building in 1980, moving from the Balboa Park Electrical Building which suffered an arson fire in 1978. The Ford Motor Company provided the largest building and exhibit in the Palisades area of Balboa Park. The Ford Bowl, now called the Starlight Bowl, is built next to the Ford Building for Opera performances and now home to the Starlight Theatre. Ford has sponsored concerts by both the San Diego and Los Angeles Symphonies during the 2nd year of the Exposition.

Website: http://www.aerospacemuseum.org/

The Federal Building in the Palisades section of Balboa Park. The San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum was opened in the renovated Federal Building in Balboa Park. The 70,000 square foot multi-sports museum showcases 40 difference sports and has an athlete’s Hall of Fame devoted to San Diego heroes. Kids are even invited to touch sports equipment used by the greats and test their own athletic abilities in the interactive exhibits.

Website: http://www.sdhoc.com/

Check out more museums:

Maritime Museum

]]> http://sandiegofun.net/san-diego-museum-guide/feed/ 0 http://sandiegofun.net/tours-sightseeing/ http://sandiegofun.net/tours-sightseeing/#comments Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:52:10 +0000 Susan http://sandiegofun.net/?p=29 San Diego is the second largest city in California. So where do you start if you are new to the city or you’re familiar and want to try something new? Check out some of the most popular sightseeing tours to explore San Diego.

Double Decker Tour – Buy with Go San Diego Card

Enjoy San Diego and its great weather on top of an open view Double Decker bus. The best way to visit “America’s Finest City”, the English Double Decker bus have an expert tour guide narrate and separate professional driver. Tours are offered in additional languages. The tours follow a continuous route through San Diego which last from 45 minutes to an hour but you are allowed to hop off or on at any of its 12 stops for 48 hours.

Stops include:
Old Town, Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, Horton Plaza – Downtown, Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, USS Midway, Cruise Ship Terminal

San Diego 2 Hour Harbor Cruise – Buy with Go San Diego Card

The two hour San Diego Harbor Cruise is a great way to explore to explore the bay and diverse city along its 25 mile route which includes major San Diego landmarks. Snacks and refreshments are available aboard and the tour is fully narrated with local history and information.

A few things of what you will see on the cruise include: Aircraft Carries, Submarine Amphibious Base, North Island Naval Air Station, Navy Seals Training Base, Wildlife such as the Sea Lions, Dolphins, Pelicans and Harbor Seals, Surface Force Pacific including over 40 Destroyers, Cruisers and Frigates, Cabrillo National Monument and Point Loma, America’s Cup Harbor, Coronado Bride and the Star of India & Historic Ships of Maritime Museum.

San Diego City Tour – Buy with Go San Diego Card

Ideal for first time visitors to San Diego or catch up on your knowledge of San Diego, this narrated tour will show you the unique areas of San Diego’s downtown, including the Gaslamp Quarter, the Embarcadero with wonderful harbor views, Old Town, La Jolla, Balboa Park, Seaport Village, historic Hotel Del Coronado and the many Navy ships in port and one of the oldest merchant sailing ships in the world.

<a href=”http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-2952366-10397377?url=http%3A%2F%2Fleisure.travelocity.com%2FPromotions%2F0%2C%2CTRAVELOCITY%7C2146%7Cpkg_main%2C00.html%3FWA1%3D03042%26WA2%3DFDvac%26WA3%3DP3%26WA4%3Dcalif%26WA5%3DIM%23″ target=”_top”>Vacation Packages from $109</a><img src=”http://www.tqlkg.com/image-2952366-10397377″ width=”1″ height=”1″ border=”0″/>

The museum’s impressive feet includes the oldest active ship Start of India, HMS, the 1898 steam ferry Berkeley, the 1904 steam yacht Medea and the B-39 soviet-era Russian attack submarine.

The Start of India is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as being the worlds oldest active ship and was named a National Historic Landmark in 1966 and California State Historic Landmark in 1999.

On board the ships you will find fascinating exhibits on maritime history, warfare, exploration and an interactive children play area.

Website: http://www.sdmaritime.com/
1492 N. Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-234-9153

Consisting of 16 1/2 blocks around Fourth and Fifth Avenues, the historic Gaslamp Quarter has over 100 of the tastiest and finest restaurants, 35 pubs and nightclubs and 100 retail shops, plus art galleries, theaters, offices and residential lofts. At night and especially on weekends, the downtown neighborhood attracts many shoppers, dinners and nightclub patrons. Stroll down 4th and 5th avenues to visit the heart of the Gaslamp District.

Horton Plaza was opened in 1985 and designed to resemble a European marketplace. Owned by Westfield Shopping, the shopping mall occupies sex and one-half blocks in downtown San Diego and has ornate lamps that appear like the original gas lamps used in San Diego at the turn of the century. There are 130 stores and shops including Macy’s and Nordstroms, several restaurants and a multi-screen movie theater.

Website: www.gaslamp.org

Hotels

In May 2007, the Ivy Hotel opened with 159 luxury rooms and 16 suites, 2 presidential suites and 1 signature suite with 2 levels and a spiral staircase leading to a private poolside cabana. Some nice features include a personal butler on each floor, a night club called Envy (4-level nightclub!), a street-level restaurant seating 180 guests called Quarter Kitchen and Eden, a rooftop terrace and swimming pool. www.theiveyhotel.com

There’s also the modern and boutique-style Keating Hotel which opened in February 2007, the Victorian styled Horton Grand Hotel built in the 1880’s, the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter’s 30 residential style lofts and the restored late-Victorian Gaslamp Plaza Suites, which was San Diego’s first skyscraper built in 1913.