Things to do in San Diego

San Diego's Famous Landmarks

San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge
It's what every airline passenger sees (OK, the ones sitting on the left side of the plane) while making the descent into Lindbergh Field. This graceful, sweeping blue span is the major point of access to the city of Coronado and the North Island Naval Air Station. The newly toll-free bridge provides one of the grandest views of the city and bay from anywhere for merely the price of gas. But, of course, there's no stopping on the bridge.
The California Tower
Speaking of views from the air, this beautiful bell tower in Balboa Park (and part of the Museum of Man) is what the passengers on the right side of the airplane usually see upon descent. With its beautiful and ornate tile covered campanile, it evokes the Spanish Moor architecture that pervades this region.

Mount Soledad
This 800-foot hill with the cross atop it in the La Jolla area of San Diego provides a 360 degree view of the city and the Pacific Ocean. Accessible by a winding road, the mountain top has parking and a grassy area for picnics and taking in the breathtaking view. Although the cross that adorns the city owned land has spawned controversy (that old separation of church and state thing), Mount Soledad is even better known as an ideal make-out spot, or so the rumor goes.

Mount Helix
Mount Helix is the East County counterpart to Mount Soledad on the coast: a high promontory adorned with a cross at its peak seen from Interstate 8 ("What's that?"), accessible by a winding road in an exclusive residential area (Mt. Helix). Oh, yeah, it also offers 360 degree amazing views of the eastern part of the county. The amphitheater at the top of the mountain is used for theatrical presentations and popular Easter sunrise services.

The Mormon Temple
It looks like something straight out of fantasy land -- or a science fiction movie. With its pointed spires and gleaming white facade, the Mormon Temple generates double and triple takes from motorists traveling on Interstate 5 in the La Jolla area. Only accessible by Latter-Day Saints Church members, this relatively new structure has become a San Diego landmark by sheer virtue of its magnificent presence. A statement it makes, indeed.

The Trolley
You see them while downtown, crossing the San Diego Riverbed, speeding by as your caught in freeway gridlock. San Diego may not have a subway system like New York City, but we have our bright red trolley system. With its major hub in downtown and branching off both to the south all the way to the U.S.-Mexico border, and to the east to Santee in the east county and also through Mission Valley, the San Diego Trolley is a popular mode of public transportation and as much a symbol of San Diego as red tile roofs. A major eastern expansion through Mission Valley up to San Diego State University and on to Grossmont is in progress and is slated to begin operation in 2004.

Cabrillo National Monument/Point Loma Lighthouse
In honor of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who sailed into what is now San Diego Bay in 1542, this National Park is situated at the tip of Point Loma, a long, scenic peninsula that forms San Diego Bay. The park offers one of the most incredible views of the harbor, Pacific Ocean and the city, and you can get some history to go along with the view at the visitors center and old Lighthouse.



Top 6 Panoramic Views In San Diego County

1. Cabrillo National Monument
When it comes to views, nothing compares to the view atop the Point Loma Peninsula at the Cabrillo National Monument. From here, you take in everything that makes San Diego what it is: the Pacific Ocean on one side, the perfect natural bay, the downtown skyline, the Navy jets on North Island, and the Laguna Mountains in the east. A view from here really gives you a sense of what Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo saw when he discovered San Diego Bay in 1542. Nominal parking fee.

2. Mount Soledad
Undoubtedly, you've heard all the legal wranglings about the cross atop Mount Soledad in La Jolla (the whole church/state argument). In fact, the case has gone to the U.S. Supreme Court, and was even intervened by President Bush. But the bottom line is the view from 822-foot Mount Soledad is spectacular: 360 degrees of the Pacific, La Jolla, north coast, and even Mexico. A veterans memorial is also situated at the base of the cross. Free parking.

3. Mount Helix
You might say Mount Helix, located between La Mesa and El Cajon, is the east county counterpart to Mount Soledad. It even has a cross atop (though it sits on private land, thus no legal challenges). The 1,370-foot peak offers an amazing view of eastern San Diego County, from the lovely estates on the mountain, to the bustle of the El Cajon valley. The park at the top has a nice amphitheatre and is used for events, weddings, plays, and just soaking in the view. Free.

4. Cowles Mountain
Cowles Mountain, in the San Carlos neighborhood of San Diego, is one of the highest peaks in the city at 1,592 feet. It's also part of the sprawling Mission Trails Regional Park - one of the county's best loved and used recreation areas. Unlike the other mountains, catching a view from Cowles isn't as easy as driving up to the top - you have to hike all the way up! But it'll be worth the effort - panoramic views of the entire city, and Lake Murray below. Free - with some effort.

5. Bertrand Mister A's
Unfortunately, San Diego doesn't have a towering landmark building where tourists and residents can take in a panoramic view, like Seattle's Space Needle or the St. Louis Arch. I guess the closest thing we have is a restaurant: Bertrand at Mister A's. Located in Banker's Hill atop an office building, Mister A's gives you the best view of downtown, especially of planes landing right at eye level. Dinner might be pricey, but go up for drinks - it'll be worth it.

6. San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge
OK, first off: you have to take in the view from the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge quickly, because you can't stop on the bridge. But it's a nifty view driving across the bay to Coronado, with a sweeping view of San Diego Bay, the Silver Strand, Coronado, and downtown. And the bridge itself, with its sweeping curve, is one of the handsomest around. Best of all, there is no toll, so it's free. Just pay attention to the road if you're driving!

About San Diego Profile: Hotel del Coronado

A San Diego Treasure: A local and national treasure, the Hotel del Coronado is located in the City of Coronado, just across the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge. It is one of the few surviving examples of an American architectural genre: the wooden Victorian beach resort and is the largest beach resort on the North American Pacific Coast.
What Makes It Special?: As a National Historic Landmark, the Hotel del Coronado has a rich and colorful heritage that sets it apart from most hotels. From Marilyn Monroe to Charles Lindbergh, from state dinners to the ghost of Kate Morgan, The Del is an American treasure with over 115 years of fascinating stories to tell.

What About The Architecture?: The Del's visionary founders - Elisha Babcock and H.L. Story - dreamed of building a seaside resort that would be "the talk of the Western world." In 1885, they bought all of Coronado and North Island for $110,000. They hired architect James Reid and construction was completed in 11 months in 1888 at a cost of $1 million. Labor was provided by Chinese immigrants and is one of the oldest and largest all-wooden buildings in California. It was diesginated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

The Splendor of the Del: The hotel was initially built as a premier resort for the wealthy, and over the years, many notable guests have stayed at the Del. Thomas Edison, L. Frank Baum, Charlie Chaplin, Babe Ruth and Charles Lindbergh. Edward VIII was a guest of the hotel in 1920. At the time his future wife Wallis Simpson was a Coronado resident. They even may have met each other at the hotel.

The Host of Presidents: So spectacular is the hotel that it has become a favorite destination for many an American president when visiting San Diego. Among the presidents who have stayed at the Del: Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.

Some Like It Hot: Because of its stunning and unique architecture, it's no surprise the Hotel Del has been used as a backdrop in movies and television. And its most famous claim to fame was its supporting role to one of Hollywood's most enduring icons, Marilyn Monroe, in her film classic, "Some Like It Hot." The 1958 comedy romp, also starring Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, cemented the Del's status as an architectural celebrity.

Ghosts in the Attic?: What Victorian resort would be complete without a resident ghost? Kate Morgan checked into room 3312 (renumbered to 3327) on November 25, 1892. She was there to meet with her estranged husband Tom, but he never arrived. She was found dead on the beach four days later. While initially declared a suicide, forensic evidence processed over a century later revealed she was shot. Reports of ghostly happenings have been circulating at the Del ever since, all thought to be connected to the death of this beautiful young woman.

Hotel Del Essentials: The Hotel del Coronado is the quintessential California resort on the beach. Located on 28 oceanfront acres, The Del is just across the bay from downtown San Diego and near many of the city's attractions. It is only a 15-minute drive from San Diego International Airport.
Although it is a favorite destination among tourists, it is just as treasured by San Diego residents as well. Locals flock to the Del to experience the grounds and restaurants for the day, and the beach adjacent to the hotel is one of the finest found in California.

圣地亚哥历史 San Diego History