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Tours in San Diego |
For a Half Day
Carlsbad Ranch: The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch (tel: (760) 431 0352; website: www.theflowerfields.com) are a relaxing way of experiencing the Southern California countryside in springtime. The fields consist of 20 hectares (50 acres) of extraordinary colour in bloom on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Included is a rose garden and educational displays. The Flower Fields are open from mid-March to early May - from 0900-1700 in March and from 0900-1800 in April and May. The ranch is close to the beaches and town of Carlsbad and can be reached by I-5 north, turning east at the Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad. It is located very near Legoland – the two can be combined for a full day excursion.
San Juan Capistrano Mission: Every March, crowds gather at the San Juan Capistrano Mission (tel: (949) 234 1300; website: www.missionsjc.com) to welcome back the Mission's beloved swallows. The event is celebrated with a one-day festival and is one of the highlights of the region. Built in the early 1800s, the Mission is considered one of the more beautiful examples of early Southern Californian architecture. The mission is open all year round from 0800 to 1700, but is best during the spring, when its carefully sculpted gardens are also in bloom. The Mission is located at the intersection of Ortega Highway and Camino Capistrano, which can be reached by taking I-5 north to Ortega Highway.
For a Whole Day
Disneyland: Not surprisingly, Disneyland Resort, 1313 South Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim (tel: (714) 781 4565; website: www.disneyland.com), is still one of Southern California's most popular attractions, especially since it is within easy driving distance of both San Diego and Los Angeles. In addition to its old favourites, such as Main Street USA, where visitors can walk through replicas of early American stores, and Fantasyland, which celebrates some of Disney's greatest character creations, there is now an exciting entertainment park. California Adventure is an innovative combination of old-style American amusement parks and 21st-century Disney technology. Its Golden State attraction integrates modern-day concerns about ecology and wildlife preservation with the public's old-fashioned love for entertainment and adventure. The Paradise Pier is a reminiscent journey back to the days of the original American amusement park, with 1950s version rides and Coney Island-style entertainment. A third attraction is Disney Downtown, which includes 12 state-of-the-art cinemas, a jazz bar and restaurants featuring North American cuisine.
The easiest way for visitors to reach Disneyland from San Diego is by Greyhound bus (tel: 1 800 229 9424; website: www.greyhound.com) or by Amtrak rail (tel: 1 800 872 7245; website: www.amtrak.com). Both companies provide a direct service to Anaheim and stop in Disneyland. By car, Disneyland is situated on the I-5 north to Anaheim.
San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park: This vast animal park is located 56km (35 miles) north of San Diego Zoo, just east of Escondido, and is full of attractions, including the new Lions Camp, the Condor Ridge and the Elephant Overlook. There is a Cheetah Run Safari where visitors will be able to see the world's fastest land mammal do what it does best – run! It is also possible to go on a Photo Caravan Safari Tour into the large field exhibits in the park and take pictures of all the wild animals there. For those who would like a bird's-eye view of the park, there is always the Balloon Safari, which lifts 30 visitors at a time 400ft (120m) up into the sky to get a panoramic view of the lions, rhinos, giraffes, wildebeast and other inhabitants of the park. 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road
(tel: (760) 747 8702; website: www.sandiegozoo.org).
Legoland California: This is a 52-hectare (128-acre) theme park located in Carlsbad, 30 miles north of San Diego and 1 hour's drive south of Anaheim. The park is so far the only theme park in the United States created by the Danish toy-making Lego company. It offers interactive attractions, family rides, shows, restaurants, shopping and beautiful landscape features specially geared for children aged 2-12 and their families. There are more than 15,000 Lego models in the park created from more than 30 million Lego bricks. One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad (tel: (760) 918 LEGO or 5346; website: www.legoland.com)
Tijuana, Mexico: Located less than one hour south of Downtown on I-5 is the Mexican border and the town of Tijuana (or TJ to friends). Once considered simply a place for curio shopping and casual dining (as well as gambling), Tijuana is now regarded as a viable vacation destination. Part of its notoriety is due to the increasing partnership between Mexico and the USA in promoting their tourist attractions. An example of this partnership is the Fox Studio filming lot, located at the south end of Tijuana, in Rosarito Beach. The birthplace of James Cameron's Titanic (1997), the studios now include a display of the sets and technology that was used in making the film. Visitors can also wander about parts of the studio and get a bird's eye view of Fox's upcoming creations.
Tijuana also includes a number of interesting cultural and historical attractions. The Tijuana Cultural Centre has a museum, performing arts theatre and an Omnimax theatre. Paradiso Azteca (Aztec Paradise) incorporates family entertainment with ancient Mexican history. For a tour of one of the area's newest breweries, the TJ Brewery offers guided tours and has a bar on site. Tijuana also has a racetrack and sportsbook facility, although most visitors to San Diego these days prefer Southern California's new casinos, only minutes from Downtown.
Most of the downtown attractions and shopping in Tijuana are accessible by walking paths. The San Diego transit goes straight to the border, where it is possible to enter Mexico by foot. Taxis are also available for outlying attractions. However, it is advisable for tourists to ask a hotel or tourist information bureau to call a taxi, as there have been some problems with some taxi operators and crime. It is also advisable for visitors to check directions before setting out and generally go to areas that have been recommended. Travellers intending to travel south of the Tijuana area (specifically further south than the town of Ensenada) or who are planning to remain in the country more than 72 hours, must first pay a Non Immigration fee of US$17, at any Mexican consulate (San Diego has a consulate office). Passports and US visas must be carried, even if one is only going to Tijuana for a shopping trip, as US Immigration will need to see them when re-entering the USA. Security precautions recently have been tightened at all US borders, which means that travellers should be prepared for extra long waits when re-entering the country and to show their purchases and receipts to the customs officials. Equally important, when driving a vehicle over the border, visitors should remember that most US insurance policies do not cover driving in Mexico. Insurance can be purchased from roadside vendors on the US side of the border, prior to entering Mexico.
Further information can be obtained from Tijuana Convention & Visitors Bureau's website www.tijuanaonline.org
Carlsbad Ranch: The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch (tel: (760) 431 0352; website: www.theflowerfields.com) are a relaxing way of experiencing the Southern California countryside in springtime. The fields consist of 20 hectares (50 acres) of extraordinary colour in bloom on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Included is a rose garden and educational displays. The Flower Fields are open from mid-March to early May - from 0900-1700 in March and from 0900-1800 in April and May. The ranch is close to the beaches and town of Carlsbad and can be reached by I-5 north, turning east at the Palomar Airport Road in Carlsbad. It is located very near Legoland – the two can be combined for a full day excursion.
San Juan Capistrano Mission: Every March, crowds gather at the San Juan Capistrano Mission (tel: (949) 234 1300; website: www.missionsjc.com) to welcome back the Mission's beloved swallows. The event is celebrated with a one-day festival and is one of the highlights of the region. Built in the early 1800s, the Mission is considered one of the more beautiful examples of early Southern Californian architecture. The mission is open all year round from 0800 to 1700, but is best during the spring, when its carefully sculpted gardens are also in bloom. The Mission is located at the intersection of Ortega Highway and Camino Capistrano, which can be reached by taking I-5 north to Ortega Highway.
For a Whole Day
Disneyland: Not surprisingly, Disneyland Resort, 1313 South Harbor Boulevard, Anaheim (tel: (714) 781 4565; website: www.disneyland.com), is still one of Southern California's most popular attractions, especially since it is within easy driving distance of both San Diego and Los Angeles. In addition to its old favourites, such as Main Street USA, where visitors can walk through replicas of early American stores, and Fantasyland, which celebrates some of Disney's greatest character creations, there is now an exciting entertainment park. California Adventure is an innovative combination of old-style American amusement parks and 21st-century Disney technology. Its Golden State attraction integrates modern-day concerns about ecology and wildlife preservation with the public's old-fashioned love for entertainment and adventure. The Paradise Pier is a reminiscent journey back to the days of the original American amusement park, with 1950s version rides and Coney Island-style entertainment. A third attraction is Disney Downtown, which includes 12 state-of-the-art cinemas, a jazz bar and restaurants featuring North American cuisine.
The easiest way for visitors to reach Disneyland from San Diego is by Greyhound bus (tel: 1 800 229 9424; website: www.greyhound.com) or by Amtrak rail (tel: 1 800 872 7245; website: www.amtrak.com). Both companies provide a direct service to Anaheim and stop in Disneyland. By car, Disneyland is situated on the I-5 north to Anaheim.
San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park: This vast animal park is located 56km (35 miles) north of San Diego Zoo, just east of Escondido, and is full of attractions, including the new Lions Camp, the Condor Ridge and the Elephant Overlook. There is a Cheetah Run Safari where visitors will be able to see the world's fastest land mammal do what it does best – run! It is also possible to go on a Photo Caravan Safari Tour into the large field exhibits in the park and take pictures of all the wild animals there. For those who would like a bird's-eye view of the park, there is always the Balloon Safari, which lifts 30 visitors at a time 400ft (120m) up into the sky to get a panoramic view of the lions, rhinos, giraffes, wildebeast and other inhabitants of the park. 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road
(tel: (760) 747 8702; website: www.sandiegozoo.org).
Legoland California: This is a 52-hectare (128-acre) theme park located in Carlsbad, 30 miles north of San Diego and 1 hour's drive south of Anaheim. The park is so far the only theme park in the United States created by the Danish toy-making Lego company. It offers interactive attractions, family rides, shows, restaurants, shopping and beautiful landscape features specially geared for children aged 2-12 and their families. There are more than 15,000 Lego models in the park created from more than 30 million Lego bricks. One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad (tel: (760) 918 LEGO or 5346; website: www.legoland.com)
Tijuana, Mexico: Located less than one hour south of Downtown on I-5 is the Mexican border and the town of Tijuana (or TJ to friends). Once considered simply a place for curio shopping and casual dining (as well as gambling), Tijuana is now regarded as a viable vacation destination. Part of its notoriety is due to the increasing partnership between Mexico and the USA in promoting their tourist attractions. An example of this partnership is the Fox Studio filming lot, located at the south end of Tijuana, in Rosarito Beach. The birthplace of James Cameron's Titanic (1997), the studios now include a display of the sets and technology that was used in making the film. Visitors can also wander about parts of the studio and get a bird's eye view of Fox's upcoming creations.
Tijuana also includes a number of interesting cultural and historical attractions. The Tijuana Cultural Centre has a museum, performing arts theatre and an Omnimax theatre. Paradiso Azteca (Aztec Paradise) incorporates family entertainment with ancient Mexican history. For a tour of one of the area's newest breweries, the TJ Brewery offers guided tours and has a bar on site. Tijuana also has a racetrack and sportsbook facility, although most visitors to San Diego these days prefer Southern California's new casinos, only minutes from Downtown.
Most of the downtown attractions and shopping in Tijuana are accessible by walking paths. The San Diego transit goes straight to the border, where it is possible to enter Mexico by foot. Taxis are also available for outlying attractions. However, it is advisable for tourists to ask a hotel or tourist information bureau to call a taxi, as there have been some problems with some taxi operators and crime. It is also advisable for visitors to check directions before setting out and generally go to areas that have been recommended. Travellers intending to travel south of the Tijuana area (specifically further south than the town of Ensenada) or who are planning to remain in the country more than 72 hours, must first pay a Non Immigration fee of US$17, at any Mexican consulate (San Diego has a consulate office). Passports and US visas must be carried, even if one is only going to Tijuana for a shopping trip, as US Immigration will need to see them when re-entering the USA. Security precautions recently have been tightened at all US borders, which means that travellers should be prepared for extra long waits when re-entering the country and to show their purchases and receipts to the customs officials. Equally important, when driving a vehicle over the border, visitors should remember that most US insurance policies do not cover driving in Mexico. Insurance can be purchased from roadside vendors on the US side of the border, prior to entering Mexico.
Further information can be obtained from Tijuana Convention & Visitors Bureau's website www.tijuanaonline.org
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San Diego International Airport
