Off-the-Wall Attractions in San Diego

San Diego is located on the southern coast of California and is an amazingly compact city; from downtown you can get to virtually every attraction and convenience within 20 minutes though there is also an awful lot more to see and do in the surrounding area.

San Diego has all the budget and quality hotels you would expect to find in any major city while there is an excellent road system and public transport while you can enjoy most of the city on foot and take in everything this wonderful town has to offer but with the promise of much more than you’ll be able to pack in in a short visit.

The Sealed-Off Beach

A wave free area was created at La Jolla back in the 1930’s with a concrete barrier and became known as the Children’s Pool however, the days of kids playing safely in the water are long gone and seals make their home here today. You can still picnic here and enjoy the scenery and the wildlife with a rare opportunity to get close to these lively and curious animals but there also a couple of other beaches you can enjoy too.

Dog Beach is where you can play with your pooch off the leash and so popular have these become that there are now actually two; one is in Del Mar though open only from October to May and the other is Ocean Beach which is open year-round.

Salazar’s Whole Enchilada

Salazar’s is a gem which takes you back in time to the Spanish occupancy of southern California. Imagine heavily mustachioed men complete with sombreros, senaritas in brightly colored frills and dresses and dancing to Spanish mariachi music on the jukebox. The food is amongst the very best out of Mexico itself with tamales, chiles rellenos, beans and rice and of course, enchiladas.

Hotel del Coronado

The Hotel del Coronado was good enough for 11 presidents and European royalty since 1888 when it first opened its doors with its trademark red shingled turrets – if it’s good enough for them it’s certainly good enough for you! For $300 a night the price may be something of an extravagant expense but you can enjoy the surroundings and explore the old landmark building without staying - simply watch the old Monroe, Lemmon and Curtis film, Some Like it Hot which used the hotel as its backdrop for many scenes to get an idea of the treat in store for you.

Be on your guard when budgeting – a hotdog will set you back the princely sum of $8 and this is certainly not a cheap or budget attraction but there is lots to experience and if you are lucky, the old ghost of Kate Morgan may make one of her spooky appearances!

Torrey Pines Gliderport

If you want to enjoy San Diego and the surrounding countryside from the air then head to the world famous Torrey Pines Gliderport for hang gliding and paragliding. You don’t need to be trained or experienced as tandem glides are available where the instructors do all of the work allowing you to settle back and enjoy being as free as a bird.

Kids as young as 5 and older kids in their 90’s can enjoy the trip and rides for $150 so there is no bar with age or handicap and definitely this will be an experience of a lifetime.