Local Attractions

Besides the many recreational offerings, San Diego is a thriving and prosperous community. It is now the eighth largest city in the United States, with 1.2 million inhabitants. The following is a small sample of the major attractions around the San Diego Area.

Balboa Park
Home to 15 museums, various performing arts and intentional culture organizations as well as the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park is the largest urban cultural park in the nation. Here you'll discover internationally significant art treasures, exotic animal species, unique model trains, dinosaur fossils and mummies, world folk art, photography, sports memorabilia, rare aircraft and more. The stunning architecture in the park is the legacy of two Expositions, the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition and the 1935-36 California Pacific International Exposition.

Balboa Park is also renowned for the horticultural treasures on its 1,200 acres: brilliant displays of seasonal Sowers, eight gardens including an award-winning rose garden and a Japanese garden, rare and exotic plant species, shady groves of trees and green rolling lawns. For information, call (619) 239-0512 or log onto www.balboapark.org.

Legoland California
Now there's a whole new kind of theme park where there's a better way to play. At Legoland, everyone gets into the action on over 40 rides and adventures. Kids are in charge and parents join in on all the fun. Hop on the Dragon Coaster for a high-spirited tour of the King's Castle, take a Safari Trek through Africa, or power-ski through water blasts at Aquazone. It's endless, hands-on fun! Legoland invites you to discover just how cool it is to be a kid! Just 30 minutes north of San Diego and one hour south of Disneyland. Open Daily. For more information, call us at (760) 918-5346 or visit us on the web at www.legoland.com.

Old Town San Diego
At Old Town San Diego, visitors can see a variety of old-time shops, visit art galleries, eat at ethnic restaurants and see an example of San Diego history.

A guided trolley tour combines colorful anecdotes, humorous stories and well-researched historical facts. The self-paced tour can be an all-day experience or a two-hour continuous tour. Tours are given year round from approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tour stops include Old Town State Park, the cruise ship terminal, Seaport Village, Marriott Hotel & Marina, Horton Plaza, Coronado, the San Diego Zoo, the Aerospace Museum and El Prado. For more information, call (619) 298-8687.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park
This park is located just 25 minutes north of Miramar. Guests can view over 3,000 animals on a guided monorail tour or by walking the Kilimanjaro Safari Walk and exploring exotic gardens, shows and exhibits in Africa-styled Nairobi Village and the Heart of Africa. Open at 9 a.m., 365 days a year. Admission includes the guided monorail tour and shows. Parking costs are additional. To get there, exit off Interstate-15 at Via Rancho Parkway and follow signs six miles east. For information, call (760) 747-8702, or visit the MCCS Entertainment Ticket Office for tickets.

Seaport Village
Picture yourself amidst a treasure of 75 one-of-a-kind shops and great bay front restaurants. The Harbor House, Edgewater Grill, San Diego Pier Café and Buster's Beach House & Longboard Bar offer savory cuisines complimented by unsurpassed views. Thirteen international eateries offer everything from Ben & Jerry's ice cream to "Chicago" style hot dogs at Seaport Grill. Take a whirl on the 1890's Looff carousel, delight in daily live entertainment and simply watch the world sail by. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (June through August open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.). Restaurants may have extended hours. Enjoy two hours free parking with any purchase. For more information, call (619) 235-4014.

SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego. There's no place in the world like SeaWorld San Diego. Where else can you challenge the thrills of Journey to Atlantis one minute and touch a stingray the next? Take in numerous attractions, exhibits and shows, including One Ocean—the visually stunning Shamu show that will take you on a sensational, breathtaking journey of curiosity and wonder.

Summer Nights sparkle at SeaWorld. Stay late and enjoy sensational new shows, enchanting live entertainment and fantastic fireworks during SeaWorld's spectacular Summer Nights celebration, nightly mid-June through Labor Day weekend. Touch a world that touches you at SeaWorld San Diego.

Sporting Events
San Diego is a huge sports town featuring the Padres Major League Baseball team and the Chargers National Football League team. There are also several college and university games for sports fans to attend. For ticket information, call the MCCS Entertainment Ticket Office at (858) 577-4126.

Water Sports
The scenic San Diego shore offers more than magnificent sunsets and cool breezes. Whether you enjoy riding the waves, sailing the time away, or just lying on the beach, San Diego has it all. The waters of Mission Bay, Pacific Beach, Coronado and others are also prime areas for any water-sports excitement.

Wave runners, jet skis, ski boats, surfboards, motor boats, sail boats, sail boards, catamarans, kayaks and paddle boats are available for rent right on the beach. Tickets are also available for other attractions including San Diego Harbor cruises, dinner cruises and deep-sea trips at the MCCS Information Tickets and Tours Office.

World-Famous San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is a 100-acre refuge to approximately 4,000 rare and endangered animals from more than 800 different species and subspecies. The zoo is also an accredited botanical garden featuring more than 6,000 species of exotic plants.

One of the more popular exhibits is the Giant Panda Research Station. The Zoo is open at 9 a.m., 365 days a year. For more information, call (619) 234-3153 or (888) 697-2632 for exhibit times or visit the MCCS Entertainment Ticket Office for tickets.