San Diego/Downtown

Beaches

San Diego's 70 miles of beaches are like a family of diverse people; each has its own distinct personality. Some are havens for surfers and divers; others are remote getaways; and many are perfect for most any activity. 

Performing Arts

San Diego is well known for its sun, surf and sand, but when the sun goes down, the curtain goes up on stages all over the county.

The San Diego Repertory Theatre, affectionately known as "the Rep," presents productions at the Lyceum Theatre in Horton Plaza, while smaller theater groups like the Sledgehammer provides quirkier, more experimental fare.

The La Jolla Playhouse, founded in 1947, has expanded over the years and, in 1993, received a Tony Award for "Outstanding American Regional Theater."

Music fans will appreciate the Starlight Musical Theatre. Founded in 1946, it was the first company of its kind in California, and its outdoor programs, presented in Balboa park's Starlight Bowl, are a much beloved summer tradition.

San Diego Opera is also world famous and presents five productions in the Civic Theatre in downtown San Diego, from January through May.

The California Center for the Arts, Escondido is a 200,000-square-foot complex that includes a 1,500-seat convert hall, a 400-seat theater, a museum and conference center.

The 1,200-seat East County Performing Arts Center rounds out the choice of performing arts centers. The Civic Theatre is the largest theater in San Diego, and regularly features performances of opera, plays and more, while the historic, Baroque-style Spreckels Theater has been in continuous operation since 1912.

Museums

Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego
1001 Kettner Blvd. at Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
619.234.1001
or
700 Prospect St.
La Jolla, CA 92122
858.454.3541
An internationally known collection of contemporary art in all media located at two sites. The La Jolla location reopened in spring of 1996 after extensive renovation.

Museum of Photographic Arts
Balboa Park
1649 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
619.238.7559
One of the first museums designed exclusively for photographic art.

San Diego Museum of Art
Balboa Park
1450 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
619.232.7931
The largest art museum in San Diego County, the museum contains more than 10,000 art objects.

Timken Museum of Art
Balboa Park
1500 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
619.239.5548
Devoted to the presentation of the Putnam Foundation's fine collection of European and American paintings, and Russian icons.

California Surf Museum
308 N. Pacific St.
Oceanside Pier
Oceanside, CA 92054
760.721.6876
Set in a former biker bar across from the Oceanside Pier, the museum pays tribute to California's surfing history with photos and memorabilia, including the 150 pound redwood boards used in the 1940s, samples of today's lightweight boards, trophies of surfing legends and more.

Other Attractions

Balboa Park
619.239.0512
This cultural heart of San Diego is set on 1,200 acres just north of downtown, and features museums, theaters, gardens and the famous San Diego Zoo.

Del Mar Fairgrounds
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
Del Mar, CA 92014
619.793.5555
Thoroughbred horse racing in the summer, plus the annual Del Mar Fair.

Gaslamp Quarter
410 Island Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
619.233.5227
Renovated historic district downtown, with 60+ restaurants, galleries and jazz bars.

Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave.
Coronado, CA 92118
619.435.6611
The largest wooden seaside structure in the world, this internationally renowned Victorian resort hotel has hosted 12 U.S. presidents and celebrities galore.

Palomar Observatory
Highway of Stars
Palomar Mountain, CA 92060
619.742.2119
America's largest telescope...200 inches. Free tours are available daily.

San Diego Wild Animal Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd.
Escondido, CA 92027
760.747.8702
San Diego Zoo's "sister" facility, this wildlife preserve spans 2,000 acres, and features more than 3,000 free-roaming animals in open-range exhibits.

San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Dr.
San Diego, CA 92103
619.234.3153
The world-famous San Diego Zoo houses more than 4,000 animals.

Sea World of California
1720 S. Shores Rd.
Mission Bay, CA 92109
619.226.3901
A 150.acre marine park, Sea World is home to Shamu, the largest collection of sharks in the world, a dolphin/whale petting pool and more.

Torrey Pines State Reserve
This cliff just north of La Jolla is one of only two locations in the world where the ancient and rare Torrey pine tree grows naturally. Hiking trails and guided walks are available.