Traveling and seeing different places must be experienced by all individuals at some point in their lives. There is nothing compared to the high one gets when visiting new places. Traveling is not only educational but it also helps widen one’s perspective in life.

However, while there are people who enjoy self-guided tours or do-it-yourself travel, that is, making their own flight and hotel bookings, arranging their transportation needs, researching and preparing itineraries, etc., there are also people who do not like making these arrangements themselves, thus they refrain from traveling altogether.

To make your vacation and travel experience seamless, you can avail of an escorted tour. With escorted tours, everything is handled by an experienced tour director. From booking your flight and hotel, to airport transfers, places to see, where to eat and shop, all the little details are taken care of. All you have to do is enjoy yourself. No worries. No hassles.

Escorted tours let you maximize your time. The tour director or guide knows every nook and cranny. He will advise you where to go and what to do in certain places. There is no wasted time. You will not get lost in a strange place. And because the tour guide knows the place very well, he can share with you stories and facts about the place without you having to browse a travel book.

With escorted tours, traveling is no longer a scary thing and making travel arrangements is no longer a tedious process.

Mission Beach San Diego

The area of Mission Beach is a stretch of the sandbar
along the Pacific Ocean. Through Mission Beach, the
main artery is Mission Boulevard. This Boulevard is
a popular place to go in the summer or winter, as
there are main shops and restaurants.

Near Mission Beach, you’ll find attractions such as
Sea World and Belmont Park. Both amusement parks are
well known, and very popular. Within the two you’ll
find rides such as the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster,
Chaos, Vertical Plunge, the Liberty Carousel, and
The Trampoline.

Mission Beach also gives you plenty of opportunities
to participate in volleyball, tanning, surfing,
skateboarding, and many other activities. There is
also a local skating club, Skate This, which performs
for free on the weekends with sick tricks and dancing.

Even though nudity isn’t allowed on the beach, alcohol
still is. Thong bikinis aren’t legal on the beach,
although lifeguards and security personal normally don’t
make a big deal about it.

With plenty of shops and restaurants, Mission Beach
in San Diego is a great place to go. The beach is
very warm and offers a sandy environment. If you like
the beach with other perks to offer, Mission Beach is
one place you should check out.

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Things to Experience in San Diego

Visiting San Diego for the first time can be quite overwhelming,
especially when you consider that there are so many things you
can do. Deciding where to go and what to do can be quite time
consuming, which is where we can help. Below, you’ll find the 8
best spots in San Diego - things you simply must experience.

1. Hitting the beach.
No matter what season you visit, the beach is one area that
personifies the entire San Diego lifestyle. Whether your watching
the tide come in or soaking in the sun, the beach is where the
action is. From Mission Beach to the Belmont Park rollercoaster -
make sure you hit the beaches here.

2. Trying a fish taco.
Although it may sound a bit weird, the fish taco is one
of the best foods in San Diego. Deep fried, battered fish encased
in a corn tortilla is one of the foods that once you try it the
first time - you’ll crave anytime you come back!

3. Going to Mexico.
It’s no secret that San Diego borders Mexico, with Tijuana
being a metropolis in its own right. Visting Tijuana or Baja Mexico
is perfectly safe day or night, no matter what you have heard. Keep
in mind that they have their own laws, bring your passport, then
enjoy everything that this foreign paradise will provide you with.

4. Take a ride on the trolley.
San Diego doesn’t have the best public transit system, yet
they do have the well known trolley. The highways here can be quite
intimidating, making the trolley the ideal way to travel. If you
want to learn more about the city, simply buy an all day trolley
pass - you’ll see more of San Diego this way than you ever thought
possible.

5. Visiting the Pandas.
While Sea World and Legoland has their share of animals, the
San Deigo zoo is no stranger to Pandas. The zoo is a tourist attraction,
with the baby Su Lin, which is quite a feast for the eyes. When you
visit the San Diego Zoo, visit in the morning - when the pandas are
most active.

6. Balboa Park.
After you check out the pandas, take a trip to the jewel of
the city - Balboa Park. The atmosphere is breathtaking here, no matter
when you visit. If you visit on Tuesdays however; you’ll find that
most museums have free admission. After you visit a while, dine at the
Prado Restauraunt and experience great food in a great setting.

7. Gaslamp and the nightlife.
The Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego is the place to be
for dancing, eating, or just people watching. You can experience the
best of life in San Diego here, with food to fit every taste.

8. The Old Town.
While historical San Diego isn’t always apparent, a visit to the
Old Town State Historic Park can bring back the past. There are snippets
of Old San Diego found everywhere you look here. Although there are many
fine restaurants here, make sure you visit the Old Town Mexican Cafe, as
it serves the best Mexican food around San Diego.

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Maritime Museum San Diego

Since 1948, the Maritime Museum located in San Diego
has served the city in many big ways. The museum here
is dedicated to collecting and preserving the rich
maritime heritage and historic values of the city -
then presenting it to the public.

The biggest attraction to the museum is the historic
ships. Here, you’ll find five great examples of
maritime vessels - Berkeley, Californian, Medea,
Pilot, and the Star of India.

All across the museum you can find many examples of
Naval technology and ships of the past. The guides
at the Maritime Museum are very friendly and helpful,
willing to answer any question that you may have.

Nearby to the museum, you have several attractions
and things to see. With the museum being in the
downtown area of San Diego, it’s very close to some
of the other things that San Diego is so very well
known for.

If you happen to be on vacation in San Diego, make
sure you visit the Maritime Museum. Kids love to
see the ships on display, as well as the USS Midway
Aircraft Carrier Museum, which is a short walk from
the Maritime Museum.

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Seaport Village San Diego

The Seaport Village of San Diego combines the best
of waterfront shopping, dining, and overall family
entertainment. While the Marina Park is here as
well, nearby is the small but popular San Diego
public park.

In Seaport Village you’ll find 14 acres of pleasure
with more than 75 shops and galleries, restaurants,
and eateries on the sidewalk. Even though the area
is primarily targeted towards visitors, locals get
the best of the best with the restaurants and their
out of town company.

The San Diego Pier Cafe is also here, which is one of
the best known restaurants in the area. Located on
the bay, the cafe provides seafood with breathtaking
views.

The Seaport village provides a great place to view
Coronado and the Coronado Bridge, as it overlooks the
harbor. Just a short stroll from the village, you have
the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park, and
the Gaslamp Quarter.

Providing plenty to do and plenty of things to see
nearby, Seaport Village has it all going on. A visit
here is unlike any other, as the city of San Diego
will always have something unique to offer you and your
entire family.

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San Diego Convention Center

On the Embarcadero in downtown San Diego, the
Convention Center provides the best of facilities
for trade shows, conventions, and even corporate
meetings or all sizes. For breaks and outdoor
events, there are landscaped terraces available
that overlook the bay.

The civic theatre in the Convention Center, offers
2,975 seats for meetings and formal assemblies. This
helps to make the Convention Center the biggest and
best equipped of all performing arts theaters in
San Diego.

With its great views of the water and city, the
Convention Center is also convenient to hotels,
shopping stores, and plenty of entertainment. Within
walking distance you also have the Gaslamp Quarter,
Horton Plaza, Petco Park, and Seaport Village.

Held here, are events such as the International
Auto Show, Boat Show, and many others. The San Diego
Convention Center is located at 202 C. Street, in
downtown San Diego.

Undergoing expansion in 2001, the center doubled
it’s space. It now offers 500,000 square foot of
exhibit space, 90,000 square feet of multi-function
space, 72 meeting rooms, and now 90,000 square foot
of glass enclosed pavilion.

Those visiting the San Diego area or those who reside
here should check with the Convention Center to see
if there is anything going on. The Convention Center
is a great place to visit - especially if there is
something interesting going on.

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Belmont Park In San Diego

Located in sunny San Diego, the Belmont Park is one
of the best amusement parks in San Diego. With plenty
for the entire family, this Park has something for
everyone. With rides for the entire family and basically
everything in between, Belmont Park makes for a very
exciting adventure.

The most distinctive attraction in the Park is the Giant
Dipper Roller Coaster. The coaster was built in 1925 and
has been restored over the years. This coaster is truly
one of a kind, as it offers quick drops, steep hills,
and insane speed!

Belmont Park in San Diego also offers the endless wave,
which is perfect for wave riders. The Flowrider offers
hourly rides, even lessons for beginners. If waves
aren’t your sort of thing, you may find the raceway bumper
cars or the Chaos enticing. Chaos resembles a ferris
wheel, although it creates a random three dimensional
rocking and rolling. Anytime you get on it, no two rides
are every the same!

For arcade enthusiasts, there is a family fun arcade and
gamelords. This creates the ultimate gaming experience,
keeping kids, teenagers, and even adults occupied for
hours on end.

Other rides at the park include the Vertical plunge, krazy
kars, and the infamous “plunge”. The plunge is a great
attraction, and actually happens to be the largest indoor
heated pool in San Diego. Perfect for swimming, diving,
and just enjoying yourself, the plunge is a blast.

To feel the sensation, the Crazy Submarine and the
Trampoline can help you. To truly test your limits, the
Rock Wall will offer a unique challenge. Anyone wanting
to give it a try, can get to climbing the wall and see if
they truly have what it takes to get to the top.

Once you’ve had your fill on rides, there are plenty of
other entertainment and events to keep you occupied. In
Belmont Park, there is always something going on. With
San Diego being a tourist attraction, you can bet the
entertainment in Belmont Park is nothing short of
spectacular.

For the kids, Belmont Park offers some truly unbeatable
deals on birthday parties or private parties. If you
decide to have a party here, you can pretty much rent a
chunk of the park for yourself. For kids, this can truly
be an unforgettable memory.

Closed Monday - Thursday, Belmont Park is open Friday and
Saturday 11 AM - 10 PM and Sunday 11 AM - 8 PM. Although
the park is closed on major holidays, you can visit on
the weekends and enjoy the best in entertainment.

To round out your fun, make sure you do a little shopping
and take in some of the food. Belmont Park in San Diego
has great food and shopping, giving you more than a few
reasons to visit the park and be amazed - truly amazed.

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Downtown San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

The Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego contains some of
the most extensive and dramatically designed
historic buildings in the area. Constructed between
1873 and 1930, these Victorian style buildings are
truly a sight to behold.

The Victorian era buildings found in the Gaslamp
Quarter are home to night clubs, restaurants,
theaters, and shops. A simple stroll down 4th
and 5th avenue will put you at the heart of the
Gaslamp Quarter.

Also found in the Gaslamp Quarter is the Horton
Plaza and Horton Plaza Park. The Plaza is the
first place in the United States to feature a water
fountain containing electric lights; a true
tribute to the designer Alonzo Horton.

The Gaslamp Quarter received its name from the
gaslamps that were used in the area around the early
1900’s. During those times, gaslamps were the
main source of light for the area that is now
the vision of Modern Day San Diego.

Now days, there are more than 130 stores and shops
filling the Gaslamp Quarter. With everything from
Macy’s to Mervyns, Gaslamp Quarter has plenty for
you to see and do. In Horton Plaza, you can find
a multi screen movie theater that is sure to please
movie lovers.

For a wonderful experience, the Gaslamp Quarter of
San Diego shouldn’t be overlooked. There is a lot
you can do here, from fine dining to excellent
shops. For a family vacation, San Diego has a
little bit of something for everyone.

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San Diego Whale Watching

It’s no secret to anyone that the coast of San Diego
is the ideal place to watch the annual migration of
the gray whale. Looked upon as one of nature’s ultimate
spectacles; the migration of gray whales is nothing
short of breathtaking. The coastline of San Diego is
one of their migratory points as they travel from the
waters of the Arctic to the warmer regions of the Baja
(California), where females also give birth.

Every year, roughly 26,000 gray whales will make the
long journey of 10,000+ miles from the Arctic to the Baja
and back. If you look at this journey and compare it to
any other mammal, you’ll notice that the gray whale by
far has the greatest amount of traveling at hand.

If you’ve never experienced whale watching, you’ll be
happy to know that anyone will find it memorable - young
or old. Spotting a gray whale along the coastline is
something that is truly a memorable moment, making you
stop for a second and truly appreciate these awesome
mammals.

If you ask the Birch Aquarium in San Diego, you’ll find
that gray whales are seen most frequently from December
through March. While they travel in dozens normally,
it’s nothing to see pods of them (2 - 3) as they travel
during migration. Throughout the coast of San Diego,
you can easily spot these whales as they are somewhat
slow swimmers.

During their swimming, they will normally dive to a depth
of 100 feet or more for a few minutes, then surface and
blow. Then, they will do a few shallow dives, before
making that deep dive again. When watching whales, figuring
out this pattern makes the success of watching them all
the more fun and exciting.

While there are many common places to watch whales,
nothing seems to compare to the excitement of watching them
from aboard a cruise. There are many cruises that take
place in San Diego, many of which offer unbeatable deals.
From H&M Landing to the Birch Aquarium, cruises are some of
the best ways to see the beauty and tranquility of the
traveling gray whales.

The beauty of the gray whales can also be seen from many
points of the San Diego coast, including the Cabrillo
National Monument on Point Loma or the cliffs of Torrey Pines
State Beach. Along these points, you can see the whales as
they make their travels.

Whether it’s a cruise or just watching from the coast, whale
watching in San Diego is something you truly have to see to
appreciate. You can take your kids, family, or even your
friends. Whale watching can definately be exciting, all you
have to do is plan your day and enjoy everything that the
beauty of the gray whale will provide you with.

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