4 Places To See When Visiting San Diego
San Diego is on the Pacific coast of California. The beaches, parks, and warm climate make it an appealing destination choice. Here are four places you can go when visiting San Diego.
San Diego is on the Pacific coast of California. The beaches, parks, and warm climate make it an appealing destination choice. Here are four places you can go when visiting San Diego.
1. Belmont Park
If you enjoy amusement parks, Belmont Park might be up your alley. It first opened on July 4, 1925 and has kept a bit of a retro vibe throughout the years. The park consists of rides, food, shopping, and the beach is accessible. Rides include a wooden roller coaster, carousel, bumper cars, a Tilt-a-Whirl, and more. You can also rock climb and play mini golf. If you're looking for a day of fun and entertainment with the family, Belmont Park is perfect.
If you want some time away from the amusement park, Bonita Cove is a waterfront park not far from Belmont Park. If you're with your family, this is the perfect place to relax, have a picnic, swim, and play on the playground. If you're hanging with adults, you might enjoy the Beach House Grill, which offers happy hour food and drinks.
2. La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is a picturesque beach and cove that is surrounded by cliffs. It's a beautiful spot to go swimming, snorkeling, diving, and stand-up paddle boarding. It's not unusual to see seals and sea lions in the area. There are places to eat and shop nearby. When you're in La Jolla, you might want to take a tour
You can take an electric bike tour, Segway tour, or a 7-hour tour of the coastline and its beaches and attractions. If you're more adventurous, you can take a kayak whale-watching tour.
3. SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego is an animal theme park, oceanarium, marine mammal park, and outside aquarium. Exhibits include turtle reef, otter outlook, shark encounter, and orca encounter. There are many rides including Journey to Atlantis, SkyTower, and Shipwreck Rapids.
Shows you can see include The Chinese Acrobats, Dolphin Days, Sea Lions Live, and a fireworks display. You can expect to spend hours at SeaWorld. They have lockers you can rent and there is plenty of dining available.
4. Old Town San Diego
If history is your thing, Old Town San Diego is the place for you. The city was established in 1769 and was California's first settlement. It began with just a mission and a fort. You can watch living history programs where you will see a blacksmith and woodworker come to life. There is a haunted building and many museums.
A trip to the area isn't complete without seeing Fiesta de Reyes. Comprised of three restaurants, 19 specialty shops, and a 10-room boutique hotel, you can get a taste of the history. There is also entertainment that includes mariachi bands, folklorico dancers, and music. Don't forget to check out the fountains while you're there. There are hotels and restaurants in Old Town San Diego, so if you want to spend a few days exploring, you can.
Visiting San Diego will leave you with no shortage of places to explore and things to do. The scenery alone is breathtaking and the weather is delightful. If you’re visiting for the first time, it’s great to have a local show you around. Locals are great because they can help you navigate the city while learning about the best places to shop, eat, and have fun. To book a local, visit Hellocity.
10 Romantic Cities in the United States
Filled with vibrant energy and endless attractions, cities make great destinations for romantic getaways. If you're considering an urban adventure with that special someone, plan a trip to one of the following ten cities. Each of them offers a uniquely romantic atmosphere and plenty of date-worthy activities.
Filled with vibrant energy and endless attractions, cities make great destinations for romantic getaways. If you're considering an urban adventure with that special someone, plan a trip to one of the following ten cities. Each of them offers a uniquely romantic atmosphere and plenty of date-worthy activities.
1. New Orleans
From the quaint, old-world ambiance of the French Quarter to the joyful festivities of Mardi Gras, New Orleans overflows with romantic joie de vivre. To begin your romantic getaway in the Big Easy, take a steamboat cruise on the Mississippi River, or go on a carriage tour through the city's historic neighborhoods. When you're ready to refuel, dine on traditional New Orleans treats such as pralines and jambalaya. Finish the evening by unwinding at an intimate jazz club.
2. Las Vegas
If you favor the kitschy over the quaint, Las Vegas is the perfect romantic vacation destination. Vegas is justly famous for spur-of-the-moment weddings and budget honeymoons, but you don't have to be tying the knot there to partake of its romantic offerings. Not only are there hotels to fit every taste and budget, but there are also limitless entertainment options, from Elvis impersonators to world-famous performers, so you'll never have a boring date night. Some Las Vegas hotels are even casino-free, so you can still enjoy the excitement of Las Vegas without listening to clanging slot machines.
3. San Antonio
The Riverwalk, a verdant, 15-mile collection of pedestrian pathways winding along the San Antonio River through the heart of the city, seems tailor-made for romantic strolls. When you get hungry, stop for a meal at a sidewalk cafe, perhaps sampling the city's renowned Tex-Mex cuisine, or enjoy a mellow dinner on the water, on a riverboat tour.
Time your visit to San Antonio to take in one of the city's annual festivals, many of which celebrate the region's colorful Latino heritage. Soak up San Antonio's historic atmosphere at the Alamo or at the Missions National Historic Park, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
4. Charleston
With cobblestone streets, antebellum mansions and a good helping of Southern charm, South Carolina's oldest city makes a romantic and genteel getaway. To best experience the romance of Charleston, stay at an inn located in one of the city's refurbished mansions and then dig into some rich and delectable Southern cuisine at an elegant restaurant or casual soul food cafe. Dive into the area's fascinating and often complicated history with a visit to an old plantation or Fort Sumter National Monument, where the Civil War began.
5. Boulder
If you and your partner can't decide on an outdoor adventure or an urban getaway, consider coming to Boulder, where you won't have to compromise. Laid-back Boulder is a gateway to outdoor activities, with easy access to hiking trails and ski slopes, but it also features urban delights such as restaurants to satisfy every palette, live-music venues, and a range of shopping options from funky to upscale. Strolling along the Pearl Street Mall, Boulder's pedestrian-only street is a pleasant way to pass a summer afternoon. As the home of the University of Colorado, Boulder enjoys a lively student population and many cultural events.
6. San Francisco
Spread out among steep hills between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, the city of San Francisco blends a quirky counter-cultural sensibility with world-class attractions in a stunning setting. As an introduction to the city, catch a cable car ride past brightly painted Victorian townhouses. Take in the vibrant hustle of Chinatown, which makes a good stop for lunch, or eat a bowl of the city's famous clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf. Climb up to Coit Tower to enjoy sunset views of the city.
7. San Diego
Year-round pleasant weather and great beaches make San Diego the perfect destination for a romantic beach vacation. Plus, with 70 miles of coastline, San Diego offers a variety of beaches to suit your interests, from the lively party atmosphere of Pacific Beach to windswept San Onofre, which is popular with surfers. Stay in picturesque La Jolla, with its plethora of restaurants and boutique hotels, many of which are right on the ocean. Or, to experience a vintage piece of California history, check in at the stately Victorian-era Hotel del Coronado, a National Historic Landmark.
8. Providence
Rhode Island's capital is a small city, with a population of around 180,000, but it packs in a lot of culture, as the home of the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University. Providence is an excellent place to explore on foot, with historic architecture and distinct neighborhoods, each with their own unique atmosphere.
For a peaceful escape, visit Roger Williams Park, which contains picturesque bridges, lakes and a rose garden. Providence enjoys a rich mix of festivals, nightlife and performing arts events throughout the year, and it's also regularly ranked as one of the most gay-friendly cities in the United States.
9. Santa Fe
The adobe buildings in this high-desert city in New Mexico blend with the colors of the earth, giving the "City Different" a dreamy and organic feeling. The oldest capital city in the United States, Santa Fe offers plenty of attractions for history lovers, but its status as an art mecca is what draws many visitors.
Peruse the outdoor sculpture galleries of Canyon Road, or check out one of Santa Fe's top-notch museums. In the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains outside of the city, nature lovers will find hiking and skiing opportunities. On chilly nights, curl up with your partner next to a traditional "kiva" fireplace, found in many of Santa Fe's lodgings.
10. New York City
The bustling energy of America's largest city can be exhilarating, as can the thrill of seeing many of the country's most iconic sights, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, up close. To experience a slice of New York life, immerse yourself in the chaos by joining the jostling masses on the sidewalk. Chill out with a walk through Central Park, where in the winter, the ice skating rink offers an affordable and scenic location for a date, surrounded by the soaring city skyline.
Enjoy the view from a penthouse restaurant, or hit the clubs to party until dawn in the so-called "city that never sleeps." From the nightlife of New York City to the laid-back beaches of San Diego, these cities offer many opportunities for fun and adventure. Book a weekend getaway to one of these cities, or visit a few of them on your next road trip.
