About the City

Many Americans consider San Diego to be the most attractive city in the USA.

Southern California stands for nearly perfect weather, beautiful beaches and a friendly relaxed environment. San Diego City is paradise. This welcoming birthplace of California is blessed with an ideal climate, endless sandy beaches, a deep-sea harbour and a variety of fun-filled attractions. You can play golf or tennis, go surfing, diving, sailing, fishing, water-skiing, horse-riding, rollerblading or jogging - the list of outdoor recreational possibilities is endless. There´s plenty of entertainment, too, with the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, the Wild Animal Park and professional sports teams. It´s a young and dynamic city, strongly influenced by its large student population.

A good place to begin exploring the waterfront is the Embarcadero. Just take the Harbour Drive and stop at the San Diego Maritime Museum (a must). Just opposite lies the Coronado Peninsula which is connected with San Diego by a 3.5 kilometer long bridge. The jewel of the peninsula is the historic and fascinating Hotel del Coronado, which has attracted the rich and famous since its opening in 1888.The hotel has formed the backdrop of many famous films including: "Some like it hot" with Jack Lemon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe. For the health and fitness fans San Diego is the perfect place. There are a number of gymnasiums and fitness clubs where you can re-charge your batterie. So, why not kill two birds with one stone, improve your English and at the same time your physical condition! For those of you with a culinary disposition there´s Mexican cuisine, savoury, strong and widely available in restaurants, also health food, vegetarian, and European dishes from French to Italian. If, however, you feel like crayfish, lobster or fish in general, you will not want to leave San Diego which is the number one spot for sea food.

Sights:
Balboa Park with museums, art galleries, theatre and sport grounds, the California tower with chimes, Moorish-Spanish building of the Panama-California exhibition of 1915. Cabrillo National Monument on the peak of Point Loma - a breathtaking view over the whole bay and the San Bernadino Mountains. Gaslamp quarter with many Victorian buildings, restaurants, theaters and galleries. Mission Bay Park with Sea World Culture; San Diego museum of art with paintings by Spanish artists and works by Dutch, Flemish and Italian artists. Mission San Diego Alcala, founded 1769.

Eating & Drinking:
Anthony´s Star of the Sea; the most popular fish restaurant on the Embarcadero. George´s at the Cone; pasta-specialities with a beautiful view of La Jolla Cove.

Nightlife and club scene:
Flamenco and folk festivals, the religious processions during the Holy week are an experience. The Summerfestival in the first and the festival of Spain in the second part of August.

Shopping:
Books at Blue Door in Hillcrest. Capriccio, a noble boutique with clothes by the top European designers. Horton Plaza, the largest shopping center in the USA. Unicorn Company Arts & Antiques Mall for art and antiques.

Excursions:
Anza Borrego Desert State Park; America´s largest park is a desert with oasis, palms and waterfalls. Tijuana & Ensenada, on the Mexican border, offer earthy atmosphere and fantastic shopping. Ensenada is a Mexican fishing village and a favourite spot for Californians. And do not forget: Los Angeles is only three hours away...