San Diego North Offers An Abundance Of Year-Round Activities

Temperate Climate Allows Visitors to Experience San Diego North in Any Season

ESCONDIDO, Calif. -- With its temperate year-round climate, varied terrain and abundance of outdoor activities, San Diego North is the perfect getaway for any season. Visitors can experience a variety of activities in San Diego North’s four distinct regions: coastal, valley, mountain and desert. Within an hour and a half, visitors can go from the coastal waters of the Pacific to hiking in the local mountains and exploring the vast Anza-Borrego Desert. Here is a sampling of the variety of activities available in the 2,000 square mile region.

Parks and Trails

Cycling and hiking enthusiasts have a variety of choices throughout the San Diego North region. Located in Escondido, Daley Ranch’s 3,058-acre conservation area is home to over 20 miles of multipurpose trails, serving a variety of skill levels. Additional trails can be found at Torrey Pines State Park, famous for its exquisite ocean views, and Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve.

Attractions

The San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, an 1,800-acre exotic wildlife preserve, offers a variety of unique experiences aimed at giving visitors an up-close glimpse of its endangered animals – choose from a Photo Safari Caravan, an off-road Segway tour, or the thrilling new Flightline adventure. Other family attractions include LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Aquarium, the first of its kind in North America, and the Scripps Institute of Oceanography’s Birch Aquarium.

Golf

With over 40 courses to choose from, visitors can sample the region’s best with a tee time at Rancho Bernardo Inn, which has hosted both PGA and LPGA events, or the Torrey Pines Golf Course, situated on a seaside-cliff and site of the prestigious U.S. Open. Or try the only Tom-Fazio designed course, the The Grand Golf Club, which winds through Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve.

Coastal Treasures

Kayak and snorkeling tours of La Jolla Cove with La Jolla Kayak presents adventurers with the opportunity to get face-to-face with sea lions, leopard sharks and other marine life in La Jolla’s Underwater Preserve. For those more interested in surfing, Surf Diva can supply the equipment and instruction needed to master the waves. Another coastal option is to bike or drive the Historic 101 Route, cutting through the beach towns of La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas and Oceanside.

Nature Walks

Featuring a rare collection of botanical species, the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas has over 35 acres of gardens including the Seeds of Wonder exhibit, the west coast’s first interactive children’s garden. Another San Diego North nature walk is Batiquitos Lagoon, one of only a handful of tidal wetlands remaining in Southern California. Several tour-led nature walks of the wetlands highlighting botanical, animal and geological interests are available.

Mountains & Deserts

Sitting near the summit of Palomar Mountain, Palomar Observatory showcases a stellar view of San Diego North. Tours of the world-class astronomical research facility highlight Palomar’s celestial discoveries and famous, 200-inch Hale Telescope. Also nestled in the mountains is the historic gold mining town of Julian, famous for its apples, brilliant fall colors and winter snow. Borrego Springs, a desert oasis, is one the best places in America to view the stars. The region is walled by mountains on all sides, which helps to block out interfering light and was recently named one of only two official dark-sky communities in the world by the International Dark-Sky Association.

About San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau

The San Diego North Convention & Visitors Bureau provides visitor information for the 2,000 square mile San Diego North region from the coastal communities of La Jolla to Oceanside and east to the valley, mountain and desert communities of Escondido, Julian and the Anza-Borrego Desert. For more information, visit www.SanDiegoNorth.com or call (800) 848-3336.

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