About San Diego
From its world-famous zoo and aquarium to its bountiful beaches, San Diego's vibrant and exciting lifestyle has plenty to offer visitors and their whole families. It's the kind of city where every day is a beach day, and where everyone is busy having as much fun as possible.
A relaxed atmosphere pervades the city, probably one of the reasons that draw more than 30 million visitors a year to San Diego.
Given the beautiful weather and outdoor activities abound, San Diego is probably one of the most pedestrian friendly cities in America. Families walk, skate, and bike their way to over 70 miles of beaches or any one of San Diego's numerous attractions.
San Diego's natural beauty is one of the city's greatest attractions. An officially designated 52-mile long Scenic Drive brings visitors through the city and its many neighborhoods. From the Harbor Islands through Old Town and Balboa Park all the way to La Jolla, the Scenic Drive is a great way to see all of the city's beautiful districts and neighborhoods.
Balboa Park itself is the 1,200 acre home to the world-famous Zoo and museums. This park is the cultural center of the city.
Visitors who want to spend as much time as possible near the glittering Pacific Ocean will love the Mission Bay area and its greatest attraction: Sea World. The Mission Bay aquatic park covers 4,600 acres, and includes 27 miles of bay shore beaches and 17 miles of ocean front beaches.
Sea World is one of the most famous aquatic parks in the world, and kids and adults alike will love it.
Vacation Deals
We constantly update San Diego vacation deals and flights + hotel packages.
We also have great last minute San Diego vacations or
if you just need a hotel, check out our discount hotels in San Diego.
You can also book popular sightseeing tours in San Diego and save your vacation time.
Getting There & Around
There are some direct international flights to San Diego's Lindbergh Field (SAN) airport (3 miles northwest of the downtown area), but it's not a major gateway. If you're flying in from abroad, you will most likely come via Los Angeles. A connecting flight to San Diego takes about 35 minutes, or you could rent a car and drive down as its only a two-hour journey.
The Greyhound bus station in the heart of downtown has luggage lockers and phones and is generally user friendly. Buses run north to Los Angeles (2½ hours), south to the Mexican border (half an hour) and east to Phoenix, Tucson and El Paso.
Like most southern California cities, the best way to get around is by car; either personal or rental. Rental cars are readily available at both the airport as well as throughout the city.
There is also Trolley service as well as local bus service in and around the city. The trolley route is the 16 miles between the Mexican border and the Santa Fe Depot in town.
Attractions
San Diego is full of attractions for all ages. Below is a list of some suggested things to do in San Diego. You can also book some of these attractions online and save your vacation time.
Go San Diego Card : Unlimited free admission to more than 35 attractions, a full color guidebook, and savings of up to 30% at shops and restaurants around the city.
Sea World of California
Home to a plethora of fabulously talented sea creatures including the famous killer whale Shamu.
San Diego Zoo
Considered one of America's best, this famous zoo is home to some of the rarest animals in the world including giant pandas and koalas. Visitors explore animal habitats organized into 10 bioclimatic zones, from arctic tundra to rainforest.
Balboa Park
One of the most popular urban parks in the United States, this bucolic paradise is packed with an array of attractions, including the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
Gaslamp Quarter
A 16-block national historic district that offers visitors a variety of restaurants and shops, as well as an eyeful of Victorian architecture.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Historic site in downtown San Diego that recreates life in the Mexican and early American periods of 1821 to 1872.
Old Town Trolley
Two-hour trolley bus tours that visit major attractions such as Balboa Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, Coronado and the Embarcadero.
Embarcadero
This walkway along San Diego's waterfront gives visitors great views of downtown and a chance to choose from many restaurants along the way.
La Jolla
This status-conscious seaside suburb, 19km (12mi) northwest of downtown San Diego, is known for the three Rs - restaurants, rugs and real estate.
La Jolla has a rugged, invigorating coastline, with pretty coves and excellent surf beaches.
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