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. At dusk on the first Wednesday of each month, following the monthly "Sky Tonight" planetarium show in the Space Theater of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, members of the San Diego Astronomy Association set up big telescopes by the large fountain in Balboa Park for free public sky viewing. See Saturn's rings through a big telescope as well as the moon, planets, nebulae and globular clusters - up close and personal.
4. Surf's up! Head up to Oceanside and visit the California Surf Museum. Antique and classic surfboards along with profiles of famous surfers are give you an insider's look at this unique SoCal sport. The museum is dedicated to archiving and displaying surfboards, surf art, skateboards, surf memorabilia, photographs and historical videos. Their "timeline of surfboards" exhibit includes wooden boards from the early 1900s all the way to today's modern boards. There is something surreal in combining education with what is considered the ultimate beach bum sport.
5. Explore the tide pools in LaJolla at low tide and see strange and unusual life forms. There's lots to see if you look closely: scuttling hermit crabs, colorful sea anemones, real octopus, creepy dead man's fingers and cavernous gaping barnacles. Many of these creatures shelter under rocks or bury themselves in the sand; some use their camouflage to hide in plain sight. Like a hidden puzzle, tide pools must be examined carefully to reveal their treasures. San Diego travel tip: look closely!
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. At dusk on the first Wednesday of each month, following the monthly "Sky Tonight" planetarium show in the Space Theater of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, members of the San Diego Astronomy Association set up big telescopes by the large fountain in Balboa Park for free public sky viewing. See Saturn's rings through a big telescope as well as the moon, planets, nebulae and globular clusters - up close and personal.
4. Surf's up! Head up to Oceanside and visit the California Surf Museum. Antique and classic surfboards along with profiles of famous surfers are give you an insider's look at this unique SoCal sport. The museum is dedicated to archiving and displaying surfboards, surf art, skateboards, surf memorabilia, photographs and historical videos. Their "timeline of surfboards" exhibit includes wooden boards from the early 1900s all the way to today's modern boards. There is something surreal in combining education with what is considered the ultimate beach bum sport.
5. Explore the tide pools in LaJolla at low tide and see strange and unusual life forms. There's lots to see if you look closely: scuttling hermit crabs, colorful sea anemones, real octopus, creepy dead man's fingers and cavernous gaping barnacles. Many of these creatures shelter under rocks or bury themselves in the sand; some use their camouflage to hide in plain sight. Like a hidden puzzle, tide pools must be examined carefully to reveal their treasures. San Diego travel tip: look closely!
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 follow his bliss of exploring the oceans of the world to observe seabirds and mammals. Hunefeld and his wife purchased, renovated and run the romanticInn At Moonlight Beach Bed and Breakfast in the San Diego area. For more information visit: Bed and Breakfasts in San Diego or San Diego Beach Hotels.
