The Other Southern California City

          Rather than being thought of as that other Southern California destination, San Diego should be at the top of your list when visiting the lower half of the Golden State.  It has long been one of my favorite cities and I am fortunate to be close enough to get there at least once a year to take in its many beautiful sights and interesting destinations.  Surrounded by inland mountains, rugged canyons, nearby high desert and beautiful rock-studded hills rolling down to sandy beaches, there is no question that you are in the midst of a unique landscape while in the San Diego area.  The city is also blessed with an incredible natural bay and a coastline that rivals any in the world for beauty.

Mexican Food and Indian Casinos 

          Perhaps best known for its famous zoo at Balboa Park, San Diego has many other attractions that make the 120 mile trip (two hours drive time) south of Los Angeles worth the effort.  The Historic Old Town State Park and Mission San Diego give visitors a glimpse into the past and a delightful taste of the Spanish influence that pervades much of California.  Old Town features many well-preserved historic buildings and numerous restaurants with authentic Mexican food and Mariachi bands that will instantly get you into that special mood unique to Southern California.  At least three nearby Indian casinos that rival Las Vegas (which by the way is only a 330 mile, five hour drive away) will give you a chance to double your money at the same time as you experience a real live Indian Reservation.  A short trolley car ride twenty miles south of the city will land you at the U.S.-Mexican border, where you can follow the crowds and gingerly walk across the border so that you can say that you’ve been to Mexico!  But be sure to take your passport.  We do not recommend going beyond the border area at this time due to the current safety issues in Mexico.

San Diego Attractions

          Very much a Navy town, San Diego is also home to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and several other major military bases.  The military presence is most evident around San Diego Bay and even after just a quick visit you will agree that San Diego does more than its share to help keep American safe.  You will instantly recognize the historic Hotel Del Coronado on Coronado Island, having seen it many times in travel magazines and posters or movies such as ‘Some Like It Hot’.  The San Diego region is also home to a couple of world class universities, several of which have been pioneers in scientific (especially medical) research.  The arts are very much alive in San Diego, with numerous museums and galleries sprinkled throughout the area and many opportunities to experience the performing arts, as well.  Downtown you will find the enormous Convention Center, Little Italy with its wonderful restaurants, the colorful shops at Seaport Village, and the historic Gas Lamp District.

Beaches and Mountains

          Don’t forget to visit Sea World where you can have an up close and personal encounter with dolphins and watch the Shamu killer whale show.  Oh, and be sure to take your swim gear and sun lotion so you can lie out on the pure white sand at nearby Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach.  For a spectacular bird’s eye view of San Diego, take a short drive out to suburban La Mesa and hike to the top of Cowles Mountain.  A fairly easy 1.5 mile climb, it should only take a couple hours up and back for anyone in reasonably good physical condition.   Kids will love visiting Legoland, a thirty mile drive north in Carlsbad, and golfers will enjoy visiting the Lawrence Welk Resort, thirty miles north in Escondido.

La Jolla Cove

          One essential stop anytime I visit San Diego is La Jolla Cove, just north of the city.  Street parking is free and you can window shop as you walk past art galleries, beautiful shops and historic hotels on your way down to the park overlooking the cove.  There you will find a special beach that has been set aside as a sea lion rookery, where humans can get fairly close to these amazing creatures from the sea.  One could spend hours watching the pups snuggling up to their mothers or the adolescents frolicking in the water or the big fat ‘Jabba the Hut’ look-alikes snoozing on the rocks.  For the adventurous visitor, La Jolla Cove is also a great place for kayaking and snorkeling.  For the rest of us, just strolling along the walkway overlooking the sea is quite enough.  The sights and sounds of the breakers hitting the shore will put you in a trance and deliver you far from the worries of the world.

Accommodations

          Accommodations in San Diego run the gamut.  You could easily spend hundreds of dollars a night at one of the snazzy hotels downtown, but for value minded travelers there are many other options.  There is a great hostel in the Gas Lamp District downtown (see our link to Hostelling International).  You can book a bed in one of their dorm rooms for as little as $28.00 a night and easily walk from there to many of the venues in the downtown area.  One of my favorite value accommodations in San Diego is the Padre Trail Inn (www.padretrailinn.com) just two blocks from Old Town and the same distance to a major trolley transfer station that can take you almost anywhere for $2.50 one way or $5.00 for an all day trolley/bus pass.  My recent stay at the Padre Trail Inn, which I booked directly through their website, cost about $60.00 a night and included a continental breakfast of coffee and muffins.  While not fancy, this inn met all of my requirements, including safety, cleanliness, service, convenient location and value…and if that wasn’t enough, their friendly, helpful staff members make it a slam dunk that I’ll book with them again on my next trip back to San Diego.  Someday, though, I am going to splurge and stay at least one night at the historic old La Valencia Hotel at the La Jolla Cove!