1 Day in San Diego: 5 Exceptional Sights to Visit by Car

https://flic.kr/p/dU3P5Y

The sunny city of San Diego is one of the best resorts on the Pacific coast, and some people even consider it the best city in the country. It attracts tourists with kilometers of beautiful beaches, sparkling ocean water, wonderful climate, huge mountains and bright sunshine. In addition, the resort infrastructure is well developed, which is undoubtedly an important component of a comfortable rest.

If you decide to spend only one day in San Diego, then take benefit of using San Diego Airport rental car and try the following route that takes you to all the major city sights.

Balboa Park

So, let’s begin our journey through San Diego from the most central point – Balboa Park. Balboa is the city’s heart and soul – it’s known as the largest US urban culture park and one of the most romantic and impressive city parks. The local museums are built in the style of Spanish colonial architecture, and the park resembles an old Spain-style city.

Bontanical Building

Balboa Park provides an opportunity to stroll through the gardens of tropical flowers and plants, with picturesque ponds and gurgling fountains, huge green lawns and winding shady paths. We should also mention the Japanese Friendship Garden with a traditional rock garden, a pond with goldfish and a tea house.

 

Coronado Island

https://flic.kr/p/coLF85

From Balboa Park, we suggest to head to Coronado Island. The top spot to visit there is Hotel Del Coronado, where many American presidents, English princes, and Hollywood celebrities stayed. The hotel is located right on the ocean, which offers a beautiful view. On the way to the hotel you will meet one of the most interesting sights of San Diego – the bridge to Coronado Island. It’s worth seeing to absolutely everyone who comes to the city for the first time. The island itself is very remarkable and looks like a fabulous city with beautiful American houses, smiling happy people, ideal streets and a pier with yachts.

 

San Diego Zoo

2017-03-13_370   Trip San Diego Zoo California

It’s a home to more than 3,700 animals. You can meet there a giant panda and a Tasmanian devil, polar bears and miniature chimpanzees, Malayan tigers and snow leopards, a wombat and a koala. There are no cages in the zoo, and an unusual lift allows visitors to explore the entire park from the top. In addition to the enormous number of animals and birds in the zoo, the zoo facilities include a small arboretum, where bamboo for pandas and eucalyptus for koalas is grown.

 

USS Midway Museum

https://flic.kr/p/Fdk3V

As for the next item on the program, let’s visit USS Midway Museum where you can explore the world’s largest aircraft carrier. The very first heavy American aircraft carrier is an autonomous floating city. It participated in the bombing of North Vietnam, as well as in “Desert Storm” operation in 1991. Now it’s a museum where anyone can go. The length of the aircraft carrier is 295 meters, and its width is 34.5 meters. On the Midway you’ll find a large number of military aircraft and helicopters in which you can sit. Also, it’s possible to just stroll around the ship by yourself or take a guided tour provided by former crew members that will tell interesting stories about the fate of the aircraft carrier.

 

Sea World

San Diego Sea World

Sea World is a huge theme park with rides, aquariums and all kinds of marine entertainments. One of the most popular attractions is the killer whale show held at the Shamu Stadium. In addition, other marine inhabitants are also involved in various performances. About 25 dolphins, polar bears, penguins, flamingos, fur seals, otters and many other animals live in the Sea World. Another hallmark of the park is the Bayside Skyride cable car, which will take you over the Mission Bay.

 

La Jolla Cove

San Diego 2011-24.jpg

We offer to complete a wonderful journey through San Diego in one of the most beautiful areas of the city called La Jolla. This is an amazingly beautiful area in the northwest of San Diego. People come there to stroll along the picturesque Pacific coast, see seals and sea lions, breathe in fresh ocean air and just enjoy nature. One of the most famous beaches in the area is Children’s Pool, where fur seals live. A funny sign is installed at the entrance to its territory, saying that if a fur seal looks at you, this doesn’t mean that it wants you to stroke it.

 

Gaslamp Quarter

Gas Lamp Quarter

Well, at the end of the evening, if you have enough time and energy, go to the Gaslamp Quarter located in the city center. This is the historic heart of San Diego, which at the beginning of the last century was famous for its quays, saloons, bars, and brothels. Nowadays, the Gaslamp Quarter remains an area of ​​entertainment and nightlife. The whole street is a continuous chain of cafes and restaurants, bars and clubs. The quarter is located between 3th and 6th Avenue. We recommend to start your walk by quarter from the intersection of 5th Avenue and L street, where the famous Gaslamp Quarter sign is placed.