San Diego

California's second largest city and the United States' seventh largest, San Diego boasts a citywide population of nearly 1.3 million residents and more than 2.8 million residents countywide. Within its borders of 4,200 sq. miles, San Diego County encompasses 18 incorporated cities and numerous other charming neighborhoods and communities, including downtown's historic Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Coronado, La Jolla, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Escondido, La Mesa, Hillcrest, Barrio Logan, Chula Vista just to name a few.

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San Diego is renowned for its idyllic climate, 70 miles of pristine beaches and a dazzling array of world-class family attractions. Popular attractions include the world-famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, Sea World San Diego and LEGOLAND California. San Diego offers an expansive variety of things to see and do, appealing to guests of all ages from around the world.

La Jolla

With its dramatic coastline and spectacular views, it's no surprise that La Jolla was one of the first San Diego neighborhoods to be settled, and has since become some of the most prized real estate in the nation.

Surrounded on three sides by the sea and backed by the steep slopes of Mt. Soledad, La Jolla has a Mediterranean feel and enjoys a unique microclimate which rarely drops below 50 degrees or exceeds 90 degrees

The bustling business district offers one-of-a-kind boutiques, art galleries and restaurants, and the surrounding residential community is a charming mix of turn-of-the-century Spanish architecture, eccentric modern designs and everything in-between

La Jolla's big draw, for locals and tourists alike, is the sea. In the summer and autumn months, the surf is relatively gentle, the water warms into the 70s, and the beaches at La Jolla Shores, The Cove and Windansea are busy with swimmers, scuba divers and surfers. In the Winter and Spring, the coast takes on an ominous mood with billowing fogs and powerful winter surf crashing on the rocks.

Cruising around

Start with a scenic drive or stroll along Coast Blvd. At the north end, just off Prospect St., you'll find a dirt path leading to the top of Deadman's Bluff, or you can descend a tunnel in the basement of the old Curio Shop to visit Sunny Jim's Cave. Here you'll find a variety of native sea birds nesting on the cliffs and sea lions sunning on the rocks below. Next is La Jolla Cove, a protected marine sanctuary with an idyllic crescent of beach sheltered from all but the worst of winter storms. The Cove is the best place in town for a safe swim or snorkeling. Continuing south you'll pass through the grassy Scripps Park—staging area for family picnics, Fourth of July fireworks and free summer concerts. Around the corner is the Children's Pool, a man-made beach protected by a sea wall. Here, and on the rocks just offshore, you can observe the California gray seals that make the pool their home. From December to March, you'll also have a good chance of spotting California gray whales spouting just beyond the kelp beds during their annual migration from Alaska to Mexico. Finally, if you hit it on a good low tide, you can explore the tide pools at Hospital Reef, just south of the Children's Pool.

When you're finished with your tour of the coast, head one block inland and you'll find yourself back on Prospect Street. Returning north again, you'll pass the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art (858-454-3541), a popular public playground for children, and several of San Diego's most beautiful churches. Soon you'll arrive at the main business district, continuing for several blocks along Prospect and down the side streets of Fay, Girard, and Herschel. Here you'll find the romantic old-world hotels, gourmet restaurants and upscale shops for which La Jolla is famous.

But there's more to La Jolla than reefs and restaurants. Don't miss La Jolla Shores, with its family-friendly sand beaches and Stephen Birch Aquarium (858-534-3474). To the south are the world-renowned surfing beaches around Windansea and Bird Rock. To the north are Blacks Beach— where you can watch the hang gliders soar above the cliffs as nude sunbathers let it all hang out on the beach below—and Torrey Pines with its great hiking trails and world famous public golf course. Adjacent to these natural wonders are state-of-the-art high-tech businesses and research facilities centered around the burgeoning University of California, San Diego Campus. Continuing inland you'll enter the Golden Triangle region of La Jolla, an energetic and contemporary community of high-rise office buildings, high-density housing developments and high-end shopping malls.

Inside tips

Every season is the best time of year for a visit to La Jolla; watching the winter surf crash against your window at The Marine Room Restaurant can be just as rewarding for some as a summer picnic on the beach is for others. Not surprisingly, the busiest season is June thru August, when the population swells, hotels sell out and parking is scarce. The nicest weather typically arrives in September, just as the crowds thin, and lasts well into December. There are fireworks at the Cove on the Fourth of July and a holiday parade on Girard Avenue in early December. An open-air market is held every Sunday at the La Jolla Elementary School.

For accommodations, you can opt for the old-world luxury of the historic La Valencia Hotel in the heart of La Jolla's Prospect Street shopping district, or from among several moderately priced bed & breakfast inns by the beach on Coast Boulevard. Other lodging options can be found in the Shores at Hotel La Jolla and The Sea Lodge, The Inn At Torrey Pines, and just off the Freeways in the Golden Triangle area. Inexpensive family-style motels can be found on La Jolla Boulevard heading south into Bird Rock. With award-winning restaurants like George's and Top of the Cove, Prospect Street is ground zero for fine dining, but don't overlook the excellent options in Bird Rock and the Shores. The most popular offerings are fresh seafood and Mexican cuisine, but you can find anything from scrambled eggs to sushi among the many and varied eateries throughout La Jolla. What you won't find here is nightlife; the whole town pretty much goes to sleep by midnight. If you are looking for a party, head to Pacific Beach or downtown San Diego. Shopping in La Jolla tends toward the unusual and upscale: designer fashions, expensive jewelry, ethnic artifacts, priceless antiques, oriental rugs and exotic cars. For more practical fare, try the malls at La Jolla Village Square and University Towne Center.

The adventurous will find plenty to excite them at La Jolla Shores, where dive gear, kayak tours and surfing lessons are available from the shops on Avenida De La Playa, and at the Torrey Pines Gliderport (858-452-9858) where you can fly tandem (with a professional pilot) or solo (with the appropriate credentials). Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a round at Torrey Pines (619-570-1234) or watch their favorite pros in action during the annual PGA stop in February, while tennis players will like the competitive scene at the La Jolla Recreation Center on Draper Street (858-454-4434).

Getting there

From the North: Exit the 5 Freeway at La Jolla Village Drive, west on La Jolla Village to Torrey Pines Road left (south) to La Jolla Shores Drive and Prospect Street.

From the South and East: Take the La Jolla Parkway exit west where it meets Torrey Pines Road to La Jolla Shores Drive and Prospect Street.

Taxicabs
Taxicab stands are located at the airport, most hotels, attractions and shopping centers. Your fare will be displayed on the meter and will include a flag drop charge plus a per-mile and/or a per-hour charge.

Approximate Taxi Cab Rates of Fare:
$2.40 first 1/10 mile
$2.60 each additional mile
$20.00 per hour waiting time

San Diego International Airport
Distance from hotel: 15 miles
Drive time: 20 min

Directions:
5 North to Genesee. Turn left. Follow street to the right as it turns into North Torrey Pines Road. Hotel is on the left.

Transportation to and from the Airport

Orange County Airport
Distance from hotel: 70 miles
Drive time: 1.5 hr

Directions:

1. Start out going NORTHEAST on AIRPORT WAY toward MACARTHUR BLVD.
   0.44 miles 1 min
2. Stay STRAIGHT to go onto MICHELSON DR.
   0.01 miles < 1 min
3. Turn LEFT onto MACARTHUR BLVD.
   0.19 miles < 1 min
4. Merge onto I-405 S toward SAN DIEGO.
   7.94 miles 7 min
5. I-405 S becomes I-5 S.
   63.77 miles 57 min
6. Take the GENESEE AVE exit, EXIT 29.
   0.16 miles < 1 min
7. Take the GENESEE AVE WEST ramp
   0.12 miles < 1 min
8. Merge onto GENESEE AVE.
   0.70 miles 1 min
9. Stay STRAIGHT to go onto N TORREY PINES RD
   0.68 miles 1 min
10. Turn LEFT onto SCIENCE PARK RD
    0.01 miles < 1 min

This link will help you find the route from the airport to the hotel:

CAR RENTAL
For a list of car rental companies please click here.

Attractions

Arts & Culture:
With two Tony® Award-winning theatres, museums, historic sites and monuments, music, public art, dance, film, galleries, missions and a multitude of other cultural offerings, San Diego is truly a world-class international cultural destination. For more detailed information about arts and culture in the San Diego area, make sure you visit San Diego Art + Sol.

Beaches & Parks:
Where To Go
Which beach you choose should be based on one or more of three factors: What will it involve to get there; what are your expectations; and how adventurous do you feel? We've taken the liberty of rating the different beaches to help you decide. They don't reflect quality judgments, but rather are intended as an indication of how 'tame' or 'wild' an experience a spot offers. Depending on your tastes, a hike down the Razor Point Trail at Torrey Pines Park may be infinitely more rewarding than a picnic on Mission Bay - or vice versa.

A low tide will expose underwater reefs (especially around La Jolla and Bird Rock) and reveal a fascinating world of tidal plants and animals. Daily tides are usually posted at lifeguard towers and provided on phone and Internet surf reports.

Expedition
Someplace hard to find or access. Requiring a long, strenuous trek. No permanent facilities or lifeguards. Dangerous water conditions. Hardcore locals. Examples include: Leucadia, Black's Beach and Point Loma.

Adventure
Relatively isolated or deserted. Few if any facilities. Perhaps a stony beach or primitive campground. Examples include: San Onofre, Cardiff and Solana Beach.

Road Trip
A beach with features of specific interest to enthusiasts or locals. Requiring an extra measure of effort for tourists. Examples include: Carlsbad, Pacific Beach and Imperial Beach.

Cruise
An easy-access sand beach with basic facilities and lifeguards. Likely to offer a cross-section of young and old, natives and neophytes. Examples include: Oceanside, La Jolla and Mission Beach.

Resort
The complete package. Safe, clean, comfortable, and family-friendly. Lifeguards, bathrooms, showers, recreation, access to parks, restaurants and shops. Examples include: Del Mar, Mission Bay and Coronado.

Casinos:
From blackjack and poker to Pai Gow and progressive slot machines, gaming San Diego-style is the real deal. With eight casinos located throughout the region, you just might go from sand castle to castle during your visit.
Click here for casino details.

Cruising:
As the fastest growing cruise port on the West Coast, San Diego now welcomes 180 cruise ships throughout the year to the B Street Pier Cruise Ship Terminal. With 110 of those voyages beginning and ending in San Diego, passengers can choose from a variety of exciting cruises including multi-day excursions to the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii and the Panama Canal. With its temperate climate, more than 70 miles of pristine beaches, world-class attractions, captivating arts and culture scene, and endless dining and shopping options, San Diego offers endless choices for pre- and post-cruise itineraries.

In addition to a variety of visitor offerings located with a very short distance from the cruise ship terminal, the San Diego International Airport and Amtrak station are also within close proximity.

San Diego is increasingly becoming a desired cruise destination for homeport cruises. Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Lines and Celebrity Cruises are three major cruise lines that now call San Diego home.

Holland America offers a weekly cruise to Mexico onboard the Oosterdam with visits to ports in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Other cruises include 14-day trips to the Panama Canal, three and four day cruises to Canada via the California Coast, 15-day sailings to Hawaii and a 30-day South Pacific cruise.

Carnival Cruise Lines offers an 8-day cruise to Acapulco, Manzanillo and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, and the Panama Canal.

Celebrity Cruises offers varied 10 and 11-day Mexico itineraries.

For those vacationers who prefer a smaller and more specialized cruise, Silversea and Crystal Cruises sail to Mexico with Silversea offering a cruise to the Panama Canal.

Golf:
Golf Digest named San Diego "One of the Top 50 Golf Destinations in the World". We have over 90 courses located throughout the San Diego region, from seaside settings to desert mountains to inland valleys. With a wide range of courses, there is a course for every type of golfer and a range of greens fees that will fit every budget.

Click here to find a golf course.
http://www.sandiego.org/nav/Visitors/WhatToDo/Golf

Shopping:
Shop San Diego is an alliance of shopping venues located throughout the region, from Carlsbad in the north, to Alpine in the east, to the Mexico border in the south. Representing some of the region's best places to browse or buy, you'll want to be sure and make time to shop in San Diego.
Carlsbad Premium Outlets
Fashion Valley
Shops at The Del
The Shops at Las Americas
Seaport Village
Viejas Outlet Center

Sports and Recreation:
Click here for listings of sports and recreational activities

Spas and Salons:
Click here for a listing of spas and salons.

Tours and sightseeing:
Click here for a listing of ideas for tours and sightseeing.

Dining and Nightlife:
Click here for a listing of restaurants in La Jolla neighbourhood.
Click here for a listing of bars in San Diego.
Click here for a listing of nightclubs in San Diego.
Click here for a listing of wineries in San Diego.

Useful links

• City visitor information -

• Convention bureaux -

• For further information on Attractions in San Diego

• Weather

• Exchange rates -

• For the Business Directory

• For further information on "What to do" whilst in San Diego please click here.

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