Columbus Cruise Review

Home > Cruise Destination Guide > San Diego

Time Zone: GMT - 8. Daylight Saving Time is observed.

Currency: US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents.

Language: English.

Sightseeing: America’s sixth-largest city is where California’s history began. The local climate approaches perfection, but there is more to the city than sun and sand. It is a place of character, rich in art and culture. Central San Diego is a vibrant collection of neighbourhoods, restaurants, shops and attractions stretching from the Bay to the Uptown district, including the residential areas of Hillcrest and Golden Hill. The original centre of commerce here was Old Town (the birthplace of California), but by the turn of the century, New Town, founded by the New Englander, Alonzo Horton, had taken its place. The Gaslamp Quarter is the city’s historic district, a 16-block area of shops, galleries, coffee houses, theatre spaces and dozens of restaurants. It can be explored by horse-drawn carriage, a Ford Model T or on foot with an audio walking tour from the Gaslamp Quarter Foundation. The San Diego Maritime Museum, anchored along Harbour Drive, is a good place to begin an exploration of the waterfront. Here, visitors can look at the Star of India (a century-old windjammer), the steam ferry Berkeley, and the luxury yacht Medea. The city’s maritime past is further commemorated in Seaport Village, a 14-acre waterfront shopping and dining complex, which brings to mind the days when cargo ships would embark on the perilous journey from New England, rounding Cape Horn before reaching California. Balboa Park is another reminder of the founders’ civic vision – it covers 1200 acres and contains some fantastic architecture, including 14 museums, art galleries, the Reuben H Fleet Space Theater and Science Center, the Simon Edison Center for the Performing Arts, the San Diego Junior Theater, Starlight Bowl, sports facilities and the California Tower with its working 100-bell carillon. The Park also houses the world-famous San Diego Zoo, which features 800 different species. The entire zoo is designed as a 100-acre tropical garden that can be visited on foot or on a guided bus tour.

Shopping: Horton Plaza outdoor shopping centre is located in downtown. For gifts and souvenirs, Seaport Village and Old Town are worth visiting. Beachwear and surfwear is on sale along the coast at Mission and Pacific beaches. Due to the proximity of San Diego to Mexico, many Mexican souvenirs are on sale in the city.

Eating Out: As in much of Southern California, fresh seafood and Mexican food, including enchiladas and fajitas, are served. Grilled fish tacos are served in many restaurants and are highly recommended.