Tourism ranks third in importance as an industry in San Diego, and it’s little wonder why. Good weather all year is the standard in Southern California, but especially May - August when vacations are most popular. This makes the activities you can do elsewhere even more fun. The only thing you could possibly add to make a better holiday destination is an ocean. You can find theme parks and museums in many major metropolitan areas. San Diego’s, however, are one of a kind. Here are a few of San Diego’s top attractions.
The famed San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park are incredible. The zoo, home to four thousand animals, is located in Balboa Park near downtown San Diego. The Wild Animal Park in Escondido houses another 3,500 animals on 1,800 acres. In addition to beautiful exhibits and well cared-for animals, they offer educational programs and even summer camps for kids.
Balboa Park houses 15 museums, with specialties such as trains, science, art, history, air & space and sports. There’s a museum here to spark everyone’s interest. Free Tuesdays are offered on a rotating basis for those who call San Diego home.
There are marine parks in many cities, but none can compare to Sea World. Sea World is famous for its shows and exhibits featuring sea dwelling animals, up to and including killer whales. They are renowned around the world for their expertise and rescue efforts. Kids, big and small, will love watching the animals and getting splashed. It’s a safe bet that you’ll learn something about conservation too.
The best attraction of all, of course, is the Pacific Ocean. With its miles of coastline, there are a variety of water related activities to enjoy. Those who live further inland come for the ocean. Even those who live in Northern California or Oregon or Washington come for the combination of water and sunshine.
The luxury loving crowd can find a lot to do on or near the Pacific. Take a sunset cruise or eat at a restaurant overlooking a harbor or beach. Many cruises of the Mexican Riviera start in San Diego Harbor.
Don’t make the mistake of skipping the beach when you come to San Diego. Playing in the surf, building sand castles, exploring tide pools and having a beach bonfire are inexpensive and fun. These are experiences that everyone should have. If you’re a little more adventurous about the water, try sailing, body boarding, kayaking, surfing or fishing. Whale watching cruises are available seasonally. If it’s not whale season, take a wildlife cruise and watch the dolphins play in the wild.
The location of this paradise makes it easy to get to. Many people can reach San Diego by car, since it’s part of the continental U.S. Not having to fly makes a San Diego vacation much more affordable than other destinations, especially for families. People frequently drive to San Diego from much of the western United States. Visitors from Orange County, Riverside and Los Angeles often go south for a quick weekend getaway, or even a day trip.
If you’re looking for a place to spend an entire week or just a couple of days, San Diego is ideal. More than one family has loved San Diego so much that they decided to move there and buy a home. You can never get enough of a good thing.
Written by Hannah Valez New Homes San Diego New Homes in Chula Vista San Marcos New Homes
Tags: family travel, summer vacation, travel, vacation destinations