Cabrillo National Monument

Located in San Diego California, the Cabrillo National

Monument provides a historic lighthouse with plenty

of activities.  There are great views here as well,

with tidepools, flora and fauna, whales to watch,

and even military history.

The Monument offers hiking along designated trails,

bicycling on paved roadways, and swimming within the

park boundaries.  Fishing is permitted here as well,

with hook and line - although only one fish may be

taken.  When walking the trails and exploring, make

sure to be on the lookout for cliff areas, as they

can be very unstable.

A lot of visitors come to the National Monument to 

enjoy the breathtaking views of the San Diego Bay and

the Pacific Ocean.  Because of this very reason, the

park has become of the best harbor views anywhere in

California - or the world for that matter!

The tidepools are great to see here as well, although

you should always be careful.  Even though they are

great to admire, the surface may be very slippery.

Anytime you are in the San Diego area, a trip to 

the Cabrillo National Monument is more than worth the

time.  You can walk the trails, have fun, or just

enjoy the breathtaking views of San Diego that only

the Cabrillo National Monument can provide you with.

                                                                 Image by google.com

Downtown San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego contains some of

the most extensive and dramatically designed 

historic buildings in the area.  Constructed between

1873 and 1930, these Victorian style buildings are

truly a sight to behold.

The Victorian era buildings found in the Gaslamp 

Quarter are home to night clubs, restaurants,

theaters, and shops.  A simple stroll down 4th 

and 5th avenue will put you at the heart of the

Gaslamp Quarter.  

Also found in the Gaslamp Quarter is the Horton 

Plaza and Horton Plaza Park.  The Plaza is the 

first place in the United States to feature a water

fountain containing electric lights; a true 

tribute to the designer Alonzo Horton.

The Gaslamp Quarter received its name from the

gaslamps that were used in the area around the early

1900's.  During those times, gaslamps were the 

main source of light for the area that is now

the vision of Modern Day San Diego.

Now days, there are more than 130 stores and shops

filling the Gaslamp Quarter.  With everything from

Macy's to Mervyns, Gaslamp Quarter has plenty for

you to see and do.  In Horton Plaza, you can find

a multi screen movie theater that is sure to please

movie lovers.

For a wonderful experience, the Gaslamp Quarter of

San Diego shouldn't be overlooked.  There is a lot

you can do here, from fine dining to excellent 

shops.  For a family vacation, San Diego has a

little bit of something for everyone.

                                                                 Image by google.com

La Jolla Caves

Along with the beaches La Jolla gives the San Diego

area, it also has some very nice caves.  The caves

of La Jolla are great for tours, exploring, or 

anyone wanting to see the best of La Jolla.

Carved into the sandstone cliffs of La Jolla, there

are seven caves.  Most of the time, you can visit 

any seven of these caves by sea kayak.  Although

all but one are accessible by foot, you should be

very carefully when minus tides sweep the area.

The Sunny Jim Cave is one of the most popular and

well known caves of La Jolla.  You can enter 

through the Cave Store by paying a small fee.  There

are 145 steep steps to get through the cave,

which is great for exploring and seeing the area.

The cave store can tell you many things about the

caves, including tours.  If you plan to visit the

La Jolla area of San Diego, the caves can be a great

place to explore.  Those of you who have kids coming

along for the trip, should remember to be very

careful - as the caves provide a lot of beauty -

they can also provide a lot of danger as well.

                                                                 Image by google.com

Little Italy San Diego

Little Italy in San Diego is rapidly evolving as an

inner city neighborhood that's perfect to live in,

shop, dine, or visit.  The Little Italy offers great

views of the bay, art and cultural festivities, and

great food.  

The nearby street sign for Little Italy, created in

1999, signals that the area is the heart and soul

of San Diego's inner community.  The sign is truly

a signal of peace, and can be found on India Street

between Date and Fir.

Each and every year, there are nearly a dozen festivals

held in Little Italy.  There are tons of holiday 

celebrations, music, and art expo's.  During this 

time, Little Italy comes alive like never before.

The heart of Little Italy is India Street.  This 

street has plenty of outdoor cafes, restaurants, 

galleries, and specialty shops.  Nearby Amici Park

offers a playground for the Washington Elementary

School and a community park that's complete with

a bocce ball court.

Bigger than the Little Italy neighborhoods in New 

York and San Francisco, San Diego's Little Italy

keeps getting bigger and better.  The waterfront 

district of San Diego is bouncing back with Little

Italy, proving to be a great place for tourist

attraction.

                                                                 Image by google.com

Maritime Museum San Diego

Since 1948, the Maritime Museum located in San Diego

has served the city in many big ways. The museum here

is dedicated to collecting and preserving the rich

maritime heritage and historic values of the city - 

then presenting it to the public.

The biggest attraction to the museum is the historic

ships.  Here, you'll find five great examples of

maritime vessels - Berkeley, Californian, Medea, 

Pilot, and the Star of India.

All across the museum you can find many examples of

Naval technology and ships of the past.  The guides

at the Maritime Museum are very friendly and helpful,

willing to answer any question that you may have.

Nearby to the museum, you have several attractions

and things to see.  With the museum being in the

downtown area of San Diego, it's very close to some

of the other things that San Diego is so very well

known for.

If you happen to be on vacation in San Diego, make

sure you visit the Maritime Museum.  Kids love to

see the ships on display, as well as the USS Midway

Aircraft Carrier Museum, which is a short walk from

the Maritime Museum.

                                                                 Image by google.com

Mission Bay San Diego

Mission Bay Park in San Diego is the largest facility

of its kind, offering over 4,600 acres with free

recreational activities for visitors.  What was once

a sprawling swamp in the 1960's, was dredged and 

transformed into what is now a great attraction to

the San Diego area.

Across the 27 miles of bayfront, water activities are

all over the place here.  For beach lovers, there are

17 miles of oceanfront property, including Mission 

Beach and Pacific Beach.  There are separate areas

as well, for swimming, fishing, boating, and even 

sailing.  Mission Park also offers free events such

as volleyball, jetski, and many different types

of competitions and exhibitions.

For the children, Mission Bay Park offers a playground

area with plenty of other things to do as well.  

Mission Park has always been an attraction, one

that keeps people coming back for more.

For those living in the area, Mission Bay in San

Diego provides plenty of things to do.  The location

is great, with something always going on.  If you 

plan to visit San Diego in the near future - make 

sure you drop by Mission Bay and see what makes this

area one of the best in the world.

                                                                 Image by google.com

Mission Beach San Diego

The area of Mission Beach is a stretch of the sandbar

along the Pacific Ocean.  Through Mission Beach, the

main artery is Mission Boulevard.  This Boulevard is

a popular place to go in the summer or winter, as 

there are main shops and restaurants.

Near Mission Beach, you'll find attractions such as

Sea World and Belmont Park.  Both amusement parks are

well known, and very popular.  Within the two you'll 

find rides such as the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, 

Chaos, Vertical Plunge, the Liberty Carousel, and 

The Trampoline.

Mission Beach also gives you plenty of opportunities 

to participate in volleyball, tanning, surfing, 

skateboarding, and many other activities.  There is

also a local skating club, Skate This, which performs

for free on the weekends with sick tricks and dancing.

Even though nudity isn't allowed on the beach, alcohol

still is.  Thong bikinis aren't legal on the beach, 

although lifeguards and security personal normally don't

make a big deal about it.

With plenty of shops and restaurants, Mission Beach

in San Diego is a great place to go.  The beach is

very warm and offers a sandy environment.  If you like

the beach with other perks to offer, Mission Beach is

one place you should check out.

                                                                 Image by google.com