Civilian Communities
San Diego and its surrounding communities, some of which are in Orange County, date back to the nomadic Indian tribes that once inhabited the area. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese navigator hired by Spain, explored the coast of California and in 1542, sailed into the harbor of what is now San Diego.

Not until Father Junipero Serra began his first mission, San Diego de Alcala, did the Spanish first begin to take hold of the locality. The original site of the mission is present-day Presidio Park, but with a lack of water and poor soil, the site was later moved five miles east. Father Serra went on to form more missions up the Southern California coast, but it must be remembered that he started in San Diego.

In 1812, California underwent a change when Mexico finally gained its independence from Spain.

San Diego was still regarded as an agricultural center rather than an aspiring city such as Los Angeles, located 100 miles to the north. Not until 1850, when the United States finally gained control of California, did both the cities of San Diego and Los Angeles become incorporated.

Coastal Areas
Downtown San Diego
San Diego's revitalized central city offers a mix of historic preservation, lively nightlife and fabulous restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter, as well as state-of-the-art architecture of the Horton Plaza, a dramatic 6.5 block shopping and entertainment complex in the heart of downtown.

At the foot of Fifth Avenue you will find San Diego's Convention Center.

Mission Bay
Mission Bay is a 4,600-acre aquatic park dedicated to those who appreciate leisure time near the water. There is an inexhaustible array of activities to enjoy including swimming, boating, jet-skiing, power boating, fishing or sailing. The 17 miles of coastline is also popular for walking, swimming, kite flying, bicycling and picnicking.

Also located within Mission Bay are Sea World San Diego, Fiesta Island and Belmont Park.

Coronado
Enjoy the charm of Coronado by taking the ferry boat from the B Street Pier to the Coronado Ferry Landing or drive over the beautiful Coronado Bay Bridge to the Hotel Del Coronado or down the Silver Strand. Relax at one of the fine resorts, hotels or picturesque B & Bs. Dine at your choice of close to 100 restaurants. Take home a souvenir from more than 200 unique shops, boutiques and galleries.

Watch the sun set over the Pacific from choice spots along the beautiful water. Call the Visitor Center at (619) 437-8788 or visit www.coronadovisitors.com.

La Jolla
The seaside village of La Jolla is very popular among travelers for its spectacular oceanfront setting, first-rate lodgings and fine dining at some of the best restaurants in the region.

Del Mar
Del Mar means "by the sea." The main attraction for visitors is the beach and sunny weather, the annual San Diego County Fair (formally Del Mar Fair) and the well-known Del Mar Racetrack.

Torrey Pines
The Torrey Pines is one of North America's rarest pines. Only two native stands exist, one in coastal San Diego, Calif., and the other on Santa Rosa Island near Santa Barbara, Calif. The Torrey Pines State Reserve features high broken cliffs and deep ravines on headlands overlooking the ocean. Hikers can follow trails through stands of wind-sculpted pines down to the beach. Guided tours are available starting at the visitors center (The Lodge), call (858) 755-2063 for times and other information.

Carlsbad
Where else would you find a seaside community that is small enough to hold village charm, yet large enough to be a premiere business environment? Carlsbad is a community with near perfect weather and two world-class resorts. It is a city that supports economic development yet sets aside 40 percent of its land for open space.

Carlsbad has attracted an international theme park, LEGOLAND California, and has become the golf capital of the world. Two freeways, a commuter train, bus service and the busiest single-runway airport in the nation serve the community. Carlsbad has two first-class public libraries, full-service police and fire services, a park and recreation department, and high quality schools. Carlsbad has miles of beaches, a wide variety of housing options and shopping including Plaza Camino Real (a regional mall), North County Plaza, specialty, outlet and antique stores. Local attractions (in addition to LEGOLAND California) include the Carlsbad Village Fair, the largest one-day street fair in the nation (held the first Sunday of May and November).

Carlsbad is also home to the famous Flower Fields, La Costa Resort & Spa, Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Carlsbad Triathlon, Anderson Consulting Golf Championships and the Toshiba Tennis Classic.

For more information on Carlsbad, please call the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce at (760) 931-8400 or check out the Web site at www.carlsbad.org.

Oceanside
Very close to Camp Pendleton, Oceanside is situated on three miles of sandy beaches and is an ideal mix of urban and rural environments, blessed with almost perfect, year-round weather. Three major highways, Interstate 5 and Highways 76 and 78, provide easy access to and from Oceanside. The city is also served by Amtrak and Greyhound bus lines. Local commuter and private aircraft use the Oceanside Municipal Airport. Palomar Airport in nearby Carlsbad is a general aviation facility, offering both private and commercial air travel.

Oceanside's weather, being much like the rest of the San Diego coastal area, offers the perfect climate for the outdoor enthusiast. Residents have access to numerous golf courses, parks, tennis courts and biking trails as well as facilities for volleyball, basketball and softball.

For those who just want to relax, Oceanside Harbor and Harbor Beach are the ideal spots for an afternoon stroll or picnic. Oceanside Harbor, a man-made facility, is one of the best in Southern California and considered to be one of the most beautiful. For shopping, Cape Cod Village provides many unique shops and restaurants. Residents of Oceanside may attend schools in the Oceanside Unified School District, Vista Unified School District, Bonsall Union School District, or Carlsbad Unified School District, depending on their actual address. Oceanside schools provide free bus transportation for students in grades K-8, and instrumental music programs in grades four through 12.

The Oceanside Unified School District has two comprehensive high schools, El Camino High School and Oceanside High School. High school students are also served by Ocean Shores Continuation High School and Clair Burgener Academy. OUSD has sixteen K-5 elementary schools. A new elementary school, Foussat Elementary, opened in the fall of 2007.

There are several charter schools in Oceanside, including the School of Business and Technology for high school students.

For additional information about Oceanside schools, including attendance boundaries, calendars, bus schedules and lunch menus, see the Oceanside Unified School District Web site at http://www.oside.k12.ca.us.

Health care for Oceanside is provided by Tri- City Hospital located in Oceanside. Several medical, dental and professional health-care complexes also surround the hospital. For more detailed information, call the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce at (760) 722-1534.

Two commuter trains, the Coaster that travels between Oceanside and San Diego and the Metrolink, which travels between Oceanside and Los Angeles, also serve Oceanside.

The Oceanside Visitors Information Center is located at the Coast Highway exit adjacent to the I-5, Highway 76 intersection. Volunteers assist travelers, offer assistance with directions, information, hotel reservations and discount tickets for San Diego attractions.

Oceanside Harbor is a mecca for sport fishing, whale watching, boating and other water-oriented activities. The marina inside the harbor has slips ranging in length from 25 to 51 feet. Transient moorings and limited RV beach camping are available.

Mission San Luis Rey is a national historic landmark and the largest in a chain of Californian missions established by the early Spanish missionaries. This magnificent structure, known as the "King of Missions," shelters a museum, gift shop and conference center.

Situated a few steps from the shore of Buena Vista Lagoon, the Audubon Nature Center offers a variety of natural history experiences. Walk along a shore trail amid native plants to see views of the lagoon and its bird life. You'll see surfers "catching the waves" as you stroll the longest wooden over-water pier on the Pacific Coast. The Oceanside Pier has a bait and gift shop and you can dine at the restaurant at the end as you watch a Catalina sunset.

Other Oceanside attractions include the Oceanside Sea Center, Heritage Park Village and California Surf Museum.

San Clemente
San Clemente is located at the northwest corner of Camp Pendleton, on Highway 101 between Los Angeles and San Diego in Orange County.

There are numerous shops and unique restaurants and you won't want to miss San Clemente's historic pier. San Clemente offers 16 city parks/ball fields, five miles of public beaches, fishing, tennis and golfing. There are three public golf courses: San Clemente Municipal Golf Course, Shorecliffs Golf Course and Talega Golf Club.

The city hosts the "San Clemente Ocean Festival" on the third weekend in July. The city's Chamber of Commerce produces the annual "Fiesta Street Festival" and "5k Run/Walk/Stride." The Chamber also hosts the "San Clemente Seafest" on the second Sunday in October and the "Taste of San Clemente" on the first Friday in November. Thousands of visitors attend each year to watch and participate in local events.

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, the historic Spanish Colonial Revival estate of San Clemente founder, Ole Hanson, is a stunning setting to explore the history, architecture, ecology and culture of Southern California. The non-profit organization offers a wide range of artistic and educational programs, while collaborating with organizations like the Orange County Library, the San Clemente Historical Society and the Boys & Girls Clubs. www.casaromantica.org.

San Clemente has six elementary schools, three middle schools, one high school as well as numerous adult education centers. The San Clemente Hospital and Medical Center serves the community. For more information, call the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce at (949) 492-1131 or visit www.scchamber.com.

San Juan Capistrano
Nestled in a coastal valley, San Juan Capistrano is a beautiful historic town that maintains the old flavor of early California. The old mission is aptly named the "Jewel of the Missions" and provides a lovely and educational adventure for a day.

Quaint shops and unique restaurants surround the mission to serve you, whatever your heart desires. For additional information, call the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce at (949) 493-4700.

Inland Area Communities
North County
Bordered on the west by the uncrowded beaches of the Pacific and on the east by the magnificent Laguna Mountains and Anza Borrego Desert, the seven incorporated North County cities comprise one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

Escondido
Escondido lies about 18 miles inland, 100 miles south of Los Angeles and 30 miles northeast of San Diego.

Escondido is the hub of Inland North San Diego County, which is emerging as a regional economic leader, in the forefront of job development and new industries. Escondido has one of the lowest crime rates of any city its size with a population of 128,000. It features the $81- million Californian Center for the Arts, Escondido. For more information, call (619) 745-2125.

San Marcos
San Marcos is located in an ideal location in the heart of North San Diego County. It is situated between the state's two largest cities, Los Angeles, 90 miles to the north and San Diego, 30 miles to the south.

Climate is a major contributor to the attractive quality of life in San Marcos. Generally characterized by mild winters, plenty of sunshine and little rainfall, the average temperature ranges from a high of 77 degrees and a low of 47 degrees. Inland, the terrain is made up of rolling hills and deep canyons. Fortunately, San Marcos enjoys being in the direct path of an ocean breeze, making it cooler than neighboring Escondido, located only four miles to the east.

San Marcos features a resort climate without a "tourist" atmosphere, offering a host of popular attractions all within close proximity. San Marcos is enviably situated 10 minutes from many clean Pacific beaches, 20 minutes from the famous Del Mar Racetrack, a 35-minute drive from Sea World and Mission Bay, a halfhour tour from San Jacinto Mountains and 90 minutes from the rugged Anza Borrego Desert.

Other nearby attractions include the Mission San Luis Rey, Palomar Mountain Observatory with its world-renowned Hale Telescope and the San Diego Wild Animal Park (where many rare species roam free in their natural habitat). San Marcos has become well known for the variety and quality of its restaurants. Greek, Japanese, Chinese, Italian and Mexican are all favorites in addition to fresh seafood, steak and continental cuisine. The historic Restaurant Row is on San Marcos Boulevard.

Unlike some resort-type communities, San Marcos doesn't have an "in season" or "off season." Instead, the year-round mild weather and excellent location make it a favorite for those seeking sport-related recreational activities in summer and winter.

For more information, call the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce at (760) 744-1270 or visit www.san-marcos.org.

Vista
Vista rests seven miles inland from the ocean and is a short 15-minute drive from Oceanside. Located in the heart of Highway 78, midway between Oceanside and Escondido, it benefits from cool breezes in the summer and is far enough away from the water to escape the coastal fog.

Keeping up with the rest of the fast-growing North County cities, Vista has a number of retail stores. Vista boasts a high-growth reputation of its own; rising from 19,700 residents back in 1965 to its present population of over 80,000 residents.

For recreation, Vista has two private golf courses, the WAVE Waterpark, Moonlight Amphitheater and AVO Playhouse, as well as many historical buildings and museums to visit. The Holiday Parade is always a highlight. Vista is served by Tri-City Hospital in Oceanside and is home to National University, North County campus. Nearby are Mira Costa College in Oceanside and Palomar College in San Marcos, both community colleges.

In the Vista Unified School District, there are 14 elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools. Vista has a special Education High School, Vista Home Education and a Charter School. The city has an industrial park that boasts more than 5,000 high-tech businesses. For more information, call the Vista Chamber of Commerce at (760) 726-1122.

Fallbrook
Fallbrook is located on the eastern boundary of Camp Pendleton and the Naval Ordnance Station. From Camp Pendleton it is reached via Ammunition Road and is 15 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. Fallbrook elementary schools are located on and near Camp Pendleton.

Fallbrook is the Avocado Capital of the World. Its rural community of 38,000 encompasses 127 square miles and offers a wide range of housing options, a 540-acre high school campus with excellent academic and extra-curricular programs including the 2000 CIF Division I champion football team, six elementary schools, a junior high and community hospital. The town boasts a healthy retail and service business base supplemented by six shopping centers in Fallbrook and neighboring Bonsall. The main street typifies the charm of a small town with many of its shops, galleries and restaurants housed in buildings dating to the late 1800s.

The Avocado Festival in April, Hot Summer Nights from May through September and the nighttime Christmas Parade are but three annual highlights. Live theater, symphony performances, museums and a thriving arts colony nestled in acres of groves and flowers make Fallbrook the perfect place to live. For families who go back generations or those who have just arrived, Fallbrook easily becomes home for the people who live here. For more details, call the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce at (760) 728-5845 or www.fallbrookca.org.

Poway
A family-oriented community, Poway, known as "The City in the Country," is conveniently located in the center of San Diego County. Visit Lake Poway for fishing or a picnic in the park. Take a nature walk at the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, which also offers a free guided wildlife/plant walk. Visit www.poway.com for more information.

East County
San Diego's East County is rich with historical museums, parks, lakes, mountains and much more. Many communities make up the east county such as El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and Alpine.

El Cajon
Located 15 minutes east of San Diego, El Cajon (means "the box" in Spanish) is completely surrounded by mountains. One attraction to enjoy is the Cajon Speedway, a paved 3/8 mile oval NASCAR track offering weekly racing events. For more information, visit www.cajonspeedway.com. Another attraction is the San Diego Aerospace Museum's annex at Gillespie Field. The annex provides an important restoration and replica reproduction program for the Museum and has many displays available for viewing. For more information, visit www.aerospacemuseum.org.

Lakeside
One of San Diego County's original western towns, Lakeside is a proud community with a rural atmosphere and a sense of hometown traditions. Located about 25 miles east of downtown San Diego and only minutes from the mountains and deserts, Lakeside is known for its annual Western Days Parade and Lakeside Rodeo. For more information, visit www.lakesideca.com.

Points of Interest
Balboa Park
Located in the heart of San Diego, Balboa Park is situated on more than 1,200 acres. The cultural heartland of the city, Balboa Park boasts lush greenery, old-world architecture and street performers. It is also home to the world famous San Diego Zoo, thirteen museums, art galleries, the Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center, the Tony Award-winning Old Globe Theater, one of the nation's largest outdoor organ pavilions, and the California Tower with a working 100-bell carillon. For more information, call (619) 239-0512.

Old Town State Park
Located in San Diego, Old Town State Park marks the site of the first European settlement on the West Coast. Old Town is devoted to the preservation of life in early San Diego and is popular with shoppers and tourists. Nestled below Presidio Park, enjoy walking along the streets flavored with an authentic Mexican atmosphere.

Bazaar Del Mundo is considered the center of Old Town and access to all tours, shops and restaurants is an easy walk from there. For more information, call (619) 220-5422.

Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego's downtown has undergone a major resurgence in the past decade and nowhere is it more evident than in the Gaslamp Quarter district. Located in the heart of the city, the Gaslamp Quarter has become the hub of cultural activities. Covering 17 full blocks, the Gaslamp Quarter has a predominately Victorian feel among the skyscrapers surrounding the district. With more than 60 fine dining establishments, galleries, clubs and music ranging from Jazz to Country and Western, this locality promises quality time in a quality setting.

Cabrillo National Monument
This site commemorates European explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's arrival on the Californian coast. Located on the tip of Point Loma, the monument provides visitors with a spectacular and complete view of San Diego. Three months out of the year, the site is an observation point for visitors who come to watch whale migration off the coast. The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is another attraction. Call (619) 557-5450 for more information.

Embarcadero/Harbor Drive
This bay-front area downtown features Seaport Village, wide sidewalks and a lovely harbor. The Star of India is also docked here.

Belmont Park
3146 Mission Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92109
This beachfront amusement park features shops, dining, a swimming pool (The Plunge), historic wooden roller coaster (The Giant Dipper), and other amusement rides. Visit http://www.belmontpark.com.

Seal Beach at La Jolla Cove
850 Coast Blvd.
La Jolla, CA 92037
Here, wild seals congregate without fear of human harassment. People are allowed to mingle freely on this beach as long as they don't bother the seals. This area provides an excellent opportunity to take close-up shots of wild seals.

Quail Botanical Gardens
230 Quail Gardens Drive
Encinitas, CA 92024
Unique plants from all over the world thrive on these 30 lush acres in northern San Diego County. Log on to http://www.qbgardens.com for more information.

Birch Aquarium
2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla, CA 92093
(858) 534-FISH
Marine life from around the world is displayed in more than 30 aquariums and interactive displays, an education center and a manmade tide pool.

Theme Parks
San Diego Zoo
Located within the borders of Balboa Park, the 100-acre San Diego Zoo is a major international attraction. With more than 4,000 animals, including 800 species of rare or endangered animals and 6,500 varieties of exotic plants, the zoo is a must see for young and old alike. The zoo has expanded over the years and includes such attractions as Tiger River, botanical garden exhibits, reptile house, and a special zoo for children. For more information, call (619) 231-1515.

San Diego Wild Animal Park
This park, a companion facility to the San Diego Zoo, boasts a natural habitat to wildlife and endangered species from every corner of the planet. The 2,000-acre wildlife preserve features more than 3,000 free-roaming animals that live in enclosures that simulate their natural habitat. These animals can best be observed by taking the tram tour.

Sea World
Home of the lovable killer whale Shamu, Sea World is both a marine-life park and an amusement park. Located in Mission Bay, Sea World features many exhibits ranging from the Penguin Encounter to one of the largest collections of sharks in the world. The summer is also a great time to watch the firework shows. For more information, call (619) 226-3901.

LEGOLAND California
Located in nearby Carlsbad, LEGOLAND offers great amusement rides, astonishingly accurate LEGO® brick models, lively music and a chance to let your imagination run free. Call (760) 918-5346 for more details.

Knott's Soak City U.S.A.
Knott's Soak City U.S.A. is San Diego County's wildest water adventure park. Thirty-two water-logged acres are packed with 22 of the most intense water rides imaginable. Call (619) 661-7373 for hours.

Sporting and Special Event Venues
QUALCOMM Stadium
Located in Mission Valley, this stadium was opened in 1967 as the San Diego Stadium. It was renamed after the late sports editor, Jack Murphy in 1980, and then renamed again in 1997 for its commercial sponsor, QUALCOMM. It is home of the San Diego Chargers and is host to many internationally watched events. For event information, go to: www.sandiego.gov/qualcomm/event or Chargers football at www.chargers.com.

PETCO Park
PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres, is spectacular in every way, combining the best sight lines in baseball with breathtaking views of San Diego. Architecturally magnificent, it celebrates the sea, the sky, the natural beauty, cultural diversity and unique spirit of the region. Innovative design features evoke the timeless traditions of baseball in an intimate setting, with state-of-theart fan amenities to suit every taste and budget.

Call (858) 495-1170 for more information or visit online at http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/sd/ball park/index.jsp.

Cox Arena
Located on the San Diego State University (SDSU) campus, this 12,414 seat arena is an exciting venue for sporting events, stage shows, concerts, family entertainment, exhibitions and conferences. Guests enjoy a facility with impeccable acoustics and sight lines, making every seat in the house a great seat. Call (619) 594-0234.

Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre, in Chula Vista, Calif., is the area's first major concert facility designed specifically for music. Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre is an outdoor performing arts theatre with reserved seating for about 10,000. The attractively landscaped lawn outside the theatre also provides an additional seating for 10,000 guests for a very memorable event. Call (619) 671-3600 for information.

San Diego Convention Center
The rejuvenation jewel of the downtown area, this 560,000 square-foot facility overlooks San Diego Bay and is the host to numerous events that are open to the public. It is the site from everything from Star Trek conventions to international auto shows.

Del Mar Fairgrounds
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
Del Mar, CA 92014
This arena offers thoroughbred horse racing in the summer and the annual San Diego Fair. Call (858) 793-5555.

Ipayone Center at the Sports Arena
The Ipayone Center at the Sports Arena, more commonly referred to as the San Diego Sports Arena, has been recently improved to position itself as one of the top regional facilities, providing premium entertainment to over 600,000 people each year. As the ideal multi-purpose venue within the area, the Sports Arena is centrally located so that all San Diego County residents and Southern California audiences can enjoy the best concerts, sporting events, family shows and other special events. San Diego's largest outdoor market, Kobe's Swap Meet, is held in the Center's parking lot regularly, adding to the long line of reasons to visit the Sports Arena sometime soon. For more news, ticket information, or a list of calendar events, please visit www.sandiegoarena.com.

Art and Special Interest Museums
Ranging from the eclectic to the sublime, the San Diego area's array of museums is filled with wonders appealing to just about any taste of art, machinery, sports, classic cars, scientific discovery, or whatever interests you. Many of the area's most popular museums are clustered in Balboa Park within walking distance of each other, while others are tucked in outlying communities.

Children's Discovery Museum
200 W. Island Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 233-KIDS
Ideally situated in an old electronics warehouse, this museum provides thought-provoking activities for families. Ongoing exhibits include an improvisational theater area, art studio and virtual-reality basketball.

Museum of Contemporary Art
1001 Kettner Blvd. at Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 234-1001 or
700 Prospect St.
La Jolla, CA 92122
(858) 454-3541
This internationally known collection of contemporary art in all media is located at two sites.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
1875 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 238-1233
Interactive displays round out offerings in the science center, which also includes a planetarium and IMAX movie theater.

San Diego Aerospace Museum
2001 Pan American Plaza
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 234-8291
Vintage aircraft, spacecraft and aviation memorabilia illustrate the history of flight and space exploration.

San Diego Automotive Museum
Balboa Park
2030 Pan American Plaza
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 231-AUTO
The "horseless carriages" keep good company with other rare vehicles.

San Diego Natural History Museum
Balboa Park
1788 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-3821
The museum features world-renowned collections in botany, entomology, herpetology, marine biology, ornithology, mammalogy and paleontology.

San Diego Historical Society
Balboa Park
1649 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-6203
This museum contains displays relating to local history from 1850 to the present day.

San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Balboa Park
1649 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 696-0199
The world's largest operating model railroad exhibit includes four scale model layouts depicting railroads of the Southwest, a toy train gallery and more exhibits.

San Diego Museum of Art
Balboa Park
1450 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-7931
The largest art museum in San Diego County, this venue contains more than 10,000 art objects.

San Diego Museum of Man
Balboa Park
1350 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-2001
San Diego's only anthropological museum is also one of the nation's great collections of artifacts, folk art and archaeological finds. These treasures help to unfold stories of the past, including hunters creating the first spears and arrows, potters molding fragile ceramic vessels, weavers patterning vibrantly colored textiles and artisans blending forms and symbols.

Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum
2040 N. Santa Fe Ave.
Vista, CA 92083
(760) 941-1791
Historic gas-, steam- and horse-powered equipment used in farming, lumbering, mining and construction are actually in use on this living history site, complete with a blacksmith shop, sawmill and farmhouse.

Distant Destinations
Los Angeles
A couple of hours drive north is the metropolitan area of Los Angeles. Enjoy theme parks such as Disneyland, Magic Mountain and Universal Studios. Go see the stars in Hollywood and stroll down The Walk of Fame at Hollywood Boulevard.

Catalina Island
One hour by boat or 15 minutes by helicopter, Catalina Island lies only 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. There are many activities to enjoy, such as bicycling, boating, fishing, golf, hiking, kayaking parasailing, sailing, scuba diving/snorkeling and camping. Or take a stroll down Avalon for shopping or relax at the beach. Tours of the island are also available. Visit www.catalina.com for more information.

Temecula
Nestled between lush rolling hills with a climate of ocean-swept air, Temecula's natural splendor hosts a rich history, beautiful vineyards, resorts and casinos, recreation and a choice of entertaining activities.

Temecula is a picturesque wine country featuring over 15 award-winning wineries. Take in a round of golf at one of Temecula Valley's seven championship golf courses, go hiking, or spend a day of fishing at the lakes. Soar above the lush green vineyards in an early morning hot air balloon ride and see what makes the Temecula countryside so unique. Stop off at one of one of the exciting entertainment casinos (must be 21 to play games of chance) for shows and sporting events. Be sure to experience the flavors of dishes created from top chefs at one of the many fine-dining restaurants. Visit www.temecula.org for more information.

Mexico
Just 17 miles south of San Diego is the border with Mexico. For those who love to shop and are somewhat proficient at bartering, Mexico is the place to visit. Tijuana is the Mexican border town and offers an abundance of outdoor shops, Sunday bullfighting and horse racing.

Just south of Tijuana lie the coastal towns of Rosarito and Ensenada, which offer great fishing opportunities, shopping and beautiful beaches. Go to www.visitmexico.com for more information.

Desert Areas
There are many desert areas to the East of San Diego, including the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where you can enjoy hiking, bike riding, 4 X 4 routes, wildlife viewing and horseback riding. Or simply take a drive around during the Spring to see the desert wild flowers. These desert perennials often survive by remaining dormant during dry periods of the year, then spring into bloom when water becomes available creating some spectatular views. Visit www.anzaborrego.statepark.org for park information, or access www.desertusa.com for other desert information.