Visitors from around the globe love San Diego’s famous attractions, ranging from amusement parks to marine habitats and renowned arts and cultural museums devoted to space, science and history. From sailing around our beautiful bay, to exploring our familyfriendly playground filled with pandas, tigers, orcas, Lego® bricks, and delicate tide pools, there is so much to discover!

Balboa Park • map on page 54

Expanding more than 1,200 acres, Balboa Park features the world-class San Diego Zoo and 17 museums devoted to topics such as anthropology, art, aviation, photography, science and the history of San Diego itself. The scope of objects contained within its institutions is staggering. A sampling includes the real capsule used in the Apollo 9 space mission at the San Diego Air & Space Museum and Louie Mattar’s fabulous $75,000 car at the San Diego Automotive Museum. Just a stroll away, giant-screen films wow guests in Southern California’s only IMAX Dome Theater at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. Nearby and bustling with activity is the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, featuring six impressive operating model train exhibits. For sheer beauty, the Japanese Friendship Garden beckons visitors to its see its ornamental plants, colorful koi pond and bonsai display. Other can’t-miss museums include the Spanish Village Art Center with its colorful art studios, the San Diego Art Institute showcasing local art, and the Veterans Museum at Balboa Park, honoring those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and Wartime Merchant Marine. Take advantage of the park’s many offerings, (select museums have free admission on Tues. for San Diego residents), free daily park tours and free public pipe organ concerts by the Spreckels Organ Society, presented on Monday nights in summer and Sunday afternoons year-round.

Belmont Park

3146 Mission Blvd, San Diego • (858) 228-9283 • 29 map on page 56

Take your fun to new heights at Belmont Park—a historic oceanfront amusement park where visitors still ride the Giant Dipper, an original wooden roller coaster dating back to 1925. This seaside attraction for families, carnival lovers and romantics features bumper cars, rock-climbing, mini-golf, a zip line, an arcade and more. It also boasts world-famous waves machines, creating endless surfing for beginners to pros. The park is also perfect for corporate and social events and unforgettable birthday parties. The park’s four unmatched beachfront venues—WaveHouse, Cannonball, South Mission Draft or the new Coaster Terrace rooftop—create the quintessential Southern California experience. belmontpark.com [Coupon on page 65]

Birch Aquarium at Scripps

2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla • (858) 534-3474 • 9 map on page 53

Dive into the world of sharks, seahorses and living coral reefs at Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Perched on a bluff above the Pacific and featuring more than 60 habitats of fish and invertebrates, the aquarium hosts daily animal-feeding and hands-on educational visitor activities. Birch Aquarium also offers seasonal outdoor excursions such as whale watching, grunion runs, pier walks and more. Other exciting programs include monthly SEA Days (Science, Exploration & Adventure!) and Summer Learning Adventure Camps. Also not be to be missed are fascinating living tide-pool displays allowing visitors to touch sea stars, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers and other other unique animals local to San Diego’s tide pools. For an experience to remember, check out the summertime Green Flash concerts, pairing live music with panoramic ocean views, offered May through September 2016. Open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. year-round. aquarium.ucsd.edu

Cabrillo National Monument • 15 map on page 56

1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr., Point Loma • (619) 557-5450

About 30 minutes west from downtown San Diego lies Cabrillo National Monument—a gem of a national park named for Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to set foot on the California coast. The park features stunning views of San Diego’s coastline from 400 feet above the ocean. Visitors can tour the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, built in 1855; trek the two-mile Bayside Trail offering breathtaking harbor and city of San Diego views; and during low tide, peer into tide pools of the Rocky Intertidal Zone. Also, a lookout point near the lighthouse provides one of the best places on land anywhere to observe migrating gray whales. The park’s elevated location also has military importance: History buffs will enjoy seeing searchlight bunkers and viewing the exhibit, “They Stood the Watch,” which shows the park’s role in World Wars I and II. Going further back in time, re-enactors stroll the park and offer a living picture of life in the 1880s. Visit Cabrillo—San Diego’s Ocean Gateway & National Park—at nps.gov/cabr or cnmf.org. [Coupon on page 59]

Carlsbad • map on page 53

Spend time in this beautiful North County coastal city, home to Legoland, a popular state beach, oceanfront boardwalk and an eclectic downtown scene. Stroll into Village Faire Restaurants & Shops for a unique gift—Linda’s Gift is a favorite—or a delicious meal at Gregorio’s Italian Restaurant. Village Faire also boasts a fabulous full-service hair salon, Hair, Body & Sol, and Skinsational Day Spa Med Spa, offering premier services ranging from custom massages to skin-care treatments. Need lodging while in the city? Enjoy a leisure or business stay at the beautiful Holiday Inn Carlsbad, featuring high-end amenities and Stratus Restaurant & Bar, serving flavorful, fresh fare. The hotel is near McClellan- Palomar Airport. For live entertainment, catch a concert at the Museum of Making Music.

Coronado • map on page 53 T

his seaside resort community across the San Diego Bay boasts a classic hotel, a compact, lively downtown and gorgeous beaches. Enjoy live theater, fine-dining and shop at charming boutiques, many at the Coronado Ferry Landing Shops & Restaurants. An easy way to visit the sights, such as the renowned Victorian-style resort Hotel Del Coronado, is via an easy off-and-on golf cart with Coronado Golf Cart Rentals. For a tasty and unique treat, stop at Coronado Taste of Oils on Orange Avenue. The shop carries flavor-infused olive oils and an extensive selection of balsamic vinegar varieties.

East County/North County Inland • map on page 27 & 53

This inland playground is home to mountain hiking, biking, off-roading,Las Vegas- style gaming, and a collection of family-owned wineries. Outdoor lovers will enjoy time in the historic gold-mining town of Julian, offering camping, horseback-riding and famous apple pie and ciders. In El Cajon, journey through time at the Heritage of the Americas Museum, actually four museums at one location, represented by natural history, archaeology, anthropology and art. In Alpine, visit the Lions, Tigers & Bears sanctuary, a nonprofit providing a safe haven for unwanted and abused big cats and other exotic animals. Also don’t miss the Santa Ysabel Store & Backcountry Visitor Center in Santa Ysabel, an iconic landmark dating from 1884, or The Warner-Carrillo Ranch House in Warner Springs, which served as a Butterfield Stage Stop and was California’s first regular overland stage connection with St. Louis. In Ramona, meet knowledgeable owners and taste handcrafted wines at any of the boutique wineries that comprise the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (ramonavalleyvineyards.com). For family-friendly fun in Campo, explore the scenery of San Diego County from a locomotive, courtesy of the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, famous for its old-time train rides.

Embarcadero/Downtown San Diego • 7 map on page 56

Locals and tourists often stroll along San Diego’s beautiful waterfront, known as the Embarcadero. Two of the city’s most treasured attractions are found here: the floating Maritime Museum of San Diego and the USS Midway Museum. The Maritime Museum is housed in an iconic collection of ships, with the magnificent Star of India as the main draw. Just steps to the south, the awe-inspiring naval aircraft carrier USS Midway invites guests to explore its impressive 4-acre flight deck. Tour the waterfront on two wheels with San Diego Segway Tours by Wheel Fun Rentals and get rolling and see the sights on traditional cruiser bikes or carriage-like surreys from Wheel Fun Rentals, with a location at Wyndham San Diego Bayside on Harbor Drive. For spectacular views of San Diego Bay, book a daytime or dinner cruise with Hornblower Cruises & Events, which boards near the Maritime Museum. Or zip around the bay with San Diego Speed Boat Adventures. For delicious seafood and equally beautiful bay views, catch a bite at Anthony’s Fish Grotto, a San Diego landmark. Or try one of the many dining options at Seaport Village + The Headquarters, or drop by Kansas City Barbeque, an easygoing hangout serving hearty helpings of barbecue and beer in downtown San Diego, and also home to the 1986 hit film Top Gun. Also, don’t miss the San Diego Symphony’s performances at Jacob Music Center’s Copley Symphony Hall. From July through September, the symphony presents the outdoor “Bayside Summer Nights” season at Embarcadero Marina Park South, mixing classical favorites and pop music — and new this summer, three Thursday night jazz concerts.

La Jolla • map on page 53

Located 15 minutes north from downtown San Diego, the charming village of La Jolla combines a southern European resort atmosphere with Southern California fun. Drive to the top of Mount Soledad for breathtaking, 360-degree views of San Diego, including the gently curving La Jolla coastline. Back down on Prospect Street, stroll into ritzy boutiques and lovely art galleries. Right off Prospect, savor the beloved bakery and restaurant Girard Gourmet, serving inspired farm-to-table cuisine. Or leaf through the pages of classic novels, colorful kids books, new releases and other great reads at Warwick’s in La Jolla. For snorkeling and swimming, enjoy the gentle waves of La Jolla Cove. Up the coast at La Jolla Shores, paddle close to cliffs, caves and sea lions with La Jolla Kayak. Or tour the area’s rich history and biodiversity with HBK Adventure Tours. Love to fly? Paraglide above the cliffs at Torrey Pines Gliderport. Or enter the world of sharks, seahorses and living coral reefs at Birch Aquarium at Scripps.

Lions Tigers & Bears Big Cat and Exotic Animal Rescue

24402 Martin Way, Alpine • (619) 659-8078 • 9 map on page 55

Learn about the lives of 60-plus rescued animals that live at Lions Tigers & Bears, San Diego’s only accredited big cat, bear and exotic animal rescue sanctuary. On guided educational visits, guests get an introduction to each rescued animal, like Tabu the beautiful tiger, or Meatball, a rescued California black bear; brother “Moon” bears Teddy and Baloo; Bakari the lion and resident King of the Jungle, and the rest of the motley animal crew, while learning about the burgeoning issue that is the exotic animal trade. Arrange a visit by becoming a “Member For a Day” today. Extend your visit by booking a private overnight safari at the luxurious White Oak Wild Nights Mountain Retreat. lionstigersandbears.org

Living Coast Discovery Center • 8 map on page 56

1000 Gunpowder Point Dr. , Chula Vista • (619) 409-5900

Get up-close and personal with amazing coastal wildlife at the Living Coast Discovery Center. Located within a national wildlife refuge on San Diego Bay, this nonprofit zoo and aquarium offers an intimate, hands-on nature experience for animal-lovers of all ages. Meet endangered sea turtles, octopi, sharks, rays, eagles, owls, hawks, snakes, lizards, and more! Then explore the refuge walking trails to enjoy scenic views of downtown San Diego and the bay. New this year, Turtle Lagoon has been expanded to provide more space for the turtles and interactive features for guests. Want to go behind the scenes and feed the turtles? Check out the VIP Animal Encounters online. thelivingcoast.org or Facebook.com/thelivingcoast [Coupon on page 63]

Mission Beach/Pacific Beach • map on page 56

From concession stands to fine-dining eateries, busy night clubs to street performers, expect to find all kinds of fun along the sandy shores of Mission and Pacific Beaches. Often compared with the carnival-style atmosphere of Coney Island on the East Coast, Mission Beach teems with both land and water activities. Joggers, bicyclists, and casual strollers use the oceanfront boardwalk leading 3 miles north to Pacific Beach. One of the most popular places to rent a bike cruiser, kayak or surfboard is Cheap Rentals at Santa Clara Point and Mission Beach Rentals at Belmont Park. Also enjoy high-flying Mission Beach fun with San Diego Parasail Adventures. Or see the sights via Pacific Beach Golf Cart Rentals. Mission and Pacific Beaches are also people-watching meccas, where free-spirited visitors converge to hang out. The main action happens at Belmont Park—an amusement park dating back to 1925, where visitors still ride the Giant Dipper, an original wooden roller coaster. North to Pacific Beach, watch the world go by while having an omelet atop the rooftop patio at the Broken Yolk Cafe.

Oceanside • map on page 53

A picturesque New England-style harbor, miles of white sandy beaches, shopping and abundant recreational and cultural attractions beckon visitors to Oceanside, a charming beach city about a 30-minute drive north from downtown San Diego. Stroll down California’s longest wooden pier, bike along the San Luis Rey River Trail or catch some world-class surfing. One of the most popular attractions is the historic Mission San Luis Rey, a majestic jewel of early California history. Known as the King of the Missions, it is the largest of the 21 missions that flourished here in the 1700s and 1800s. Nearby, the king of bakeries, the historic San Luis Rey Bakery & Restaurant, has been serving fresh breads, rolls and decorated cakes for over 45 years. Hankering for some great barbecue? Head to Enzo’s BBQ & Ale House, serving mouthwatering menu items include BBQ platters, flatbreads and pulled-pork sandwiches. Enjoying a renaissance is Oceanside’s downtown, filled with restaurants and breweries, and a fabulous year-round Farmers Market and Sunset Market on Thursdays hosted by MainStreet Oceanside. mainstreetoceanside.com

Old Town San Diego • 27 map on page 56

Old Town San Diego welcomes visitors to 19th-century colonial life. This robust community consisting of four major parks also contains colorful shops, early- California-style restaurants and enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine at El Charko Grill & Bar. Experience a live show at Cygnet Theatre, staging renowned plays and musicals. Docents dressed in period attire provide tours of the many museums, such as the Mormon Battalion Historical Site. Other fascinating historic sites include the Whaley Museum and Adobe Chapel Museum. For a spooky evening, visit Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours. At the San Diego Sheriff’s Museum, check out cars, motorcycles and real-life jail cells.