A Quick Guide to San Diego (napa valley wine tours)

March 6th, 2010 admin Posted in travel |

By Arnoldo Watson

With its year-round tropical climate, San Diego, California, is one of the most popular vacation spots for tourists around the globe. From sailing and hiking to surfing and skiing, the city offers a plethora of activities. What’s more is that San Diego is a hop, skip and a jump away from Tijuana-an exciting alternative to California living.

San Diego is comprised of several communities all offering a unique personality. Deemed an official U.S. naval city, San Diego is home to thousands of military personnel. In fact, one third of the U.S. Naval Pacific Fleet is stationed in San Diego Bay. The city’s abundant access to water makes it an ideal location for our country’s seamen. San Diego is a hub for recreational sailors, too.

Seaport Village is home to several luxury yachts as well as a wide variety of charter services. Spend a day at sea whale watching or just kick back and enjoy San Diego’s beautiful coastline.

Head to what is considered North County and pay a visit to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. From mid-July to early September, the fairgrounds are converted into the legendary Del Mar Racetrack. The horseracing venue once served as a stomping ground for some of the world’s most influential entertainers such as Jimmy Durante, Ava Gardner, Pat O’Brien, and of course the legendary Seabiscuit. Another notable, Bing Crosby, not only frequented the track, but founded it in 1937.

Crosby is the voice behind the famous “Where the Turf Meets the Surf” anthem. Opening day draws massive crowds, all adorned in the finest fashions and many participating in the infamous “Big Hat Day” festivities. With plenty of grandstand boxes available, a vast amount of local eateries and private clubs, the Del Mar Racetrack is the place to see-and be-seen.

In the heart of the city you will find Mission Valley-a central haven for some of San Diego’s best shopping. The outdoor Fashion Valley Mall features designer boutiques as well as premiere department store giants including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. Just one exit away is Qualcomm Stadium, home to the San Diego Chargers.

San Diego’s downtown Gaslamp District boasts plenty of boutiques, top-notch restaurants, five-star luxury hotels, and a whole street lined with some of the city’s most popular nightclubs. A newer addition to the downtown area is the state-of-the-art San Diego Padre’s stadium, Petco Park. The Gaslamp District caters to the swarms of tourists by offering activities such as sight-seeing charter buses, pedicabs and horse-drawn carriage rides.

And with the city’s trolley system in place the perils of parking are easily avoided. Luxury hotels in San Diego include the Manchester Grand Hyatt, Hotel Solamar, Horton Grand Hotel, The Omni, The Westin Horton Plaza, The W San Diego, the Hard Rock Hotel, the Westgate Hotel, and more. Take a closer look at luxury hotels in San Diego.

Experience California’s history while strolling through Old Town San Diego. As the first European settlement in what is now California, Old Town has been dubbed the state’s birthplace. The cultural landmark- home to the first California mission showcases Spanish history through its Bazaar del Mundo. Another popular attraction is the oh-so-creepy Whaley house, which offers insight into what some people call Haunted San Diego.

When people think of San Diego the thought of bikini-clad beaches is often what first enters their heads. San Diego has earned this reputation for good reason as its coastline offers some of California’s best natural beaches. There are plenty of beach communities that seem to cater to every stereotype out there.

First off, there is the overcrowded (but fabulous) Pacific Beach, which offers party-goers a wide variety of hotspots all within walking distance from each other. Travel a little south and you will hit Mission Beach, which offers all the perks of P.B. with the added luxury of Belmont Park. Keep heading south and you will end up in Ocean Beach, a small community filled with vintage shops, dive bars, and some wonderful undiscovered little cafes and restaurants.

San Diego Bay is yet another popular destination, known mainly for its ample water-sports.

And with neighboring mountain ranges in close proximity, San Diego is ideal for avid skiers and snowboarders alike. The kiddos will enjoy the famous San Diego Zoo, Wildlife Park, and Legoland. And adults will find a playground of their own as the county also offers several Indian gaming sites, casinos and luxury resorts.

With so many well-traveled attractions and tourist destinations, San Diego has experienced rapid growth. This means that those looking for investment opportunities will find a surplus of resources in its flourishing market. Some of San Diego’s most prime real estate is located in the coastal community of La Jolla, as well as in the high-rising downtown condominiums and lofts.

For tips on weeping white pine and pruning weeping cherry, visit the Weeping Trees website.

A Glimpse at the San Francisco Bay Area

By Arnoldo Watson

Nestled along San Francisco Bay, the Bay Area boasts of one of the finest natural harbor in the world, which has a total area of around 450 square miles. Home to almost 8 million people, the San Francisco Bay Area provides the only real break in the coastal mountains of California making it one of the most ideal spot for living within the state. It is divided into 6 sub-regions (North Bay, San Francisco, East Bay, Peninsula, South Bay, and Santa Cruz) and composed of 10 counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Sonoma).

North Bay is a sub-region north of the Golden Gate Bridge, is separated by water from the rest of the Bay Area. It has numerous affluent communities and is probably the least urbanized among the 6 sub-regions. North Bay has many undeveloped parks, farmlands, and plantations. One popular location is Napa Valley, which is well-known for the world class red wines produced from its vineyards.

The City and County of San Francisco was once the largest city, in terms of population in the whole Bay Area. Although it no longer holds that distinction, it remains as the traditional, cultural, financial, and urban center of the region. The most famous landmark in this area is the Golden Gate Bridge, which spans the Golden Gate Strait, a water passage connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The bridge connects the city/county of San Francisco with Marin County in the North Bay.

The East Bay area is split into 2 regions, the Inner East Bay and the Outer East Bay. Inner East Bay, located along the bay’s coastline, is more urban, densely populated, and has a more ethnically diverse population. Old buildings in the area suggest that it is one of the oldest developed regions. Outer East Bay, on the other hand, is composed of inland valleys separated from the Inner East Bay by hills and mountains. Its development dates back to less than 60 years ago and is mostly suburban to rural.

San Francisco Peninsula (or simply Peninsula) is the area between East Bay and San Francisco. It is composed of a series of towns, small cities, and suburban communities along San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

South Bay is the sub-region where the past blends well with the present and the future. The past is typically characterized by the city of San Jose, the oldest city in California, while the present and the future could be gleaned from the products churned by Silicon Valley. In 1990, San Jose became the most populated city in the area.

Santa Cruz, although regarded by most as part of Monterey Bay Area, some agencies and records show it as a part of San Francisco Bay Area. It is sprawled along San Francisco Peninsula, Santa Cruz Mountains, and Monterey Bay.

With tourism being the region’s leading industry, the Bay Area is teeming with tourist destinations and historic landmarks. It is one of the wealthiest regions in the United States. Of the 280 metropolitan areas nationwide, the Bay Area has the highest median household income with $62,024. Six of the top ten places in California with the highest per capita income could also be found in the Bay Area. These figures are a testament of the boundless opportunities available for the citizens residing in the region.

With its idyllic setting and mild climate, living in the Bay Area is an investment that you can never be wrong about.

To read about weeping crabapple and weeping mulberry tree, visit the Weeping Trees site.

Find Wine Tasting Tours Around The World