Get to Know San Diego

So far, the Poway Community Swim Center is one of my favorite swimming pools. It’s huge - 50 meters by 25 yards (don’t ask me why they mix these up in their measurements, it’s what their site says). There’s lots of room.The main pool goes from a nice, big shallow end to a huge deep end, which gets as much as 13 feet deep. There is also a separate toddler pool, which is just 1 foot deep, but plenty big for a crowd of little ones.

My daughter took swimming lessons at this pool, which gave me a great feeling for how much flexibility the size of the pool allows. They had a variety of swimming lessons, beginning water polo lessons and still enough room for quite a few lanes for adults to swim laps. It wasn’t crowded in the least.

You can make reservations to have parties at the pool. The pool also plays host to events, such as swim-in movies. Overall it’s a lot of fun.

I found the swimming classes to be excellent. My daughter had quite a bit of fun in them and improved her skills as well. This being in southern California, the weather is good enough for swimming lessons for much of the year.

Visiting San Diego for the first time can be quite overwhelming, especially when you consider that there are so many things you can do. Deciding where to go and what to do can be quite time consuming, which is where we can help. Below, you’ll find 8 great things to do in San Diego - things you simply must experience.

1. Hitting the beach.
No matter what season you visit, the beach is one area that personifies the entire San Diego lifestyle. Whether you’re watching the tide come in or soaking in the sun, the beach is where the action is. From Mission Beach to the Belmont Park rollercoaster - make sure you hit the beaches here.

2. Try a fish taco.
Although it may sound a bit weird, the fish taco is one of the best foods in San Diego. Deep fried, battered fish in a corn tortilla is one of the foods that once you try it the first time - you’ll crave one anytime you come back! (more…)

Aside from the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Wild Animal Park is the best place in San Diego to see animals. Over the spread of 1,800 acres, the animal park gives animals the room they need to roam and play. The animals here play just like they do in the wild, which almost makes you feel as if you are in their native Africa and Asia.

Throughout the 30 year history of the animal park, the Noah’s Ark symbol of endangered species has grown to dozens upon dozens of animals. Now, every Arabian Oryx found in the wild is descended from stock from the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

In the park, there are many different paths you can take to visit the smaller animal exhibits. Although the smaller animals are a sight to see, the main thing to see is the hour long trip on the Bush Line Railway. Along the railway, you’ll see animals that you’d never get the chance of seeing anywhere else, such as the white rhino. (more…)

It’s no secret to anyone that the coast of San Diego is the ideal place to watch the annual migration of the gray whale. Looked upon as one of nature’s ultimate spectacles; the migration of gray whales is nothing short of breathtaking. The coastline of San Diego is one of their migratory points as they travel from the waters of the Arctic to the warmer regions of the Baja (California), where females also give birth.

Every year, roughly 26,000 gray whales will make the long journey of 10,000+ miles from the Arctic to the Baja and back. If you look at this journey and compare it to any other mammal, you’ll notice that the gray whale by far has the greatest amount of traveling at hand.

If you’ve never experienced whale watching, you’ll be happy to know that anyone will find it memorable - young or old. Spotting a gray whale along the coastline is something that is truly a memorable moment, making you stop for a second and truly appreciate these awesome mammals. (more…)

Located at the Northwest end of San Diego, within the city limits, Torrey Pines offers you over 2000 wild and natural acres. Along with the trees of Torrey Pines, there’s a visitor center, miles and miles of trails, miles of beaches, and a lagoon that’s a vital area for seabirds.

The State Preserve of Torrey Pines not only preserves the trees but the salt marshes and waterfowl refuges as well. The Torrey Pines State Beach here stretches nearly four miles, from Del Mar to the sandstone cliffs of Torrey Pines Mesa.

Also found here is Blacks Beach, located at the base of the 300 foot cliffs. The cliffs here offer paragliding, remote control gliding, and even hang gliding. At the north end of Blacks Beach, clothing is optional. To be on the safe side, always read the signs and follow the rules of the beach.

With plenty to offer, Torrey Pines State Preserve is a great addition to the already vast area of San Diego. You can visit here from San Diego, as it’s a short drive away. Torrey Pines has great beaches and plenty of trails for you to see. As a family trip, Torrey Pines is a great place to spend the afternoon on your once in a lifetime vacation.