| CITY OVERVIEW
Stay in San Diego |
If you like warmer climates and lots of sand and surf, then San Diego may be higher on your places to visit then some of America’s more famous cities. For many people, San Diego is the US gateway to Mexico, and much of San Diego’s ambience reflects this geographic position. San Diego is a rich sporting town, having franchises in most of the professional sports, and easy to get around. San Diego also is home to some of the most popular and famous tourist attractions in the US. One of the largest urban parks in the US is located in San Diego. Balboa Park, located on the north-eastern edge of downtown San Diego, contains many of San Diego’s museums, theatres, and sports facilities. Most of the park's buildings have been designed in a Spanish Colonial theme, which add to the uniqueness of this Park. One of the Park's most popular facilities is the Rueben H Fleet Space Theater & Science Center, a hands-on science museum with a huge-screen Omnimax theater. The world famous San Diego Zoo is also located here. Anyone that is remotely interested in visiting this type of animal attraction must visit the Zoo as it is often rated one of the best in the world. The other world renowned attraction located in San Diego is Sea World. The marine park is 8km northwest of downtown. San Diego has some great waterside and downtown districts. The Gaslamp Quarter, a National Historic District, takes its name for the street lighting that dominates the precinct, adding ambience and dim lighting for the many restaurants, bars and galleries that occupy the restored 19th Century buildings. The other district worth visiting is The Embarcadero - San Diego’s prime dockside area west of downtown and home to the Maritime Museum, the Seaport Village, and the San Diego Convention Center. It also includes a public fishing pier and open-air amphitheatre where free concerts are held during summer (in the Marina Park). The ‘Malibu’ of San Diego is La Jolla, some 20km north-west of downtown San Diego. The suburb is located on the coast and is distinctive for its Mediterranean style architecture and its great beaches. However, it is more distinctive as the place to be seen, and is the location for several expensive restaurants and cafes. There are some great views to be had of the region below atop Soledad Mountain, just east of La Jolla. |
| GETTING THERE
Fly to San Diego Within USA
|
San Diego's Lindbergh Field Airport is 5km northwest of the downtown area. The San Diego County Transit System (CTS) provides public buses that connect the airport with San Diego’s downtown area. Amtrak trains stop at the Santa Fe depot, which is on the western edge of the City Center. The Greyhound terminal is smack in the middle of downtown at 120 W Broadway. The CTS, and several other private bus companies, combine to provide bus services to meet San Diego’s transit needs. There is also a downtown rail trolley system (the San Diego Trolley) that connects many of San Diego’s downtown attractions, as well as historic Old Town, Mission Valley, Fashion Valley and Qualcomm Stadium. |
| NFL
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS |
The NFL San Diego Chargers are another of those football franchises that were born in the 1960’s – but initially as the Los Angeles Chargers (why does every team want to leave Los Angeles?) before going to San Diego in 1963. The Charger’s successes have also been limited, other than a championship in that first year in San Diego. Since then, it has been a sole Superbowl appearance in 1994 mixed in with 12 playoff appearances. |
| MLB
SAN DIEGO PADRES |
The MLB San Diego Padres baseball franchise history began in San Diego in 1969. They have yet to win a World Series, but have won 2 Pennants and made 3 playoffs. Two of these came in the 90’s – in 1996 and 1998. |
| WUSA
SAN DIEGO SPIRIT |
The WUSA’s San Diego Spirit first season was so-so - they fifth. However, they have one of the key players from the USA National team in Julie Foudy. |
| QUALCOMM STADIUM |
Qualcomm Stadium hosts both the Padres and the Chargers and is located at 9449 Friars Road, San Diego. Opened in 1967, the Stadium was previously known as Jack Murphy Stadium and has a capacity of 67,500. The Stadium is connected to San Diego’s downtown by the San Diego Trolley. The Blue Line of the San Diego Trolley provides regularly scheduled service (every 15 minutes and quicker just before and after the game) to Qualcomm Stadium every day from approximately 5:00 a.m. to midnight. |
| TORNERO STADIUM | Tornero Stadium hosts the Spirit, as well as being home to the University of San Diego Tornero’s, located about 10km north of downtown San Diego. For directions refer to the NCAA section below. |
| GOLF
Mid
February - US PGA Buick Invitational, Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course
and North Course) LaJolla, California. Ticket information to come |
The prestigious and stunning Torrey Pines Golf Course is located on the coastline north of San Diego some 7km north of La Jolla at North Torrey Pines Road, which also accesses the Torrey Pines State Reserve and University of California, San Diego. Public transit from downtown San Diego to the golf course takes well over an hour. From the University of California, San Diego Towne Center transit station, take the North County Transit District Breeze Bus 301 to the Oceanside Transit Center, which goes straight past the course. The University’s Town Center can be reached by San Diego Transit Bus Routes 30 and 34 from downtown San Diego. |
| HORSE
RACING
Del Mar Racecourse, Via De La Valle & Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar (from late July to early September – every day except Tuesday). Tickets available at course |
Del Mar is located some 40km north of San Diego, past the Torrey Pines State Reserve and University of California, San Diego. From downtown San Diego (Santa Fe Depot) you can take either an Amtrak or the North County Transit District (Coaster) train to the nearby Solana Beach station, although it should be noted that the Coaster does not operate on Sundays. Del Mar provides a free shuttle (Double Decker buses) to and from the track. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO Ticket information through Toreros
|
The
University of San Diego Toreros has teams in most sports, including
football and men’s and women’s basketball and football. The football
team plays out of Toreros Stadium, which is located on the campus. The
men’s and women’s basketball teams play out of Jenny Craig Pavilion,
on the campus of the University. The campus is located at 5998 Alcala
Park, San Diego, some 10 km north of downtown San Diego. From downtown,
you can catch the CTS Route 44 Bus from the Old Town Transit Centre, which
is connected to downtown by the San Diego Trolley. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
SAN DIEGO STATE |
The
San Diego State University Aztecs have teams in most sports, including
football and men’s and women’s basketball. The campus is located at
5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, some 15km north-west of the downtown
area. The football team plays out of the San Diego Charger’s home
ground, Qualcomm Stadium. The basketball teams play out of Cox Arena, a
largish stadium that seats up to 12,000 people. It is located on campus.
There are several bus routes across San Diego that access the University
but from downtown you can catch Route 11 or 11A to the campus. For
Qualcomm Stadium, follow the same directions as listed beforehand. |
