San Diego is the nearest point to Tijuana, Mexico. It is in the list of 10 safest cities in the US, and one of the wealthiest cities in the country.
I flew on United Airlines to San Diego (it's been quite a while since my last flight on a United), and realized that the airline does not serve any food for short haul flights anymore. But if you like, you can purchase the food at $10 from Au bon Pain with a choice between a chef's salad and a turkey/cheddar sandwich. Upon arrival, I took a bus going downtown ($2.25) right outside the arrival hall. After checking in at the hostel, I began to explore the city. Downtown San Diego is served by trolleys, and buses. You can purchase tickets at the vending machines located at most stops.
San Diego is full of attractions. As I only have two days here, I decided to visit the San Diego Zoo. San Diego is one of the best zoos in the world (entrance fee is $21). It is a sanctuary for thousands of animals with beautiful landscape of rare plants from all climates and a living classroom that entertains as well as educates. There is a new 7.5-acre multi-species habitat features elephants, California condors, jaguars and more. It also offers guests an insight about the Zoo's conservation efforts to protect wildlife from becoming extinct. Meanwhile, Balboa Park in neighboring San Diego Zoo offers an in-the-city oasis of culture, entertainment and sightseeing. It is an urban cultural park with more than a dozen museums, an outdoor concert - Spreckels Organ Pavillion, and the famous Old Globe Theatre among others. Activities are plenty in the park including fortune-telling, music, and games.
The Old Town San Diego is a frequent visit for many San Diego residents as well as tourists. Within Old Town there are three Park Agencies: State, City and County, all of which have historic sites operated as museums. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is the most visited park in the state system and all its museums are free to the public. There are many restaurants here offering authentic and cultural cuisine. In addition to food and shopping, Old Town hosts many events and has nightly entertainment in many of the restaurants located here. Walking Tour of historic sites is available as well.
By the harbor, there is the USS Midway Museum, a real naval aircraft carrier that served in the United States for more than 40 years. It has real jets and real airplanes up on the flight deck, that you can actually walk into and sit in the cockpits of some planes. Further up the shore is the Maritime Museum of San Diego, which is home to the world's oldest sailing vessel that still sails - The Star of India.
Seaport Village is an interesting shopping area over 90,000 square feet. It is located at downtown San Diego on West Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway. It has cobblestone pathways bordered by ponds, lakes, fountains and lush landscapes. Along the San Diego Bay there is a quarter mile boardwalk. There are lots of restaurants and cafes, and specialty shops selling anything from jewelry to wind chimes and organic food. Westfield at Horton Plaza on Broadway is another good place to shop. It is situated next to the city's historic Gaslamp Quarter, a historical neighborhood in downtown San Diego, and it has some remarkable bright colors exterior, and odd spatial rhythms.Weather is mild in San Diego. It is one of the best cities to live in the United States. Plus, its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. All these, and the attractions have made the city one of the top destinations in America.
After two days in the city, I took the bright red trolley (cost $2.50) to San Ysidro, the last stop at the border between the US and Mexico. The ride was about 40 minutes (a Greyhound bus to Tijuana cost $7). Once there, I just followed the crowd and the next thing I knew I was in Tijuana!
