City Center, San Diego

Seaport Village leisure resort is, like that in San Pedro, Los Angeles, a shopping and restaurant center in the form of a large village. On a 12.5 acre/5 hectare site close by San Diego Bay 28 houses have been built, now occupied by shops and restaurants.San Diego's Seaport Village is a delightful place to stroll around and spend an afternoon. Located right on the waterfront this area of unique shops and restaurants is one of the city's must sees. Picnic tables, benches, and waterfront patios are sprinkled throughout the area and weekends can be very busy. The area is easily accessible on foot from many of the nearby attractions including the USS Midway. There is limited and expensive parking at Seaport Village, it may be best to park a little distance away and enjoy the stroll along the waterfront to the site.Seaport Village has all kinds of shops, many with tourists in mind, as well as restaurants and cafes. Outdoor performers take to the stage regularly in the afternoons, some of which can be quite eclectic.

In downtown San Diego is the Gaslamp Quarter National Historic District, an area of restored late 19th and early 20th Century Victorian buildings. In its day this place was the hub of activity but following the Second World War the district became a disreputable area. In the 1970s the area received renewed interest and underwent restorations, eventually leading to it being listed as on the National Register of Historic Places.Today the Gaslamp Quarter National Historic District is a trendy area with shops, restaurants, and galleries, attracting locals and tourists. The area covers less than 20 blocks and runs approximately from Broadway to San Diego Bay. There are also a large number of upper end hotels that are popular with both tourists and business travelers due to its great location in the city.

After operating under the name San Diego Harbor Excursions since 1915, the company has changed its name to Flagship Cruises and Events. This company has a fleet of boats and offers a variety of harbor cruises and other cruising options. Most people find this to be a very enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, particularly on a sunny day.The standard harbor tour is a good way to see the sights and familiarize yourself with the city while enjoying the comforts of a tour boat. There are also lunch, brunch, and dinner cruises, whale watching experiences, and seasonal events depending on the holiday.

Walking along the San Diego waterfront trail, visitors are surprised when they come across one of the US military's largest ships. The decommissioned USS Midway is permanently berthed at Navy Pier and is easily reached by public transportation including bus, tram, and coaster via the Santa Fe depot. If you have a car there is a 300 space parking lot or street metered parking nearby.The highlights of a visit to the USS Midway Museum include over 60 exhibits and 25 restored aircraft. Over 225,000 military service personnel served on the ship and a fascinating day can be had following the self-guided audio tour throughout the ship. For an additional fee visitors can try one of three flight simulators on board. Fighter jets simulated include a F-4 Phantom, F8 Crusader and a Strike Fighter 360. Museum docents are on board the ship and are keen to answer any questions, share their personal experiences, and provide help when necessary. Most visitors can plan on spending at least a half a day here.

Horton Plaza lies in downtown San Diego between Broadway and G Street, 1st and 4th Avenue. From an architectural point of view it is one of California's most interesting shopping centers. The name is derived from one of San Diego's pioneers, Alonzo Horton, who in 1867 bought for only 265 U.S. dollars some 1,000 acres/400 hectares of land in what was then a village. This included practically the whole of the downtown district of today. Horton Plaza boasts some 140 shops, including four department stores (Nordstrom, Robinson's, The Broadway and Mervins), numerous restaurants, a cinema and a theater. The bright colors and avant-garde architecture, together with the open-air displays, make it all most attractive.

Not very far from Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego stands Villa Montezuma (1925 K Street), built in 1887, an unusually luxurious Victorian house constructed when San Diego was enjoying its first brief economic boom between 1886 and 1888. Well worth seeing are the stained-glass windows (more than 20), some rooms restored in their original style, as well as alternating exhibitions in the house which now functions as a museum.It was the home of Jesse Shephard, a musical genius who played piano by the age of two and a half.CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

The New Children's Museum is located in downtown San Diego's Marina District. The environmentally sustainable building designed was by architect Rob Wellington Quigley. The museum features art exhibitions, performances, camps, hands-on studio projects, and educational programs.

Dobson's is a favorite hot spot with local politicians, business people, and local celebrities. California cuisine is blended with a touch of Italian, French, Spanish and Asian.

The Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego has two locations, this one downtown and another in La Jolla. The museum has four galleries on two levels with changing exhibits of contemporary art.

The Firehouse Museum is located near downtown in the "Little Italy" section of San Diego. Fire fighting equipment from the 1800's through to present day equipment is on display.

Anthony's Star of the Sea Room in San Diego was the flagship restaurant in the chain. It now operates as an event center offering a waterfront venue weddings, parties, and business events.

The Paladion is an upscale shopping center located across from Horton Plaza in San Diego. It features Gucci, Tiffany and Nina Ricci.

Our Lady of Angels in San Diego has been a city landmark for over 90 years.