July 1997
Volume 61 |
Number 7
|
| |
|
| San Diego - A
City of Many Regions |
The April 1997 NEWSLETTER article "Events
That Shaped a City of Mystique - San Diego" provided
a brief historical synopsis of the thriving city of San Diego.
ASA is proud to have San Diego as its host for this year's Annual
Meeting on October 18-22, 1997.
With a great location and a vast amount of attractions and fine
dining, San Diego is an ideal place to visit. Starting downtown
and visiting regions to the North, South, East and West, tourists
are sure to find a plethora of events to keep them entertained.
The Center of Commerce
When Alonzo Horton bought close to 1,000 acres of land along
the harbor of what is now downtown San Diego, who would have imagined
that it would grow to become San Diego's center of commerce. Today,
residents and tourists can enjoy anything from the beautiful neighborhoods
to the restaurants, shops and attractions that encompass this
territory. One unique area that draws many visitors is the Gaslamp
Quarter District. Located in this 16-block district is the Horton
Plaza, which is home to more than 140 shops and restaurants. The
Horton Plaza and the San Diego Convention Center help to keep
this area of San Diego bustling with activity.
Residents and tourists can also visit the Embarcadero. This is
a great place to explore San Diego's waterfront. Visitors can
stop by the San Diego Maritime Museum, where they will find reminders
of San Diego's maritime past such as a steam ferry, or they can
observe part of the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet. Cruisers, carriers
and other large vessels are frequent sights. Also located in this
area is Seaport Village, another way to see the waterfront and
continue one's shopping and dining excursions.
The most famous attraction within downtown San Diego is Balboa
Park. The park contains museums, art galleries and other cultural
centers to visit while touring this popular park. Located within
Balboa Park is the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. The zoo accommodates
more than 800 different species living in enclosures that resemble
their natural environments. This is the largest collection of
mammals, birds and reptiles within North America.
North County
Perhaps a stop in the northern portion of San Diego is part of
your agenda. From the San Diego Wild Animal Park, where animals
roam freely in their preserves, to the many wineries with tours
and tastings, tourists can enjoy taking in the sites that compose
northern San Diego. Some of North County's seaside communities
present many of the charms for which this county is known: shopping,
golf, resorts and fine dining. What better way to finish a day
in this region than to take a stroll along the beaches that stretch
the entire length of this county or embark on a hot-air balloon
ride.
South Bay
South Bay holds the Naval Station San Diego, which is home to
the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Some 40 ships visit this busy base every
day. Also in South Bay is the city of Chula Vista. This is the
site of one of the few salt marsh habitats still remaining today.
This is also where the ARCO Training Center is located, the United
States' first warm-weather, year-round, multi-sport Olympic training
complex.
The East
The eastern portion of San Diego offers a unique perspective
to this booming metropolis. With mountain peaks rising more than
6,000 feet, hiking, camping and fishing may be the route you wish
to take while enjoying your visit. There are also many golf courses,
Indian reservations, a large national forest and state parks.
The largest park in the nation is located in this area. Anzo-Borrego
Desert State Park encompasses more than a half million acres of
desert life to capture visitors' viewing pleasures. Also located
within this mountain region is the Mission Trails Regional Park,
where visitors can do anything from biking to picnicking on the
5,800 acres the park has to offer.
La Jolla
Another territory that visitors often go to is La Jolla. Not
only is La Jolla noted for the caves within its cliffs, but it
is just as famous for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
The Institution houses the Stephen Birch Aquarium-Museum, which
overlooks the ocean and offers a view of undersea creatures and
educational exhibits.
La Jolla Shores and La Jolla Cove present beach and water enthusiasts
a place to spend the day and enjoy the wonderful weather in San
Diego. However, if you have had enough sun, La Jolla's Prospect
Street is the place to go. With its many shops and boutiques,
Prospect Street can keep visitors browsing for hours.
Coronado
Coronado has been attracting visitors for over a century. The
only access to Coronado is by a two-mile bridge or an hourly ferry.
That is because Coronado is connected to the mainland by only
a narrow stretch of sand known as the "Silver Strand."
When the famous Hotel del Coronado opened in 1888, people began
coming to Coronado to stay in this luxurious hotel, and the tradition
has continued ever since. Coronado is also occupied by the North
Island Naval Air Station. There are many shops and restaurants
to keep tourists amused while relaxing on this beautiful stretch
of land.
The West
Western San Diego offers many different areas to visit. Starting
with a stop at Old Town, tourists can observe the way San Diego
began. In Old Town State Historic Park, the original settlement
of San Diego still stands and visitors can see the many changes
that have taken place over the years. This region is also home
to Mission Valley, where visitors can shop, eat or see the missions
that remain today.
There is also Mission Bay. This is home to the ever-famous Sea
World, where many killer whales, dolphins and penguins live. Within
Mission Bay is Mission Bay Park, the largest aquatic playground
of its kind in the world. Besides this large water park, Mission
Bay occupies 27 miles of bayfront land and 17 miles of oceanfront
beaches. This is a great place to relax and enjoy beautiful San
Diego.
Finally, Point Loma gives visitors a place to view all of San
Diego Bay, Shelter and Harbor Islands, Coronado, the Embarcadero
and downtown. Shelter Island, San Diego's center for yachting,
and Harbor Island, the location where Sebastian Vizcaino landed
in 1602 and gave this area its present name, also occupy the western
portion of San Diego.
With so many areas to visit, San Diego is a great location for
the 1997 ASA Annual Meeting. Remember to review this year's social
activity program, which gives a listing of many activities scheduled
at the Annual Meeting. The program booklet was included with the
ASA Annual Meeting registration materials mailed in June.
return to top
|