Point La Jolla, 'The Jewel' in Spanish, certainly lives up to its name with its sparkling clear waters. The walk along Coast Boulevard from Point La Jolla south includes several vista points, hidden coves, rocky bluffs, tidepools, seals and sea lions. It is a special place where everyone comes and everyone belongs.
#272 Mission Pala
Mission San Antonio de Pala Asistencia was founded on June 13th 1816 as an assistant to nearby Mission San Luis Rey de Francia. It currently resides on the Pala Indian Reservation making it the only mission still serving a tribe and only assistant mission that survives. The campanario or bell tower is the only freestanding one in the California Mission System. It served as notification of meals, work and religious services.
#268 Box Canyon
In present day Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Box Canyon marks what was once the only year-round route into California. The Southern Emigrant Trail became the first official road and wagon route in 1847. Pioneers had to use hand tools to carve along the canyon walls to create the trail. Today, a hike into the canyon will take you back to discover the rough terrain encountered by early settlers.
#265 San Onofre State Beach
San Onofre State Beach is one of the most visited state parks in California. Established in 1971 by Governor Ronald Reagan, it is currently leased to the state from the United States Marine Corps. Perfect sandy beaches lie below dramatic sculpted cliffs creating a stunning landscape. The park is also home to a sacred Juaneño Native American village called 'Panhe' that is over 8,000 years old.
#261 Ramona's Marriage Place
Built by early settles José María Estudillo and his son José Antonio Estudillo, Casa de Estudillo is an historic adobe in Old Town San Diego that was one of the finest homes of its time. In 1884, Helen Hunt Jackson wrote 'Ramona', a romanticized novel based on the discrimination of Native Americans. It was called the finest novel written by an American woman at the time. It became so popular that people began traveling to California just to see the locations depicted in the book. San Diego capitalized on this influx and renamed the adobe 'Ramona's Marriage Place'.
#252 Oceanside Pier
Oceanside Pier has been a popular ocean spot since 1888 and is a friendly beach where everyone is welcome. At 1,954 feet, it is one of the longest on the West Coast. Enjoy the pelicans and the endless ocean vistas.
#249 San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is Celebrating its Centennial and for 100 years has been a world leader in animal conservancy. Dr. Harry Wegeforth founded the zoo after he discovered abandoned animals left over from the 1915 Panama-California Exposition World Fair. More than 3,700 animals from 650 species make up its expansive family. It was the first zoo in the world to recreate animal habitats instead of just house animals in cages which has led to the happiest animals. Orangutans, Pandas, Koalas & Elephants are among its most famous residents.
#244 Seaport Village
Just steps from Downtown, Seaport Village is an eating, shopping and entertainment district along the Bay of San Diego. The village contains an original hand-carved carousel build in 1895. A short walk away stands the iconic 'Unconditional Surrender' sculpture by John Seward Johnson II depicting a sailor returning home to his girl. Nearby is the 'National Salute to Bob Hope & The Military' memorial by Eugene Daub & Steven Whyte where views of the bay make for a peaceful stroll.
#237 Cabrillo National Monument Tidepools
Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo landed here on September 28th, 1542 and became the first European to set foot on the West Coast. Cabrillo National Monument preserves this legacy as a National Park in San Diego. The tidepool trail reveals rocky shores and hidden coves that look just as they have for thousands of years. It the perfect way to spend an afternoon on the coast.
#230 Garnet Peak
Garnet Peak is the crown jewel of San Diego. Located along the Sunrise Highway in Cleveland National Forest, this 6,000 foot peak offers jaw-dropping 360 degree views of Anza Borrego Desert State Park, beautiful alpine forest mountain terrain and even the ocean 50 miles away on a clear day. A moderate 2.2 round trip hike take you to the top and past the Pacific Crest Trail.
