No matter what route you chose, the approach to San Diego is a revelation, a sign that something special is about to come up on the southern California coastline.
The Amtrak down the coast from Los Angeles, a ninety minute panorama on wheels, is the fastest and most impressive. Rail permitted travel enables you to go through forbidden military lands and you never lose sight of the waves that the Beach Boys sang so lovingly about. The highway down the coast has its charms too (a traffic jam is a cultural event in southern California).
We chose to come in from the bone dry desert, leaving the movie-mirage of Palm Springs behind. It is hot to the east of San Diego. The desert creeps up close, the forests, scene of the autumn fires, but it is the coastline which unlocks the appeal of the city.
The sound of the Beach Boys gets stuck in the head. Beaches here range from Coronado Beach, annually rated one of the top 10 family beaches in North America by the Travel Channel, to Encinitas Beach, once rated one of the top 10 surf spots in the United States by Surfer Magazine.
There is one way to see the city that you will never forget. It is by travelling on an old biplane, goggles and helmet in place, swooping over the landscape like a frontiers flier.
From here you can see how San Diego has managed to forge such an identity.
Mexico is a heartbeat away. This is a crossroads city. It might not be true that it never rains in Southern California. It is just that you wouldn’t notice.
San Diego nightlife passport offers access credentials to 11 of the city’s best nightspots, discounts on restaurants, retail shopping and adventure activities. A things to do guide and a CD featuring local djs and bands. Participating night venues include Aubergine, Belo, Crudo, Deco’s, Excelsior, Heat, On broadway, Onyx Room, Red Circle Café, Sidebar, Sin and Thin. Cost is $85. sandiego-passport.com
Save money and avoid main entrance ticket queues while exploring some of the area’s best attractions with a Southern California CityPass. The pass includes tickets to Disneyland Park, Disney’s California Adventure Park, San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld Adventure Park San Diego, and Universal Studios Hollywood, at a savings of 30 percent off of regular admission prices. Pass is good for 14 days from first use.
Biplane flight over the coastal beaches of San Diego hosted by A1 Biplane, Air Combat and Warbird Adventures and the SDCVB.
Legoland California in Carlsbad in San Diego County has more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. Carlsbad 760 918 5346.
SeaWorld Adventure Park San Diego educates and entertains visitors of all ages.
San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park boast more than 4,000 animals representing 800 species from around the world. San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park in Escondido take a private Photo Caravan 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road Escondido CA.
San Diego also offers 92 golf courses, world-class spas and resorts and outdoor recreation from ocean sailing to desert hiking.
