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Health & Fitness

Tourist Attractions in San Diego

What do you do in San Diego, California after you have gone to the world famous San Diego Zoo, Sea World and the beaches? My son moved to San Diego from the Boston area and I have had the good fortune to be a tourist in San Diego several times. Here are some recommended side trips:

You should first go on a trolley tour for an overview of San Diego and Coronado. Check out the Old Town Trolley Tour.  You can stay on the trolley the entire trip (approx. two hours), or hop off and on at specific stops throughout the day. Some of the stops include Old Town, Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, Seaport Village, Gaslamp Quarter, walking distance to Hotel del Coronado, San Diego Zoo and Little Italy. After taking the tour you may have some new ideas on what to see on the rest of your trip. http://www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/old-town.asp

My favorite stop is the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum. It is the longest serving Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century, having spanned a 47 year history from 1945-1992. Take the Self Guided Audio Tour, and allow a minimum of two hours. There is lots to see and lots to learn! Make sure you wear your sneakers and take the guided tour of the bridge. It is very challenging going up and down the narrow steps! My father was in the Navy during World War II, so I found the cramped living quarters to be a challenge and wondered how he was able to adjust to the long periods out to sea.  http://www.midway.org/

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Another attraction is the Piazza Basilone Memorial located in Little Italy at the corner of Fir and India. This public open space honors Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone and the “boys that never came home” from all of the wars of the 20th century. John Basilone is a relative of my brother-in-law so this was a must see for me. John Basilone was the only enlisted Marine during World War II who received both a Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. He was killed in action during the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima. You might remember him from the HBO movie The Pacific which featured him. http://www.littleitalysd.com/points-of-interest/piazza-basilone/

Just across the San Diego Bay is the city of Coronado best known for the Hotel Del Coronado. This luxury hotel is a must see.  Stroll through the lobby and stores and you will be taken back to an elegant older time. It was built in 1888 and has been the symbol of Victorian elegance and refined luxury since it opened. It occupies 28 acres of ocean front property and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977. The exterior scenes of the movie “Some Like it Hot” with Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon were filmed at the hotel in 1958. https://hoteldel.com/

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About the author- Gale Spadafora is one of the Broker Owners at RE/MAX Legacy.  She can be contacted through her website at www.GaleSpadafora.com

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