Cabrillo National Monument
The Cabrillo National Monument (pronounced Ca-brie-yo for non-Spanish speakers) provides one of the best views of all of Downtown San Diego, along with unsoiled tide pools and San Diego's only historical lighthouse. This historical landmark is the location where Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo became the first European to step foot on the West Coast of what is now the United States.
Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive
San Diego, California 92106
(619) 557-5450
nps.gov/cabr
Sunset Cliffs
Walking south along the coastline just beyond the Ocean Beach Pier will bring you to a series of water-torn cliffs laden with tide pools and manmade artwork carved into the soft limestone. These are known as the Sunset Cliffs, and their beauty is remarkable both as the sun sets over the Pacific and throughout the rest of the day and night. Keep walking south from this point during low tide, and you will eventually reach a small cove with a hidden sandy beach. Feel free to bring a towel and some sunscreen and pretend you are sunning on your own private beach resort.
While you might be tempted to take a dip in this secret area, away from the tourists and surfers on the main beach, it is best to skip swimming here. There are no lifeguards on duty, and the seemingly calm water here has a strong undertow, making it a risky place to splash around.
Sunset Cliffs
5758 Newport Avenue
San Diego, California 92107
Balboa Park
Balboa Park itself is a very well-known attraction, particularly for the San Diego Zoo located on its grounds, but there are quite a few lesser-known but infinitely engaging areas of the park as well. Golfers enjoy the Balboa Park municipal golf course on the east area of the park. The park features one 18-hole course with three tee levels and one 9-hole executive course with two tee levels.
Anyone with an interest in photography is sure to enjoy the Museum of Photographic Arts in the heart of the park. The museum has a constant exhibition spanning the history of photography, but touring exhibits from the biggest names in the business, including Ansel Adams and Annie Leibovitz, are constantly brought in to enhance the museum's collection.
Just across the path from the photography museum, behind a long, beautiful lily pond, sits the Balboa Park Botanical Building, filled with tropical plants from around the world. This historical building was created in 1915 for the Panama Exposition in San Diego, and since then it has become one of the most photographed buildings in the park. Yet few guests actually take the time to enter the building's massive doors and enjoy the 2,100 plants located within.
Balboa Park Municipal Golf Course
2600 Golf Course Drive
San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 235-1184
sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/golf/bpgolf.shtml
Museum of Photographic Arts
1649 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101-1662
(619) 238-7559
mopa.org
Balboa Park Botanical Building
1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 235-1100
balboapark.org/in-the-park/detail.php?OrgID=41
About The Author
Jill Harness has written on a variety of subjects for more than 10 years. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications, including "San Diego City Beat," "Mental Floss," Rue The Day! and Neatorama. Harness has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from San Francisco State University.
