Welcome to San Diego. Here is a little background info:

Map

San Diego climate is described as "Coastal Desert." It is usually warm and dry...but it can rain (rarely) and it can get chilly at night (say in the 40s in the winter, rarely).

When people refer to the San Diego Area, they are usually referring to San Diego County, which is made up of the City of San Diego and a number of smaller cities (National City, Chula Vista, Coronado (which is not an island), La Mesa, Santee, El Cajon, Lakeside, Poway, Carlsbad, and probably a few others I am unintentionally probably leaving out). San Diego County is bounded by Mexico on the South, Camp Pendleton on the North (about 60 miles), the Pacific Ocean on the West, and Imperial County on the East (about 110 miles).

San Diego is a great place with lots to see and do...here is a partial list:

San Diego International Airport - Conveniently located a few miles from downtown and across the street from the harbor. It has a very steep landing path over the buildings and down onto a single runway. Taxi time is the shortest you will find at any airport for a city of the size of San Diego.

If you like to walk or run, from the Marriott or Grand Hyatt, go down to the waterfront and head towards Seaport Village, and beyond.

Coronado is the home of the North Island Naval Air Station and at times we have up to 3 aircraft carriers in port. Coronado is also the home of the historic Hotel Del Coronado.

Seaport Village - Built primarily for the tourist trade around 20 years ago, lots of shops and restaurants.

The USS Midway Museum (CV 41) is tied up close to the foot of Broadway along the Embarcadero

Star of India - Tied up on the Embarcadero, An old Iron sailing ship and museum

Downtown San Diego - A great area downtown for restaurants is the Gaslamp Quarter, which has been redeveloped over the last 20 years. The Convention Center is on the water and walking distance from the center of Downtown.

Old Town Historic State Park - The first "Downtown."  Located about 4 miles from downtown. Lots of shops and Mexican resturants.

Petco Park - home of the San Diego Padres Major League Baseball team, is walking distance from the Convention Center and the Marriott and Hyatt.

Mission Valley - Approximately 7 miles from Downtown on Highway 163. Two regional shopping centers, Mission Valley Center and Fashion Valley Center. These are major shopping centers with department stores and specialty stores. Qualcom Statium, home of the Chargers is also in Mission Valley.

Harbor Island - a few nice restaurants, it is a manmade "peninsula across from the airport.

Shelter Island - A little west of Harbor Island, also manmade and a few restaurants and hotels.

Ocean Beach - Bikers, tattoos, piercing, antiques, the beach, a big pier...and Hodad's for hamburgers. About 8 miles west and north of downtown

Mission Beach - The beach area north of Ocean Beach, 8 miles north of downtown and home of Belmont Park, an old amusement part with an old wooden roller coaster. Home of OMBAC (Old Mission Beach Athletic Club) and the "Over the Line" tournament (softball played in the sand with 3 players on each team and a lot of beer).

Pacific Beach - The beach area north of Mission Beach, famous for Crystal Pier.

La Jolla - Pricey beach community about 13 miles north of downtown. Adjacent to a very nice park area and golf course, Torrey Pines.

Delmar - The beach area north of La Jolla and home of the Delmar Racetrack, about 20 miles north of downtown. Across Interstate 5 from the racetrack is an exclusive community, Rancho Santa Fe.

Solana Beach - The beach north of Delmar, and about 23 miles north of downtown San Diego.

Carlsbad - Home of Legoland

Oceanside - Adjacent to Camp Pendleton, a US Marine Corp training area

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at the tip of Point Loma - At the end of the Point is an historic light house and a great view to the east of all of San Diego.

On the coast adjacent to Camp Pendleton is San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant. Also in the vicinity is an Immigration Service Check Point, followed by Orange County.

Seaworld - Seaworld is Seaworld, available in a number of cities. Sea World is located just east of Mission Beach.

Zoo - The San Diego Zoo boasts the largest animal collection in the world

Balboa Park - the zoo is in Balboa Park, also museums, botanical gardens, park.

San Diego Mission De Alcala - Spanish Padre, Junipero Serra  founded a string of missions up the coast, the first mission being the one in San Diego.

Mission Trails Park - east of downtown about 12 miles and the site of the first water reclamation project in the New World, and the Padre Dam. Very close to the offices of InternetCrusade.

Major Military Presence:
Naval Station, 32nd Street (Combatant and Amphibious ships)
North Island Naval Air Station in Coronado (Aircraft Carriers)
Naval Amphibious Base (Coronado)
Ballast Point (Submarines)
Miramar (Marine Corp Air Base)
Camp Pendleton (Marine Corp Training)
Fleet ASW School (Point Loma)
Marine Corp Recruit Depot (San Diego, MCRD)

Tijuana, Mexico - About 25 miles south...enter at your own risk, prepare for delays

Los Angeles Airport is 125 miles from San Diego off of the 405. Of course from there you are close to Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and lots of traffic.

Saul