Discovering "America's Finest City"

Bordered in the south by Mexico, the west by the Pacific Ocean and the east by the Anza-Borrego Desert and Laguna Mountains, San Diego has something for everyone.

San Diego is California’s second largest city and the seventh largest in the United States with a population of over 1.3 million. Originally inhabited by the Kumeyaay people, the area was “discovered” by explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542, then named “San Diego” by Sebastian Vizcaino in 1602, when the California coastline was first mapped. The first colonists settled in the city in late 1774.

Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first of 21 missions to be established on the California coast, was founded in 1769 on Presidio Hill, which overlooks Old Town. In 1774, it was relocated to its current location and is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. It is also an active Catholic parish in the Diocese of San Diego.

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park recreates Mexican and American life from 1821 to 1872. There are many shops, restaurants, museums, historic buildings (including San Diego’s first newspaper office) and the Whaley House, which is the most haunted house in America! Some of the tastiest authentic Mexican food can be found in Old Town at the Old Town Mexican Café!

Balboa Park is a museum lover’s dream. In total, there are 15 museums in Balboa Park, including the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Aerospace Museum and San Diego Art Museum. In addition, there are over 85 performing arts and international culture organizations, hiking and biking trails, restaurants and the World-Famous San Diego Zoo. There are so many things to do in Balboa Park alone; it could take you days to see everything!

In the Downtown area you will find the Gaslamp Quarter, which is one of southern California’s premier dining, shopping and entertainment districts. Horton Plaza is an open-air mall, which looks similar to a European marketplace with elements of an amusement park and touches of historical San Diego. Seaport Village is an intimate waterfront shopping village with some great shops and restaurants. Some favorites at Seaport Village are the carousel and the shop that makes homemade fudge while you watch. The San Diego Bay has 34 total miles of shoreline with hotels, parks, shopping and museums, including the San Diego Maritime Museum (aboard the Star of India) and the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum (aboard the USS Midway). There are quite a few ways to tour the bay area - PediCab, the Old Town Trolley Tours and horse-drawn carriages will take you around the area on shore and there are a handful of options for harbor cruises.

San Diego beaches can often be found packed with surfers. Some of the best beaches for surfing are Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Mission Beach and Ocean Beach. At Ocean Beach, there is even a section of beach just for dogs called, what else but Dog Beach. “OB” is a laid-back beach town and it is likely you will find mostly locally owned and operated shops and restaurants. At Mission Beach, you will find Belmont Park, a historic amusement park with the Giant Dipper, a wooden roller coaster built in 1925.

Whenever someone mentions they are heading on a trip to San Diego, and I am asked for tips, one of the first things I mention is where they should eat. My recommendations are that, at least once, you need to experience authentic Mexican food. My favorite place is Old Town Mexican Café in Old Town. I also recommend a trip to In-N-Out Burger, as well as a trip to Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill. Rubio’s is the home of the fish taco, as well as other tasty creations. It is a favorite food stop in our family.

If sports are your thing, you are in luck! There’s a sports team for everyone! Like baseball? Catch the Major League Baseball San Diego Padres at PETCO Park between April and October. Is football more your thing? The NFL’s San Diego Chargers play in the fall and winter! There are teams representing nearly everything from Major League Baseball to the National Premier Soccer League to the Women’s Professional Football League!