Sights in San Diego
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Dog Beach
The real action in Ocean Beach, of course, lies on the sands. Just north of the half-mile-long Ocean Beach Pier is the headquarters for the beach scene, with volleyball courts and sunset barbecues. Further up you'll reach Dog Beach, where pooches can run unleashed around the marshy area. A few blocks south of the pier, you'll find Sunset Cliffs Park, a great spot to watch the sun dipping below the horizon.
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Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum, with dinosaur skeletons, an impressive rattlesnake collection, an earthquake exhibit and nature-themed movies in a giant-screen cinema.
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El Prado
El Prado. Originally built for the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition, these Spanish colonial buildings are particularly beautiful in the morning and evening. The original exposition halls, which were mostly constructed out of stucco, chicken wire, plaster, hemp and horsehair, were only meant to be temporary. However, they proved so popular that, over the years, they have been gradually replaced with durable concrete replicas.
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Crystal Pier
Up in Pacific Beach (or PB) the activity spreads further inland, especially along Garnet Ave, with bars, restaurants and vintage clothing stores. At the ocean end of Garnet Ave, Crystal Pier is worth a gander. Built in the 1920s, it's still home to a cluster of rustic cabins built out over the waves.
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William Heath Davis House
For the full historical picture, peruse the exhibits inside the 1850 William Heath Davis House, which also offers guided walking tours (adult/senior and student $10/8; tours 11am Saturday) of the quarter.
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Cabrillo National Monument
Enjoy stunning bay panoramas from the Cabrillo National Monument, which honors the leader of the first Spanish exploration of the West Coast. In winter enjoy whale-watching and tide-pooling.
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Museum of Photographic Arts
East along El Prado, the Museum of Photographic Arts exhibits fine-art photography and hosts an ongoing film series.
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Salk Institute
In 1960 Jonas Salk, the pioneer of polio prevention, founded the Salk Institute for biological and biomedical research. Louis Kahn designed the building, completed in 1965, as a masterpiece of modern architecture, with a classically proportioned plaza made of travertine (aka immature) marble and cubist, mirror-glass laboratory blocks framing a perfect view of the Pacific. Stand on the plaza's east end let your eye follow the 'river of life', representing knowledge, as it 'connects' with the ocean.
There are three floors of laboratories, and above each of them is an entire floor used to house the necessary utilities. You can tour the Salk Institute for free with a guide on…
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Seaworld
Mission Bay's four-star attraction is SeaWorld. It's easy to spend a day here, shuttling among shows, rides and exhibits. The biggest draws are live animal shows, particularly Believe, featuring Shamu, the world's most famous killer whale, and his killer whale amigos leaping, diving and gliding. Some may find the presentation a little, well, awww, but the animals induce awe. Dolphin shows are also popular. Avoid marked 'soak zones' near the tanks or you will get wet. There are also zoolike animal exhibits and a few amusement-park-style rides, such as the Journey to Atlantis flume. Lines can be long in summer and around holidays. Parking is $12.
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San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum
The main attraction in Embarcadero is the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum aboard the USS Midway, the navy's longest-serving aircraft carrier (1945-91). A self-guided audio-tour takes in the berthing spaces, the galley, the sick bay and, of course, the flight deck with its restored aircraft.
Any armchair Mavericks will want to check out Mach Combat on the hangar deck, below the flight deck (www.machcombat-midway.com) where you can 'fly' an F-4 in a mini-simulator at a desk. Alternatively, you can get the full cockpit experience in which you wear a flight suit, receive a mission briefing, close down the canopy and 'take off'. Make reservations.
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Ocean Front Walk
Between the South Mission Jetty and Pacific Beach Point stretch 3 miles of pure, unadulterated SoCal beach scene. Ocean Front Walk bristles with joggers, in-line skaters and cyclists - the perfect place for scantily clad pretty people-watching. Back from the beach, Mission Blvd consists of block after block of surf shops, burger joints and beer busts. Down at the Mission Beach end, beach bums pool their resources to rent small houses and apartments for the summer season. The surf is a beach break, good for beginners, bodyboarders and bodysurfers.
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Hillcrest
Just up from the northwestern corner of Balboa Park, you hit Hillcrest, the heart of Uptown (buses 1, 3 and 25 go to/from downtown along 4th and 5th Aves). The neighborhood began its life in the early 20th century as a modest middle-class suburb. Today, it's San Diego's most bohemian district. University and 5th Aves are lined with coffeehouses, thrift shops and excellent restaurants in all price ranges.
The Hillcrest Gateway, a neon sign that arches over University Ave at 5th Ave, marks the center of the action.
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Geisel Library
The University of California San Diego's 26,000 lucky students live and study amongst the campus' rolling coastal hills that are covered in fragrant eucalyptus trees. By far its most distinctive structure is the Geisel Library, an upside-down multileveled pyramid of glass and concrete whose namesake, Theodor Geisel, is better known as Dr Seuss, creator of the Cat in the Hat. He and his wife contributed substantially to the library, and there is a collection of his drawings and books on the ground level.
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Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium, off N Torrey Pines Rd, isn't as blatantly razzle-dazzle - or immense - as those other aquariums you'll find in Monterey or Long Beach, but this top-notch educational and research institution has brilliant displays on marine life. The staff has the time and the inclination to answer any underwatery question you can throw at them. Check out the touch tidepool overlooking the ocean, and don't leave without glimpsing the diminutive weedy sea dragons, in the Art of Deception hall.
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Children's Pool
Private property along the coast of La Jolla restricts coastal access, and parking is very limited in places, but there is a wonderful walking path that skirts the shoreline for half a mile. The path's western end begins at the Children's Pool, where a jetty protects the beach from big waves. Originally intended to give La Jolla's youth a safe place to frolic, the beach is now more popular with sea lions, which you can view up close as they lounge on the shore.
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Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - Downtown
As of January 2007, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - Downtown completed work on its ambitious expansion, with renovation of the existing building - which used to be the train station's baggage building, plus a three-story contemporary art space, which adds a modern counterpoint to the museum's Mission-style architecture. MCASD is the downtown branch of the La Jolla-based institution that has brought groundbreaking art to San Diegans since the 1960s.
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Windansea Beach
If you like to surf and know what you're doing, head to Windansea Beach, 2 miles south of downtown (take La Jolla Blvd south and turn west on Nautilus St). If you can brave the ire of the locals, you'll find that the surf's consistent peak (a powerful reef break not for beginners) works best at medium to low tide. You'll find a more civilized welcome immediately south at Big Rock, California's version of Hawaii's Pipeline.
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Centro Cultural De La Raza
Devoted primarily to Mexican and Native American art, the Centro Cultural De La Raza, sits on the fringe of the main museum area (easiest access is via Park Blvd). The round, steel building is actually a converted water tank decked out by Chicano muralists. Inside, exhibits can run the gamut from contemporary Chicano and indigenous artwork to photographs documenting San Francisco's first gay marriage ceremonies in 2004.
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Coronado
Across the bay from downtown, Coronado provides natural protection to San Diego's port - and just as carefully guards its own conservative ambience. Locals call it an island, but although it's administratively separated from San Diego, it's connected to the mainland by the spectacular, 2.12-mile Coronado Bay Bridge (opened in 1969), as well as by a long, narrow spit of sand known as the Silver Strand.
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Zoo
If it slithers, crawls, stomps, swims, leaps or flies, chances are you'll find it in this world-famous zoo in northern Balboa Park. It's home to 3000-plus animals representing 800-plus species in a beautifully landscaped setting, including the new 7.5-acre Elephant Odyssey. Arrive early, when the animals are most active. Attractions include animal shows and an aerial tram.
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Whaley House
Two blocks from the Old Town perimeter sits Whaley House, the city's oldest brick building, having served as courthouse, theater and private residence. In the '60s it was officially certified as haunted by the US Department of Commerce. Inside, the period furniture is watched over by knowledgeable costumed docents. Ask one of them about the theater's slanted stage.
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Open-Range Zoo
Take a walk on the 'wild' side at this 1800-acre open-range zoo. Giraffes graze, lions lounge and rhinos romp more or less freely on the valley floor. For that instant safari feel, board the Journey to Africa tram ride, which tours you around the second- largest continent in under half an hour. Combination tickets with the San Diego Zoo are $60/43.
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El Campo Santo
El Campo Santo, is a tiny, touching cemetery dating back to the earliest Spanish settlers. One grave near the gate was so placed because the man, 'Jesus the Indian', died while 'completely drunk'. The construction of San Diego Ave accidentally covered many resting spots, so you may notice some medallions marking grave sites embedded in the street.
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Uss Midway Museum
The main attraction, though, is the USS Midway Museum, which is aboard the Navy's longest-serving aircraft carrier (1945-91). A self-guided audio tour takes in berthing spaces, galley, sick bay and, of course, the flight deck with its restored aircraft, including an F-14 Tomcat. Allow at least two hours. Parking costs from $5.
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Old Town State Historic Park
Downhill, Old Town State Historic Park preserves five original adobe buildings and several re-created structures from the first pueblo, including a schoolhouse and a newspaper office. Most now contain museums, shops or restaurants, and there are more restaurants along San Diego Ave. The visitor center operates free tours.
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