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SAN DIEGO
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SIGHT SEEING
For out door fun stop at the 4600 Mission Bay Park, where
you can wander 27 miles of shore line, participate in water sports,
fly a kite, lounge on the beach, fish, swim, play golf, and visit
Sea World, 1720 S Shores Rd., 619-226-3915. At Sea World you
can marvel over turtles and sharks, watch Shamu entertain and
educate, ride the Skytower for a bird's eye look at the park,
and take a guided tour that will show you some of the behind
the scenes action.
For more exotic fun, take a trip through the San Diego Wild
Animal Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd., 760-747-8702. Dedicated
to the preservation and protection of endangered species, this
2,200 acre park and botanical preserve features exotic animals
in natural settings. As you travel on its 50 minute Wgasa Bush
Line monorail ride, you'll have a chance to see and learn about
the 3,000 exotic mammals and birds that call this park home.
If that doesn't get you close enough, call for reservations,
760-738-5049, on one of their Photo Caravan tours, which take
you into the heart of the large animal enclosures.
Another great stop on your wild life tour is the Chula Vista
Nature Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point, Chula, Vista, CA, 619-422-2473.
Here you can learn about California's wet-lands by viewing the
surrounding landscape using the telescopic glasses on the Visitor's
Center decks. Next you'll want to head inside where you'll find
a living museum of invertebrates, animals, and fish that call
the San Diego Bay home. They also feature a video called "Scenes
From A Salt Marsh", and a neat observation tower from which
you can spot some of the 215 species of birds which use this
area as a rest stop on their way to and from home.Now before
you head home don't forget to stop by the .4,800 gallon saltwater
petting pool, to give the leopard sharks or stingrays a friendly
little pat on the head..
If being this close to ocean life makes you yearn for a cruise,
contact the folks at Harbor Excursion, 1050 N Harbor Drive, 800-442-7847.
They offer one and two hour tours of the bay and several of our
American Journeys RVers highly recommend them.
You'll also want to visit the Balboa Park and the San Diego
Zoo, 2920 Zoo Dr., 619-231-1515, with its 4,000+ inhabitants
and 6,000+ exotic plants. With so much to see, a great move is
to hop on one of the double decker tour buses that will take
you around the park giving you a good overview of all there is
to see. Then you can head back to your favorite area, whether
that is the Tiger River, Sun Bear Forest, Gorilla Tropics, or
Hippo Beach, for a closer look.
Also in Balboa Park you'll find the Reuben H Fleet Space Theater
and Science Center, the San Diego Mineral and Gem Building, the
Japanese Friendship Garden. and this doesn't even count the 13
museums on the grounds that we'll talk about later. With so much
to see a good place to start is at the Visitors Center House
of Hospitality, 1549 El Prado, 619-239-0521. Here you can pick
up a copy of scheduled activities and learn about any special
exhibits going on. After getting your bearings, it will be time
to head out and start exploring.
At the Reuben H Fleet Space Theater and Science Center, 1875
El Prado, 619-238-1233, you'll find the world's largest IMAX
Dome theater and more than 50 hands-on science exhibits. As you
tour the Mineral and Gem Building, 619-239-8812, you'll enjoy
exhibits on lapidary arts, minerals, and fossil specimens. If
you would like to see a lapidary demonstration, plan your visit
on a Wednesday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. A visit to the
Japanese Friendship Garden, 619-232-2721, will give you a chance
to enjoy the tranquility of its traditional design. For more
lovely gardens, head to Quail Botanical Gardens, 230 Quail Gardens
Dr., Encinitas, CA, 760-436-3036. As you stroll through this
30-acre garden, you'll find unique plants from around the world.
If you love viewing the heavens, you'll want to make the drive
to Palomar Mountain to see the Palomar Observatory, 35899 Canfield
Rd., Highway of Stars, Palomar, CA, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., 760-742-2119.
And don't forget your camera so you can show your friends America's
largest telescope. To get closer to the skies without the benefit
of a telescope, head to the San Diego Coaster Company, 3190 Mission
Blvd., 858-488-1549, where you can ride the restored, historic
Giant Dipper Roller Coaster.
If you like your sight seeing to include picturesque homes,
historical buildings, shopping and good food, you'll want to
make the short trip across the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge
to tour the lovely Coronado Island. Here you can see the Del
Coronado Hotel (1892), visit the Coronado Beach Historical Museum,
shop at the Ferry Landing marketplace, fish off the ferry pier,
lounge on the sandy beach, pick up a copy of the 10 Most Beautiful
Homes Map, and then munch on a great meal at Poohs, the Bay Beach
Cafe, or the Deli by the Bay.
Another good historical stop is the Cabrillo National Monument
and Old Point Loma Lighthouse, 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive,
619-557-5450. Named for the Portuguese explorer, Juan Rodrigues
Cabrillo, who was the first European to come to San Diego, this
Monument has a visitors center, wonderful hiking paths with a
view, a statue of Cabrillo, and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse
(1855). Its views of the bay and San Bernardino Mountains make
it the ideal place for a picnic.
For more peeks into the past, visit the Heritage Park Village,
2470 Heritage Park Row, 619-299-6832. This village is dedicated
to preserving San Diego's Victorian heritage. On the grounds
you'll find a doll shop, antiques, and a bed and breakfast where
you can enjoy afternoon tea. To learn about the 2,000 mile Mormon
Battalion March that took place from 1846 to 1847, stop at the
Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center, 2510 Juan St., 619-298-3317.
For a tour inside some of the area's lovely restored homes
visit the Villa Montezuma/Jesse Shepard House (1887), 1925 K
St., 619-239-2211; and the George White and Anna Gunn Marston
House, 3525 7th Ave, 619-298-3142 on Saturday or Sunday between
12:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Another interesting choice is The William
Heath Davis House, 410 Island Ave, Monday-Friday, 1:30-4:30 p.m.,
619-233-5227, which was built in 1850 in the salt box style that
was popular back east.
While in the area, you'll also want to tour the historic missions
of Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, San Antonio de Pala,
Mission Santa Ysabel, and San Luis Rey Mission. Mission Basilica
San Diego de Alcala, 10818 San Diego Mission Rd., 619-283-7319,
holds the honor of being the first in the chain of 21 missions
along the California coast. Built in 1816, Mission San Antonio
de Pala, P O Box 70, Pala, CA, 92059, 760-742-3317, is a branch
of Mission San Luis Rey and is still in use.
Mission Santa Ysabel, P O Box 129, Ysabel, CA, 92070, 619-765-0810,
was built in 1818 and features a museum, murals, and Native American
burial ground. San Luis Rey Mission, 4050 Mission Ave, San Luis
Rey, CA, 760-757-3651, holds the honor of being called the "King
of the Missions." Built in 1798, this mission features a
museum, gift shop, retreat center, and gardens.
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For out door fun stop at the 4600 Mission Bay Park, where you can wander 27 miles of shore line, participate in water sports, fly a kite, lounge on the beach, fish, swim, play golf, and visit Sea World, 1720 S Shores Rd., 619-226-3915. At Sea World you can marvel over turtles and sharks, watch Shamu entertain and educate, ride the Skytower for a bird's eye look at the park, and take a guided tour that will show you some of the behind the scenes action. For more exotic fun, take a trip through the San Diego Wild Animal Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd., 760-747-8702. Dedicated to the preservation and protection of endangered species, this 2,200 acre park and botanical preserve features exotic animals in natural settings. As you travel on its 50 minute Wgasa Bush Line monorail ride, you'll have a chance to see and learn about the 3,000 exotic mammals and birds that call this park home. If that doesn't get you close enough, call for reservations, 760-738-5049, on one of their Photo Caravan tours, which take you into the heart of the large animal enclosures. Another great stop on your wild life tour is the Chula Vista Nature Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point, Chula, Vista, CA, 619-422-2473. Here you can learn about California's wet-lands by viewing the surrounding landscape using the telescopic glasses on the Visitor's Center decks. Next you'll want to head inside where you'll find a living museum of invertebrates, animals, and fish that call the San Diego Bay home. They also feature a video called "Scenes From A Salt Marsh", and a neat observation tower from which you can spot some of the 215 species of birds which use this area as a rest stop on their way to and from home.Now before you head home don't forget to stop by the .4,800 gallon saltwater petting pool, to give the leopard sharks or stingrays a friendly little pat on the head.. If being this close to ocean life makes you yearn for a cruise, contact the folks at Harbor Excursion, 1050 N Harbor Drive, 800-442-7847. They offer one and two hour tours of the bay and several of our American Journeys RVers highly recommend them. You'll also want to visit the Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Dr., 619-231-1515, with its 4,000+ inhabitants and 6,000+ exotic plants. With so much to see, a great move is to hop on one of the double decker tour buses that will take you around the park giving you a good overview of all there is to see. Then you can head back to your favorite area, whether that is the Tiger River, Sun Bear Forest, Gorilla Tropics, or Hippo Beach, for a closer look. Also in Balboa Park you'll find the Reuben H Fleet Space Theater and Science Center, the San Diego Mineral and Gem Building, the Japanese Friendship Garden. and this doesn't even count the 13 museums on the grounds that we'll talk about later. With so much to see a good place to start is at the Visitors Center House of Hospitality, 1549 El Prado, 619-239-0521. Here you can pick up a copy of scheduled activities and learn about any special exhibits going on. After getting your bearings, it will be time to head out and start exploring. At the Reuben H Fleet Space Theater and Science Center, 1875 El Prado, 619-238-1233, you'll find the world's largest IMAX Dome theater and more than 50 hands-on science exhibits. As you tour the Mineral and Gem Building, 619-239-8812, you'll enjoy exhibits on lapidary arts, minerals, and fossil specimens. If you would like to see a lapidary demonstration, plan your visit on a Wednesday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. A visit to the Japanese Friendship Garden, 619-232-2721, will give you a chance to enjoy the tranquility of its traditional design. For more lovely gardens, head to Quail Botanical Gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas, CA, 760-436-3036. As you stroll through this 30-acre garden, you'll find unique plants from around the world. If you love viewing the heavens, you'll want to make the drive to Palomar Mountain to see the Palomar Observatory, 35899 Canfield Rd., Highway of Stars, Palomar, CA, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., 760-742-2119. And don't forget your camera so you can show your friends America's largest telescope. To get closer to the skies without the benefit of a telescope, head to the San Diego Coaster Company, 3190 Mission Blvd., 858-488-1549, where you can ride the restored, historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. If you like your sight seeing to include picturesque homes, historical buildings, shopping and good food, you'll want to make the short trip across the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge to tour the lovely Coronado Island. Here you can see the Del Coronado Hotel (1892), visit the Coronado Beach Historical Museum, shop at the Ferry Landing marketplace, fish off the ferry pier, lounge on the sandy beach, pick up a copy of the 10 Most Beautiful Homes Map, and then munch on a great meal at Poohs, the Bay Beach Cafe, or the Deli by the Bay. Another good historical stop is the Cabrillo National Monument and Old Point Loma Lighthouse, 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, 619-557-5450. Named for the Portuguese explorer, Juan Rodrigues Cabrillo, who was the first European to come to San Diego, this Monument has a visitors center, wonderful hiking paths with a view, a statue of Cabrillo, and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse (1855). Its views of the bay and San Bernardino Mountains make it the ideal place for a picnic. For more peeks into the past, visit the Heritage Park Village, 2470 Heritage Park Row, 619-299-6832. This village is dedicated to preserving San Diego's Victorian heritage. On the grounds you'll find a doll shop, antiques, and a bed and breakfast where you can enjoy afternoon tea. To learn about the 2,000 mile Mormon Battalion March that took place from 1846 to 1847, stop at the Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center, 2510 Juan St., 619-298-3317. For a tour inside some of the area's lovely restored homes visit the Villa Montezuma/Jesse Shepard House (1887), 1925 K St., 619-239-2211; and the George White and Anna Gunn Marston House, 3525 7th Ave, 619-298-3142 on Saturday or Sunday between 12:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Another interesting choice is The William Heath Davis House, 410 Island Ave, Monday-Friday, 1:30-4:30 p.m., 619-233-5227, which was built in 1850 in the salt box style that was popular back east. While in the area, you'll also want to tour the historic missions of Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, San Antonio de Pala, Mission Santa Ysabel, and San Luis Rey Mission. Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, 10818 San Diego Mission Rd., 619-283-7319, holds the honor of being the first in the chain of 21 missions along the California coast. Built in 1816, Mission San Antonio de Pala, P O Box 70, Pala, CA, 92059, 760-742-3317, is a branch of Mission San Luis Rey and is still in use. Mission Santa Ysabel, P O Box 129, Ysabel, CA, 92070, 619-765-0810, was built in 1818 and features a museum, murals, and Native American burial ground. San Luis Rey Mission, 4050 Mission Ave, San Luis Rey, CA, 760-757-3651, holds the honor of being called the "King of the Missions." Built in 1798, this mission features a museum, gift shop, retreat center, and gardens. |