Things To Do in San Diego

You won't run out of things to see and do in San Diego, especially if outdoor activities are high on the agenda. The San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, and the Zoo Safari Park are the city's three top attractions, but there are also Balboa Park's museums, downtown's Gaslamp Quarter, the beaches, and shopping in Old Town. You can catch a performance at one of the city's prized live theaters or a Padres game at downtown PETCO Park, as well.

The Three Major Animal Parks

If you're looking for wild times, San Diego supplies them. The world-famous San Diego Zoo is home to more than 800 animal species, many of them rare and exotic. A sister attraction, the Zoo Safari Park, showcases some 430 species in an au naturel setting. And aquatic animals form a veritable chorus line at SeaWorld San Diego -- waving their flippers, waddling across an ersatz Antarctica, and blowing dolphin kisses -- in various shows throughout the day.

San Diego's "Big Three" family attractions are joined by LEGOLAND California.

Now That's a Deal! -- San Diego's three main animal attractions offer combo tickets that can save you some cash. Here's how it works: If you plan to visit both the zoo and the Zoo Safari Park, a 2-Visit Pass is $70 for adults, $50 for children ages 3 to 11; passes are valid for 1 year (and can be used twice at the same attraction if you choose). A 3-for-1 pass gives you 1-day passes to the zoo and Zoo Safari Park, and unlimited entry to SeaWorld for 5 days from first use. The cost is $121 adults, $99 children ages 3 to 9.

Other value options include the Southern California CityPass (tel. 888/330-5008; www.citypass.com), which covers the zoo or Zoo Safari Park, plus SeaWorld, Disneyland Resorts, and Universal Studios in Los Angeles. Passes are $276 for adults, and $229 for kids age 3 to 9 (a savings of about 30%), and are valid for 14 days. The Go San Diego Card (tel. 866/628-9032; www.gosandiegocard.com) offers unlimited general admission to more than 50 attractions, including the zoo and LEGOLAND, as well as deals on shopping, dining, and day trips to Mexico and the local wine country. One-day packages start at $69 for adults and $58 for children (ages 3-12).

Downtown & Beyond

Wander through the turn-of-the-20th-century Gaslamp Quarter to the joyful, modern architecture of the Horton Plaza shopping center. Adjacent to the Gaslamp is the East Village, which, thanks to the opening of PETCO Park in 2004, has extended downtown a few blocks farther east.

Seaport Village is a shopping and dining complex on the waterfront offering stellar views; while another way to experience San Diego's waterfront is with one of several harbor tours.

Old Town & Mission Valley

The birthplace of San Diego -- indeed, of California -- Old Town takes you back to the Mexican California of the mid-1800s.

Mission Valley, which starts just north of Presidio Park and heads straight east, is decidedly more modern; until I-8 was built in the 1950s, it was little more than cow pastures with a couple of dirt roads. Shopping malls, motels, a golf course, condos, car dealerships, and a massive sports stadium fill the expanse today. Farther upstream along the San Diego River is the Mission Basilica San Diego, and just a few miles beyond lies an outstanding park with walking trails. Few visitors make it this far, but Mission Trails Regional Park reveals what San Diego looked like before the Spanish (and the car dealers) arrived.

Mission Bay & The Beaches

Opened to the public in 1949, Mission Bay Park is a man-made, 4,200-acre aquatic playground created by dredging tidal mud flats and opening them to seawater. Today, this is a great area for walking, jogging, in-line skating, biking, and boating.

For a spectacular view, drive north on Mission Boulevard, past Turquoise Street, where it turns into La Jolla Mesa Drive. Proceed up the hill 3/4 mile and turn around. From here you'll see the beaches and Point Loma in front of you, Mission Bay and San Diego Bay, downtown, the Hillcrest/Uptown area, and (on a clear day) the hills of Tijuana, and to the east, San Diego's backcountry.

La Jolla

One of San Diego's most scenic spots -- the star of postcards for more than 100 years -- is La Jolla Cove and Ellen Browning Scripps Park on the bluff above it. The walk through the park, along Coast Boulevard (start from the north at Prospect St.), offers some of California's finest coastal scenery. Just south is the Children's Pool, a beach where dozens of harbor seals can be spotted lazing in the sun. The 6,000-acre San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, established in 1970, stretches for 10 miles from La Jolla Cove to the northern end of Torrey Pines State Reserve, and extends from the shoreline to a depth of 900 feet. The park is a boat-free zone. Its undersea flora and fauna draw scuba divers and snorkelers, many of them hoping for a glimpse of the brilliant orange garibaldi, California's state fish.

La Jolla has architectural treasures as well; highlights include Mary Star of the Sea, 7727 Girard Ave., a small Roman Catholic church with some stylish art; and La Valencia Hotel, a fine Spanish Colonial-style structure. The La Jolla Woman's Club, 7791 Draper Ave.; the adjacent Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla; the La Jolla Recreation Center; and the Bishop's School are all the handiwork of famed architect Irving Gill.

At La Jolla's north end, you'll find the 1,200-acre, 22,000-student University of California, San Diego (UCSD), which was established in 1960 and represents the county's largest single employer. The campus features the Geisel Library, a striking and distinguished contemporary structure, as well as the Stuart Collection of public sculpture and the Birch Aquarium at Scripps (see individual listings). One of celebrated architect Louis I. Kahn's masterpieces is the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Rd., a research facility named for the creator of the polio vaccine. Farther north is an ersatz jewel, the Lodge at Torrey Pines, a modern, 175-room luxury resort in the guise of an early-20th-century Craftsman-style manse. It overlooks the revered Torrey Pines Golf Course.

For a fine scenic drive, follow La Jolla Boulevard to Nautilus Street and turn east to get to 823-foot-high Mount Soledad, which offers a 360-degree view of the area. The appropriateness of the 43-foot-tall cross on top, erected in 1954 in this public park, has been the subject of 20 years of legal jousting (religious symbols are prohibited on public land). In 2008, a federal judge ruled the cross could stay; in 2011 another judge ruled it was unconstitutional. Stay tuned.

Coronado

It's hard to miss San Diego Bay's most noteworthy landmark: the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge. Completed in 1969, this graceful five-lane bridge spans 2 1/4 miles and links the city and the "island" of Coronado. At 246 feet in height, the bridge was designed to be tall enough for the Navy's aircraft carriers to pass beneath. Heading to Coronado by car is a thrill because you can see Mexico and the shipyards of National City to the left, the San Diego skyline to the right, and Coronado, the naval station, and Point Loma in front of you (designated drivers have to promise to keep their eyes on the road). When the bridge opened, it put the antiquated commuter ferries out of business (though in 1986 passenger-only ferry service restarted). Bus no. 901 from downtown will also take you across the bridge.

Whether you're looking for a souvenir, a gift, or a quick replacement for an item inadvertently left at home, you'll find no shortage of stores in San Diego. This is, after all, Southern California, where looking good is a high priority and shopping in sunny outdoor malls is a way of life.

The Shopping Scene

Okay, so San Diegans have embraced the suburban shopping mall with vigor. Many do the bulk of their shopping at two massive complexes in Mission Valley where every possible need is represented; downtown has even adopted the mall concept at whimsical Horton Plaza.

Local neighborhoods, on the other hand, offer specialty shopping that meets the needs -- and mirrors the personality -- of that part of town. For example, hip Hillcrest and Uptown neighborhoods are the place to go for offbeat boutiques, while conservative La Jolla offers many upscale traditional shops, especially jewelers. And don't forget that Mexico is only 20 minutes away; tiendas (stores) in Tijuana, Rosarito Beach, and Ensenada stock colorful crafts, jewelry, and clothing at bargain prices.

Sales tax in San Diego is 8.75%; savvy out-of-state shoppers have larger items shipped directly home at the point of purchase, avoiding the tax.

Large stores and shops in malls tend to stay open until about 9pm on weekdays, 6pm on weekends. Smaller businesses usually close at 5 or 6pm or may keep odd hours. When in doubt, call ahead.

Art & Crafts

While San Diego is not known as a powerhouse art city, you'll find some 25 galleries in La Jolla village alone; downtown, Little Italy, and North Park also offer a concentration of galleries. To get an overview of North Park's alternative art spaces, consider the Ray at Night gallery crawl (www.rayatnightartwalk.com), scheduled the second Saturday of every month from 6 to 10pm; more than 30 galleries, boutiques, and cafes participate.

Department Stores

You'll find plenty of major retailers in large shopping centers that provide ample opportunity to browse for gifts, mementos, or necessities.

Farmers' Markets

We love our open-air markets. Throughout the county nearly 50 regularly scheduled street fests are stocked with the freshest fruits and vegetables from Southern California farms, augmented by crafts, fresh-cooked ethnic foods, flower stands, and other surprises. San Diego County produces more than $1 billion worth of fruits, flowers, and other crops each year. Avocados, known locally as "green gold," are the most profitable crop and have been grown here for more than 100 years. Citrus fruit follows close behind, and flowers are the area's third most important crop; ranunculus bulbs from here are sent all over the world, as are the famous Ecke poinsettias.

Here's a schedule of noteworthy farmers' markets -- you can also check with the San Diego Farm Bureau (tel. 760/745-3023; www.sdfarmbureau.org).

There are several farmers' markets downtown. One is a seasonal affair, held in the square just north of Horton Plaza, running March through October on Thursdays from 11am to 3pm; call tel. 760/741-3763 for information. The Third Avenue market, specializing in Asian goods, takes place between Island Avenue and J Street. It runs throughout the year on Sundays from 9am to 1pm; call tel. 619/279-0032 for details. The very popular Little Italy Mercato (tel. 619/233-3769; www.littleitalymercato.com) is on Saturdays, 9am to 1:30pm, along Date Street, between India and Columbia streets.

In Hillcrest, the market runs Sundays from 9am to 2pm at the corner of Normal Street and Lincoln Avenue, 1 block north of University Avenue. The atmosphere is festive, and exotic culinary delights reflect the eclectic neighborhood. For more information, call tel. 619/237-1632.

La Jolla also has a Sunday market; it's held on the playground at La Jolla Elementary School, 7335 Girard Ave., from 9am to 1pm. Call tel. 858/454-1699 for more information, or go to www.lajollamarket.com.

Point Loma's open-air market is held on Sunday along the 2900 block of Canon Street, between Rosecrans and Shafter streets, from 9:30am to 2:30pm. Call tel. 619/795-3363 for information.

In Ocean Beach, a fun-filled market is held Wednesday evenings between 5 and 8pm (4-7pm Jan-Mar) along the 4900 block of Newport Avenue. In addition to fresh-cut flowers, produce, and exotic fruits and foods laid out for sampling, the market features art and entertainment. For more information, call tel. 619/279-0032, or check www.oceanbeachsandiego.com.

Head to Pacific Beach on Saturday from 8am to noon, when Mission Boulevard between Reed Avenue and Pacific Beach Drive is transformed into a bustling marketplace. Call tel. 760/741-3763 for more information.

In Coronado, every Tuesday afternoon the Ferry Landing hosts a produce and crafts market from 2:30 to 6pm; call tel. 760/741-3763 for more details.

Historically, San Diego's cultural scene has languished in the shadows cast by those in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The go-go '90s, though, brought new blood and money into the city, and arts organizations felt the impact. The biggest winner was the San Diego Symphony, which in 2002 received the largest single donation to a symphony anywhere, ever -- $120 million. More recently, individual donors have lavished big bucks on other groups: The Old Globe Theatre received $20-million and $10-million gifts, while the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego was bestowed with a $3-million donation. But don't think "after dark" in this city is limited to highfalutin' affairs -- rock and pop concerts, bars (both swank and dive), and nightclubs crank up the volume on a nightly basis.

Thankfully, San Diego's orgy of development over the past decade has included more than just luxury condos and hotels. The NTC Promenade in Point Loma (tel. 619/573-9260; www.ntcpromenade.org) consists of 26 historic buildings on 28 bayfront acres. It's the remnants of a huge Navy base transformed into a flagship hub of creative activity, housing museums and galleries, educational facilities, and arts groups. The Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Ave. (tel. 619/239-8836 or 231-5714; www.birchnorthparktheatre.net), is a 1928 vaudeville and movie house resurrected to its original glory. It's now the home base for Lyric Opera San Diego, and plays host to numerous other groups throughout the year.

The Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave. (tel. 619/570-1100 or 619/615-4000; www.sdbalboa.org), is another gilded beauty given a new lease on life. Built in 1924, the Balboa sat empty and decaying for years, barely avoiding the wrecking ball several times. This Gaslamp Quarter icon reopened in 2008 and is once again presenting music, dance, theater, and films. Sushi Performance & Visual Art, 390 11th Ave. (tel. 619/235-8466; www.sushiart.org), was homeless for several years but is now settled into a cool industrial space in the East Village. Since 1980, Sushi has been presenting brave, fierce, brazen, and provocative works of art, dance, and performance. If any group in the city deserves the mantle of "cutting edge," this is the one.

Finding Out What's On

For a rundown of the week's performances, gallery openings, and other events, check the listings in the free, weekly alternative publications San Diego CityBeat (www.sdcitybeat.com), published on Wednesday, and the San Diego Weekly Reader (www.sdreader.com), which comes out on Thursday. The San Diego Union-Tribune's entertainment section, "Night and Day," also appears on Thursday (www.signonsandiego.com). For what's happening at the gay clubs, get the weekly San Diego Gay & Lesbian Times (www.gaylesbiantimes.com).

The local convention and visitors bureau's Art + Sol campaign provides a calendar of events covering the performing and visual arts, and more; visit www.sandiegoartandsol.com. The San Diego Performing Arts League produces the performing arts guide What's Playing? every 2 months; you can pick one up at the ARTS TIX booth in Horton Plaza, or check the schedule online (tel. 619/238-0700; www.sdartstix.com).

Bars, Cocktail Lounges & Dance Clubs

Downtown is the busiest place for nightlife -- you'll find something going on nightly. The best nights (or worst, depending on your tolerance for crowds) are Thursday through Saturday, when the 20-somethings pour in and dance clubs spring into action. Cover charges range from about $10 to $20 these nights, but some bars and lounges, particularly those in restaurants and hotels, are usually free. Most clubs discount or waive cover charges if you go before 10pm; dining at nightspots that offer food service is another way to avoid lines and covers. Keep in mind that many clubs have "city style" dress codes -- no tank tops, sports jerseys, tennis shoes, and the like.

suds city: Grab a Great Brew in SD

With more than 30 breweries in town, it's no wonder Men's Journal declared San Diego to be America's number one beer city. Here is just a small sampling of the places a serious beer drinker is guaranteed to love.

San Diego's most acclaimed brewery is headquartered in far-flung Escondido, but elegant Stone Brewing World Bistro and Gardens is worth the drive. Pizza Port Brewing Company (www.pizzaport.com) has three locations: 1956 Bacon St., Ocean Beach (tel. 619/224-4700); 135 N. Hwy. 101, Solana Beach (tel. 858/481-7332); and 571 Carlsbad Village Dr. in Carlsbad (tel. 760/720-7007). Kids can get in on the action with Pizza Port's house-made root beer. At Pacific Beach AleHouse, 721 Grand Ave. (tel. 858/581-2337; www.pbalehouse.com), you can watch a Pacific sunset from the rooftop deck while you sip on a Pacific Sunset IPA. In Normal Heights, one of the city's great beer bars, Blind Lady Ale House, 3416 Adams Ave. (tel. 619/255-2491; www.blindladyalehouse.com), is making a foray into brewing (one of the owners was a master brewer at Stone once upon a time). 5 Points Brewing Co. in Middletown, 1795 Hancock St. (tel. 619/550-2739; www.5pbc.com), does contract brewing for two other beer makers, meaning you can taste suds from three local breweries in one tap room. Downtown, hops are brewing at Karl Strauss Brewery & Grill and The Beer Company, 602 Broadway (tel. 619/398-0707; www.thebeerco.net).

If you'd like to do some tours and sampling without the driving, check out Brewery Tours of San Diego (tel. 619/961-7999; www.brewerytoursofsandiego.com) or Brew Hop (tel. 858/361-8457; www.brewhop.com).

Girls' Night out (for Out Girls)

Although San Diego is one of the country's most queer-friendly cities, it's been quite a while since there has been a spot that has catered primarily to women 7 days a week. That has changed with the opening of Hillcrest's Gossip Grill, 1440 University Ave. (tel. 619/260-8023; www.thegossipgrill.com). Not a club but a bar and restaurant, Gossip Grill serves drinks featuring monikers that demure types might have trouble saying aloud and eats like flatbread pizzas, salads, and burgers. A sense of fun pervades, starting with first-time visitors getting a "virgin" sticker slapped on their chest; Tuesday nights feature karaoke and open-mic performances.

Gay dance clubs with designated ladies' nights include: Bourbon Street Bar & Grill (Sundays), 4612 Park Blvd., tel. 619/291-4043; www.bourbonstreetsd.com; The Brass Rail (most Fridays), 3796 Fifth Ave., tel. 619/298-2233; www.thebrassrailsd.com; The Flame (most Fridays and Saturdays), 3780 Park Blvd., tel. 619/795-8578; www.flamesandiego.com); Numbers (Saturday), 3811 Park Blvd., tel. 619/294-7583; www.numberssd.com; and Rich's (Thursday), 1051 University Ave., tel. 619/295-2195; www.richssandiego.com.

Cinema

A variety of multiscreen complexes around the city show first-run films; for showtimes, call tel. 619/444-3456. In the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, you'll find the Gaslamp 15, 701 Fifth Ave., featuring 15 screens and stadium seating; and the Horton Plaza 14, on the top level of the mall. The AMC chain operates swarming complexes in both the Mission Valley and Fashion Valley shopping centers; both have free parking, but popular films sell out early on weekends. The other Mission Valley movieplex is the UltraStar at the Hazard Center, 7510 Hazard Center Dr.

Current American independent and foreign films play at Landmark's five-screen Hillcrest Cinema, 3965 Fifth Ave., Hillcrest, which offers 3 hours of free parking (tel. 619/819-0236); the Ken Cinema, 4061 Adams Ave., Kensington (tel. 619/819-0236); and the four-screen La Jolla Village, 8879 Villa La Jolla Dr., La Jolla, also with free parking (tel. 619/819-0236).

The Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park (tel. 619/238-7559; www.mopa.org) and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla (tel. 858/454-3541; www.mcasd.org) both have ongoing film programs that are worth investigating. The IMAX Dome Theater at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (tel. 619/238-1233; www.rhfleet.org), also in Balboa Park, features movies projected onto an enormous dome screen (films are shown in the early evening, with later screenings on weekends). Planetarium shows are held the first Wednesday of the month.

Another unique venue is located behind a hair salon in Mission Hills. Cinema Under the Stars, 4040 Goldfinch St. (tel. 619/295-4221; www.topspresents.com), is an intimate, outdoor movie-going experience that usually runs from spring through fall (Thurs-Sun), featuring both classic and new releases. Patrons can lounge in zero-gravity chairs or sit at cafe tables; get your tickets early -- these shows sell out.

Casinos

San Diego County has 18 Native American tribes -- more than any other county in the nation. More than half of them operate casinos in east and north San Diego County; Valley View Casino, 16300 Nyemii Pass Rd, Valley Center (tel. 866/843-9946; www.valleycentercasino.com), is the most recent to unveil a stylish hotel to go along with its gaming. The Convention & Visitors Bureau (tel. 619/232-3101; www.sandiego.org) has comprehensive listings and discount coupons on its website.

The most easily accessible casino from the downtown area is Viejas Casino, 5000 Willows Rd. in Alpine (tel. 800/847-6537 or 619/445-5400; www.viejas.com) -- it's a straight shot out I-8 (exit Willows Rd.), less than a half-hour's drive away. Besides the usual table games, slots, bingo, and satellite wagering, Viejas presents an outdoor summer concert series that draws major artists; there is also an outlet center with more than 40 brand-name retailers, a 12-lane bowling alley, and a seasonal ice rink. In 2006, the casino added 48,000 square feet of new space, encompassing a VIP lounge and high-end bar, the V Lounge.

The Barona Resort & Casino is at 1932 Wildcat Canyon Rd., Lakeside (tel. 888/722-7662 or 619/443-2300; www.barona.com). Take I-8 East to Route 67 North; at Willows Road, turn right and continue to Wildcat Canyon Road; turn left and continue 6 miles to the 7,500-acre Barona Reservation (allow 40 min. from downtown). The casino features 2,000 Vegas-style slots, 80 table games, and an off-track betting area. The resort, which includes 400 guest rooms, a spa, and an 18-hole championship golf course, restricts alcohol consumption (limited to the hotel, 4 of the 11 restaurants, and golf course), but allows smoking (the Indian reservations are exempt from California's nonsmoking laws).

Sycuan Resort & Casino is outside El Cajon, at 5469 Casino Way (tel. 800/279-2826 or 619/445-6002; www.sycuan.com). Follow I-8 East for 10 miles to the El Cajon Boulevard exit. Take El Cajon 3 blocks to Washington Avenue, turning right and continuing on Washington as it turns into Dehesa Road. Stay on Dehesa for 5 miles, and follow the signs (allow 30 min. from downtown). Sycuan features 2,000 slots, 60 gaming tables, a 24-table poker room, a 1,200-seat bingo palace, and a 450-seat theater that books name touring acts. A nonsmoking boutique casino, complete with separate entrance, opened in 2008. The nearby resort offers 100 rooms and 54 holes of golf.

Only in San Diego

San Diego's top three attractions -- the San Diego Zoo, Zoo Safari Park, and SeaWorld -- all keep extended summer hours; SeaWorld caps off its "Summer Nights" at 9:30pm with a fireworks display that's visible from anywhere around Mission Bay.

In Balboa Park, Starlight Theatre presents Broadway musicals in the Starlight Bowl from June through September (tel. 619/232-7827; www.starlighttheatre.org). What's unusual, though, is that the venue is under the flight path to Lindbergh Field, and when planes pass overhead, singers stop in midnote and wait for the roar to cease. You have to see it to believe it.

The Grunion Run is a local tradition -- so if someone invites you down to the beach for a late-night fishing expedition, armed only with a sack and flashlight, don't be afraid. Grunion are 5- to 6-inch silvery fish that wriggle out of the water to lay their eggs in the sand. Found only in Southern and Baja California, they make for decent eating, coated in flour and cornmeal, and then fried. April to early June is peak spawning season, but they may only be caught -- by hand -- during the months of March and then June through August; a fishing license is required for those 16 and older. Grunion runs happen twice a month after the highest tides, about 2 to 5 nights after a full or new moon. Anywhere from a few dozen to thousands of grunion can appear during a run. They prefer wide, flat, sandy beaches (such as the Coronado Strand, Mission Beach, and La Jolla Shores); you'll spot more grunion if you go to a less-populated stretch of beach, with a minimum amount of light. For details, go to the little critters' website, www.grunion.org, or check with the Department of Fish and Game at www.dfg.ca.gov.