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As if the glorious weather alone were not enough of a reason, San Diego boasts several world-renowned attractions that keep tourists coming to this California metropolis. From sunny Balboa Park to the historic sites of the Gaslamp Quarter and the Old Town, a tour of San Diego is filled with possibilities.
Balboa Park
The 1,200-acre Balboa Park is the cultural and tourist center of San Diego with numerous museums and theaters, a sporting complex, beautiful gardens, an open-air pipe organ, and the San Diego Zooon its premises. The famous Laurel Restaurant & Bar is nearby. It also houses the Museum of Man, an anthropological museum documenting the Southwestern and Mexican cultures. Next to the museum is the venerable Old Globe Theatre and the San Diego Museum of Art and the Timken Museum of Art.
Downtown
The world’s oldest floating merchant ship, the Star of India is located in the dock at the corner of Ash Street and North Harbor Drive. The ship is part of the San Diego Maritime Museum, while the San Diego Aerospace Museum is not far away. Also located along the Embarcadero is the New England-style Seaport Village.
Gaslamp Quarter
Slightly east of Seaport Village, the historic Gaslamp Quarter, highlighted by gas street lamps and Victorian-style buildings, draws countless tourists and locals. Westfield Horton Plaza is a sprawling outdoor mall in this area. The San Diego Convention Center and PETCO Park sit on the waterfront, right around the corner from the Edgewater Grill.
Coronado
After visiting the downtown San Diego attractions, take the ferry from Broadway Pier or drive across the arching, 2.2 mile-long San Diego-Coronado Bridge to Coronado Island, a beautiful resort community boasting some of the most exclusive homes, boutiques and restaurants in San Diego. If you take the ferry, you will disembark at the Ferry Landing Marketplace. From here catch a shuttle bus that will take you to the town's main tourist drag, Orange Avenue, where you’ll find the Coronado Historical Association Museum of History and Art. Up the road is the Coronado Brewing Company, a popular pub and restaurant.
Old Town
A slice of historic life has been preserved and re-created in the Old Town neighborhood at the Old Town State Historic Park, a kind of dusty Mexican theme park complete with restored haciendas, costumed characters and serenading mariachis. Start your visit at the Seeley Stables where volunteers give free daily tours. The haunted Thomas Whaley Museum is a must-see attraction in Old Town, as is the Presidio Park and the Presidio/Junipero Serra Museum.
With historic museums, affluent boutiques, adventurous water sports and breathtaking ocean views, San Diego boasts a variety of sites for any tourist. So, choose a tour that piques your interest and enjoy the first-class attractions offered by this bustling city.
Bus Tours San Diego Scenic Tours (+1 858 273 8687 / http://www.sandiegoscenictours.com) Gray Line San Diego (+1 800 331 5077 / http://www.sandiegograyline.com)
Tour Coupes (+1 619 232 6873 / http://www.tourcoupes.com)
Day Tripper Tours (+1 619 299 5777 / http://www.daytripper.com)
Bike Tours Bike Tours San Diego (+1 619 238 2444 / http://www.bike-tours.com)
San Diego Bike and Kayak Tours (+1 858 454 1010 / http://www.sandiegobikeandkayaktours.com/downtown_bike_tour_san_diego.html)
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