-
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.
-
San Diego Air & Space Museum
In a distinctive round structure at the end of Pan American Plaza, the San Diego Air & Space Museum houses a small but interesting collection that ranges from the balloon age to the space age.
-
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.
-
San Diego Museum of Art
The small but elegant San Diego Museum of Art has no truly famous works in its permanent collection, but includes a decent survey of European art, from Giotto to Josef Albers, as well as some noteworthy American landscape paintings and Asian art.
-
San Diego Natural History Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum. Kids dig this temple to the natural world, which has a particular focus on the ecosystems of southern California and the Baja California peninsula. Giant-screen films are included in the admission to the museum.
-
San Diego Zoo
One of San Diego's biggest attractions, this superb zoo has a worldwide reputation, a colourful history and an enlightened zoo management program. Highlights of the zoo include the Tiger River bioclimatic exhibit, which realistically re-creates an Asian rainforest environment, and Gorilla Tropics, which does the same with an African rainforest.
-
SeaWorld
Undoubtedly one of San Diego's best known and most popular attractions, SeaWorld opened in Mission Bay in 1964, and Shamu, its resident killer whale, has become an unofficial symbol of the city. SeaWorld is very commercial, very entertaining and slightly educational.
-
Spruce Street Footbridge
As you head northward toward Hillcrest, detour across the 375ft Spruce Street Footbridge, a 1912 suspension bridge built over a deep canyon between Front and Brant Sts. The nearby Quince Street Bridge, between 4th and 3rd Aves, is a wood-trestle structure built in 1905 and refurbished in 1988.
-
Timken Museum of Art
Distinctive for not being in imitation Spanish style, the tiny Timken Museum of Art houses works by Rembrandt, Rubens and El Greco. There's also a remarkable selection of Russian icons. The museum is named after the Timken family, who rode to fame and fortune on the invention of the roller bearer used in horse-drawn carriages.
-
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Encompassing the land between N Torrey Pines Rd and the ocean from the Torrey Pines Gliderport to Del Mar, the Torrey Pines State Reserve preserves the last mainland stands of the Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana), a species adapted to sparse rainfall and sandy, stony soils. The views over the ocean and north to Oceanside are superb. Parking costs a few bucks, but admission is free if you enter on foot. Several walking trails wind through the reserve and down to the beach.
-
Advertisement
-
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.
-
Wild Animal Park
Since the early 1960s, the San Diego Zoological Society has been developing the Wild Animal Park, an 1800-acre, open-range zoo where herds of giraffes, zebras, rhinos and other animals roam the open valley floor. A spiffed-up new route of the Wgasa Bush Line Railway (included in admission price) is currently under development, and you can take a shortened, 45-minute ride, which gives spectacular views of the animals and is accompanied by commentary.
-
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.
-
World Beat Cultural Center
Housed in a converted water tank, the nonprofit World Beat Cultural Center presents performances and exhibits on the African and indigenous cultures of the world, but perhaps the most fun for visitors is dropping in on one of their classes (free to around US$15 ), from West African drumming for children to capoeira and qi gong.
