The San Diego Zoo is one of the largest and most famous zoos in the United States. Plan at least a whole day here to really get the most out of your visit. You can see all kinds of exotic animals here, but perhaps its most famous residents are the giant pandas, which have been successfully bred here. The non-profit San Diego Zoo Global runs the zoo; conservation organizations; and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which lies about a 40-minute drive north of downtown San Diego. True to its name, the safari park offers more of a safari-style wildlife-watching experience, with free-roaming animals on large acreage. Insider's Tip: Bring binoculars!
At the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, you can travel back in time and soak up some of the rich culture from San Diego's early days. The park recreates the feel of the Mexican and early American periods, from 1821 to 1872, when this settlement grew from a small Mexican pueblo. The Old Town State Historic park is one of the most visited state parks in California. There is no admission fee, and many of the attractions are free.
This 1,400-acre site encompasses historical buildings, numerous museums, gardens, and green space. The park was created for the Panama California Exhibition of 1915-1916, and most of the buildings remain from that event. The predominant architecture is Spanish-style, with low-rise buildings that blend in with the natural surroundings.
Restored late-19th- and early-20th-century Victorian buildings house buzzing entertainment venues, trendy shops, art galleries, and restaurants serving every kind of cuisine you can imagine, from Persian food to pizza. This is a great place to catch some live jazz, comedy, or theater performances.
For basking in the sunshine and people-watching, head to MISSION BEACH with its buzzing beachfront boardwalk and seaview cafés. OCEAN BEACH delivers a dose of hippy chic, and pet owners can let their pooches run off-leash here at the aptly named Dog Beach. The best family-friendly beaches are DEL MAR, SILVER STRAND, CORANADO BEACH, and LA JOLLA SHORES. If you prefer a wild and rugged slice of coastline, TORREY PINES State Natural Reserve fits the bill, with scenic hiking trails and soaring sea cliffs.
With over 2,000 acres of coastal wild land, this reserve is home to many threatened animals, plants and habitats. While technically located within San Diego city limits, it’s one of the wildest stretches of land on the southern coast. Hit the trails to explore the indigenous wildlife, pine forests and sandstone canyons, along with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean.
As the public outreach center for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, Birch Aquarium boasts over 60 aquarium exhibits from the Pacific Northwest, Mexico and the Caribbean and showcases cutting edge research discoveries by Scripps scientists.
The highlights of a visit to the USS Midway Museum include more than 60 exhibits and 25 restored aircraft. More than 225,000 military service personnel served on the ship, and you can take a self-guided audio tour to learn all about its history.
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