Guide to San Diego, California, USA

San Diego is the second biggest city in California, and is more relaxed, less developed and with clearer air than it’s neighbour Los Angeles. San Diego exudes affluence, friendliness and an easygoing charm and has a large Naval presence due the nearby Pacific Command Centre. Tourism is popular here, with over 42 miles of sandy beaches and sunny weather bring the nickname ‘Sandy Ego’.

Top reasons to visit San Diego

Visit the USS Midway for an extensive display of naval hardware, firepower, planes and an excellent flight simulator.

Take a pleasant stroll around the lovely Gaslamp District.

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Main areas of San Diego

Downtown San Diego

Undergoing impressive redevelopment since the 70s and 80s, downtown San Diego is home to the pleasant Broadway and Horton Plaza, and is the main genre of San Diego.

Gaslamp District

South of Broadway lies the sixteen block Gaslamp District, which used to be the old centre of San Diego but has now been gentrified with cafes, antique stores, art galleries along pleasant streets lit by ‘gas lamps’.

Bayfront

Along the curving bay from, the Embarcadero runs for around a mile and houses summertime concerts at it’s Embarcadero Marina Park South.

Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo

Northeast of downtown, Balboa Park houses one of the larges groups of museums in the US, colonial buildings and lush landscaped areas.

Top Attractions in San Diego

• Sante Fe Railroad Depot
• Horton Plaza
• William Heath Davis House and Park
• Petco Park - baseball (San Diego Padres)
• Embarcadero
• USS Midway
• Beaches - Ocean, Pacific, Mission
• Cabrillo National Monument
• Seaworld San Diego
• San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
• Birch Aquarium

Shopping in San Diego

The main shopping areas in San Diego are Westfield Mission Valley, Horton Plaza, Fashion Valley and there are interesting smaller shops in Hillcrest, Downtown and the beach neighbourhoods.

Coronado is an interesting place to shop - check out Bay Books, Kippys, Shorelines Gallery, D Forsythe Jewellery, Noon Design Shop, Wine a Bit, The Attic, Island Birkenstock, Seaside Papery and Dale’s Swim Shop.

Eating in San Diego

Recommended Restaurants - Konos Kafe, Brian’s 24, Hash House a Go Go, The Prado at Balboa Park, Point Loma Seafoods, The Fish Market, Coronado Brewing Company, Mona Lisa, Cafe 976.

Nightlife and Entertainment in San Diego

• Bars - The Lion’s Share, The Hole, Moonshine Flats, Cheers, Jewel Box, Sinbad’s, Elbow Room, The Grape, Bluefoot, Sidebar, In Cahoots, Princess Pub
• Clubs - Casbah, Flux, Stingaree, Onyx and Thin, Numbers, Avalon
• Live Music - Marble Room, Tin Fish, Po Pazzo
• Karaoke - Analog Bar, Henry’s Bar, The Lamplighter
• Theatre and Opera - Old Globe Theatre, Lyceum Theatre, Starlight Musical Theatre
• Museums - San Diego Air and Space Museum, San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego Museum of Man
• Music - San Diego Symphony (Symphony Towers), San Diego Opera (Civic Centre Plaza)

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