Southern California weather, friendly people and coastal living make downtown San Diego, California a great city to discover. The city centre offers a few choice diversions before heading out to the neighboring areas like La Jolla and Coronado Island.
Gaslamp Quarter
Go back to the beginning of San Diego with a walking tour of the Gaslamp Quarter. The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation hosts tours with a knowledgeable guide that last about 2 pleasant hours. More than a mere walk through the streets, the tours are lively, interactive and a great way to dig into the less-than-reputable, but ever so fascinating, past of this historic district.
The Old Globe Theatre
This renowned theatre boasts 3 stages for its popular productions. Sit outdoors to watch the well-attended summer Shakespeare Festival, which brings in large crowds to its high profile shows. Top notch actors and stellar line ups fill the other 3 stages, one which is downtown. Year round entertainment at the Old Globe Theatre is a cultural must for theatre lovers.
Balboa Park
Spanning over 1,000 acres, Balboa Park is a haven of fine art, lush foliage and so much to do. Dine in the celebrated El Prado restaurant before heading off to the many museums and beautiful gardens. It is also home to the Old Globe Theatre, the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet Company and the San Diego Zoo.
San Diego Zoo
One of the top rated zoos in the world, the San Diego Zoo is a must see on a visit to the area. With over 3,500 animals, travellers of all ages are engaged. The air trams are for those not afraid of heights, as they give an aerial view over the zoo; tour buses give a great overview of where the animals can be found and the upper deck offers a view unavailable when walking on the ground.
Where to Eat and Drink
The San Diego Wine & Culinary Center is the perfect place to start. Featuring a hand picked selection of wines, co-owner John Allongé will guide guests through the choices. The best experiences are the many classes they hold on wine and food. The large facility is converted into many different spaces for almost any request. Watch out for their newly purchased electric shuttle, which will hum around the city to pick up and drop off customers at the center.
Where to Party
Possibly the trendiest spot in San Diego, the Stingaree features an ultra modern interior plus roof top deck. The restaurant showcases an extensive wine list and the cocktails are well covered. The menu is a nice French/Italian blend of seafood, duck, chicken, lamb and pork. When the sun goes down, trendsetters arrive for the fresh beats and sexy company of the nightclub, ready to dance the evening away.
Where to Stay
The Embassy Suites San Diego Bay rests right on the prime harbor location in downtown San Diego. Rooms are 1 bedroom suites equipped with full kitchen, 2 TVs, a full-sized desk and living room. Breakfast is served in the gorgeous atrium area, with a turtle pond and colourful fish. Made-to-order omelettes, along with a full breakfast bar, are the hotel’s claim to fame. Be wary of the long line ups, but the meal is well worth the wait.
Lori Henry - A travel writer, Lori flits between exploring the world with incessant curiosity and huddling over her laptop writing.
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