Sightseeing In San Diego
April 20th, 2009
San Diego is a city that is just jam packed with things to see and do, in fact it would be almost impossible to do it all in one trip, so pick your favorites and then come back again and again for additional sightseeing vacations or to visit your old favorites repeatedly.
Known by animal enthusiasts the world over, the San Diego Zoo is so much more than just a zoo. The zoologists at the San Diego Zoo work tirelessly to research rare animals and devise captive breeding programs that will help ensure the survival of some of these precious creatures. This zoo is designed more for the inhabitants than the guests so you’re not always guaranteed a glimpse of each captive critter. You also may get a little tired walking through the extensive park so, if you can, arrange to join one of the many tours the zoo offers. Tours at the zoo will make the trip less tiring as you can spend much of it on a bus, and you’ll glean more knowledge than you would fumbling through on your own.
For more animal adventures, SeaWorld San Diego is an excellent way to spend a day. There is so much more at SeaWorld than aquatic animals, in addition to the exhibits and life animal shows there is a Sesame Street Imagination presentation, Shamu’s SkySplash fireworks, Cirque de la Mer and Riptide, an acrobatic and music production. For those seeking a little thrill with their wildlife, there are no less than eight amusement park type rides at SeaWorld. And, just in case you actually came for the sea life, check out all that SeaWorld San Diego has to offer: Shark Encounter, Wild Arctic, Rocky Point Preserve, Shamu Close Up, Penguin Encounter, Forbidden Reef, Manatee Rescue, California Tide Pool, Pacific Point, Freshwater Aquarium, Aquarium de la Mer, World of the Sea Aquarium and Flamingo Cove.
Balboa Park is more than just a park, it’s an experience and it’s a vacation in itself as there is enough to do at Balboa Park to keep you occupied for days if not weeks. Balboa Park is the nation’s largest urban cultural park with 15 major museums, performing arts venues, beautiful gardens and it actually houses the San Diego Zoo. The roster of performances and exhibits changes regularly so it’s important that you check your calendar and their schedule so you can take advantage of your favorite activities. If you’re thinking about spending a lot of time exploring the Balboa Park area then consider purchasing a Passport to Balboa Park, it’s an economical way to see 13 of the museums with a one-time purchase pass.
San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum/ USS Midway Museum
When the USS Midway took her final voyage into San Diego Bay to moor at the Embarcadero it became the world’s largest floating naval-aviation museum. The aircraft carrier spent an impressive 47 years in service from the tail end of WWII in 1945 until 1991. It patrolled the Taiwan Straits, the Tonkin Gulf, was a flagship in Desert Storm and evaluated 1,800 from Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines. In its lifetime more than 225,000 people called the ship their home and work place. Tourists can take a self-guided audio tour which covers several levels of the ship, including the climb up to the bridge. But skip the self-guided tour if you happen to be lucky enough to arrive when there is a docent tour, many of these are given by Midway vets, a once in a lifetime experience to be sure.
The San Diego Aerospace Museum’s main focus is on the history of flight, so if you’ve got any aviation buffs in the group then this is a must see attraction, but even if you’re not head over heals into things that fly, this museum is still and excellent distraction. The museum starts with a look at replica of the 1783 Montgolfier brothers’ hot air balloon, the first manned vehicle to rise above the earth, it continues through the storied history of man’s attempts to break free of the earth and soar into the heavens with an exhibit dedicated to space age technology. Pay attention to the traveling exhibits because they can be as exciting as the permanent ones.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
At Old Town San Diego State Historic Park you can learn more about the history of the area from 1821 to 1872. The converging Mexican and American cultures greatly influenced the growth of San Diego and can be seen and felt in the city outside the park. Restored buildings from this period form the centerpiece of The Historic Plaza. This old gathering place consists of five original adobe buildings which now house museums, retail shops and restaurants. In addition to the modern conveniences, you can see a working blacksmith’s shop, hear traditional music, and interact with costumed hosts as they go about the daily activities of the time.
Torrey Pines State Reserve is a remarkable look at how the land around San Diego once was before it was tamed and destroyed by city dwellers. More than 2000 acres of majestic Torrey pines and chaparral plants and unspoiled beaches remain largely untouched so you can enjoy the beauty that this region once was. If you’re lucky you’ll catch a glimpse of some migrating sea birds who use the lagoon as a stopping point on their regular trips. There are eight miles of trails that you can explore on your own, or during the weekend you can join a guided tour to learn even more about the region and its natural wonders.
These are just a few of the sightseeing hotspots in San Diego. In addition to the sites listed above there is Cabrillo National Monument, Gaslamp Quarter, the Maritime Museum of San Diego, Coronado Island, Heritage Park Victorian Village, PetCo Park and many more exciting attractions all within a convenient distance from the San Diego Airport. Whether you want to learn more about the history of the area, the natural world around us, the incredible inventions of man or just explore and have fun, San Diego has everything you could ever want to see.
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Categories: Sightseeing
