Page 132 - 2017 Travel Guide to California

SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Beauty, intelligence and excitement come together
in the quintessential beach city
B Y M A R I B E T H M E L L I N
TOP CITIES
San Diego, Coronado, Chula Vista, La Jolla, Del Mar,
Encinitas, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Oceanside,
Escondido, El Cajon, Julian, Borrego Springs
INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY
San Diego International Airport (SAN), also known as
Lindbergh Field, is conveniently located on the edge
of downtown
TOURISM WEBSITES
sandiego.org
lajollabythesea.com
coronadovisitorcenter.com
delmarmainstreet.com
visitcarlsbad.com
visitoceanside.com
eastcountychamber.org
POPULATION
3 million
California has no shortage of beach towns, but San Diego is its only “beach
city,” where the state’s second-largest population enjoys 70 miles of scenic
coastline and 70-degree temperatures. Outdoor fun and family-oriented
attractions are the main lures, but San Diego takes the “city” part seriously, too.
Artistic and intellectual pursuits enjoy deep support here. Writers, artists, musicians
and scientists find inspiration while surfing at La Jolla Shores or jogging in Mission
Bay Park. The Tony-winning Old Globe and La Jolla Playhouse send plays to Broadway
frequently. Scientific landmarks including the Salk Institute and Scripps Institute
of Oceanography are magnets for some of the world’s brightest minds.
Downtown’s diversions alone could easily fill a week. New, exciting restau-
rants, clubs and shops pop up in trendy neighborhoods, creating a constant
buzz. The Embarcadero tracing San Diego Bay’s edge offers access to the USS
Midway aircraft carrier; the Maritime Museum with its landmark Star of India
and new San Salvador, a replica of Spanish explorers’ ships; the expansive Water-
front Park; and the San Diego Convention Center.
Cruise ships berth at the foot of Broadway and passengers into San Diego
International Airport fly over high-rise towers to land just north of downtown.
Hotels of every description and hip-quotient are scattered throughout the city’s
core, making it a desirable place to stay.
SAN
DIEGO
COUNTY
A Bridge to Coronado
The swooping San Diego-Coronado Bridge connects downtown to Coronado, a
genteel city with an active Navy base and one of the world’s loveliest beaches.
Its “island” actually is a peninsula tethered to the mainland by the Silver Strand,
a narrow strip of road and sand running past Navy installations and pristine
130 2017 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A
WELCOMIA/SHUTTERSTOCK. OPPOSITE: LEMERGE/SHUTTERSTOCK