A Snapshot of Sunny San Diego

San Diego isn't the overnight sensation that, say, Orlando became, but it's close. For most of its life, the city wasn't the getaway to fun and sun that it is today. Rather, it was mostly a hub of the Navy and surfers. These days, Navy SEAL's and the kowabonga crowd mingle with the upper crust who have flocked here, as well as the hundreds of thousands who have moved here in the past 25 years or so. The perfect weather-the city's original resident- does its part to attract visitors by the droves, supported by an enterprising list of man-made and natural attractions.

What We Love About San Diego: If weather is the great spice of life, then San Diego is a colossal bore. This year has been the exception, with San Diego receiving more than 20 inches of rain, nearly an all-time high. But warm, sunny days are the norm here. In fact, temperatures are almost frighteningly sedate. The weather rarely gets too hot to handle, and the area is nearly immune to any type of cold front. It's like someone programmed these perfect days on a computer. Fortunately, most of us enjoy cloudless skies and easy-going temperatures, which comes in handy for the area's numerous pristine beaches, golf courses, tennis courts, parks, and the city's number one pastime, boating.

With choices of an ocean (Pacific, for those who missed geography class), harbor (the namesake San Diego Bay), and lagoon (Mission Bay), San Diego elevates water sports and nautical fun to a whole new level. Not only does its Southern California location guarantee plenty of nice days, but also its proximity to both Mexico (16 miles) and Los Angeles (120 miles) provide interesting diversions north and south. Not only is there more than 70 miles of coastline to choose from-usually within minutes- but travelers also can find mountains and desert within an hour's drive. In terms of things to do, San Diego (unofficially) probably ranks only behind Orlando. The city-and its surrounding beach and inland communities-are just loaded with day trips, activities, and must-see attractions.

Claim to Fame: Until Interstate 8 brought attention and a steady stream of vehicles through the area's inland portion, Mission Valley, the region held little else than dairy farming and a historic mission. But over the past quarter century, the population of San Diego has risen steadily to more than 1.3 million, making it one of the largest cities in the United States. Housing prices have climbed too, and the San Diego area now has some of the country's ritziest and most expensive communities, such as La Jolla and Rancho Santa Fe. Still, San Diego retains a small town feel.

The Navy has long called several coastal bases home, giving San Diego roots as a Navy town. This is where the Navy SEALs train, providing one of the life's great contrasts as one can dine at the world-famous Hotel Del Coronado while outside new recruits are broken in along the shore. San Diego is also known as the plastic surgery capital of the world, with residents as beautiful as the area's numerous wonderful vistas. The San Diego Zoo is arguably the most famous-and most visited-in the world, contained within one of the most stunning metropolitan parks in the nation, 1,200-acre Balboa Park.

Musts: Even the most jaded resident would encourage a visit to the San Diego Zoo. And what a visit it is to this home of more than 4,000 exotic animals, including some of the rarest in captivity. The children's zoo-now featuring some 30 interactive exhibits- delivers way more than a token presence. New this year is Monkey Trails and Forest Tales, a three-acre habitat that has turned the center of the zoo into a monkey-filled jungle.

Once your day with the animals is complete, adjacent Balboa Park takes over. Simply put, it's got it all. Just minutes from downtown, the park is more than just green grass and shady trees. For starters, there are more than a dozen museums within its boundaries, including the folksy Mingei International Museum, Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego Aerospace Museum, San Diego Art Institute, San Diego Museum of Art, and San Diego Museum of Man. If all that seems too artsy, then relax, there's also buildings devoted to model railroads, classic automobiles, and the Hall of Champions, devoted to legends in San Diego sports. The Old Globe Theatre is one of the country's oldest. The park was established in 1868 and radiates charm and beauty, aided by a host of beautiful gardens, historic, Spanish Colonial architecture, and lots of activities, ranging from its nearly 100-year-old carousel, to lawn bowling, IMAC theater, rides, even a disc golf course.

Moving downtown, there's the Padres' new baseball park, Petco Field, which opened last season to rave reviews. A trip over the amazing Coronado Bridge to the namesake island (OK, it's not technically an island) is both a fun drive and a terrific day trip touring beaches, shops, and eateries. And since your trip to San Diego may result in an attempt to learn to surf, you might as well pay homage to the masters at the California Surf Museum. The newly commissioned San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum honors the region's naval history onboard the USS Midway, docked along the San Diego Bay.

Active Endeavors: We're not sure if it's the city's abundance of tummy tucks, but it appears the residents are some of the fittest anywhere. Of course, it could be due to the incredible variety of active pastimes found here. If you want to go surfing, there's no shortage of killer waves and local surf shops to make it happen. Some of the best spots for both are Mission, Pacific, and Ocean beaches. The area's network of biking paths is the envy of the two-wheeled world, earning San Diego recognition from Bicycling magazine as one of the top bicycling cities in the U.S. Coronado features a nice 16-mile path, with bikes allowed passage on the Coronado ferry for those coming from downtown. Otherwise, there's no shortage of pretty views and accessible paths along the coast.

Regardless if it's ocean, bay, or harbor, the boating scene is the best around. Only Chicago (believe it or not) has more boat slips than San Diego. Enlist the help from local charters, tours, and rental companies to launch a day on the water. And yes, the fishing's pretty great here, too. The sights underneath the water are even better, affording SCUBA divers and snorkelers some of the best opportunities for exploration on either coast. We suggest the areas off Mission Beach known as Wreck Alley for its numerous shipwrecks, or the unparalleled marine life found along the ecological reserve at La Jolla Cove. With stable weather and lots to see, it's little wonder that the area has become renowned for its hot-air balloon rides, hang gliding and paragliding. When the ubiquitous sun finally does set, be sure to find yourself in a cool spot, such as along the boardwalk at Mission Beach or at the venerable Hotel Del Coronado, tropical libation du jour in hand.

Take a Pass: Locals might roll their eyes if you put Sea World high on your itinerary. While Shamu is a lovable sort and the whale shows are usually packed, the park under whelms in terms of things to do, and overall it just seems to be not enough bang for the buck. Besides, if you want to see fish, there's about a gazillion miles of primo snorkeling along the coast.

With its Spanish roots, San Diego delivers lots of terrific cuisine. It is, therefore, a mortal sin to opt for a Mexican chain restaurant.

Legoland in nearby Carlsbad is like a child's toy box coming to life, with millions and millions of Legos comprising the sizable park. However, the lofty ticket price doesn't grant guests that many rides, and the plastic Lego landscape tires after time.

Resist that knee jerk reaction to invade Tijuana. It's not the most charming of Mexican locales. Rather, we recommend Tecate, a fun drive off Highway 94.

As for pro football here, even die-hard locals have trouble getting excited about Chargers these days.

Local Flavor: Strolling, shopping, and, most importantly, eating throughout the city's Gaslamp Quarter is highly recommended. There's virtually every type of cuisine throughout the large, restored Victorian setting. Polynesian-inspired Mister Tiki Mai Tai Lounge is one of the district's newest hangouts. The club scene delivers wonderful jazz clubs, among others. Mission and Pacific Beach host fun bars and eats with wonderful people-watching and genuine surf culture in spades. The local Mexican food is generally among the best anywhere and fresh-caught seafood is always a safe bet. We give the area's fish tacos our highest recommendations. Some must-try local eateries include the Karl Strauss Brewing Company (micro-brews, anyone?), Café Cerise (a French bistro that opened last year), Marine Room (located in nearby La Jolla), Zagat darling Pamplemousse Grill, and Prado, providing a nice respite in Balboa Park.

City Speak: San Diego hasn't always been the tourist Mecca it recently became, so it's sometimes difficult for locals to adjust to the growing pains of their ever-proliferating city. Many await the infusion of Arizona natives ever summer, known as the “'Zonie Migration,” with considerable dread. Complaints about Zonies range from poor surfing etiquette to slow driving. The “Del,” or “Hotel Del,” refers to Hotel Del Coronado, one of the earliest and most stunning hotels in this part of the country. It is a popular place for dinner, drinks, and shopping.

Sights and Sounds: San Diego seems to have a disproportionate number of flower shops, taco joints, and plastic surgeons. You can't travel far without hitting a sidewalk coffee shop, either. Get used to the sounds of low-flying aircraft and incoming and outgoing naval vessels. The airport is near downtown and Navy bases take up a large section of the coast,

Faux Pas: Poor beach etiquette will make you no friends on the sand. Surfers are particularly wary of outsiders on their turf, so tread (err, paddle out) lightly on their waves. Don't “drop in” on another's waves. Wait your turn. Definitely don't swim in a surf zone. Needing a lifeguard rescue is always bad form, so watch that undertow. Give others on the beach enough room. Watch the sand when you're shaking off your towel.

Main Events: San Diego's Street Scene in late summer is good for loads of diverse music, food, and frolic in the city's East Village. For those who like their music more of the bluegrass variety, the Julian Bluegrass Festival in September shouldn't disappoint. What San Diego might lack in Bavarian heritage, it more than makes up for in its spirited Oktoberfest celebration, held in La Mesa. Fleet Week in October is arguably the area's biggest draw, an amazing collection of air and water shows/demonstrations aimed at celebrating San Diego's military history and pride. The Ocean Beach Street Fair in June celebrates the coast's unique beach culture.

City Heroes: McDonald's entrepreneur Ray Kroc and his wife, Joan, were two of San Diego's most distinguished citizens. Not only did they guide the Padres to a World Series appearance, but the couple also were a major source of charitable contributions to the city's neediest causes. Master's golf champion Phil Mickelson ranks high on the city's list of sports icons.

For more information contact the San Diego Convention and Visitor's Bureau at (619) 236-1212 or see www.sandiego.org