San Diego Points of Interest
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Coronado Island is located across the harbor from Downtown San Diego. Coronado is accessible via Highway 75 off Interstate 5, or two ferry boat locations; the end of Broadway and behind the Convention Center from downtown. The Highway 75 route takes you 200 feet (61 meters) above San Diego Harbor on the Coronado Bridge, offering outstanding views of Coronado, downtown, military ships and more. Coronado is not really an island since it is connected to south San Diego by Silver Strand State Beach. Half of Coronado is used by the military and inaccessible to civilians. Coronado's most notable landmark is the Hotel del Coronado on the Pacific side. 'The Del' was built in 1887 as a resort for the rich and affluent and today remains as one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture in the nation. Many visitors come to Coronado to shop in the stores and boutiques situated near 'The Del'. Other activities include renting a bike and riding the Bayshore/Silver Strand Bikeway, playing a round of golf at the Municipal Golf Course, renting a boat from the Coronado Boat House or sunbathing on the white sand beach.
Coronado Island
1100 Orange Avenue
Coronado, California 92118
(866) 599-7242
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Gaslamp Quarter is located off Interstate 5 in downtown San Diego. This historic portion of San Diego covers more than a dozen square blocks near the San Diego harbor and is full of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops. Most of the buildings are the original brick structures from the turn of the century and very reminiscent of towns throughout Gold Country in the Western Sierras. Nearby is upscale shopping at Horton Plaza, several luxury hotels, Padres ballpark, Seaport Village, U.S.S. Midway Museum, San Diego Maritime Museum, Little Italy, Convention Center and more.
TIP: Parking is easy to find around downtown and there are several means of transportation available including trolley, taxis and bicycle taxis. The trolley is cheap and a great way to get around San Diego.
Gaslamp Quarter
5th Avenue & Market Street
San Diego, California 92101
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Balboa Park is located at the Park Boulevard exit off Interstate 5 in downtown San Diego. Balboa Park is a huge cultural & activity center with 13 museums, a city zoo, theatres, golf course, restaurants, botanical gardens and much more. Museums include the Natural History Museum, Model Railroad Museum, Automotive Museum, Air & Space Museum, Photographic Arts Museum and many more.
Balboa Park
1549 El Prado
San Diego, California 92101
(619) 239-0512
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Palomar Mountain Observatory is located off Highway 76 east of Rincon. This is an operational observatory that is run by CalTech. Free self-guided tours offer a behind-glass view of the massive telescope, or call for a guided tour through the dome available on Saturdays, April through October. Wear warm clothing because the dome maintains cool temperatures. You will not be able to look through the telescope, but the visitor center and gift shop offers pictures. If astronomy is of interest to you, consider camping at the nearby Observatory Campground, which caters to amateur astronomers with a portion of the camp dedicated to telescopes and lights out restrictions.
Palomar Mountain Observatory
35899 Canfield Road
Palomar Mountain, California 92060
Recording: (760) 742-2119
Tour: (626) 395-4033
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Whaley House is located in Old Town San Diego and is widely considered to be the most haunted house in the United States. Originally constructed in 1857, it has served as a private residence, general store, theatre, government meeting place and today as a tourist attraction. Ghosts are thought to be of several different sources including "Yankee Jim" who was hanged on the propert in 1852, the suicide of Violet Whaley in 1885, Thomas Whaley himself and even Dolly Varden, the Whaley's pet terrier. Tours are held daily, both day and night.
Whaley House
2476 San Diego Avenue
San Diego, California 92110
(619) 297-7511
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La Jolla Caves are located off Interstate 5 in the beautiful town of La Jolla. Most of these sea caves are only accessible by kayak and best at low tide, but one is accessible from inside the La Jolla Cave Store. Descend down a huge staircase within a tunnel that was excavated in 1902 to the largest sea cave in La Jolla. The best way to explore the caves is by kayak. Visit our Entertainment page for details on kayak rentals in La Jolla.
La Jolla Cave Store
1325 Prospect Street
La Jolla, California 92037
(858) 459-0746
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Little Italy is located on India Street between Date and Hawthorn, on the north end of downtown. This 3-block stretch is saturated with Italian restaurants, hotels, art galleries and boutiques. An Italian Festa is held in October celebrating Italy with stickball, sidwalk chalk art, live entertainment and much more.
Little Italy
Fir & India Streets
San Diego, California 92101
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