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Discover San Diego

National Trailer Dealers Association
22nd Annual Convention
Sept. 26–28, 2012
The Lodge at Torrey Pines • La Jolla, CA

EXPLORE SAN DIEGO

Del Mar
Del Mar is a small, seaside hideaway approximately 20 minutes north of downtown San Diego. Defined by calm salt water lagoons on each end, this charming, laid back town is best known for it's exceptional weather, world famous thoroughbred racetrack, the county fair, fabulous beaches, haute cuisine and unique shopping.

Coronado Island
Across the soaring bridge from downtown San Diego is Coronado, a relaxed beach town, boasting one of the world‘s best beaches, endless sunshine, and a bayside overlooking San Diego’s skyline. Coronado Island is technically not an island, it‘s a peninsula. It‘s also home to the North Island U. S. Naval Air Station and the U. S. Navy SEALS center. Have lunch or enjoy exquisite pastries at the historic Del Coronado, a Victorian beach-front masterpiece that is a national treasure. Coronado is great for recreational shopping with over 100 shops and boutiques.

Balboa Park

Balboa Park is one of the most widely photographed destinations in San Diego, and for good reason: It’s simply stunning! Created in 1868 as a 1,200-acre overlook of the ambitious project that relocated San Diego’s business and political center to its current location, the lush landscaped beauty, with its art and cultural institutions and green-space, is the largest urban cultural park in the U.S. and often referred to as the “Smithsonian of the West.” With 15 museums and nine theaters and performing arts centers, Balboa Park is San Diego’s cultural heart. Many of the museums and theaters are available to the public at no charge, while others have a nominal entrance fee. Balboa Park is located next to the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is more than a zoo: it is 100-acre home to over 3,700 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park. Don’t forget to visit the famous giant panda family. The San Diego Zoo offers a guided bus tour of the grounds, and the Skyfari aerial tram gives guests a bird’s-eye view.

Safari Wildlife Park

Travel through a bit of Africa at the Safari Wildlife Park, which is operated by the San Diego Zoo. This exciting expedition gives you a chance to connect with African wildlife on a closer level in an open air environment. There are a number of different safari tours to take you on a relaxing adventure around some of the Park’s large field exhibits where you can enjoy its extraordinary animal collection. You can also reserve behind-the-scenes tours, photography caravans, and other modes of exploration throughout the park. Guides will point out interesting behaviors as you observe herds of curious giraffes, sprinting cheetahs, massive rhinos, graceful gazelles, and impressively horned antelope, just to name a few. It is located 30 miles north of downtown San Diego in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido, CA.

Gaslamp Quarter
Stroll through the 16½-block historic Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego and view the renovated turn-of-the-century Victorian architecture, home to boutiques, art galleries, specialty shops, and more.

Museum of Contemporary Art
Head up the coast to the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego (MCASD) in La Jolla. As if the surrounding ocean views weren’t inspiring enough, the permanent collection at MCASD includes more than 4,000 works created after 1950. Painting, sculpture, photography, video, film and installation art are all represented.

Sea World

Everyone knows who the main attraction is here: Shamu, the killer whale (orca). At Sea World San Diego, shows are central to your experience and there are many of them. You’ll also have the opportunity to see marine creatures close up, and in some cases you can touch and feed them. It takes a half day or longer to see everything, so a good strategy is to arrive in early afternoon and stay until the fireworks display.

USS Midway Museum

Imagine experiencing life at sea aboard one of America’s longest-serving aircraft carriers. Visitors to the USS Midway Museum enter a floating city at sea and walk in the footsteps of 225,000 Midway sailors who served our country and upheld the American ideals of strength, freedom and peace. The USS Midway Museum is an unforgettable adventure for the entire family. Guests can spend the day exploring more than 60 exhibits with a collection of 25 restored aircraft. The self-guided audio tour, narrated by Midway sailors, brings the carrier’s history to life. Those who dare can “take to the sky” aboard one of three flight simulators.

San Diego Trolley

San Diego's familiar red trolleys are a fun, fast and easy way to get around town. You can ride a bus or trolley to many popular San Diego destinations, including Gaslamp Quarter, Old Town, SeaWorld, Coronado, Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. There are two stops right across the street from the Convention Center in downtown San Diego, which is directly across from the Gaslamp Quarter. You can purchase tickets at the Trolley Station. A day pass is currently $5 per day for the bus or trolley.

Little Italy

The Little Italy Mercato is the city market for downtown residents and visitors. Every Saturday, more than 90 booths offer farm fresh produce, artisan foods and specialty items.

Old Town
Experience a piece of California's colorful Mexican heritage at Bazaar del Mundo on the corner of Juan and Taylor Streets in Old Town. Sip on a bird bath size margarita and sample award-winning food at Casa Guadalajara. Also check out Presidio Park and the Whaley House (said to be haunted).

Kayak the Cavees of La Jolla
Guided kayak tours are available. La Jolla Kayak also offers guided Leopard Shark Snorkeling, La Jolla Cove Snorkel Tours, Bike Tours of La Jolla, and more. No experience necessary. For more information, call (858) 459-1114.

Flagship San Diego Harbor Excursion

Dinner cruises and narrated harbor tours. For more information, call (619) 234-4111.

Hornblower Cruises & Events

Offers nightly San Diego Dinner Cruises and Happy Hour Cruises. For more information, call (619) 686-8715.

Dining Options:

Hard Rock Cafe in the Gaslamp Quarter - (619) 615-7625

The Big Bay (San Diego Waterfront Dining)

Cafe Coyote (in Old Town) - (619) 291-4695

Casa De Reyes - (619) 297-3100

Bandar Persian Steakhouse - (619) 238-0101

Toscana Cafe & Wine Bar - (619) 231-5788

Donovan's Steak & Chop House - (877) 698-6666