California - San Diego

S A N D I E G O , C A L I F O R N I A

The seventh largest city in the United States, San Diego is home to over 2.5 million people. Famed for having the best weather in the country, San Diego is located near over seventy miles of beautiful beach. Boasting one of the best zoos in the world, and numerous museums, and attractions, San Diego is a tourist's dream come true.

Brief History

The Yuman and Shoshonean groups are the first known inhabitants of the San Diego region. They migrated to the area in about 1200 A.D. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was the first European to sail into San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542. He claimed the area for Spain, and named it San Miguel. At this time the native population included several tribes and numbered about 20,000. In November of 1602, Sebastian Vizcaino arrives with his flagship the "San Diego" and maps the area as far north as Oregon, giving names to various areas that we still use today. He also renamed the area not for his flag ship, but for the Catholic saint San Diego de Alcala. In 1768, the Spanish realized that with Russian colonization infringing on areas of what was then known as Alta California, that they had reason to protect their interests. Additionally, they wanted to

California

San Francisco

San Diego

Sacramento

San Jose

Los Angeles

Christianize the large native population. A mission was planned for San Diego, and five groups traveled there. By 1769, Mission San Diego de Alcala (the first European settlement on the West Coast) was officially founded on Presidio Hill -- the first of a chain of twenty-one missions to be established along the California coast. The firsts colonists arrived shortly afterwards in 1774. By 1830, the population of San Diego had swelled to more than 600 residents, making it one of the largest mission towns in California. In 1850, the city of San Diego was incorporated, and in 1851 the famed San Diego Herald published its first edition. By 1887, San Diego was flourishing with a population of over 40,000. Bear Valley Dam was constructed in 1895 to provide the continually growing city with fresh water. In 1919, the United States Navy (after establishing several bases near San Diego through the years) decided to make San Diego the home of the entire Pacific Fleet. San Diego continued to grow through World War II, and experienced massive economic and population growth during those years. Since then, San Diego has been home to many events (like the World Cup yachting race), and continues to grow due to its many attractions, and wonderful economy.

Major Attractions

The San Diego Zoo

This world famous zoo and botanical garden is often regarded as the best in the nation. With over 4,000 animals, and 6,500 species of plants, the zoo is a comfortable and relaxing place to spend a day learning about our world. The most popular exhibit at the zoo is the pandas. These pandas are the only mating pair of giant pandas in the United States. As you travel around the zoo you will enjoy watching hippos swim while monkeys hang out in the trees in the Ituri Forest Exhibit, or take a moment to notice some of the zoo's flora - which is often more rare than the animals. Other popular exhibits include: Tiger River, Gorilla Tropics, the Scripps Aviary, Sun Bear Forest, and Polar Bear Plunge.

Balboa Park

You haven't seen a large park until you've seen this one! Sometimes called the "Smithsonian of the West", this area represents the largest cultural park west of the Mississippi. Among Balboa parks attractions are: wonderful architecture, eight gardens, a Tony Award winning theatre, the San Diego Zoo, and fifteen museums. The park has many features. One of the best is the Botanical Gardens. Housed in the world's largest wood structure (built in 1915) are over 2,100 rare, tropical plants. Also check out the beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden, or the Zoro Garden (which is a sunken butterfly garden). If you're in the mood for a play, try the Olde Globe Theatre, which (in 1984) took a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. If you enjoy puppet show, try the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre. Or maybe you like the sweet crescendo of a pipe organ. If so, you're in luck. Balboa Park is home to Spreckles Organ Pavilion, home to one of the world's largest outdoor pipe organs. You should budget at least a day to see everything this superb park has to offer!

Sea World

Do you love dolphins? Have you ever wanted to feed a killer whale? Then Sea World is the place for you. Featuring five marine shows: Pirates 4-D, The Sea Lion and Otter Show, Shamu, the Dolphin Show, and Pet's Playhouse, Sea World also offers you the opportunity to see the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales perform. If you're in the mood to take an exciting ride, the price of admission includes two hair raising adventure rides: Shipwreck Rapids, and Wild Arctic. You can even reserve seating at Shamu's private buffet - which is a picnic area surrounding her pool. The killer whale's trainers actually act as your hosts! With over a dozen wild animal exhibits speckling the park, from flamingos to manatees, Sea World has it all!

Sports Teams

The San Diego Padres

Major League Baseball's Padres have been playing the game since 1969. They've won three Division titles and two National League pennants, most recently in 1998. They've been on the upswing and certainly good things will be seen from them in their new ballpark, the PETCO Park, construction on which was completed in 2004. Get Padres Tickets to see all of the action.

The San Diego Chargers

The Chargers made their first Super Bowl appearance in 1995 after a history of near misses. They were founded in 1960 as the Los Angeles Chargers by hotel entrepreneur Barron Hilton and moved to San Diego the following year. They play their best at home, in the Qualcomm Stadium.



			S A N D I E G O , C A L I F O R N I A The seventh largest city in the United States, San Diego is home to over 2.5 million people. Famed for having the best weather in the country, San Diego is located near over seventy miles of beautiful beach. Boasting one of the best zoos in the world, and numerous museums, and attractions, San Diego is a tourist's dream come true. Brief History The Yuman and Shoshonean groups are the first known inhabitants of the San Diego region. They migrated to the area in about 1200 A.D. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was the first European to sail into San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542. He claimed the area for Spain, and named it San Miguel. At this time the native population included several tribes and numbered about 20,000. In November of 1602, Sebastian Vizcaino arrives with his flagship the "San Diego" and maps the area as far north as Oregon, giving names to various areas that we still use today. He also renamed the area not for his flag ship, but for the Catholic saint San Diego de Alcala. In 1768, the Spanish realized that with Russian colonization infringing on areas of what was then known as Alta California, that they had reason to protect their interests. Additionally, they wanted to
California San Francisco San Diego Sacramento San Jose Los Angeles
			Christianize the large native population. A mission was planned for San Diego, and five groups traveled there. By 1769, Mission San Diego de Alcala (the first European settlement on the West Coast) was officially founded on Presidio Hill -- the first of a chain of twenty-one missions to be established along the California coast. The firsts colonists arrived shortly afterwards in 1774. By 1830, the population of San Diego had swelled to more than 600 residents, making it one of the largest mission towns in California. In 1850, the city of San Diego was incorporated, and in 1851 the famed San Diego Herald published its first edition. By 1887, San Diego was flourishing with a population of over 40,000. Bear Valley Dam was constructed in 1895 to provide the continually growing city with fresh water. In 1919, the United States Navy (after establishing several bases near San Diego through the years) decided to make San Diego the home of the entire Pacific Fleet. San Diego continued to grow through World War II, and experienced massive economic and population growth during those years. Since then, San Diego has been home to many events (like the World Cup yachting race), and continues to grow due to its many attractions, and wonderful economy. Major Attractions The San Diego Zoo This world famous zoo and botanical garden is often regarded as the best in the nation. With over 4,000 animals, and 6,500 species of plants, the zoo is a comfortable and relaxing place to spend a day learning about our world. The most popular exhibit at the zoo is the pandas. These pandas are the only mating pair of giant pandas in the United States. As you travel around the zoo you will enjoy watching hippos swim while monkeys hang out in the trees in the Ituri Forest Exhibit, or take a moment to notice some of the zoo's flora - which is often more rare than the animals. Other popular exhibits include: Tiger River, Gorilla Tropics, the Scripps Aviary, Sun Bear Forest, and Polar Bear Plunge. Balboa Park You haven't seen a large park until you've seen this one! Sometimes called the "Smithsonian of the West", this area represents the largest cultural park west of the Mississippi. Among Balboa parks attractions are: wonderful architecture, eight gardens, a Tony Award winning theatre, the San Diego Zoo, and fifteen museums. The park has many features. One of the best is the Botanical Gardens. Housed in the world's largest wood structure (built in 1915) are over 2,100 rare, tropical plants. Also check out the beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden, or the Zoro Garden (which is a sunken butterfly garden). If you're in the mood for a play, try the Olde Globe Theatre, which (in 1984) took a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. If you enjoy puppet show, try the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre. Or maybe you like the sweet crescendo of a pipe organ. If so, you're in luck. Balboa Park is home to Spreckles Organ Pavilion, home to one of the world's largest outdoor pipe organs. You should budget at least a day to see everything this superb park has to offer! Sea World Do you love dolphins? Have you ever wanted to feed a killer whale? Then Sea World is the place for you. Featuring five marine shows: Pirates 4-D, The Sea Lion and Otter Show, Shamu, the Dolphin Show, and Pet's Playhouse, Sea World also offers you the opportunity to see the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales perform. If you're in the mood to take an exciting ride, the price of admission includes two hair raising adventure rides: Shipwreck Rapids, and Wild Arctic. You can even reserve seating at Shamu's private buffet - which is a picnic area surrounding her pool. The killer whale's trainers actually act as your hosts! With over a dozen wild animal exhibits speckling the park, from flamingos to manatees, Sea World has it all! Sports Teams The San Diego Padres Major League Baseball's Padres have been playing the game since 1969. They've won three Division titles and two National League pennants, most recently in 1998. They've been on the upswing and certainly good things will be seen from them in their new ballpark, the PETCO Park, construction on which was completed in 2004. Get Padres Tickets to see all of the action. The San Diego Chargers The Chargers made their first Super Bowl appearance in 1995 after a history of near misses. They were founded in 1960 as the Los Angeles Chargers by hotel entrepreneur Barron Hilton and moved to San Diego the following year. They play their best at home, in the Qualcomm Stadium.