San Diego has the best of Southern California. What is the life of people in San Diego, California? San Diego is a country

San Diego (California) is a large city located in the southwestern part of the United States. It is considered the southernmost point of the state of California. San Diego is a popular tourist destination. This is one of the oldest. It has everything for a comfortable holiday: the Pacific coast, historical monuments, an incredibly well-developed network of hotels and restaurants. In this publication you will find the most necessary information about holidays in San Diego (sights, history, interesting places, nature).

From the history of the city

Until the 16th century This territory was inhabited by the Kumeya tribes (Indians). The first Europeans arrived here in 1542. At this time, the famous navigator Cabrillo landed on the shore of a small bay.

30 years later, these lands were declared the property of the English crown. At the beginning of the 17th century. The California coast was explored by the Spanish merchant Sebastian Vizcaino. It was he who gave the territories their modern name - San Diego, and they became Spanish subjects. The Spanish monarchs more than once sent expeditions to these lands to recruit the local population. But already in 1823 Mexico gained independence.

In 1846, the Mexican-American War began, during which San Diego (California) became part of the United States.

Climate

The city is located in the subtropical zone. The weather in San Diego matches the climate of the area. Summer here is very long and hot. In August the air temperature reaches 26-30 degrees. Because San Diego has a typical Mediterranean climate, there are no distinct autumn and spring seasons. Winter here is very mild and short.

The tourist season in San Diego (California) begins in July and lasts until October. At this time, every traveler is guaranteed a wonderful beach holiday and a sea of ​​impressions.

Nature of San Diego

The city is located in a narrow coastal lowland between the beautiful Cordilleras and the Pacific Ocean. The flora and fauna in this area are typical Mediterranean. Walking along the beaches of Ocean Beach or Point Loma, you can see wild Amazon parrots and brown pelicans soaring and soaring to the very tops of the coastal mountains.

In San Diego, every tourist has a unique opportunity to spend time on and then hide in the shade under tall palm trees.

The coastline in this area is long, which creates excellent conditions for surfing. This sport is especially popular in winter.

How to get to San Diego?

Lindbergh Field is San Diego International Airport and is located near the city's main business district. From here there are daily flights to Los Angeles (the most popular destination), Atlanta, Chicago, Tokyo, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Kansas City and other cities around the world.

You can get from Moscow to San Diego by plane with a transfer in Los Angeles or New York.

Where to stay in San Diego?

The choice of housing in San Diego (USA) is quite diverse. There are many hotels here, ranging from budget hostels to luxury 5-star hotels.

For a family holiday, you can choose Bed&Breakfast hotels (bed and breakfast). If you want to save money, you should stay in a budget hostel. Here you can stay in a single room or rent a small family room.

Another popular option in San Diego is camping. Depending on your wishes, you can stay in a tent or a small house on the beach or in the forest.

Every year, the Californian city is visited by thousands of tourists who want to have a great time swimming in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean or viewing the beautiful coastal and mountain landscapes. But most of all, travelers are attracted to San Diego by the attractions of this place. We will talk about them further.

Coronado

Coronado is the most popular tourist attraction in San Diego, California. This is a small peninsula, which is located in the direction from south to north along the Pacific coast. This place will surprise every tourist with its beautiful beaches, warm waters and sunny weather. Here along the entire coast there are small hotels and houses where you can relax after a busy day. In addition, the peninsula offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the huge skyscrapers of San Diego.

"Sea World"

"Sea World" is a big place where you can see the most interesting and rare ocean inhabitants from all over the world (from the Arctic to the Antarctic). The aquarium is located in the north of the city near Mechan Beach. At Sea World, every visitor will find entertainment to their liking. There are many exhibitions and events held here, and there is also an amusement park on the territory of the aquarium.

Balboa Park

Old City Park Balboa is located in the heart of San Diego. This is an ideal place for a romantic walk, a family picnic and sports activities. In addition, there are 15 museums in the park: art, railway, aviation and space, anthropological. Many of them are housed in beautiful Renaissance buildings. Balboa Park is a cozy place where you can enjoy the beautiful ancient architecture in the Gothic and Baroque styles, picturesque ponds and unique examples of Mediterranean flora.

Zoo

San Diego has a unique zoo located in central Balboa Park. It is considered one of the largest in the world, because its territory is more than 40 hectares. More than 4,000 species of animals live here. Of these, 800 species are listed in the Red Book.

In order for tourists to see all the attractions of the zoo, there is an aerial cable car.

Old Town San Diego

At the foot of Presidio Hill is an amazing area called the old town. This place preserves ancient Mexican, Spanish and Indian traditions. Here every tourist has a unique opportunity to learn about the first settlers and try the most unusual dishes of local cuisine.

In the Old Town, be sure to visit the Del Mundo Bazaar, the city's first cemetery, an ancient Spanish church and the House of Ghosts.

The most curious tourists can go to the Point Loma Peninsula. Here in the middle of the 16th century. The first European landed on the Californian coast - the Spaniard Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. Today, there is a historical reserve on the peninsula, where experienced guides will tell secrets and legends from the city’s past.

La Jolla area

This is one of the most popular tourist areas of the city. There is everything for a wonderful holiday: beautiful landscapes, gourmet restaurants, clean beaches, expensive hotels, marine reserves. In addition, there is a fur seal rookery in La Jolla.

The sunny city of San Diego is one of the best resorts on the Pacific coast, and some even consider it the best city in the country. It attracts tourists with kilometers of beautiful beaches, sparkling blue ocean, wonderful climate, huge mountains and bright sun. In addition, the resort infrastructure is well developed here, which is undoubtedly an important component of a comfortable holiday. Well, the city center is a mixture of traditional buildings with futuristic buildings in the Art Nouveau style, which gives it a special flavor. In addition, San Diego boasts many fine restaurants, high-end boutiques and grand amusement parks.

Climate and weather

The mild Mediterranean climate is one of the main advantages of San Diego. This is not surprising, because the weather here is warm all year round and the sun shines brightly. In summer the average air temperature is approximately +26 °C, and in winter - +19 °C. Rains occur only in the winter season. The ocean is relatively cool, so the temperature here is comfortable for swimming only in summer ( +20...+22 °C).

Nature

San Diego is located in the very southwest of the country, in the state of California. It lies right on the border with Mexico, very close to the city of Tijuana. To the east of San Diego rise the San Ysidro Mountains, and to the west it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. The landscape of the city and its surroundings is very diverse: gentle foothills and mountains, deserts and fertile lands with vineyards.

Attractions

San Diego boasts not only magnificent beaches, but also a variety of attractions that are always popular with city residents and its guests.

One of them was an ancient ship "Star of India", which once traveled around the world, and today is under the care of volunteers. Also noteworthy is the beautiful basilica San Diego di Alcala, which is considered the oldest church California(1769).

The most mysterious building in the city was a Victorian mansion. Montezuma, owned by the famous medium and musician Jesse Sheppard. Many legends and beliefs are associated with this building, but this does not prevent musical evenings and festive events from being held here regularly during Christmas. Among other interesting places and buildings, it is worth highlighting the old pier with an open amphitheater, the Science Center, and an unusual hotel building "Del Coronado", cemetery Campo Santo, Pueblo de San Diego's historic downtown and old quarter Gaslamp.

In addition, there are many museums in San Diego of various themes and orientations: the San Diego Museum of Decorative Arts, the Art Gallery Michael Wolff San Diego Hall of Champions, Museum of Man, Maritime Museum, San Diego Automotive Museum, Space Museum, Timkin Museum of Art and others.

Nutrition

In San Diego, there are more than two thousand restaurants and eateries of various culinary styles: Mexican, European, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean and others. If we talk about establishments specializing in national cuisine, it is worth noting that in this state it is a synthesis of American and Mexican menus. Moreover, one of its main features is the abundance of fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as the use of various kinds of spices and herbs. For example, a salad with avocado and oranges is served with peanut butter, and fish with spicy sauces. The most popular local dishes here are carne asada (fried beef), stuffed bell peppers, salsa (spicy tomato sauce with chili), guacamole (avocado paste) with corn chips, salad "Caesar", a variety of seafood, as well as Mexican fajitas, tacos and burritos. It is worth keeping in mind that the portions in local establishments are simply huge, so if you cannot finish a significant part of your lunch, you can always ask the waiter to pack it up to take with you. And there is no need to be shy - this is quite common here.

Of course, the city has a great variety of fast food establishments that offer inexpensive snacks like a hamburger and fries or a hot dog and salad.

If we talk about drinks, the most popular here are fruit juices and carbonated drinks, as well as iced tea and coffee. Well, in the city bars you should pay attention to the excellent Californian wines, as well as the numerous cocktails that have become part of the Californian lifestyle.

Accommodation

San Diego is truly one of the largest and most popular resorts in the United States, so there is a wide variety of hotels and inns open here. The best hotels in the city are located in a fashionable area La Jolla, which is considered a real pearl of the city.

Well, mid-price hotels, as well as budget hostels and guest houses can be found in any area, for example, Days Inn San Dieg o (from 55 $), Best Western Seven Seas(from 53 $), Mission Valley Resort(from $36), etc.

Entertainment and relaxation

First and foremost, San Diego is a city of parks and beaches, with currently about 190 parks and beaches occupying almost the entire coastline. Therefore, it is not surprising that some of the popular pastime options here are beach holidays and all kinds of water sports. If we talk about the parks of San Diego, then the most beautiful and most visited of them is the huge park Balboa. Moreover, it is famous not only for its beauty, but also for its many museums, an excellent zoo, as well as interesting architectural sights. Hikers should visit the park Anza Borrego Desert State, which is located in the outskirts of the city.

It is a true oasis in the desert and has a variety of hiking trails. However, the most popular place in San Diego is the giant zoo. San Diego Zoo, which is considered one of the best in the country. Moreover, it is famous not only for its impressive size and diversity of inhabitants, but also for its incredibly beautiful design. There are also about 20 theme mini-parks and an excellent cable car on its territory. Well, those who want to get acquainted with the inhabitants of the underwater world should visit the amusement park SeaWorld, which is famous for its original entertainment program and many attractions. 30 km from San Diego, in the small town of Carlsbad, there is an amusement park "Legoland" with many different shows and attractions.

Those who prefer to relax and have fun at night should go to one of the city clubs, of which there are more than a hundred. Most of them are concentrated in the Gaslamp Quarter. Well, lovers of cultural recreation in San Diego can go to concerts of the city symphony orchestra, which take place regularly. There are also many museums and several excellent theaters open here ( The Civic Theatre, Old Globe Theater and etc.).

Every year, San Diego hosts a variety of festivals and celebrations. The main one is the world famous Comic Book Festival, during which the city turns into a real film set with Hollywood stars and many people dressed as popular movie characters. However, the most interesting events of this festival are considered to be grand parades of comic book characters and a competition for look-alikes of famous actors.

Purchases

San Diego has a huge number of shopping establishments, so the shopping conditions here are simply excellent. Huge shopping centers are the most popular among tourists. Fashion Valley And Las Americas Premium Outlets which are located in the very center of the city. It is there that hundreds of brand boutiques, jewelry stores and shops are located, offering a wide variety of goods, from perfumes to household appliances. It is also recommended to visit the large city market Bazaar del Mundo, in whose many rows you can find literally everything: from groceries to Mexican sombreros. In addition, the city has many stores offering both designer and casual clothing, with prices lower than in Europe or Canada. San Diego is also famous for its large number of art galleries, antique shops and original souvenir shops.

When going shopping, keep in mind that most local shops are open from 09:30 to 18:00, and Sunday is a day off here. However, large shopping centers are open all week and late.

Transport

In San Diego, the most popular form of public transportation is light rail. San Diego Trolley, which can quickly take you to almost any area of ​​the city. They run quite often, but at certain times they can be crowded. The cost of one trip on such a tram is approximately $1.7.

You can also get around here by city buses. They travel in almost all major directions, although the largest number of stops are concentrated directly in the central part of San Diego.

A pleasant and convenient option for moving around the streets of San Diego is a bicycle. Moreover, the city has several excellent areas with bike paths.

Connection

In San Diego, as in other major cities in the United States, telephone booths are installed on literally all streets, as well as in public places, from which you can call any city. They work from small coins and telephone cards, which are sold almost everywhere. In addition, you can call from any large bar or restaurant, but keep in mind that this will be much more expensive.

Local cellular communications have uniform coverage and high quality. Roaming is available to almost all travelers, although the tariffs are quite expensive. If desired, it is possible to purchase a SIM card from one of the American mobile operators.

To access the Internet, the city has a large number of wireless Wi-Fi points, many of them free.

Safety

San Diego is one of the most prosperous cities in the United States, and security here is provided by city police and local authorities. The crime rate here is much lower than in most American cities.

However, even here you can easily become a victim of a pickpocket or swindler, so you should never forget about basic precautions.

Business climate

First of all, the business and economic life of San Diego is based on tourism, which brings in enormous income here. Also, a variety of exhibitions and conferences are constantly held here. Electronics manufacturing, software development, the telecommunications sector, as well as financial and business services play an important role in the city's economy. Moreover, San Diego is home to the main base of the US Pacific Fleet, and its military port is the busiest in the world. This naturally led to the creation of shipbuilding, aerospace and defense industries. Well, among the private industry, biotechnology companies have received the greatest development here.

Real estate

Today, the San Diego real estate market is beginning to quickly strengthen its position, which was greatly shaken after the recent crisis rollback.

Moreover, here again a high demand is brewing for almost any objects. Today, almost all San Diego real estate has returned to pre-crisis prices. The greatest progress is noticeable in the residential sector. Moreover, houses are most in demand not only in the city itself, but also in its surroundings. It is worth noting that analysts predict a sharp rise in prices in the future, so now purchasing any local real estate can be an excellent investment.

San Diego is a beautiful city located on the Pacific coast almost on the border with Mexico, and is the administrative center of San Diego County (California).

The city is the second largest in the state and is known for forests and state parks, desert and mountain areas, farms, and miles of stunning Pacific beaches. The city's architecture is a mixture of neo-Gothic and Spanish colonial styles. San Diego, despite its impressive size, is quite calm and has a calm pace of life and a warm atmosphere. The city is divided into several districts, each of which is replete with interesting places.

The climate in San Diego is ideal for a comfortable holiday: on the coast the air temperature is constant (about +22 °C) throughout the year. Forests and beaches are located a ten-minute drive from the city. The city has a population of 1.3 million inhabitants. San Diego, a photo of which you can see in this article, is the eighth largest city in the United States. It is about one and a half times larger than San Francisco.

San Diego: attractions. Torrey Pines Nature Reserve

It is located within the city, but remains a corner of untouched nature: there is an 8 sq. km wilderness area, the largest on the south coast of the state. The park was declared a US National Landmark in 1977.

The landscape of the reserve consists of a plateau with cliffs rising above Torrey Pines Beach and a lagoon inhabited by migrating seabirds. Here you can observe the life of various representatives of wild fauna and flora, including foxes and wildcats, raccoons and skunks, and coyotes.

But the hallmark of the reserve is the rare torry pines, which grow only in this district, and exclusively on the ocean shore, and now they are on the verge of extinction. In honor of these majestic and beautiful trees, singer Tori Amos chose her stage name. The reserve is crossed by over fifteen kilometers of hiking trails, and on the rocks there is a small museum, a tourist station and a hotel.

Old city

As the name suggests, this is the oldest area of ​​the city, where the very first settlement was founded in the territory of the modern state of California. Today it is home to the Presidio Park and the Historical Park. They are included in the National Register of Natural Historic Landmarks.

Parks

Presidio Park is located on the site of the former San Diego Mission, which was founded in 1769. In 1773, the mission moved to another location several miles upriver, but the fort remained at its original location on Presidio Hill. It was built to protect against attacks by Indians, as well as foreign conquerors. When the need for protection lost its relevance, the townspeople gradually moved to the Old Town, and the fort was abandoned. Already in 1835 it was a pile of ruins.

The San Diego (California) Historic Park was created to commemorate the city's early history. On its territory you can see ancient buildings from 1820-1870. The park was founded in 1968. A blacksmith's shop, a school building, the editorial office of the first newspaper of San Diego, private houses and gardens, a tobacco shop, and a stable with a magnificent collection of luxury carriages have been preserved here. Museums, shops, and restaurants await guests in the park.

Zoo

The city of San Diego is deservedly famous far beyond the country for its magnificent zoo, which is home to more than three and a half thousand animals of six hundred and fifty species. The zoo was founded by the San Diego Zoo Global Society of Zoologists. Today it includes more than five hundred thousand public activists.

This zoo pioneered a new organization of such open-air institutions, where animals are kept without cages. Here it became possible to observe the life of the inhabitants in natural conditions. A giant panda lives in the San Diego Zoo (one of the few on our planet).

And in 2013, with the help of colleagues from Australia, a new branch of Koalafornia was opened here. From its name it is clear who inhabits it. Cute koalas are a favorite among young visitors to the park.

From the history of the park

The San Diego Zoo dates back to 1915, when it hosted an exhibit of exotic animals. In 1921, the zoo was allocated a plot of land for permanent use, and a year later, new inhabitants settled in it.

The idea of ​​​​creating a unique park belongs to Dr. Harry Wedgford, who dreamed of organizing a zoo without traditional cages, and the first zone without fences, in which lions lived, was opened already in 1922.

Excursions

The park offers organized tours that cover three-quarters of the area. The exhibitions are formed according to the principle of animal habitat, so in one zone there are different animals that inhabit certain regions in natural conditions.

Here you can see African rain forests, tundra and Arctic taiga, deserts, etc. The park also contains several of the world's largest poultry houses, where the feathered inhabitants are also kept without cages.

Coronado Bridge

This marvelous bridge crosses San Diego Bay and looks wonderful from Point Loma. The decision to build it was made in San Diego in 1926, but the Navy leadership did not support this idea. Concerns were raised that an earthquake or enemy attack would destroy the bridge and trap ships at the San Diego naval base.

Negotiations with the military dragged on for decades, and only in 1964 a compromise was found. The military agreed to construction on the condition that the bridge would leave sixty-one meters of ground clearance, which would allow ships to pass freely under it. To ensure that this condition was met, and the ascent and descent from the bridge did not turn into a “roller coaster,” builders were forced to build a large loop at the entrance to Coronado. Construction began in 1967.

Twenty thousand tons of steel were required to create a structure buried one hundred meters into the bottom of the bay. The bridge was opened for automobile traffic in 1969. Its length is 3,407 meters, and most importantly, the bridge rests on twenty-seven concrete supports, which at the time of construction were the highest in the world. Traffic on the bridge is two-way. There is a third lane in the center, but it is a spare one.

Point Loma Lighthouse

The old lighthouse is located on the Point Loma Peninsula, within the Cabrillo National Monument. Today it is not used for its intended purpose; a museum has been created inside. The lighthouse was built in 1855.

It became one of a series of state lighthouses for which Congress appropriated funds in 1850. Its construction began in 1854. Lenses and a lantern were ordered and brought to the end of construction from Paris. In the same year the lighthouse began its work completed.

San Diego, California, is a large city located in the southeastern United States. This city is the southernmost point of the state of California. San Diego is also considered a popular tourist destination in the United States. In addition, it is one of the oldest cities in the United States of America. There is everything you need to relax in comfort: the Pacific coast, attractions and historical monuments, beautiful landscapes, a well-developed network of restaurants and hotels.

Let's take a closer look at what to see in San Diego, and also consider the climatic features and nature of this city and its surroundings.

San Diego: Wikipedia (San-Diego)

San Diego is considered the second most populous city in the state of California, second only to Los Angeles. It is also one of the ten largest cities in the United States of America. San Diego ranks 9th on this list.

Where is San Diego? The city is located on Pacific coast of the southwestern United States near the Mexican border. San Diego is home to more than 1.3 million people. If we take into account all the suburbs, the population is about 3 million people. San Diego ranks 17th on the list of all US cities by population. It is also the oldest city on the entire West Coast of the United States.

The city was founded in 1769 by the inhabitants of Spain, although Europeans were in this territory earlier, starting in the 16th century. San Diego officially became part of America in 1848. Despite the fact that the city is located near the Mexican border, relatively few Latinos live here - 30% of the total population. Most residents are white.

San Diego, California attractions

Museums

• Sea World Theme Park. This place is dedicated to the inhabitants of the deep sea. In 1964, a restaurant on the same theme was first opened here. But the restaurant management decided to create an entertainment area for its guests and purchased inhabitants of the seas and oceans. Literally in the first year, several hundred thousand people visited this park. Currently, it hosts many entertaining shows featuring marine animals, including dolphins, fur seals and even whales.
• . This sculpture represents a nurse and a sailor kissing. The author of this unusual monument is the American artist S. Johnson based on a photograph by A. Eisenstadt, which was taken in New York on the day of Japan’s surrender. This photo for many became a symbol of the end of World War II. The sculpture is very popular among tourists.
• Cabrillo National Monument. This landmark can be seen on the Point Loma Peninsula. The monument is made in the form of the figure of the Spanish navigator J.R. Cabrillo, who sailed to the shores of Colorado in 1542.
• Old Town San Diego. Old Town is home to the famous San Diego State Historic Park and Presidio Park. Here you can see what the first settlements of the colonists looked like. Tourists can grab a bite to eat at one of the many local restaurants serving Mexican cuisine, and also enjoy folk performances. There are frequent excursion buses here, where guides in historical costumes will tell the story of the Old Town.
• Point Loma. A navigator from Spain, H.R., landed on this peninsula in 1542. Carbillo. It was in his honor that a monument was erected on the southern cape of the peninsula in 1939. Next to the monument there is an observation deck, which offers a beautiful panoramic view of San Diego Bay, as well as the entire city. There is another interesting attraction here - the lighthouse, which was built in the mid-19th century. Currently, there is a museum inside the lighthouse. A walking trail has been laid out on the peninsula especially for tourists.
• Balboa Park. The size of San Diego City Park even exceeds the size of Central Park in New York. On its territory there are 15 museums, 4 theaters, a zoo and several thematic gardens. Most of the buildings here were built at the beginning of the 20th century in the Spanish colonial style. There are also small international cottages in the park, where tourists can get a closer look at the traditions and culture of 30 countries.
• . About 650 species of different animals live on the territory of this zoo. The zoo has existed since 1915, after the establishment of an exhibition of exotic animals. Many owners simply left their pets after the end of this exhibition. In order to save the animals, the city administration allocated a small area for a zoo in Balboa Park.
• Botanical Garden in Balboa Park. This garden combines several areas: the Japanese garden, the Alcazar garden, the garden of friendship, the children's ethnobotanical garden and many others. It contains a wide variety of plants not only from all over North America, but also from other parts of the world. Tourists can admire greenhouses, artificial ponds and picturesque alleys.

Climate and nature of San Diego

• Climatic features

City of San Diego located in the subtropical zone. The city's weather fully corresponds to the climate of the subtropical zone. It is very hot here during the summer months. Summer is long and dry. The average daily temperature in August is about 32 degrees. Since San Diego has a typical Mediterranean climate, autumn and spring are not clearly defined here. As for winter, it is quite mild and short. The tourist peak occurs from the beginning of July to the end of October. At this time, any traveler can enjoy a wonderful beach holiday and get a lot of impressions.

• Nature

The city of San Diego is located between the Cordillera Mountains and the Pacific coast. That is why the flora and fauna here is typical Mediterranean. Walking along the local beaches, you can see Amazon parrots, brown pelicans and California condors, which fly to the very mountain peaks. Every tourist in San Diego can sunbathe under the scorching sun or lie in the shade of tall palm trees. This area is distinguished by its long coastline.

That is why many surfers from all over the world come here every year. It is also worth noting that surfing is very popular in the winter season.

Sights of San Diego

But the Californian center, located in the far southwest of the country, is definitely worth a visit.

Below is the main information about the city, a list of the most interesting places, and a description of the infrastructure. Residents of Russia will learn how to get to San Diego from their home country.

Basic information

Old San Diego Mission, 1769

San Diego was founded in 1769. But the history of the conquest of these places by Europeans begins in the distant middle of the 16th century, when the Spanish conquistador J.R. Cabrillo landed on the coast of California. Half a century later, at the very beginning of the 17th century, S. Vizcaino, a merchant and navigator from Spain, opened the harbor for the second time, giving it its modern name (San Diego).

For almost 150 years, these places developed relatively calmly, and in 1769, the merchant G. Portola and the monk J. Serra built a fortress here and opened a Catholic mission. This date is considered the beginning of the history of the city.

Today the city of San Diego stands in the same place as in the past. This place is one of the most remarkable in. The fact is that just a few tens of kilometers from the center is the state border with Mexico (the notorious cordon through which the main drug traffic passes). San Diego is nicknamed America's Finest City.

This fact gives San Diego its spice. In general, the city stands on the Pacific coast, in the extreme southwest of the United States.

Other statistics about the city:

• Area = 963,6 km 2 (consists of 18 districts).
• Population = 1,307 million people.
• Population density = 1494 person/km 2.
• Time in San Diego is -8 from Greenwich (in summer -7).

Climate

The climate of the peninsula and the city is one of the most favorable in the United States. Its type is classified as Mediterranean, but the mildness of the weather here is superior even to the Mediterranean coast. A unique feature of the local climate is its stability.

The air temperature stays at 20 °C all year round. In summer, this indicator rises to 26 °C (the maximum was recorded in September and is equal to 44 °C), in winter it drops to 19 °C (the absolute minimum is -4 °C in January).

San Diego weather:

• Precipitation is observed in winter, and almost none in summer.
• The ocean temperature is 1520 °C (warmest in August and September).
• The wind speed is only 2.5-3 meters per second.
• Air humidity = 70%.

Attractions

San Diego Zoo

Founded in 1915, since then it has become one of the largest in the world. The area is about 40 hectares. It is interesting for its large collection of flora (700 thousand exotic plants), many rare species of fauna (more than 4 thousand, including a unique albino koala and the world's smallest antelope).

The zoo is engaged in the adaptation and breeding of animals (the first panda born in captivity appeared here). Visitors have the opportunity to ride a cable car or book a safari tour.

Balboa Park

The parkland in the city center is the soul of San Diego. In addition to its natural setting and pleasant layout, Balboa Park is home to all of the city's major museums. El Prado, the central alley of the park, has gathered all such establishments around it.

The most interesting of them: the Old Globe Theater, the Museum of Natural History, and an exhibition of aerospace technology. All buildings in Balboa Park have long open galleries that offer beautiful views of San Diego.

Monument to Cabrillo

In the south of San Diego there is a monument dedicated to the discoverer of California, discussed in the first section. The monument was opened in 1939, and its author was a compatriot of the famous conquistador. In addition to its role in preserving history, the monument is famous for the amazing view that opens from its base. The panorama of the Pacific Ocean is especially interesting in winter, when whales migrate here.

The already mentioned Catholic mission built its church in the city in 1769. In the middle of the 19th century, the lands of Catholics were sold, and by 1862 (the church was returned to its rightful owners), the building was destroyed. The building was restored in 1931 and now operates as a small church. But it is officially the oldest Catholic Church in all of California.

Photos

What else to do?

You can just take a walk around the Old Town, where the houses of the first settlers of California have been preserved. Several modern shopping centers are open in the New Town, where tourists can buy souvenirs or eat. The national cuisine of San Diego is a synthesis of dishes from the USA and Mexico.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are often used here, and there are a lot of spices. Almost everywhere there are large portions that you can take with you. In addition to national cuisines, the city has many traditional establishments from Europe, Asia, and America.

Accommodation and transport

Since San Diego is a popular tourist city, there are a lot of hotels of different classes and levels. The most elite housing is located in an area of ​​the city called La Jolla. In other areas there are many mid-range hotels, as well as budget hostels and apartments (from $30 per night).

If you want to stay in an apartment or rent a room in San Diego from the owners, try the AIRBNB service (for new users, a discount on the first booking is $25).

The most developed tram transport in the city is an analogue of our metro. Light rail service runs throughout San Diego and is very frequent. The speed and regularity of transport here is compensated by the overcrowding of trailers during rush hours (day and evening).

Price of one trip = 1.7 dollars. In addition to trams, there are buses in the city (mainly in the center).

How to get there from Russia

From Moscow to San Diego - almost 10 thousand kilometers and 18 hours of flight. Regular flights fly from the capital of Russia to the Pacific coast of the United States, the minimum price for a ticket is 30 thousand rubles.

From St. Petersburg, different routes will take from 20 to 32 hours (depending on the availability of transfers) and will cost 30-100 thousand rubles.

Find flights Moscow-San Diego:

My promo code SERGEY5565 will give you a discount 500 rub. for your first hotel reservation or purchase of air tickets on www.onetwotrip.com

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