ALSB Annual Conference

Famous for its 70-degree climate, 70-mile shoreline, and blend of various cultural identities, San Diego is the vibrant city where the state of California was born. Historically home to the Kumeyaay people, San Diego is called the “Birthplace of California” because it was the first site visited and settled by Europeans on what is now the west coast. San Diego was colonized by Spain in 1542 and named after a Spanish saint. Declared part of the Mexican Empire in 1821, San Diego became part of the United States in 1848 following the Mexican–American War. The city was named the seat of San Diego County upon California’s admission to statehood in 1850. San Diego grew rapidly after the Industrial Revolution due to the establishment of multiple military facilities. While the economy is still based on military and defense industries, business is also booming in tech, biotech, tourism, international trade, and manufacturing. San Diego is now the eighth largest city in the country

Below you will find a description of the top attractions in San Diego as well as the nearby neighborhoods of Point Loma and La Jolla. Also included is information on how to get around the city, train travel to other sites in Southern California, additional kid-friendly activities outside of San Diego, and a host of other links.

I. TOP ATTRACTIONS IN SAN DIEGO

Embarcadero

Just outside the Hyatt is the Embarcadero (Spanish for “boarding place”). It is a terminal for ships located along the San Diego harbor on the east side of the San Diego Bay. From the expanse of the USS Midway Museum to the floating Maritime Museum, the Embarcadero has a lot to show you in terms of San Diego’s history and culture.

It is also the site of San Diego County Waterfront Park, a perfect place for you to unwind while the kids get busy with the modern playground and splash pads. The shops of Seaport Village also await along with a working fishing pier.

https://www.sandiego.org/explore/downtown-urban/downtown/the-embarcadero-in-san-diego-ca.aspx

Seaport Village

Along the Embarcadero and steps from the Hyatt is Seaport Village. You can shop and dine at the Seaport Village and ride the historical carousel. Expect bayfront views, surf shops, seafood, boardwalks, and a touch of Spanish architecture from the city’s colonial past.

https://seaportvillage.com/

USS Midway Museum

Walk from the Hyatt along the Embarcadero to the USS Midway. (Ice-Breaker Cocktail Party on the Flight Deck). Now operating as a museum located in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway used to be an aircraft carrier in the 1900s. It was the United States’ longest-serving naval aircraft carrier, having served from 1945 to 1992, and has seen over 200,000 sailors aboard during its time. Since its opening as a museum in 2004, the USS Midway Museum has seen millions of visitors exploring the 60 carefully restored, interactive exhibits. In 2015, it was named the most popular naval warship museum in the country.

Experience life at sea during the 20th century. Each admission allows you to see WWII-era aircraft, cabins, engine rooms, uniforms, laundry rooms, and even navy showers. If you have headphones with you, take the self-guided audio tour narrated by real former sailors!

https://www.midway.org

Maritime Museum

Also along the Embarcadero is the Maritime Museum. Established in 1948, the museum preserves one of the largest collections of historic sea vessels in the United States. Located on the San Diego Bay, the centerpiece of the museum’s collection is the Star of India, an 1863 iron bark. Several boat tours are available, including the popular Pirate Adventure.

https://www.sdmaritime.org

Gaslamp Quarter

A few blocks from the Hyatt is the Gaslamp Quarter. Promoted by a real estate developer in the 1860s, Gaslamp Quarter is currently the birthplace and the heart of all activity of downtown San Diego. Victorian buildings stand beside skyscrapers, all of them home to restaurants, inns, shops, galleries, and entertainment venues. Explore trendy boutiques, international cuisines, symphony halls, art galleries, nighttime entertainment at every turn as you make your way through the streets of Gaslamp Quarter.

https://www.gaslamp.org

Petco Park

A few blocks from Gaslamp is Petco Park that is home to the San Diego Padres. Opened in 2004, the stadium was built as part of a redevelopment plan of the aging downtown area of San Diego. At the time of its opening, Petco Park was also hailed as “the world’s best ballpark in America’s finest city” for its architectural concept. Petco Park has hosted several baseball milestones and notable events since its opening. Guided tours are also available if you want a behind-the-scenes experience.

https://www.mlb.com/padres/ballpark/visit-petco-park

Coronado Ferry

Walk from the Hyatt past the Maritime Museum to Broadway Pier, located at the scenic Embarcadero, where the ferry to Coronado leaves and arrives. The Coronado Ferry has been serving San Diego since 1915, making it the oldest working wooden ferry in the United States. See the entirety of the San Diego Bay for 15 minutes by taking the Coronado Ferry. For an extremely low price, you’re entitled to the gorgeous views of San Diego’s skyline and access to a resort city where you’ll be met with beaches, cafes, and shops.

https://www.flagshipsd.com/cruises/flagship-ferry

Coronado Island

Situated just across the bay from downtown San Diego, Coronado is consistently voted best beach in the U.S. by Dr. Beach. With gentle surf, sparkling wide-sand beaches, charming main street and great hotels, including the famous Hotel del Coronado, this island paradise is perfect for a family vacation or romantic getaway. Coronado’s coastline offers wide sandy beaches with sparkling sand, courtesy of the mineral Mica, that draw visitors from around the world. With its elegant gardens, old-world mansions, quaint shops, and oceanfront dining with spectacular sunset views, no wonder this charmed small town has been dubbed “The Crown City” as Coronado means “the crowned one” in Spanish. Spend the day relaxing on the beach or rent a bike and tour the island via Coronado’s beachfront boardwalk. Take a stroll down Orange Avenue, Coronado’s main artery, which is lined with shops, restaurants, galleries, theaters and the Coronado Museum of History & Art. At the other end of the island, Coronado’s Ferry Landing offers a collection of more than 20 shops, art galleries and restaurants boasting stunning views of San Diego’s downtown skyline. Flagship Cruises also offers low-cost ferry service from the landing across the bay to Seaport Village on the edge of downtown.

Beyond the beach, Coronado features countless outdoor recreational pursuits including sailing, stand-up paddling, surfing, kayaking, and Venetian gondola cruises. Ther’s also top-rate golf on Coronado’s Public Golf Course. And no trip to Coronado would be complete without a visit to the legendary Hotel del Coronado. Built in 1888 and designated a National Historic Landmark, the hotel has a fascinating and colorful past, which includes presidents and princes, socialites and scandals, ghosts and glamorous celebrities. It’s also widely believed to have been the inspiration for the Emerald City in the “Wizard of Oz” as the author spent many winters at the oceanfront hotel.

https://www.sandiego.org/explore/coastal/coronado.aspx

San Diego Zoo

Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth, founder of the Zoological Society of San Diego, was inspired by the exotic animal exhibitions at the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. Unlike the exposition, however, Dr. Wegeforth was one of the early advocates for cageless exhibits. The San Diego Zoo houses 3,500 animals representing over 650 species. Its exhibits re create natural habitats from around the world, ranging from an African rainforest and an Arctic tundra to an Australian Outback area, each featuring the native plant life of these habitats. San Diego Zoo offers family fun with its world-class exhibits, rides, and fun, educational programs. Meet elephants, polar bears, penguins, leopards, tigers, and many more at the zoo. Aside from exciting animal encounters, San Diego Zoo also has an aerial tram, botanical garden, 4D theater, bird shows, play areas for kids, and several buses to show you around. While we will visit the zoo as part of our Social Event, you may want to spend another day (or two) exploring its many activities.

https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/

Balboa Park

The area that Balboa Park sits on used to be home to the indigenous Kumeyaay village, which soon became an 1835 Spanish park, and then an American city park in 1870. It was named after the first European to cross Central America, Vasco Núñez de Balboa. San Diego Zoo is located within Balboa Park, together with 16 museums (art, natural history, railroad), historic buildings, gardens, trails, theaters, restaurants, a cultural center, and a whole lot more. You can also ride a miniature train around a portion of the park. For extra fun, check out their site’s calendar to see special performances and events. There is a lot of stuff to do in a 1,200-acre attraction.

https://balboapark.org/

Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park, originally named the San Diego Wild Animal Park until 2010, is an 1,800 acre zoo in the San Pasqual Valley area of San Diego near Escondido. Several safaris are available—even a flightline safari where you soar 100 feet above the animals.

https://sdzsafaripark.org

SeaWorld

Four graduates from the University of California dreamed of founding an underwater restaurant in the 1960s. Because this idea was deemed unfeasible, they decided to build a park instead. SeaWorld began with only a few dolphins and sea lions, but in its first year, over 400,000 visitors loved their little park. The rest is history. The aquariums, exhibits, fabulous shows, and memorable encounters at SeaWorld will make you realize just how valuable marine life is. Explore SeaWorld’s well-maintained aquariums and watch walruses, beluga whales, penguins, sharks, turtles, orcas, and many other marine creatures happily swimming about. There are also touchpools available, where you can pet bat rays, sturgeons, and shovelnose guitarfish. There are also exciting performances to watch, brought to you by dolphins, sea lions, and orcas.

https://seaworld.com/san-diego/

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

Built in 1825 after attacks from the Spaniards’ enemies waned, Old Town San Diego was the first town in the city to have ever been built. If you’re a history buff, you’ll love the well- preserved Old Town Historic Park of San Diego. Travel back in time to 19th-century San Diego and see what life was like through the attraction’s architecture, reenactments, performances, artifacts, souvenirs, and costumed staff. Some of these museums have costumed artisans you can watch and interact with as they demonstrate their craft. Best of all, the park doesn’t charge any admission fees!

https://seaworld.com/san-diego/

Old Town

Outside the Old Town San Diego Historic Park is the much-larger Old Town San Diego neighborhood, which also contains the Presidio Park. Situated on a hill overlooking Old Town, the park features 40 acres of green open space, picnic areas, and memorials along with marvelous views of the surrounding landscape, including the San Diego River Valley and the Pacific Ocean. It was the place of the first European settlement in the area now known as California. While Old Town San Diego Historic Park was a living history museum, the Old Town neighborhood of San Diego is the well-preserved yet redeveloped Spanish settlement from the 1800s. Old Town San Diego is a thriving neighborhood offering traditional cuisine, architecture,
and events. Restaurants, markets, and souvenir shops line the streets, and a monthly lineup of shows and events keeps this historic town alive. Stay, shop, dine, explore, and watch Old Town San Diego live on since its birth in the 1820s. Within Old Town is the Mormon Battalion Historic Site that was built in 1847 to honor the Mormons who served in the Army during the Mexican-American War. Real-life Mormon missionaries will guide you around the historic site through an interactive video tour in each room. Activities include panning for gold, making bricks, posing for photographs the old- fashioned way, and many other unique activities that you can’t find anywhere else. Best of all, these are all free of charge!

https://www.sandiego.org/articles/old-town/old-town-san-diego.aspx

Little Italy

The immigration of thousands of Italian families to San Diego in the early 1900s gave birth to what once was a sleepy fishing community. You will love the harmony of Italian traditions converging with Italian modernity through the neighborhood’s eateries, streets, and architecture. Savor the flavors of Italy by picking from among this neighborhood’s wide selection of restaurants. Because this is one of the most active neighborhoods downtown, you can expect to witness festivals and events here such as Little Italy Carnevale, ArtWalk, Sicilian Festival, and Little Italy Festa.

https://www.littleitalysd.com/

San Diego Museum of Art (Balboa Park)

Within Balboa Park stands the intricate facade of the San Diego Museum of Art, the region’s oldest and largest art museum visited by half a million people every year. Its exterior alone is reminiscent of the Spanish plateresque movement, while its collections inside include those of old European masters and Asian greats.

https://www.sdmart.org/

San Diego Natural History Museum (Balboa Park)

This museum dates back to the San Diego Society of Natural History in 1874, who later purchased the current lot in 1917. Just like the San Diego Museum of Art, this is one of the interesting things you can find in Balboa Park. The San Diego Natural History Museum shows you just why nature and the world are supposed to be compelling. From colorful precious gems and minerals to eight million well-preserved specimens (some you can touch), the beauty and strangeness of nature will draw you into a rabbit hole of curiosity. Travel back to the time of dinosaurs and see how the world has changed through the Natural History Museum’s millions of specimens on display. If imagining the animal kingdom and natural environment indoors isn’t enough, the museum’s naturalists and volunteer guides can take you on an outdoor hiking adventure or whale-watching excursion.

https://www.sdnhm.org/

Belmont Park (at Mission Beach)

Belmont Park is a historic amusement park located on Ocean Front at Surfrider Square in the Mission Bay area of San Diego, California. The park was developed by sugar magnate John D. Spreckels and opened on July 4, 1925 as the Mission Beach Amusement Center.

https://www.belmontpark.com/

San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Chula Vista

San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1999 to protect the endangered and threatened wildlife species \ in the area. Sitting on 316 acres, the refuge features Sweetwater Marsh Unit and South San Diego Bay Unit, both working together to shelter animals and restore their habitats. These refuge units boast salt marshes, eelgrass beds, mudflats, tidal flats, and various species of animals like shorebirds, waterfowl, savannah sparrows, sand bass, slough anchovies, green sea turtles, light-footed clapper rails, and many other animals who call the state home. San Diego Bay Wildlife Refuge offers you peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Hike, bike, and watch wildlife in their natural habitats.

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/san-diego-bay

Beaches

There are several beaches to explore just northwest of downtown and the airport. About ten minutes by car from the Hyatt, visit Bermuda Beach and Ocean Beach. Ocean Beach has a laid back beach town with quaint shops and restaurants. Keep heading north and you’ll find pooch-friendly Dog Beach. Up the peninsula you’ll find South Mission Beach and Mission Beach, to name just a few. South Mission Beach is a wide sandy beach set near many shops, restaurants, bike paths & activities. Mission Beach is located along a park and three-mile-long boardwalk. For more beaches, see Things To Do in La Jolla Neighborhood.

https://www.sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches

II. POINT LOMA NEIGHBORHOOD

West of downtown San Diego (adjacent to the airport), you’ll find Point Loma, Harbor Island and Shelter Island, all of which offer great restaurants, activities, a variety of accommodations and stunning views of San Diego’s skyline.

https://www.sandiego.org/explore/coastal/point-loma-harbor-island-shelter-island.aspx

Cabrillo National Monument

Point Loma is home to the Cabrillo National Monument commemorating the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who sailed his ship the San Salvador into San Diego Bay in 1542 and became the first European to set foot in California. Contemplate his remarkable journey as you stand next to the statue of Cabrillo and enjoy sweeping views of the bay and downtown San Diego skyline. Visit the Old Point Loma Lighthouse and discover some of the best tide pooling in San Diego, when low tide reveals flowery anemones, crabs, mollusks and a myriad of other sea creatures inhabiting the reef. Point Loma is also home to the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, a solemn memorial for those who have served our country and a tranquil setting for reflection.

https://www.sandiego.org/members/parks-gardens/cabrillo-national-monument.aspx

Liberty Station

Liberty Station in Point Loma is a waterfront urban village in the redeveloped Naval Training Center that includes hotels, restaurants, breweries, and the popular Liberty Public Market, offering stalls filled with prepared foods, beer, wine, pastries and crafts. More than 48 museums, galleries, artist and design studios, dance companies and other organizations showcase San Diego’s creative community in Liberty Station. The center also features the The Loma Club Golf Course, a funky nine-hole course left over from the naval training facility. If you’re looking for great surf, Point Loma offers several quality surf breaks along the western edge but most are hard to access without a boat.

Harbor Island

For a thin strip of land directly south of the airport, Harbor Island packs a lot into its two miles of real estate. Large hotels, marinas and several view-centric restaurants call this island home. A shoreline path complete with a steady ocean breeze keeps walkers, joggers, skaters and bikers cool while they enjoy panoramic views of the San Diego skyline, Coronado Island and the Big Bay. Several grassy areas provide ample picnic spots. Shelter Island A nautical atmosphere prevails on Shelter Island, one of San Diego’s principal boating centers, where marinas, resort hotels, restaurants and bayside parks welcome sailors and landlubbers with recreational amenities. Many short and long-range sportfishing trips depart from here, with anglers catching a host of Pacific fish. Shelter Island is also home to summer Concerts By The Bay, which attracts nationally known musicians and comedians. At the end of Shelter Island, you’ll find the Yokohama Friendship Bell, a large bronze bell housed in a pagoda structure, that was a gift from the city of Yokohama, Japan in 1958 to commemorate the sister city relationship between San Diego and Yokohama.

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park has been offering visitors gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and the western edge of Point Loma since 1983, making it a staple in lists featuring the most famous things to see in San Diego. As you reach the lookout, you’ll be met with panoramic views of the ocean, geological wonders, tide pools, and a portion of the ecological reserve nearby. Walk the rocky trails and enjoy stunning views of the sea and the earth. If you’re traveling with your significant other, watching the sunset here is among the top romantic things to do in San Diego for couples. The park’s trails are about three miles long, taking you to wonderful arches and cliffs. Kayaking is also allowed via Bermuda Avenue, offering you a chance to encounter seals and dolphins.

https://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/regional/shoreline/sunset

III. LA JOLLA NEIGHBORHOOD

La Jolla is a smart seaside area, known for its rugged coastline. Trails wind past pine trees and sandstone canyons in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, while the 2 courses at world-renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course sit atop sea cliffs. La Jolla Cove has sweeping ocean views, and the Shell Beach tide pools are home to anemones and crabs. Posh boutiques and waterfront restaurants dot walkable La Jolla Village.

Birch Aquarium, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. See more than 5000 fish in 60+ aquarium habitats plus exhibits showing cutting-edge research.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is 2,000 acres of coastal state park located off North
Torrey Pines Road. Although it is located within San Diego city limits, it remains one of
the wildest stretches of land on the Southern California coast.

Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial Considered one of the most unique veterans memorials in America. It is a popular cycling & hiking peak with panoramic views, a controversial cross, and last home of Dr. Seuss.

Windansea Beach has been popular with surfers for decades & features an iconic palm-covered
surf shack.

La Jolla Cove is an iconic marine reserve. Surrounded by cliffs and picturesque greenery, the cove’s calm waters are famous for being home to sea kelp, dolphins, turtles, sea lions, caves, and canyon walls, all of which you can see for yourself! Swim, snorkel, go scuba diving, and watch sunsets. A popular activity in La Jolla Cove is observing the sea lions who love this beach. If you go coastal walking to the north, you’ll find seven famous sea caves waiting to be explored.

Children’s Pool:  In 1931, local philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps had a concrete seawall built on a small coastal area in San Diego so children could play and swim in the beach safely without strong waves crashing against the shore. Surprisingly, not only is the coast beloved by families, seals also love to lounge around the area. They are great to watch and photograph, but it is best to keep a distance from the seals if ever they are present.

San Diego Mormon Temple: Established in 1993, the San Diego Mormon Temple is a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located close to the La Jolla community. This Mormon temple is a major head turner from all directions. In fact, the temple’s blinding white architecture against San Diego’s clear blue skies has drawn many visitors from all over the world to its grounds for photo ops. They allow visitors to stroll the well-groomed grounds and appreciate the temple’s immaculate exterior, and it’s free. (Only Mormons can enter the temple.)

IV. GETTING AROUND SAN DIEGO

HOP ON HOP OFF TROLLEY: Takes you to Balboa Park, Old Town, and Little Italy, among other places.

SAN DIEGO TROLLEY: A Trolley station is across the street from the entrance to the Hyatt. The San Diego Trolley is a very affordable way to get around town. One-way fares are $2.50 for adults and kids and $1.25 for senior, disabled, and Medicare customers. A Blue line extension is now open north of the downtown San Diego. This extension runs through the Mission Bay and La Jolla areas. The Green Line also connects to many popular tourist destinations outside of downtown. From the downtown area, it runs north to Little Italy and Old Town. And don’t forget your passport! The San Ysidro station, which is the line’s end point, provides easy access to Tijuana, the Mexico border and the Las Americas premium outlets, which is a popular shopping destination.

V. TRAVELLING BY TRAIN TO LOS ANGELES OR SANTA
BARBARA

Santa Fe Depot Train Station, San Diego & Pacific Surfliner Train – Amtrak:  The Pacific Surfliner route offers 13 daily round-trip services between San Diego and Los Angeles, and five between Santa Barbara and San Diego.

VI. KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE OF SAN DIEGO

CARLSBAD

Legoland California Resort: https://www.legoland.com/california/

ENCINITAS

Sugar Sweet Farm :  Established in 2004 by a mother-and-daughter duo, Sugar Sweet Farm offers families one of the best fun things to do in San Diego, California. The farm is home to goats (yoga anyone?), happy, friendly llamas, horses, pigs, sheep, and a cow, so get ready for a lot of cuddles and giggles. Stroll through the farm’s organic orchard and meet the friendly animals who love posing for pictures.

VII. OTHER LINKS TO SAN DIEGO ATTRACTIONS

VISITOR’S GUIDE, https://www.sandiego.org/plan/visitors-information-services.aspx

KIDS

50+ Free Things to Do with Kids: https://shebuystravel.com/free-things-to-do-in-san-diego/

18 Awesome Things to Do with Kids: https://alongforthetrip.com/18-awesome-things-to-do-in-san-diego-with-kids/

The New Children’s Museum Downtown: https://thinkplaycreate.org/

CORONADO

Best Things to Do on Coronado Island: https://letravelstyle.com/coronado-best-things-to-do/

BEACHES

Guide to San Diego Beaches: https://www.sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches
Guide to California Beaches: https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/

MUSEUMS

30 Plus Museums of San Diego: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60750-Activities-c49-t161-San_Diego_California.html

INDOOR SKYDIVING (Mission Valley) | iFLY:

https://www.iflyworld.com
If you tire of outside adventures, thrill seekers can visit iFLY in San Diego (Mission Valley) for safe and fun indoor skydiving!