San Diego’s Sunny Coast

Whether it is surfers or shoppers, the southern California city of San Diego attracts thousands of guests every year. But these visitors are often so dazzled by the area’s ideal beaches (bordering the usually tranquil Pacific Ocean) that they fail to realize some of the other treasures this town has to offer.

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For example, the interior of San Diego offers excellent opportunities for gourmet travelers to sample various cuisines. Within the space of a few blocks, restaurants offer foodranging from Afghan and Persian to Italian, American, and many more. In fact, San Diego’s Little Italy section is considered to be one of the largest in the United States. And speaking of tasty treats, chocoholics won’t want to miss the old-style Ghirardelli soda fountain and chocolate shop. Located on 5th Avenue, it offers delicious, gigantic sundaes drenched in lush chocolate sauce.
One of the area’s most scenic drives can be taken (for free!) along the coast of the nearby enclave of La Jolla. Here, the seaside becomes more rugged, and the coast becomes a series of dramatic cliffs and peaceful bays. A colony of harbor seals has its home on one of the public beaches. Photos are allowed, but getting too close to the animals is not permitted.

With the exception of a few rainy weeks in January and February, there really isn’t a bad time to visit San Diego. The weather generally stays between 15 and 26 degrees, and, while mornings may be cloudy (courtesy of the fog rolling in off the ocean), the sun almost always shines through.