Just north of downtown San Diego is Balboa Park, home of the world famous San Diego Zoo. Besides the zoo, the park also includes several museums and gardens including the Alcazar, Rose, Japanese and Desert gardens.  You can stroll around, admire the gardens and visit the San Diego Museum of Art.

One of the most exclusive areas around San Diego, La Jolla is the place to go for upscale shopping.  Stroll down Prospect Street for antiques, art galleries, jewelers, boutiques and specialty stores that will keep you happily shopping for hours. Stop into Bo Danica for hand-blown glassware, dinnerware and other home accessories. For a break, have lunch on the roof-top terrace at George’s on the Cove.  Our lunch on the terrace was excellent and the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean were spectacular. 

Point Loma is well worth a visit and the site of the Cabrillo National Monument and an ecological preserve.  Learn about Cabrillo, an early Spanish explorer, and enjoy stunning views of downtown San Diego.  Take a nature walk along Bayside Trail to see indigenous plants or visit the tide pools where starfish, anemones and sea cucumbers live.