It can take a week (better two) to see all that is available in San Diego. Balboa Park with all its museums and the Zoo can take a week by itself. Seaport Village is a nice tourist shopping area right on the bay. There is a maritime museum aboard a ship in the line of the Midway and the Star of India next to downtown. There are more ships than those two docked in a row, I believe one is a submarine. Sea World is still interesting for more than rides. Sunset Cliffs is just south of downtown. Old Town has a Spanish Adobe and a sort of historical village. Near the Marine base is the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum. there is San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas, CA 92024 that is nice. All within about a 40 mile radius.
Dan Mc wrote:
If you are limited to one day, Balboa Park should be the plan. So much to see and do and free!!!
If you golf, Torre Pines Golf Course, a beautiful public course, with great views of the Pacific and the unique Torre Pines trees. I lived in S.D. and I concur with the Balboa Park and La Jolla recomendations. There is also Old Town. Casa de Pico, found there, was one of my favorite Mexican restrauants.
If you have some time to spare, I recommend going to "Old Town". Not too far away and not quite as crowded as most touristic locations are.
Cabrillo National Monument, as previously mentioned. Take picts of the lighthouse and the city scape, as well as the ocean. Sometimes there is a moisture haze over the city from up there, so a polariser may be of help. Worth the trip. It's on top of Point Loma, near the end.
On your way back to city proper, check out the view from Hill Street - harbor side (get a map). It is a short 2-3 block long segment of Hill Street, very steep, but it has the best view of SD and North Island. Try to visit in the late afternoon or dusk, and take your camera. It is great view, but don't wait too long in the day as the shadow from Point Loma as the sun sets will obscure some of the "close in" view, but even then the city will be in the sun. Other option - with a tripod - is at dusk when the lights are on, but still enough light to make out the harbor, et al. Hint: If you go there, set up on a tripod, use a remote trigger - wired or otherwise - and take picture t dusk, the DON'T TOUCH THE TRIPOD OR THE Camera, and take a second picture about 30 or so minutes later when city lights come on, and combine the two in PS or Elements. Use wide angle lens.
Alternatively, you may want to take the harbor cruise. Get tickets near the foot of Broadway. If time permits, the also have a harbor dinner cruise in the evening. Check times and prices when you get there.
Yeah, I grew up there. You can't see it all in one day, by any means, but all of the suggestions are great. You'll have to pic and choose. Another excellent view for photographers is at Coronado, looking at the city at night - if you take your tripod. There is also an excellent beach over by the Hotel Del Coronado, so you could combine those two things if you want to dangle your toes in the ocean. Other beaches close by are Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, The La Jolla Cove, and the public beach north of there, but it does take a bit of driving time, so plan ahead if you go there. Get a map!
Peace. ..., and Best Wishes for a Great and Safe trip
John
JoSkalka wrote:
The Zoo, Midway, Balboa Park are all great. The attached photo was taken from Coronado, also a great place to visit.
I took almost exactly that same shot in 2016. Great photo. I did NOT shoot from the floating pier where the water taxi comes in to Coronado, (too bouncy) but from the rocks just west of there on solid ground - Tripod, of course. about 4 seconds, 200 ISO and f8, I think.
Peace.
John
Everyone has just about covered everything to see in San Diego. I lived there while in the Navy, loved it. The only place left to visit
would be North Island over the bridge. The ferry used to go there before the bridge. But a beautiful place to visit.
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