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San Diego is sunny and dry through the summer and most of the rest of the year as well. What a great location for a vacation or long weekend. This town has great art, museums, the symphony and a world famous zoo and wild animal park. While you are enjoying all of what San Diego has to offer, take time to learn the history of this great town and visit their many landmarks.  photo credit: Tostie14San Diego - Coronado Bay Bridge connects the town of Coronado and the Naval Air Station. This toll-free bridge will give you the best view of the city and bay. But, there is no stopping once you get on the bridge. So all views are from your moving vehicle as there are no bike paths or pedestrian walking. Opened in 1969, this 11,288 (2.12 miles) foot bridge sees 68,000 vehicles pass over it each day. The bridge has been reinforced with special earthquake rods keeping any seismic damage at bay. Four crew people maintain the bridge year round, protecting it from the corrosive salt water breezes.

Mount Soledad is reached through a windy road. Take a picnic lunch and enjoy it at the top where you’ll find a grassy area and parking. You’ll experience exquisite views. Controversy has followed the mountain topped cross as the location is city owned. Try to ignore the several television and radio transmitters at the top and enjoy the natural surroundings. It is a popular cycling trek as there are many routs made for this purpose. Dr. Seuss lived in an abandoned observation tower before his passing. His wife still lives there on Mount Soledad.

Cabrillo National Monument represents the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in the San Diego Bay in 1542. It is listed with the National Register of Historic Places. Each October, at the Cabrillo Festival, there is a reenactment of his landing in the Bay. A park surrounds the sandstone statue. The Point Loma Lighthouse is erected at the highest point of the park. The old lighthouse was built in 1854, but has been closed since 1891. The new lighthouse was built in a lower location to avoid fog and low clouds that obscured the light at the higher elevation. Hikers are asked to stay on the designated walkways and trails. Bikers are asked to stay on the paved areas only.  photo credit: SD Dirk

Balboa Theatre, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1924. The theater was recreated as housing during World War II for the U.S. Navy. Once the war ended it was converted back into a movie house. By 1959 it had been scheduled for demolition. However, in 1985 it was purchased by the city with restoration plans. It took until 2005 for that restoration to take place. It then reopened in 2008 as a site for live theater and concerts. Today, such shows as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Season Without Walls” can be enjoyed there.

Mission Beach Roller Coaster or The Giant Dipper was built in 1925 by famous roller coaster designers Prior and Church. The popular ride was closed in 1976 due to disrepair. It was designated an Historical Landmark in 1987. The San Diego Seaside Company spent $2 million to restore it and on August 11, 1990 the Giant Dipper was reopened for public use. As part of the Belmont Park, the roller coaster shares family entertainment with the Beach Blaster, the Vertical Plunge, Krazy Kars, Tilt-A-Whirl and many more rides.

Star of India is a sea worthy “museum” ship located at the San Diego Maritime Museum. Built in 1863, the windjammer sailed from England to India and then to New Zealand. She was retired in 1926 and restored in 1962. This is the oldest merchant ship that still sails on a regular basis. The current crew of the Star of India are volunteer museum members that sail her within a day’s distance of her home dock. While visiting the Star of India at the San Diego Maritime Museum, take time to explore the other historic ships.

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala was the first of a 21 mission chain founded by Father Presidente Junipero Serra. Today it is called “California’s First Church.” When built it was meant to be a self-sufficient mission with farming. Mission bells were an important part of daily mission life as they announced births and deaths, called workers for meal time, announce religious services and approaching ships. Today, the mission is an active church and parish.

Gaslamp Quarter Historic District contains turn-of-the-century architectural structures like the Grand-Horton Hotel, the Nesmith-Greely Building and the Louis Bank Building. These three buildings were all built in 1888 at the start of a changing time from Pioneer town to an urban commercial city. Today, this part of San Diego still shows it’s roots while the population and visitors enjoy sidewalk cafes, jazz clubs, stylish hotels and galleries.

Museum of San Diego History is located in Balboa Park. It is the home of the San Diego Historical Society. The cities diverse history is depicted in a collection of exhibits containing costumes, textiles, decorative and fine art as well as tools from daily life of the past. Countless documents and photographs document a timeline of San Diego history. The research library is for public use and is open Wednesday through Saturday in the mornings.

Spruce Street Bridge, a 375 foot suspension bridge built in 1912, is also known as the “wiggly bridge” to local children. This is a pedestrian only bridge built to provide passageway over the new streetcar lines of the early 1900s. It sways among the treetops as the wind blows and people pass over it. Edward Capp was the designer who was twice elected mayor of San Diego.

Tags: big dipper | gaslamp quarter historic district | mission basilica sand diego | mission beach roller ocaster | museum of san diego history | San Diego Landmarks | spruce street bridge | star of india