Explore the Many Charms of San Diego California
by beconrad
There are many wonderful cities in the state of California, but there is something about San Diego that keeps travelers coming back year after year. From the beautiful beaches and coves to the thrill of the gaslamp district, there is plenty for visitors to see and do. And the city changes often, bringing in the eclectic mix of music, theatre and other performances that keep the city so vibrant and alive.
While repeat visits to this thrilling city are always lots of fun, there are some sights that first time visitors should be sure not to miss. From family attractions like Sea World and the world famous San Diego Zoo to adult fun south of the border in Tijuana, San Diego is all things to all visitors.
San Diego is also becoming quite the convention city, with the new downtown convention center attracting a wide variety of trade groups and convention visitors from across the country and around the globe. From dentists and doctors to comic book aficionados, more and more convention planners are discovering the excitement and value that this city has to offer.
Visitors Choose Top 5 Hotels In San Diego:
 The Grand Del Mar - 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego
The Keating Hotel - 432 F Street, San Diego
Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island - 1960 Harbor Island Drive
Omni San Diego Hotel - 675 L Street, San Diego
Pacific Terrace Hotel - 610 Diamond Street, San Diego
While the list of things to see and do in San Diego is nearly endless, below are some highlights first time visitors can use to make their first trip to this great city as special and memorable as it can be.
Sea World:
Much of San Diego lies close the ocean, so it only stands to reason that Sea World would be one of the premier attractions of this coastal city. Sea World has a great deal to offer visitors from around the world, and families in particular seem to enjoy the close interaction with the denizens of the sea.
In addition to the justifiably famous Shamu, Sea World is home to a myriad of other creatures as well, including dolphins, Beluga whales and of course plenty of playful penguins. Sea World also offers guests a variety of special experiences, including behind the scenes tours, dining with Shamu and more. Those visitors considering booking a special adventure should be sure to arrive early and head right for guest relations, since these popular tours tend to fill up quickly.
The San Diego Zoo:
The San Diego Zoo is a delight for young and old, and year after year it tops the list of favorite attractions for visitors and residents alike. Located just minutes from downtown San Diego and convenient to many area hotels, the San Diego Zoo is a must see attraction for any first time visitor to the city. This sprawling zoo allows its four legged residents plenty of room to roam, and visitors love seeing the animals in these exacting replicas of their natural habitats. From lions and tigers to rarer animals like koalas the world famous pandas, visitors will have plenty of wildlife to view.
With so much to see and do, those planning a visit to the zoo should be sure to allow plenty of time to take it all in. The zoo is large, bigger in fact than most zoos in the country. Shuttle buses run frequently and make it easier for guests to traverse the grounds, but it can still take plenty of time to see the entire thing.
Families with young children may want to check into the special educational and entertainment programs run by the zoo, including sleepovers, camps and special classes. Parents and children alike can enjoy these special events, and they are always a big hit with San Diego residents.
The San Diego Wild Animal Park:
For still more wildlife, head north to the city of Escondido and the equally famous San Diego Wild Animal Park. Here visitors will find a stunning variety of wild animals in a truly natural environment. Instead of languishing in cages, the residents at this park are free to roam across vast stretches of open savannah, and visitors can view them from a number of vantage points.
Animal behaviorists love the San Diego Wild Animal Park because they get to observe the animals they study exhibiting the same behaviors they would in the wild, and visitors love seeing herds of rhinos, giraffes and other noble creatures roaming (almost) free across the land.
For a more up close and personal look at these and other creatures visitors can book a number of photo safaris. These special tours allow visitors to travel inside the enclosures, where they can interact with the animals on a more personal level. Visitors may even get the chance to feed the giraffes and rhinos who come to visit the specially designed safari vehicles.
Like the zoo, the San Diego Wild Animal park also offers a number of special events throughout the year, including special night tours, sleepover adventures for children and adults and special educational activities. Visitors should be sure to ask about these special tours and plan their next trip to the region accordingly.
The Beaches of San Diego:
San Diego is home to a number of beautiful beach towns, and no trip to this city would be complete without a walk on the sand or a dip in the ocean. Surfing is a popular sport in this city by the sea, and there are many shops where visitors can rent a surfboard and try their luck, or take a lesson from a professional surfing instructor.
Bike rentals are popular as well, and biking along the boardwalk is a wonderful way to spend a lazy summer day in this wonderfully sunny city. Only minutes from downtown, the beaches of San Diego seem a world away, and sun worshippers from near and far come here to bask in the sunshine and enjoy life in southern California.
The Gaslamp District:
Those looking for a little more excitement may want to pay the famous gaslamp district a visit. Located in the heart of downtown San Diego, this district has a long and storied history. These days, however, the gaslamp district is known for its nightlife and its dining. While the area can appear quiet and sleepy during the day, it really comes alive at night, when young people from around the region join legions of tourists to enjoy a great concert, a fine meal or just a night of dancing and fun.
Tijuana:
For excitement of a different sort, head south of the border to Tijuana. San Diego is perhaps the most famous border town in the world, and the border crossing at San Ysidro is among the busiest in the world. San Diego visitors and residents alike can ride the convenient trolley right to the border and walk across for a day of shopping or a night of bar hopping. Known locally as “Tijuana Trolley”, this convenient public transportation option runs 24 hours a day, providing visitors with a great way to get to and from this vibrant border town.
With all this and more to see and do, it is no wonder so many visitors come back to San Diego again and again. Many first time visitors find themselves falling in love with this special city, visiting it again and again to soak in the sun and enjoy the warmth of the residents.
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