Unforgettable summer vacations in San Diego, CA

San Diego’s plethora of shorelines (including Coronado, Mission and Pacific beaches), museum-filled Balboa Park and world-renowned zoo make it an appealing summer vacation spot for families and relaxation seekers. For near-perfect weather, visit it in July or August after the clouds of the “June Gloom” have passed.

Balboa Park

The 1,200-acre Balboa park is the city’s cultural hub.

It’s home to the renowned San Diego Zoo.

Balboa Park, located in downtown San Diego, is a great place for a stroll, a bike ride or a picnic.

Wander around the park’s many gardens while admiring the intricate Spanish-Renaissance architecture that permeates the grounds (the best examples are the California Building and the reconstructed House of Hospitality).

The Botanical Building

The Botanical Building is a great starting point in Balboa Park. The building is one of the most photographed places in Balboa Park and is one of the largest lath structures in the world.

But don’t just look at it. The famous botanical building features more than 2,100 permanent plants, including striking collections of tropical plants and orchids. Balboa Park also features a cactus garden, a rose garden, a Japanese-style garden as well as a palm tree canyon, among many others.

And if you find yourself growing antsy just walking around and smelling the roses, there are plenty of attractions located here (many of them free). Take in a show at the Old Globe Theatre, a venue modeled after Shakespeare’s Globe in London.

Visit the Spreckels Organ Pavilion to see one of the world’s largest outdoor pipe organs with more than 5,000 pipes (and take in a free seasonal concert).

If you’ve got the kiddos in tow, head over to the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater.

Museums

Museums are just as plentiful, with enough to suit all types of interests. Art lovers will enjoy the San Diego Museum of Art, the Museum of Photographic Arts, the Mingei International Museum, the Timken Museum of Art and the Institute of Contemporary Art, San Diego (formerly the San Diego Art Institute).

Meanwhile, science enthusiasts should plan a visit to the Fleet Science Center, the Natural History Museum and, inside the California Building, the Museum of Us (formerly the Museum of Man). If you’re traveling as a family, take some time to check out the San Diego Air & Space Museum or the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, the world’s largest operating model railroad museum.

The Comic-Con Museum displays rotating exhibits of movie props and costumes and other pop culture artifacts. There’s also an automotive museum and the Centro Cultural de la Raza, which focuses on Chicano, Mexican, Indigenous and Latino art and culture.

Cruises

San Diego is known for its beaches and beach activities, and one of the best ways to experience the city is from the ocean. Along the city’s Embarcadero, you’ll find many cruise options, each offering a different experience. Finding the right experience and type of trip depends on your interests and time constraints. There are many one- to two-hour cruises available for people of all ages.

Some are whale watching focused, as San Diego is one of the top places for whale watching in the country. Others, such as Flagship Cruises and Events’ San Diego Harbor Tour, are sightseeing cruises, which pass notable San Diego landmarks.

Families with young children may appreciate the city’s SEAL tours, which are narrated by guides on an amphibious vehicle; the tour consists of a 30-minute ride on land coupled with an hourlong ride on the water where passengers often see seals and other wildlife.

Couples may be more interested in fine dining cruises, which provide guests with meals as they float along the city’s bay.

Then, there are cruises for thrill-seekers: Complete with whipping winds and splashing water for a 30-minute ride, boat adventures like the high-speed Patriot Jet Boat ride are not for the faint-hearted.

Cruises depart from various ports within the harbor. Other attractions like Seaport Village, the USS Midway Museum and the Maritime Museum of San Diego are also nearby, so there are plenty of activities to keep you busy before or after your cruise.

By Alex Arlander | ENC News