With its sprawling green parks, bayfront views and warm climate, San Diego CA is a true travel gem. Start your trip with the breathtaking views from Point Loma, before heading to the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
It’s not hard to understand why this area is called California’s Beach City. With its 70-mile coastline, world class attractions, and sophisticated dining, art and nightlife scenes, it’s no wonder!
Point Loma
Point Loma’s ideal location allows easy access to many of the most popular attractions in the city and surrounding region. It is easy to explore the neighborhood on foot or with a bicycle thanks to its bike-friendly streets. There are also many taxi and ridesharing companies that provide transportation options.
There are many beaches, parks, and historical landmarks in the area. Old Point Loma Lighthouse is an iconic symbol that can be used to represent the whole city. Cabrillo National Monument celebrates Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to land on California’s coasts. Sunset Cliffs’ sandstone cliffs are a great place to watch whales, dolphins and other marine life. They also make a beautiful backdrop for hiking or just hanging out.
For a more relaxed experience, head to Ocean Beach for surfing and other fun water activities. Take a walk around the USS Midway Museum to learn about our nation’s history of naval warfare.
Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument is a family-friendly attraction located on the western edge San Diego Bay. You’ll discover breathtaking views and a wealth historical experiences. Enjoy a walk along the park’s coast trails. These trails are home to a variety of plant species including California Sage Scrub, Lemon Berry, Prickly Pear, and Eucalyptus. Its location at Point Loma makes it an ideal spot for whale-watching.
When you arrive, make your first stop the Visitor Center, where you can grab a map and learn about the park’s history. A few steps from the visitor center is the statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, which marks the spot where he first landed on the west coast of the United States. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is also nearby, and this picturesque building offers visitors a glimpse into life for the lighthouse keepers and their families. Even a replica is available of the lighthouse keepers’ cabin.
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Located next to the Waterfront Park on North Harbor Drive, this museum houses one of the largest collections of historic sea vessels in the world. Explore the decks of many sail and steam vessels, such as the Star of India (1863), the oldest active ship in the world; San Salvador (a replica of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s colonial exploration vessel); and Berkeley (a steam ferry that helped people escape the 1906 earthquake).
Exhibits highlight five themes: Age of Sail, Age of Steam, Charting the Sea, Harvesting the Ocean and San Diego’s Navy. Other ships on display include a Gold Rush-era schooner, a 1904 steam yacht and the USS Dolphin deep diving submarine. The replica of a Gold Rush-era cutter, the Californian is available for guests to sail on. Or they can take a 4-hour cruise aboard the San Salvador. Other highlights of the museum include Fragile Waters, an exhibition that showcases works from renowned black-and-white marine landscape photographer Ansel Adams.
Sunset Cliffs
The Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a unique coastal environment that is home to dramatic cliff formations, tidal pools, and native sage scrub. San Diego residents, as well as locals and tourists from around the world, love this park. The Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Recreation Council is responsible for overseeing the park, which is administered by the City of San Diego.
The cliffs offer panoramic views of the ocean and are a great place to enjoy the sunset. This park is a wonderful place to walk, hike, and picnic. However, it is important to stay safe and respect the cliffs. Never ignore safety warnings or cross barriers. Accidents and deaths at the park occur every year, most often due to people engaging in risky behavior.
The Sunset Cliffs neighborhood is located south of Ocean Beach and offers stunning ocean views, beautiful cliffs, and a relaxed beach lifestyle. This is a great neighborhood for families who have school-age children as there are many top-rated public schools in the area. It is also a short distance from many private and charter school that offer specialized curricula.