San Diego Attractions

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San Diego Tourist Attractions

San Diego is among the most picturesque cities in the world. With great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego can proudly call itself one of the top tourist destinations in the United States, attracting over 32 million visitors a year.

Not only is San Diego a very pretty city to visit, with a great historic district and lovely beaches, but its weather is very inviting, averaging 267 sunny days a year

What are the Top 10 San Diego Tourist Attractions?

1) SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego is located just north of downtown, on Mission Bay and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in San Diego. While originally an aquatic park, SeaWorld has grown over the years into a premier marine zoological facility, with aquatic shows and attractions as well as rides

Some of the more popular attractions within SeaWorld San Diego are: Shark Encounter, where can walk through a 57-foot acrylic tube running the length of the sharks' habitat; Penguin Encounter, with 300 Antarctic penguins swimming in a snow-filled habitat; Wild Arctic, where you can be face-to-face with polar bears, beluga whales, walruses, arctic foxes and seals.

Rides include Shipwreck Rapids, a river rapids plunge through an underground cavern.

2) San Diego Zoo

Located in Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is where you'll find more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species and subspecies. And, yes, where you'll find a panda cub you can "aaaah."

3) Beaches

San Diego is home to seventy miles of quaint and picturesque beaches. So, we have a separate page for them. Go to San Diego Beach Vacations.

4) Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp Quarter is where San Diego's colorful past meets the present. Formerly a redlight district famous for its 120 bordellos and hundreds of "working girls," the Gaslamp today is a 16-1/2 block historical neighborhood filled with wonderful architecture, shops and restaurants. Instead of bordellos you can now find art galleries, unique jewelry shops, a cigar factory, artists' lofts and antique stores. By the way, "the Gaslamp" takes its name from the gas lamps that were common in San Diego in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While there be sure to take in a ghost tour of the Gaslamp Quarter.

5) Coronado Island

Coronado Island is on a peninsula between the San Diego Bay and Pacific Ocean near downtown San Diego, only a short ferry ride or car trip across the San Diego Bay Bridge. You'll be glad you made the trip. While there be sure to rent a bike and take in the island at a leisurely pace.

For some, the historic and stately Hotel Del Coronado, a San Diego landmark, is the main reason for visiting Coronado Island. The Del, as locals call it, has been host to ten U.S. presidents, starting with Benjamin Harrison in 1891. Oh, yeah, and some say it's haunted.

6) La Jolla

Located 12 miles north from downtown San Diego, this highly prosperous community offers seven miles of coastline at an elevation of 110 feet. While often called the "Palm Springs" or "Beverly Hills" of San Diego, La Jolla means "the jewel" in Spanish. And jewel it is. La Jolla offers some of the most impressive shorelines in Southern California, with remarkable caves, cliffs, beaches, and sunsets. The best view of La Jolla can be seen from the air. Daring visitors can take in La Jolla via the Torrey Pines Gliderport and learn flying. The GLiderport offers instruction on hang gliding, paragliding, and sailplane flight. If you seek a more tame view of the coastline, try the scenic drive along North Torrey Pines Road.

7) LEGOLAND

Located in the City of Oceanside, only 35 miles north of San Diego, LEGOLAND is a theme park for kids, with, what else, legos as its theme. There are legos everywhere, from sculptures made out of legos to miniature cities constructed of legos. A few rides are also offered. The park says they have 50 thrilling rides, but, really, they're pretty tame. Expect strollers everywhere you turn.

8) Balboa Park

Located just minutes from downtown San Diego, Balboa Park is the nation's largest urban cultural park. But, it's more than just a park. You'll find 15 major museums, a world-famous zoo, and a variety of gardens on its 1,200 acres. You'll find a desert garden, a California native plant garden, an Australian garden, a palm garden, Japanese garden, and the Alcazar Garden patterned after the gardens of the Alcazar Castle in Seville, Spain.

9) Old Town San Diego

Love history? Then head on over to Old Town. Located within Old Town are Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, located on San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street, which recreates old San Diego from 1821 to 1872, and is one the most visited state parks in California.

You'll find two other parks in Old Town as well, Presidio Park and Heritage Park, along with many different museums and historic houses. One historic house worth a visit is the Whaley House, which is considered one of the most haunted houses in America. Also check out the Wells Fargo Museum, where you can view an original stagecoach. Oh, and my favorite, the tequila museum at El Agave Restaurant and Tequileria.

While there you can view an original stagecoach at the Wells Fargo Museum, as well as visit the Whaley House, which is considered one of the most haunted houses in America.

10) Torrey Pines State Reserve

Want to experience San Diego as it was before it was developed? Then you'll want to visit Torrey Pines State Reserve. At the Reserve you'll be able to savor explore 2,000 acres of land which includes miles of unspoiled beaches, the beautiful Torrey Pine trees, and 8 miles of trails to see it all up close.

Synonyms: sandiego and San Diego are used synonymously. CA and Calif is used synonymously with California.

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