San Diego Tourism: Escape From L.A.

If the sprawling city chaos of Los Angeles is too much for you, you could value the calmer, more subtle tone of San Diego, California. Despite being the second biggest city in California, it feels light years away from L.A. The word is spreading about the beauty of the town, and San Diego tourism is continuing to grow as an industry.

San Diego was established as the site of the earliest mission in California, later on developing into a chief commerical port when the Santa Fe Railroad reached the city in the 1880s. Because of its pedigree as a Spanish colony, colonial architecture is present, as are neo-Gothic and Moorish architecture. The natural surroundings are also beautiful, with kilometers of gorgeous sandy strips that you can enjoy during most of the year, not to mention mountains, desert, forests, and state parks. The subtropical climate is mostly pleasant and clear throughout the year.

Among the important places of San Diego is Balboa Park, location of the well-known San Diego Zoo which has more than 4000 living creatures. Sea World is also an important attraction, drawing crowds keen to enjoy themselves while studying about marine life.

Maybe similar to Venice Beach is the Mission Beach Boardwalk, which resembles a seaside carnival on the beach. Boasting roller coasters, cycle rental stores, roller bladers, and street vendors, Mission Beach attracts even those who have zero interest in stepping into the water. But of course San Diego is a fantastic location to surf if you decide to rent a surf board here and battle the waves.

Pacific Beach is an additional lovely beach that functions as a center of nightlife in the city. Garnet street is full of cafes and bars full of people out for a night of amusement and partying. Close by is the Gaslamp Quarter, whose attractive Victorian architecture gives the vicinity a historic mood.

San Diego truly does have something for everybody. For Printable Maps of California visit Free Printable Maps.