San Diego has been well known as a great vacation destiny place in Southern California. The weather year round is a combination of sunny skies, warm temperatures, and low humidity. The beaches in San Diego stretch for miles and can be reached easily from most hotels in the city, but if you are wanting to enjoy the best of what San Diego has to offer weather-wise, think twice before coming in the months of May or June. Locals to the area call these months "May gray" and "June gloom".

The combination of jet streams over Southern California mixed with warming water temperatures creates a micro-climate effect for cooler temperatures, higher humidity, thick marine layer, and the occassional glimpse of the sun in the latter part of the afternoon. If you are planning your vacation around these months, you may want to enjoy the wide variety of exhibits and parks surrounding San Diego instead of hoping for a great tan to take home. I am not saying that every May and June ends up a bust for perfect weather. Just make sure you to have an alternative plan to visit attractions around the city besides the beach.

Our most beautiful treasure is Balboa Park, located above the downtown business district. The park has majestic native trees and gardens perfect for either picnics, jogging, and checking out the cultures of a variety of countries within the village center of the park. Balboa has two theaters, the Globe Theater and an open air stage, both providing a wide variety of entertainment throughout the year. There are several museums and restaurants located in the park center to keep you occupied for hours, as well as an IMAC that has just been renovated and includes interactive displays for both adults and children. The most popular attraction in the park is our world renown "San Diego Zoo" where a huge walk-thru exhibit houses Panda bears.

The downtown area has a jewel of it's own called the "Gas Lamp District". Here you can find some of the best restaurants for your culinary taste, as well as numerous entertainment venues to perk up the nightlife. San Diego also has a distinct "Little Italy" located in the northern section lined with art galleries and italian restaurants. Much of the downtown area can be reached by hopping onto the city trolley. If you are into shopping, Horton's Plaza is a megaplex in the downtown area where you can spend your shopping dollars.

San Diego has several beaches to enjoy. Coronado Beach is located in the southern section of the city on Coronado Island. You can travel there either by car or ferry across the bay to the island. Bikes can be bought on-board, and highly suggested if you plan to head to the beach after landing. While on the island, you should visit the Coronado Hotel, a vintage "Grand Hotel" still in full operation today. Sunday brunch at the hotel is one memory you will want to take back to tell your friends.

As mentioned, San Diego is known for beaches, and we do have one nude beach, Black's Beach, north of the city. The only way to get there is by car, and you will have to prepare yourself with good walking shoes because getting to the beach is a mile long hike on a narrow trail. The trails goes through the cliffs of the park down to the beach area. You will see spectacular views of the ocean cliffs, the Pacific Ocean, and the occasional spouting of passing whales.