Vacationing in San Diego

Best of the Best

Nora Beane
Vacationing in San Diego allows visitors to see what is best about life on the West Coast, while avoiding what is worst. Vacationing in San Diego can mean beautiful 70 degree, cloudless weather but no massive L.. A. style traffic. Vacationing in San Diego means setting yourself up for a quick shopping trip across the border, and a quick trip back to your ocean side resort. Best of all perhaps, vacationing in San Diego means staying in the oldest city in California but feeling like yourare staying in the newest. There is so much to see and do while vacationing in San Diego that you just might need to come back again soon.

Sea World When people talk about vacationing in San Diego they invariably talk about two location, the San Diego Zoo and Sea World. The feature show at Sea World has been known for decades by the name of its first ocra killer whale- Shamu. The actual Shamu has long since been replaced several times over a but the thrill of the show put on by other ocras continues to draw and amaze crowds for a good twenty minutes. The current show featuring the ocra whales is called "Believe".

While this show is the name attraction at Sea World it is far from all that is going on here. There are attractions, rides, a skyride and a sky tower to be investigated. Admission is definitely hefty costing adults and children 10 and above $54 for a full day's activities. Then of course there is lunch and souvenirs and a snack . For a family of four that really is a whack. You'll want to check out this top San Diego attraction, you'll just need to work it into your budget in advance.

San Diego Zoo The San Diego Zoo is somewhat less expensive with adult tickets priced at $32 and children's tickets at under $20. The prestige of the San Diego Zoo is almost unequaled in the United States. The facility is expansive and features animals not seen elsewhere. More important to your over all experience at the San Diego Zoo is that very few of the many animals living here are kept in cages. Compared to the cramped quarters often used to conserve space in many zoos the San Diego Zoo offers its inhabitants the best of everything

If you are vacationing in San Diego and you take the opportunity to visit the San Diego Zoo don't miss the chance to try the Skyfari . This aerial tramway gives you an opportunity to get a truly birdseye view of the vast expanse of the zoo and its many residents as if from an overhead camera. It's an attraction not to be missed.

Mission Bay Park If you get tired of touring and just want to hang out at the beach or enjoy some waterfront recreation then take yourself to Mission Bay Park. Vacationing in San Diego really does mean enjoying the spectacular weather and water and this is the place to do both. This attraction is the largest man made water centered park in the country. Its spectacular 4 thousand plus ares are divided almost equally between land and water recreation sites.

At Mission Bay Park you will find an incredible variety of waterfront activities. You can rent a boat and go exploring or you can confine your exploration to dry land and take a bike ride or follow a walking or jogging path. If children are part of your group you'll be pleased to find playgrounds and basketball courts included in the park's recreational choices. If the temperature is to your liking you can enjoy a swim or simply luxuriate in the warm sunshine that makes vacationing in San Diego all that it is cracked up to be.

Seaport Village You are on the West Coast so why does it look like a New England Fishing Village? That's what you will be thinking if while vacationing in San Diego you visit Seaport Village. Travelers who are vacationing in San Diego come to enjoy seaside shopping and restaurants . No disappointment here. Just take yourself to Seaport Village and you will find 75 shops, restaurants, and open air eateries just waiting to serve you.

It's really a shoppers delight. You can browse the shops and then exit into exquisitely fresh air, sunshine and sparkle off the water. When you need a break from shopping there are a wide variety of eating establishments serving snacks and sandwiches or something you can linger over. For the shopper in your group, vacationing in San Diego has to mean taking a trip over to Seaport Village.

Down Mexico Way When you decide to go vacationing in San Diego , CA don't forget to build in some time to visit San Diego's neighbor to the south, Mexico. More specifically, Tijuana. San Diego is only a 17 mile drive from the border. What kind of traveler would you be if you left a whole other country out there without at least a brief visit.

You can get to Tijuana by bus or trolley but many Americans prefer to drive to the border, park their cars and perform the rather festive walk across by foot. On the other side you will find all the shopping you can wrap your wallet around. Some of it is admittedly tacky but it is a unique experience nonetheless. If you have additional time you may find a trip away from the border and into the older part of the city of Tijuana is worth your while. Either way the trip cross the border is a cultural experience not to be missed.


The magnificent climate, the collective attractions and the border experience can make vacationing in San Diego a trip you will remember fondly and one you may want to repeat some time soon.

Published by Nora Beane

I am a former high school history teacher and Director of Religious Education with a total of 27 years of active experience as teacher and administrator. I am now a semi retired freelance writer. I have two...  View profile

  • Sea World withe the Shamu attraction is a key tourist attraction
  • Don't miss one of the best zoo's in the country, no the world, in San Diego
  • Crossing the border into Mexico is a cultural experience even if you don't buy anything.
You can cross into Mexico by bus or trolley but people seem to like to walk across. Kind of funny given what it means to walk across from the other side.

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