If you have ever wanted to tour Southern California‘s legendary beaches, but want to dodge the traffic, hustle and bustle of the LA area, think about a beach rental or the many bed breakfasts in San Diego. The city named for the 15th-Century Saint Didacus is the gateway to Baja as well as home to an amazing amount of tourist attractions and points of historic importance, such as Balboa Park, and world class golf. The surrounding area is also home to charming and gracious communities that include Oceanside, La Jolla, Carlsbad and San Clemente, the past home of former president Richard Nixon . The regional climate is similar to that of the Mediterranean, and even in winter the temperature hardly ever goes beneath the 60s.
The first people to live in the San Diego area were the Kumeyaay Indians, whose inhabitance in the state dates back 10,000 years. It was not until 1542 that Juan Cabrillo dropped anchor in what is at present Mission Bay and claimed the area for Spain. However, the first name selected for the area was San Miguel. It did not become San Diego until sixty years later, when a different explorer arrived on 12 November 1602 for the feast day of the newly canonized Saint Didacus, or San Diego as he was known in Spanish.
One of the most appealing historic sites in San Diego is Old Town San Diego, which was the first European settlement on the West Coast of the current day U.S. According to the California State Parks Department, it is the most travelled to such facility in the state, with over a dozen historic buildings that include five original adobe structures dating back 200 years. A few miles away is the Mission San Diego de Alcala, which was established by Father Junipero Serra in 1769 and where Mass is still held every Sunday. Right next door is the Heritage Park Victorian Village, featuring seven well preserved examples of late 19th Century structures.
Fans of Mexican cuisine will be delighted to know that the Mexican cuisine in San Diego and its environs is recognized. Speaking of Mexico, visit Oceanside in late October for the largest El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) parties in California. Even though it may appear morbid, it is really the Mexican form of Halloween, and presents a fun-filled weekend with carnival rides, street vendors, traditional mariachi music and more.
Of course, Southern California means surfing. Not only does the aptly named Oceanside feature world class surfing, but it is also home to the California Surf Museum. Spectacular cliff coast scenery and whale watching on Mission Bay are all an element of the local influence you will participate in from one of the Southern California beach vacations in the San Diego area. To make the most out of your sight-seeing experience, think about chartering a sail-powered yacht for a lovely overnight journey up the coast and to close by Catalina Island.
Plan your San Diego retreat carefully as we have merely scratched the surface of activities to be enjoyed. There is enough to keep you and your family on the go for weeks.