San Diego has so many interesting places to see, it will take a plan to acomplish this wonderful task. This page highlights, on a slightly baias selection, top points of interest in order of best to great. People from around the world have come to love and enjoy these excellent attractions.
Balboa Park On the northeastern edge of downtown San Diego. You can park for free. Walk all around and view many plant and tree species from all around the world. You can view the park's many Spanish Colonial themed buildings, see many flower, rose gardens and water structures.
Old Town This
area was the site of the first civilian Spanish settlement in California,
known as the Pueblo de San Diego.Old Town is 2.5 miles (4km) northwest of
downtown.
It remained the center of San Diego until 1872, when the city's focus moved
to the current downtown area. In 1968, Old Town became a State Historic Park,
and a few surviving original buildings were restored. Visit the 1820s Casa
de Carrillo, the oldest house in San Diego.
Hotel del Coronado Just across the bay from downtown San Diego. This wood building with conical towers, cupolas, turrets, balconies and dormer windows. Opened in 1888, the hotel was where Edward Prince of Wales first met Mrs Simpson and where parts of the 1959 Marilyn Monroe movie Some Like It Hot were filmed. The hotel is also known for many hauntings by ghost. If you are very quiet, since this is a hotel were people relax, you can tour around the grounds and in and around the hotel for free. Also, Coronado Hotel is next to one of the most spectacular beaches in San Diego, this beach actually has flecks of gold in the sand.
Gaslamp Quarter In the city's early days, this downtown neighborhood was home to San Diego's most profitable businesses - saloons, gambling joints, bordellos and opium dens. Wyatt Earp operated three gambling halls and learn about the Gaslamp Quarter's oldest wooden structure William Heath Davis House which was constructed in 1850. Now, restaurants, bars and galleries occupy restored buildings dating back to the 1860s, and wrought iron street lamps in the style of 19th century gas lamps lead to give the area its historic name. By night this is a very vibrant partying neighborhood. Theatre, upscale shops, fine dining or dancing the night away, this place you defenently want to visit.
San Pascual Battlefield 40 miles NE via I-15 and Calif. 78. 619-220-5430. Sat.-Sun.) In the roughest encounter of the Mexican-American War, U.S. troops were routed by Californios in 1846. A Visitor Center at the 50-acre site explains the battle.
Mount Soledad This mountain just east of La Jolla has a an unbeleavalbe 360° view.
