DK Travel : San Diego : Places of interest

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Pacific Beach

Residents here enjoy an endless summer climate and an easy-going lifestyle. Life revolves around Garnet Avenue, lined with nightclubs, cafés, late-night restaurants, and shops. The street ends at the 1927 Crystal Pier, a great location to watch the surfers below, catch a fish, or spend the night in a tiny cottage. Come early to claim a fire ring on the beach and cook up some marshmallows, or bicycle along the boardwalk to Mission Beach (see Mission Beach).
Palomar Observatory

High atop one of North County’s highest mountains, the dome of the observatory has an otherworldly look. Part of the California Institute of Technology, Palomar is home to the 200-inch (508-cm) Hale Telescope, the largest optical instrument of its kind when installed in 1947. Its moving parts weigh 530 tons, the mirror 14.5 tons. Thanks to computer technology, no one “looks” through the telescope anymore; however, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (see Reuben H. Fleet Science Center) runs summer programs which utilize the 60-inch (152-cm) telescope.
Point Loma

Over one million people a year visit the Cabrillo National Monument at Point Loma. The views are simply mesmerizing, and the peninsula ends at the meeting point of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay. Half the peninsula is occupied by the military, which has prevented over-development. Spend time at Sunset Cliffs Park to experience the wind and sea and perhaps spot a whale (see Point Loma).
Presidio Park

Kumeyaay Indians once used this hillside for sacred ceremonies. Site of the original Spanish presidio and mission settlement, a lovely park is all that’s left of San Diego’s beginnings. The park contains the Serra Museum (see Presidio Park) and the remaining earthen walls of Fort Stockton, a fortress that changed hands several times during the Mexican-American War, commemorated by bronze monuments, a flagpole, and a cannon. The 28-ft (8.5-m) Serra Cross, constructed from mission tiles, honors Father Junípero Serra (see Mission San Diego de Alcalá).
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

Science can be fun for all. At the Little Learners Lab, children aged 2–6 can play with musical instruments, soft blocks, and puppets. Older kids go wild with many hands-on activities. In the Virtual Zone, the Deep Sea Ride plunges 9,000 ft (2,743 m) to ocean depths and encounters a Giant Squid.
San Diego International Airport

No matter where you are in San Diego, look up and you’ll see a jet soaring dramatically past the downtown high-rises on its final approach to Lindbergh Field (see Lindbergh Field) as locals call the airport. A 100 years ago, this area was a muddy wasteland that proved to be an ideal spot for budding inventors and pilots to try out their latest machines. In 1927, Ryan Aviation (see World War II) designed, produced, and tested on the beach the Spirit of St. Louis, the historic plane that Charles Lindbergh piloted solo across the Atlantic.
San Diego Wild Animal Park

Many people prefer the Wild Animal Park to its sister zoo in Balboa Park (see San Diego Zoo). By mono-rail or a circuitous hiking trail, experience African and Asian animals roaming freely in enormous enclosures that replicate their natural environment. For the ultimate close-up encounter, reserve a spot on the photo caravan where an open-air truck takes you into the animal habitats. A successful breeding program has brought 125 cheetahs, 142 rhinos, and nearly extinct California condors and Arabian oryxes into the world.
San Diego Zoo

At the renowned San Diego Zoo, kids shriek in delight over the latest creepy-crawly in Bugtown, and build crafts at the animal-themed events. During seasonal holidays and summer, Dr. Zoolittle presents his entertaining science shows. The zoo also offers summer camps and art classes (see San Diego Zoo).
Sea Lion-Watching at Children’s Pool

Children used to swim at this sheltered cove, but harbor seals and sea lions had much the same idea. The beach is now closed, and children must view the entertaining crowds of marine animals swimming and sleeping from behind a rope.
SeaWorld

Kids love to press their faces against glass tanks, inches away from whales, sharks, and manatees. And there’s nothing more fun than to be drenched by a performing dolphin (see SeaWorld).