Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Torrey Pines State Preserve

Located at the Northwest end of San Diego, within
the city limits, Torrey Pines offers you over 2000
wild and natural acres. Along with the trees of
Torrey Pines, there's a visitor center, miles and
miles of trails, miles of beaches, and a lagoon
that's a vital area for seabirds.

The State Preserve of Torrey Pines not only preserves
the trees but the salt marshes and waterfowl refuges
as well. The Torrey Pines State Beach here stretches
nearly four miles, from Del Mar to the sandstone
cliffs of Torrey Pines Mesa.

Also found here is Blacks Beach, located at the
base of the 300 foot cliffs. The cliffs here offer
paragliding, remote control gliding, and even hang
gliding. At the north end of Blacks Beach, clothing
is optional. To be on the safe side, always read the
signs and follow the rules of the beach.

With plenty to offer, Torrey Pines State Preserve is
a great addition to the already vast area of San
Diego. You can visit here from San Diego, as it's
a short drive away. Torrey Pines has great beaches
and plenty of trails for you to see. As a family
trip, Torrey Pines is a great place to spend the
afternoon on your once in a lifetime vacation.

Seaport Village San Diego

The Seaport Village of San Diego combines the best
of waterfront shopping, dining, and overall family
entertainment. While the Marina Park is here as
well, nearby is the small but popular San Diego
public park.

In Seaport Village you'll find 14 acres of pleasure
with more than 75 shops and galleries, restaurants,
and eateries on the sidewalk. Even though the area
is primarily targeted towards visitors, locals get
the best of the best with the restaurants and their
out of town company.

The San Diego Pier Cafe is also here, which is one of
the best known restaurants in the area. Located on
the bay, the cafe provides seafood with breathtaking
views.

The Seaport village provides a great place to view
Coronado and the Coronado Bridge, as it overlooks the
harbor. Just a short stroll from the village, you have
the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park, and
the Gaslamp Quarter.

Providing plenty to do and plenty of things to see
nearby, Seaport Village has it all going on. A visit
here is unlike any other, as the city of San Diego
will always have something unique to offer you and your
entire family.

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo, located in San Diego California is
one of the best zoo's in the United States. Serving
as one of the main reasons to visit San Diego, the
zoo houses nearly 4,000 animals. Also in the zoo, are
the infamous pandas, one of the main reasons as to why
the zoo is so popular.

Among the many animals you'll find here are the pandas,
giraffes, tigers, and basically any other animal that
you can think of. The animals themselves have plenty
of room to run and play, giving you all the space you
need to view them in their active environment and
best of all - while they are at their best.

Anytime you plan to visit San Diego, you should make
sure you visit the zoo. Kids simply adore the animals
here, while parents find them adorable. Even if you
have never been to a zoo before, the San Diego Zoo
can more than change your outlook.

Once you enter the zoo, you can check out the animals,
get some food, or just walk around. The park is
enormous in size, having everything you can basically
think of when it comes to animals. Once you visit, you
may find yourself hating time when it comes time to
leave!

Downtown San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego contains some of
the most extensive and dramatically designed
historic buildings in the area. Constructed between
1873 and 1930, these Victorian style buildings are
truly a sight to behold.

The Victorian era buildings found in the Gaslamp
Quarter are home to night clubs, restaurants,
theaters, and shops. A simple stroll down 4th
and 5th avenue will put you at the heart of the
Gaslamp Quarter.

Also found in the Gaslamp Quarter is the Horton
Plaza and Horton Plaza Park. The Plaza is the
first place in the United States to feature a water
fountain containing electric lights; a true
tribute to the designer Alonzo Horton.

The Gaslamp Quarter received its name from the
gaslamps that were used in the area around the early
1900's. During those times, gaslamps were the
main source of light for the area that is now
the vision of Modern Day San Diego.

Now days, there are more than 130 stores and shops
filling the Gaslamp Quarter. With everything from
Macy's to Mervyns, Gaslamp Quarter has plenty for
you to see and do. In Horton Plaza, you can find
a multi screen movie theater that is sure to please
movie lovers.

For a wonderful experience, the Gaslamp Quarter of
San Diego shouldn't be overlooked. There is a lot
you can do here, from fine dining to excellent
shops. For a family vacation, San Diego has a
little bit of something for everyone.

San Diego At A Glance

Referred to as many as being the only area in the
United States with perfect weather, San Diego remains
the oldest port on the West Coast. Complete with a
well known Naval Base and a high level of tourism, this
breathtaking city continues to dominate the economy.

Aside from offering high mountains, deserts, and over
70 miles of the world's most renowned beaches, San Diego
also offers other great attractions such as Sea World,
the San Diego Zoo, and Wild Animal Park.

For art lovers, there are many different museums and
even the Shakespearean play at the Old Globe Theater.
Throw in the fact that San Diego has more championship
golf courses than any other area in the world, and you
have a city ready for anyone's imagination.

As a tourist city or a place to call home, San Diego is
one place you should at least visit. The night life here
rivals that of Las Vegas, giving you something for
everyone in the family. Young or old - San Diego is the
one city that you'll never find boring.

Mission Beach San Diego

The area of Mission Beach is a stretch of the sandbar
along the Pacific Ocean. Through Mission Beach, the
main artery is Mission Boulevard. This Boulevard is
a popular place to go in the summer or winter, as
there are main shops and restaurants.

Near Mission Beach, you'll find attractions such as
Sea World and Belmont Park. Both amusement parks are
well known, and very popular. Within the two you'll
find rides such as the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster,
Chaos, Vertical Plunge, the Liberty Carousel, and
The Trampoline.

Mission Beach also gives you plenty of opportunities
to participate in volleyball, tanning, surfing,
skateboarding, and many other activities. There is
also a local skating club, Skate This, which performs
for free on the weekends with sick tricks and dancing.

Even though nudity isn't allowed on the beach, alcohol
still is. Thong bikinis aren't legal on the beach,
although lifeguards and security personal normally don't
make a big deal about it.

With plenty of shops and restaurants, Mission Beach
in San Diego is a great place to go. The beach is
very warm and offers a sandy environment. If you like
the beach with other perks to offer, Mission Beach is
one place you should check out.

Cabrillo National Monument

Located in San Diego California, the Cabrillo National
Monument provides a historic lighthouse with plenty
of activities. There are great views here as well,
with tidepools, flora and fauna, whales to watch,
and even military history.

The Monument offers hiking along designated trails,
bicycling on paved roadways, and swimming within the
park boundaries. Fishing is permitted here as well,
with hook and line - although only one fish may be
taken. When walking the trails and exploring, make
sure to be on the lookout for cliff areas, as they
can be very unstable.

A lot of visitors come to the National Monument to
enjoy the breathtaking views of the San Diego Bay and
the Pacific Ocean. Because of this very reason, the
park has become of the best harbor views anywhere in
California - or the world for that matter!

The tidepools are great to see here as well, although
you should always be careful. Even though they are
great to admire, the surface may be very slippery.

Anytime you are in the San Diego area, a trip to
the Cabrillo National Monument is more than worth the
time. You can walk the trails, have fun, or just
enjoy the breathtaking views of San Diego that only
the Cabrillo National Monument can provide you with.