Life’s an adventure in San Diego County! Speed across beautiful San Diego Bay in a jet boat, or pick up a paddle and kayak next to sea lions and colorful marine life. Tour an awe-inspiring naval aircraft carrier, or go on a wow-worthy whale-watching trip, now through April. Explore our cultural crown jewel, Balboa Park, and tour replicas of Roman catacombs at an extraordinary new resort in Mission Valley. Also stroll and learn about Old Town San Diego. Toast to it all at hilltop and urban wineries, offering tastes, tours and a barrel of fun!

ATTRACTION ACTIVITIES & RECREATION

Aqua Adventures Kayaks & Paddleboards 1548 Quivira Way, San Diego • (619) 523-9577 • 16 map on page 53

Get out on the water with Aqua Adventures, with a dockside location right on Mission Bay in sunny San Diego! Rent stand-up paddleboards, kayaks (single, tandem, sea, outrigger, surf ski), hydro bikes (single and tandem), and canopied Duffy boats. Rent for 90 minutes or more. Just choose your excursion, hop on and go! Glide next to Mission Bay’s inlets and isles, taking in fresh air, while spotting seal lions, dolphins and sea birds. The outfitter also offers lessons, SUP yoga on Saturday mornings and popular Paddling With Your Pup clinics — doggie life jackets provided. Make sure to visit the retail shop, carrying top water sports gear. aqua-adventures.com [Coupon on page 49]

Balboa Park • map on page 51

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, science and the history of San Diego itself. A sampling includes the real capsule used in the Apollo 9 space mission at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Just a stroll away, IMAX® films wow guests in the iconic Heikoff Giant Dome Theater at the Fleet Science Center. For sheer beauty, the Japanese Friendship Garden beckons visitors to see its ornamental plants, colorful koi pond and bonsai display. Enjoy free public pipe organ concerts by the Spreckels Organ Society, presented on Monday nights in summer and Sunday afternoons year-round. View many of these venues and save up to 58 percent on general admission with a Balboa Park Explorer Pass. Editor’s Note: Due to state and county COVID-19 regulations, please check each venue’s website and/or balboapark.org for the latest updates.

Carlsbad • map on page 52

Spend time in this beautiful North County coastal city, home to Legoland, a state beach, oceanfront boardwalk and an eclectic downtown scene. Savor homemade fare at Prontos Gourmet Market, a beloved deli and neighborhood market in Carlsbad Village, or enjoy Italian favorites at Gregorio’s Restaurant at nearby Village Faire, an outdoor shopping complex about a block from the beach. The center’s boutique shops include clothing, gifts, jewelry, a day spa and specialty services. For entertainment, catch an online concert at the Museum of Making Music, slated to reopen in early 2021 after an exciting renovation.

Coronado • map on page 53

This seaside resort community features gorgeous beaches, spectacular bayside views, a lively downtown, and the best in fine dining and shopping. From San Diego, drive over the Coronado Bridge or hop on the Coronado Ferry, which zips across the bay to the Coronado Ferry Landing Restaurants & Shops, a waterfront shopping and dining village with an architectural design reminiscent of the city’s famous Hotel Del Coronado. Stroll into the Landings’s 20 charming shops, enjoy sweet treats and fine or casual dining at this lovely spot. On Orange Avenue, satisfy your soles at Birkenstock of San Diego, the famous comfort footwear retailer and home of the iconic two-strap sandal.

Downtown San Diego/Embarcadero • map on page 53

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. (Please check each venue’s website for the latest openings and closures due to COVID-19 regulations.) The Maritime Museum is housed in an iconic collection of ships, with the magnificent Star of India as the main draw. Steps to the south, the awe-inspiring naval aircraft carrier USS Midway invites guests to explore its impressive 4-acre flight deck. For spectacular views of San Diego Bay, book a harbor or dinner cruise with Flagship Cruises & Events, which boards by Broadway Pier. In the mood to shop? Find timeless treasures at India Street Antiques/Danish Modern San Diego. In the Gaslamp Quarter, try on a pair of iconic German sandals at Birkenstock of San Diego | Sole Concepts. Celebrate the day’s fun at Kansas City Barbeque, serving barbecue and beer and famous as the home to the 1986 hit film Top Gun. To lease the perfect home or condo, visit Stay San Diego.

East County • map on page 54

Visit this inland playground with fun attractions and delicious dining options. In La Mesa, celebrate at Mexican food favorites Marieta’s (with other locations in Santee and Alpine), and festive Casa de Pico in Grossmont Center, an open-air shopping mall. The center features Macy’s, Restoration Hardware, Target, and Walmart as its anchor stores, plus independent retailers, restaurants and a movie complex. Also in La Mesa, shop for sole-satisfying footwear at Birkenstock of San Diego. Northeast to El Cajon, journey through time at the Heritage of the Americas Museum housing four museums at one location, represented by natural history, archaeology, anthropology and art.

Flagship Cruises & Events

900 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego (800) 442-7847 or (619) 234-4111 7 map on page 53

Dine under the sun or stars, dive into whale-watching, enjoy high-speed jet boat fun, and take in the scenery aboard the ferry to and from Coronado — all with Flagship Cruises & Events! The only locally and family-owned andoperated fleet, yacht charter, tour, and event company sails around San Diego Bay year-round, offering breathtaking city and harbor views. Book a gourmet dinner cruise, harbor tour, Patriot Jet Boat thrill ride, corporate event, wedding or any other special occasion. Whale-watching excursions run December through April, while the Flagship Ferry between Coronado Island and San Diego continues as a vital daily service — and at only $5 a ride, is one of the best values around! flagshipsd.com [Coupon on page 47]

Legacy International Center

875 Hotel Circle South, San Diego • (619) 782-9183 7 map on page 54

Travel the world without leaving this incredible resort, overflowing with educational, thrilling, and immersive attractions for family and friends. Just inside the Legacy Center doors, gaze upon the massive, rotating Interactive Globe spanning 28 feet in diameter and featuring over 21 million LEDs and 2,588 display panels. A touchscreen interface allows visitors to explore major cities and distant lands. In the 4-D Motion Seat Dome Theater, enjoy a multi-sensory, movie-watching experience, with sights, sounds, motion and scents. Now playing “Wings Over Israel,” soar over Jerusalem, one of the ancient world’s most important cities. Still another magnificent exhibit features replicas of Roman catacombs with cavelike walls adorned with dynamic, larger-than-life 3-D paintings by Master Artist and Master Architect Kurt Wenner. Biblical scenes are portrayed such as the Last Supper and other historical moments. For children, The Legends of Lightfall Kids Zone features a comic book adventure with a pantheon of heroes set in a subterranean world. In the downloadable mobile app, kids discover artifacts on scavenger hunts in the land of Steamhaven. The digital interactive comic book allows kids to create their own adventure. Kids will also move fast during games like the Copperwing Chase. Other captivating activities include the Legacy of Nations with wall-sized photos and exhibits, plus the Plaza Fountains, which stage a dazzling music, water and light show each hour. legacysandiego.com

Mission Beach/Pacific Beach • map on page 53

Expect to find tons of land and water activities along the sandy shores of Mission and Pacific Beaches. Enjoy land and water activities at Mission and Pacific Beaches. The main action happens at Belmont Park—a beachfront amusement park with a historic roller coaster, games and restaurants. Explore the Bay’s scenery on a stand-up paddleboard, kayak, or canopied Duffy boat with Aqua Adventures. The outfitter has a dockside location right on Mission Bay. Just choose your excursion, hop on and go! North to Pacific Beach, savor fresh fare at Lanna Thai Cuisine.

North County Inland • map on page 52 & 54

Wine-tasting, museums and historic sites are among the attractions in North County’s interior. In downtown Escondido, The Grand Tea Room provides an elegant tea service three times a day in a Victorian-themed salon. A few blocks away, EcoVivarium Living Museum offers animal encounters with exotic creatures like snakes, lizards and tarantulas. In Rancho Bernardo, experience The Cork & Craft, San Diego’s only restaurant, winery and brewery in one. Vist Ramona, a rural community with a charming downtown. Temecula boast picturesque Callaway Winery and the De Portola Wine Trail, a collection of family-owned boutique wineries including Cougar Vineyard & Winery, Frangipani Estate Winery, Fazeli Cellars, Danza del Sol Winery, Masia de la Vinya Winery, Gershon Bachus Vintners, Leoness Cellars, Oak Mountain Winery, Robert Renzoni Vineyards & Winery and Somerset Vineyard & Winery.

Ocean Beach • 21 map on page 53

Groove to the beat of this eclectic California beach community. Start any visit for news and updates about “OB” at the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association on Bacon Street (oceanbeachsandiego.com). Smiling staffers can recommend favorite eateries, tasting rooms, shops, entertaining events and specialty services. Looking to grab a bite? Pick up fresh Italian fare at Leucadia Pizzeria, a take-out and delivery eatery in nearby Point Loma. Down by the pier, enjoy OB’s endless sunsets along with a cool cone from Lighthouse Ice Cream, featuring 39 flavors of the sweet treat — both traditional hard scoop and soft serve. Looking for fun in the sun? Check out Dog Beach, where canines play in the sand and surf. Afterward, dog owners venture to the do-it-yourself Dog Beach Dog Wash to clean up their furry friends. Send out a postcard and take care of shipping and printing needs at Ocean Beach Business Center, then start a dream home search with Catrina Russell.

Oceanside • map on page 52

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. At Oceanside Harbor, reel in a memorable time during a sportfishing excursion with Oceanside SEA Center. The outfitter also offers whale-watching trips starting in mid-December. Stroll down California’s longest wooden pier or explore Oceanside’s downtown, filled with restaurants and breweries and shops. Just a stroll away from the pier on Cleveland Street, try everything from the delicious ceviche to a juicy burger at Carte Blanche Bistro & Bar, a French-Mexican fusion bistro with a modern twist. The new restaurant is truly a creative culinary experience. Also pick up just-picked fruit, fresh flowers and handmade goods at the year-round no-touch Farmers Market on Thursdays hosted by MainStreet Oceanside. For the latest information, visit mainstreetoceanside.com. In South Oceanside, shop the treasure trove Sea Hive Marketplace, carrying modern and vintage home decor, chic bohemian apparel, estate jewelry and many more unique goods.

Oceanside SEA Center

315 Harbor Dr. South, Oceanside • (760) 450-0403 3 map on page 52

Get hooked on Sportfishing, Whale Watching (in season) and marine science learning adventures at Oceanside SEA Center at Oceanside Harbor! The outfitter offers daily Sportfishing excursions and the chance to catch yellowtail, halibut, calico bass, and much more! Choose from spectacular half-day, 3/4-day and full-day trips. Visitors wanting an offshore fishing or sea-going adventure can book an open-party ticket or private charter, will find that the OSC has the boats, experience and staff to accommodate them. Private charters can be arranged for any size group. Fishing gear is also available for rent while licenses, plus live and frozen bait are available for purchase. Reel in some fun and get out on the water today! Book easily online at oceansideseacenter.com.

Old Town San Diego • map on page 53

Step into history while exploring Old Town San Diego, known as the birthplace of California. Old Town encompasses a State Historic Park, which contains original adobe buildings and restored sites, recalling the Mexican-American period of 1821-1872. Visitors can also enjoy Old Town’s colorful shops and restaurants, such as Fiesta de Reyes, a charming village marketplace and Bazaar del Mundo Shops. At the Mormon Battalion Historical Site and other museums, docents provide tours dressed in period attire. Nearby, find stylish footwear at Birkenstock of San Diego.

Ramona Chamber of Commerce

1306 Main St., Ste. 103, Ramona • (760)789-1311 22 map on page 54

Encompassing an area of 156 square miles, the town of Ramona offers a slow pace and much to discover! With a historic and charming downtown, more than 30 wine and beer tasting rooms, unique antiques and vintage finds, and dozens of pristine hiking trails, Ramona is the hidden gem of San Diego County. Serving the community since 1908, the Ramona Chamber of Commerce presents exciting happenings year-round, including the Ramona Artists Open Studios Tour (April 10-11), the Annual Fireworks Display (July 4), the Ramona Country Fair (August 5-8), the Taste of Ramona (Oct. 9), Ramona Motorcycle Rally (Oct. 16-17), Merchants Safe Trick or Treat (Oct. 29) and the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting (Dec. 4). All are welcome. Events attract attendees from near and far to discover San Diego’s beautiful backcountry. Visit ExperienceRamona.org, brought to you by the Ramona Chamber of Commerce - RamonaChamber.com, which welcomes visitors to email or call. Due to COVID-19 state and county regulations, please check the Chamber’s website for the latest updates.

USS Midway Museum

910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego • (619) 544-9600 • 3 map on page 53

Explore the 4-acre flight deck of the awe-inspiring aircraft carrier USS Midway, a naval aviation museum in downtown San Diego berthed at Navy Pier. San Diego’s most-popular attraction features an extensive collection of restored aircraft, theater, and self-guided audio tours for adults and families narrated by former Midway sailors to more than 60 locations. Open spaces for visitation subject to change. For hours of operation, safety regulations and a list of the current exhibitions, please check the website for the latest information. midway.org