The second largest city in the Golden State and boasting year-round nearly perfect weather, beautiful beaches and diverse recreational activities, San Diego is "California's Beach City.” Internationally known family attractions, a rich California history, dynamic cultural and culinary offerings, unique special events and a vibrant urban atmosphere combined with a relaxed causal vibe make San Diego one of the most popular cities in the U.S. to visit.

San Diego offers a variety of story ideas from the city's 250th anniversary and early California history to our dynamic craft beer and unique food scenes. A list of story ideas is listed below.

250th ANNIVERSARY AND EARLY CALIFORNIA HISTORY

The year 2019 marks the 250th anniversary of San Diego. In 1769, the first settlement of Alta California was established which included Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first of 21 California missions, and a presidio (Spanish fort). Occurring in Old Town San Diego and nearby downtown waterfront, exciting special events will occur in 2019 that commemorate San Diego's rich history.  More information about these exciting special events are available at https://sandiego250.com/events.  

Notable historic sites in San Diego include Cabrillo National Monument where California was first discovered by Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542.  Mission San Diego de Alcala and Mission San Luis Rey are the first and largest of California's missions, respectively. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park represents San Diego's rich Hispanic heritage from 1821 to 1872, and downtown's historic Gaslamp Quarter was an infamous “red light” district during the Wild West days of the late 1800s. Popular historic tours occur year-round and are complemented by annual historical events like the Festival of the Bells every July at the Mission San Diego de Alcala and the Cabrillo Festival every September at Cabrillo National Monument.

ARTS & CULTURE

From internationally renowned museums and theater companies to experimental pop-up galleries in abandoned warehouses, San Diego's artistic landscape is one of the nation's most diverse.

Home of the La Jolla Playhouse and The Old Globe theatre, San Diego is a leading theater producing town with many San Diego productions becoming Broadway hits like the Tony-Award winners Memphis and Jersey Boys. San Diego also boasts the 1,200-acre Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the United States. Often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the West”, Balboa Park is home to 17 museums, numerous art galleries, five theaters including The Old Globe, and 16 beautiful gardens.

CAPITAL OF CRAFT BEER

While many cities in the U.S. have craft breweries, few cities can match San Diego's reputation as a craft beer leader. Industry trailblazers like Karl Strauss and Stone Brewing Company began in San Diego, and the region boasts more than 180 craft breweries with several located within a mile of San Diego's 70-mile stretch of coastline. 

The region is known for popularizing the hops-forward “West Coast IPA” beer style. With a casual, relaxed atmosphere and locals who take good beer seriously without taking themselves too seriously, San Diego is the perfect place to escape for a libation vacation. Every November, San Diego hosts San Diego Beer Week, an annual 10-day-long craft beer celebration throughout the county. Smaller beer celebrations and tasting events are also held in San Diego neighborhoods throughout the year.

CULINARY DELIGHTS

With some of the country's most sought-after produce, easy accessibility to fresh fish and crustaceans from the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, and an unquestionable gastronomic influence from its proximity to Mexico, it is no wonder why San Diego has developed a culinary identity all its own. Known as “Cali-Baja,” the region's unique cuisine reflects the heart and soul of San Diego, an innovative culinary destination.

Serious foodies and novice gourmands delight in discovering San Diego's diverse culinary offerings, from sampling heirloom produce at a farmer's roadside stand to attending one of the region's major culinary events.  San Diego Restaurant Week occurs twice annually in September and January; the popular San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival occurs annually in November, and the Baja by the Sea event takes place annually during August.

FAMILY DESTINATION

San Diego is consistently recognized as one of the leading family destinations worldwide for families with children of all ages.  In addition to 70 miles of pristine beaches, nearly perfect climate and popular year-round special events, San Diego is known for world-class family attractions including the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, LEGOLAND California Resort, SeaWorld San Diego and Balboa Park.  San Diego also offers the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Aquatica San Diego waterpark (open during summer months), Belmont Park with is historic Giant Dipper rollercoaster, and so much more.

During the entire month of October, families with children can enjoy special deals at San Diego hotels, restaurants, attractions, museums and transportation companies during “Kids Free San Diego” Month. Providing families an opportunity to save during budget-conscious times, “Kids Free San Diego” Month offers a variety of “kids free” incentives ranging from complimentary meals and attraction admission to welcome amenities at area hotels.

LUXURY LA JOLLA

The Mediterranean-style village of La Jolla is considered the “jewel” of San Diego. One of the most sought-after vacation destinations in Southern California, La Jolla offers luxurious hotels and resorts, fine dining with breathtaking ocean views, retail shopping that rivals northern neighbors Rodeo Drive and South Coast Plaza, and sophisticated, world-class arts and culture like the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and Murals of La Jolla, featuring the works of internationally renowned artists.

La Jolla's strikingly beautiful setting is complemented by endless outdoor recreational activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, surfing, hang gliding/paragliding at America's most popular coastal soaring site and golf at the world-renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course. Notable special events include the Farmers Insurance Open in January, the La Jolla Concours D'Elegance Motor Car Classic in April and the La Jolla Festival of the Arts in June.

NEIGHBORHOODS TO DISCOVER

The true character and color of San Diego can be found in its neighborhoods, and the variety and diversity of the city's 100+ neighborhoods paint a striking portrait of California's second largest city.  From the popular outdoor cafes and chic boutiques of Little Italy, to the hip and trendy offerings of East Village and North Park, to the laidback 60's beach hippie vibe of Ocean Beach, San Diego is a multi-faceted metropolis. 

Visitors can mingle with the locals at many colorful and unique neighborhood events held annually throughout the year. Popular neighborhood events include the Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook Off, the Adams Avenue Street Fair featuring crafts and live music, the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival and the quarterly South Park Walkabout where merchants stay open late for shoppers and diners with music, drinks and special activities.

NURTURE YOUR SENSES

With San Diego's perfect climate and natural beauty, it is not surprising that health, fitness and relaxation enthusiasts are drawn to the region.  an Diego is home to a large selection of award-winning day spas, destination spas and resort spas including the award-winning Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn and The Spa at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar.  From intimate to expansive, San Diego offers a variety of unique facilities like the Golden Door, Cal-A-Vie and the Rock Spa in downtown's Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. Consistently rated one of the best destination spas in the world, the renowned Rancho La Puerta in neighboring Mexico is just a short drive from San Diego.

In San Diego, Mother Nature's playground is also a sanctuary for the soul providing a perfect backdrop to find inner peace.  Nurturing activities like tai chi and meditation are enjoyed on the wide green lawns of Balboa Park and the lush gardens of the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple and Ashram Center in Encinitas, while yoga flourishes in nearly all San Diego settings, from downtown high-rise rooftops to atop paddleboards in Mission Bay. 

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

San Diego's great outdoors beckon sports enthusiasts to exercise and unwind year-round.  The scope of activities is as varied as the topography, ranging from running along the beach, snorkeling in La Jolla Underwater Park and kayaking along sea caves, to rock climbing in the rustic backcountry and camping in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. For adventure seekers, the region offers scuba diving in Wreck Alley, hang gliding/paragliding above the Pacific Ocean from the bluffs of Torrey Pines, zip lining across mountainous terrain, sky sailing, hot air ballooning, desert jeep tours, and more. 

San Diego also offers 70 miles of scenic coastline and more than 30 unique beaches, from the white sandy shores of Coronado Beach, rated the #1 beach in the U.S. in 2012, to the famous Swami's Beach surf break, to the clothing-optional Black's Beach, set against dramatic sandstone cliffs just north of La Jolla. San Diego is also home to San Diego Bay and Mission Bay Park, a 4,600-acre aquatic playground that is the largest park of its kind in the world. Water enthusiasts can sail, swim, surf, snorkel, scuba dive, water-ski, jet-ski, wind surf, paddle board, kite surf and more along San Diego's expansive seashore.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Throughout the year, San Diego plays host to a variety of annual special events, ranging from the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge every summer to Balboa Park December Nights every winter. With a year-round mild climate, San Diego can host popular outdoor and indoor special events that appeal to every taste and interest during any season. 

Some of San Diego's most notable and unique special events include the annual migration of the California gray whale during winter months, Comic-Con International, San Diego Beer Week, the CRSSD music festival, Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp Quarter, the Julian Fall Apple Harvest, Fallbrook Avocado Festival, Mission Federal Artwalk, Fleet Week, San Diego Fashion Week, the San Diego Bay Food & Wine Festival, and many more.  

TWO-NATION VACATION

Visitors to San Diego will find a unique opportunity to explore two nations in once vacation destination. With Tijuana, Mexico conveniently just 17 miles from downtown San Diego, the region makes a perfect getaway for guests looking to journey into an international adventure while expanding their passport stamp collection.

Recognized as one of the world's most visited cities, with more than 40 million border crossings each year, Tijuana bustles with activity day and night and offers duty-free shopping, authentic Mexican cuisine, dog racing, exciting sporting events, a vibrant arts and culture scene, a glittering nightlife and much more. The lure of Mexico also extends farther south from Tijuana with an easy and scenic drive to the charming resort towns of Rosarito and Puerto Nuevo, known as “Lobster Village”; Valle de Guadalupe, a wine and food paradise offering more than 100 boutique wineries and a unique selection of gourmet restaurants, and Ensenada, known as one of the leading resort and commercial centers on the Baja peninsula, home to visiting cruises, a large sportfishing fleet and La Bufadora (blow hole), a natural rock formation where the sea explodes into a natural geyser. 

Happiness is calling in San Diego.  For more information on San Diego's offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org.