Hidden hot spots in San Diego

Balboa Park in one of the most gorgeous parks in the world. It is in San Diego which is 2.5 hours driving from Los Angeles.

Everything I saw in the park was so amazingly beautiful. There are 17 museums, 19 gardens, 3 theatres and the San Diego Zoo inside. If you really want to see everything it will take at least a week.

"Balboa Park"

1549 El Prado

San Diego CA 92101

Tel: (619) 239-0512

http://www.balboapark.org

This is one of the oldest sites for public recreational use in the US and it is on the National Register of Historic Places.  From 1865 to present this park has offered it's gifts to all who wish.

Now I know why San Diego is such a popular travel destination!

On a path between the zoo and the museums, there is a super cute spot for artists and art-lovers.

This is an artist community open for the public everyday from 11am to 4pm. You can enjoy shopping, meet a variety of artists and maybe even take some art classes.

When I visited there on a weekend in June, it was the "Potters Guild Sale". June is the season of Jacaranda in San Diego so the whole park is alive with purple.

Every Sunday, they have live music. I was lucky to listen to some elegant Bossa Nova music.

"Spanish Village Art Center"

1770 Village Place

San Diego, CA 92101

(619)233-9050

http://www.spanishvillageart.com

This time I wanted to stay a night near by Balboa Park and find out about Old Town San Diego which is actually the Birthplace of California.

Walking distance from the center of old town, there is a cozy economic hotel "Western Inn".

Weekends at Old Town are very hard to park so I recommend walking anywhere you want to go.

"Western Inn"

3889 Arista St

San Diego, CA 92110

(619) 692-4063

http://westerninn.com 

The Old Town is absolutely party central and it totally looks like Rosarito, Mexico!

"Fred's Mexican Cafe"

2470 San Diego Ave San Diego, CA 92110

(619)858-8226

http://www.fredsmexicancafe.com

With your family or friends, you will have a long night with tacos and margaritas.

It is also fun to shop at one of the over 100 stores on San Diego Ave.

 


In Old Town San Diego Historic Park, you can enjoy graceful Peruvian music at night surrounded by many historic sites.

"Old Town San Diego 

State Historic Park"

4002 Wallace St

San Diego, CA 92110

(619)220-5422

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=663 

On the edge of old town, there is a haunted spot if you want to feel icy...

"El Campo Santo Cemetery"

2410 San Diego Ave

San Diego, CA 92110

http://gothere.com/sandiego/Ghosts/El_Campo_Santo/default.htm

The second day in San Diego, I spent all day at the Zoo.

"San Diego Zoo"

2920 Zoo Dr

San Diego, CA 92101

(619)231-1515

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/index.php

The animals seem to enjoy a good life at the clean facility with gourmet food. 

I like to see their smile!

In spring to early summer you can see that the Flamingos are hatching. I was impressed to see Flamingo baby and the mother were kissing and hugging.

I became an annual pass holder of the San Diego Zoo even though I live in Los Angeles.  It is definitely worth it if you plan to visit more than once and the Safari Park is also included.