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Tours in San Diego |
For a Half Day
Carlsbad Ranch: The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch (tel: (760) 431 0352; website: www.theflowerfields.com) are a relaxing way of experiencing the Southern California countryside in springtime. The fields consist of 20 hectares (50 acres) of extraordinary bloom on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Included is a rose garden and educational displays. The fields are open from mid March to early May, from 0900 to 1700 in March and from 0900 to 1800 in April and May. The ranch is close to the beaches and town of Carlsbad and can be reached by I-5 north, turning east at the Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad. It is located very near Legoland (see below) - the two can be combined for a full day excursion.
San Juan Capistrano Mission: Every March, crowds gather at the San Juan Capistrano Mission (tel: (949) 234 1300; website: www.missionsjc.com) to welcome back the Mission's beloved swallows. The event is celebrated with a one-day festival and is one of the highlights of the region. Built in the early 1800s, the Mission is considered one of the more beautiful examples of early Southern Californian architecture. The mission is open all year round from 0800 to 1700, but is best during the spring, when its carefully sculpted gardens are also in bloom. The Mission is located at the intersection of Ortega Highway and Camino Capistrano, which can be reached by taking I-5 north to Ortega Highway.
For a Whole Day
Disneyland: Not surprisingly, Disneyland, 1313 South Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim (tel: (714) 781 4565; website: http://disneyland.disney.go.com), is still one of Southern California's most popular attractions, especially since it is within easy driving distance of both San Diego and Los Angeles. In addition to its old favourites, such as Main Street USA, where visitors can walk through replicas of early American stores, and Fantasyland, which celebrates some of Disney's greatest character creations, there is an exciting entertainment park. California Adventure is an innovative combination of old-style American amusement parks and 21st-century Disney technology. Its Golden State attraction integrates modern-day concerns about ecology and wildlife preservation with the public's old-fashioned love for entertainment and adventure. The Paradise Pier is a reminiscent journey back to the days of the original American amusement park, with 1950s version rides and Coney Island-style entertainment. A third attraction is Disney Downtown, which includes 12 state-of-the-art cinemas, a jazz bar and restaurants featuring North American cuisine.
The easiest way for visitors to reach Disneyland from San Diego is by Greyhound bus (tel: 1 800 229 9424; website: www.greyhound.com) or by Amtrak rail (tel: 1 800 872 7245; website: www.amtrak.com). Both companies provide a direct service to Anaheim and stop in Disneyland. By car, Disneyland is situated on the I-5 north to Anaheim.
San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park: This vast animal park is located 56km (35 miles) north of San Diego Zoo, just east of Escondido, and is full of attractions, including the Lions' Camp, the Condor Ridge and the Elephant Overlook. There is a Cheetah Run Safari where visitors will be able to see the world's fastest land mammal do what it does best - run! The Journey into Africa safari tour takes in more than 200 birds and animals. It is also possible to go on a Photo Caravan Safari Tour into the large field exhibits in the park and take pictures of all the wild animals there. For those who would like a bird's-eye view of the park, there is always the Balloon Safari, which lifts 30 visitors at a time 120m (390ft) up into the sky to get a panoramic view of the lions, rhinos, giraffes, wildebeest and other inhabitants of the park. The park is located at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road (tel: (760) 747 8702; website: www.sandiegozoo.org).
Legoland California: This is a 52-hectare (128-acre) theme park located in Carlsbad, 30 miles north of San Diego and one hour's drive south of Anaheim. The park is so far the only theme park in the US created by the Danish toy-making Lego company. It offers interactive attractions, family rides, shows, restaurants, shopping and beautiful landscape features specially geared for children aged two to 12 and their families. There are more than 15,000 Lego models in the park created from more than 30 million Lego bricks. New in 2008 is SeaLife Legoland, with a two-story interactive aquarium. Legoland is at 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad (tel: (760) 918 5346/LEGO; website: www.legoland.com).
Tijuana, Mexico: Less than one hour south of Downtown on I-5 is the Mexican border town of Tijuana (or TJ). Of late, Tijuana is struggling to maintain its status as a viable tourism destination due to the much-publicised shootings and kidnappings caused by Mexico's drug wars. Visitors are cautioned to travel in groups and be extra-conscious of their surroundings. Tijuana has several cultural and historical attractions including the Tijuana Cultural Center's museum and the curio shops and restaurants along Avenida Revolucion. The San Diego Trolley goes to the border, where sidewalks lead to shops and restaurants. Taxis are available on both sides of the border. Passports are necessary for re-entry to the USA. Equally important, visitors should remember that most US insurance policies do not cover driving in Mexico. Insurance can be purchased from roadside vendors on the US side of the border, prior to entering Mexico.
For information consult the Tijuana Convention & Visitors Bureau (website www.tijuanaonline.org).
Carlsbad Ranch: The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch (tel: (760) 431 0352; website: www.theflowerfields.com) are a relaxing way of experiencing the Southern California countryside in springtime. The fields consist of 20 hectares (50 acres) of extraordinary bloom on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Included is a rose garden and educational displays. The fields are open from mid March to early May, from 0900 to 1700 in March and from 0900 to 1800 in April and May. The ranch is close to the beaches and town of Carlsbad and can be reached by I-5 north, turning east at the Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad. It is located very near Legoland (see below) - the two can be combined for a full day excursion.
San Juan Capistrano Mission: Every March, crowds gather at the San Juan Capistrano Mission (tel: (949) 234 1300; website: www.missionsjc.com) to welcome back the Mission's beloved swallows. The event is celebrated with a one-day festival and is one of the highlights of the region. Built in the early 1800s, the Mission is considered one of the more beautiful examples of early Southern Californian architecture. The mission is open all year round from 0800 to 1700, but is best during the spring, when its carefully sculpted gardens are also in bloom. The Mission is located at the intersection of Ortega Highway and Camino Capistrano, which can be reached by taking I-5 north to Ortega Highway.
For a Whole Day
Disneyland: Not surprisingly, Disneyland, 1313 South Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim (tel: (714) 781 4565; website: http://disneyland.disney.go.com), is still one of Southern California's most popular attractions, especially since it is within easy driving distance of both San Diego and Los Angeles. In addition to its old favourites, such as Main Street USA, where visitors can walk through replicas of early American stores, and Fantasyland, which celebrates some of Disney's greatest character creations, there is an exciting entertainment park. California Adventure is an innovative combination of old-style American amusement parks and 21st-century Disney technology. Its Golden State attraction integrates modern-day concerns about ecology and wildlife preservation with the public's old-fashioned love for entertainment and adventure. The Paradise Pier is a reminiscent journey back to the days of the original American amusement park, with 1950s version rides and Coney Island-style entertainment. A third attraction is Disney Downtown, which includes 12 state-of-the-art cinemas, a jazz bar and restaurants featuring North American cuisine.
The easiest way for visitors to reach Disneyland from San Diego is by Greyhound bus (tel: 1 800 229 9424; website: www.greyhound.com) or by Amtrak rail (tel: 1 800 872 7245; website: www.amtrak.com). Both companies provide a direct service to Anaheim and stop in Disneyland. By car, Disneyland is situated on the I-5 north to Anaheim.
San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park: This vast animal park is located 56km (35 miles) north of San Diego Zoo, just east of Escondido, and is full of attractions, including the Lions' Camp, the Condor Ridge and the Elephant Overlook. There is a Cheetah Run Safari where visitors will be able to see the world's fastest land mammal do what it does best - run! The Journey into Africa safari tour takes in more than 200 birds and animals. It is also possible to go on a Photo Caravan Safari Tour into the large field exhibits in the park and take pictures of all the wild animals there. For those who would like a bird's-eye view of the park, there is always the Balloon Safari, which lifts 30 visitors at a time 120m (390ft) up into the sky to get a panoramic view of the lions, rhinos, giraffes, wildebeest and other inhabitants of the park. The park is located at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road (tel: (760) 747 8702; website: www.sandiegozoo.org).
Legoland California: This is a 52-hectare (128-acre) theme park located in Carlsbad, 30 miles north of San Diego and one hour's drive south of Anaheim. The park is so far the only theme park in the US created by the Danish toy-making Lego company. It offers interactive attractions, family rides, shows, restaurants, shopping and beautiful landscape features specially geared for children aged two to 12 and their families. There are more than 15,000 Lego models in the park created from more than 30 million Lego bricks. New in 2008 is SeaLife Legoland, with a two-story interactive aquarium. Legoland is at 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad (tel: (760) 918 5346/LEGO; website: www.legoland.com).
Tijuana, Mexico: Less than one hour south of Downtown on I-5 is the Mexican border town of Tijuana (or TJ). Of late, Tijuana is struggling to maintain its status as a viable tourism destination due to the much-publicised shootings and kidnappings caused by Mexico's drug wars. Visitors are cautioned to travel in groups and be extra-conscious of their surroundings. Tijuana has several cultural and historical attractions including the Tijuana Cultural Center's museum and the curio shops and restaurants along Avenida Revolucion. The San Diego Trolley goes to the border, where sidewalks lead to shops and restaurants. Taxis are available on both sides of the border. Passports are necessary for re-entry to the USA. Equally important, visitors should remember that most US insurance policies do not cover driving in Mexico. Insurance can be purchased from roadside vendors on the US side of the border, prior to entering Mexico.
For information consult the Tijuana Convention & Visitors Bureau (website www.tijuanaonline.org).
View Our Airport Guides for San Diego:
San Diego International Airport