Destination Information - San Diego, California, USA

San Diego county's mild Mediterranean-type climate and nearly 70 miles of coastline make it one of the most pleasant regions to visit in the United States. With close to 3 million inhabitants, the city is now the second largest in California, meaning there's plenty going on whatever your interests, be it water-sports, shopping, culture or nightlife.

There's certainly no shortage of opportunities for sports and outdoor pursuits. The area's varied topography allows you to spend a morning sailing, surfing or diving in the Pacific Ocean, and an afternoon skiing, or exploring secluded desert trails. The beaches around San Diego are some of the finest in California and offer great swimming and water-sports as well as the potential for posing with California's bronzed and beautiful. The hinterland is a world apart with its desert scenery straight out of a wild west film.

The old quarters of San Diego have numerous 19th-century buildings, many of them beautifully restored and a popular feature on the tourist trail. The best known such area is the Gaslamp Quarter, which has become a lively entertainment district in its own right with bars, restaurants and shops spilling out into the streets lined with fin de siècle houses.

California's historical links with Spain and San Diego's proximity to the Mexican border lend a Spanish/Mexican influence to the city apparent in much of its architecture and its laid back atmosphere. This, along with the varied cuisine on offer, near constant sunshine and proximity to excellent beaches and untamed nature gives the city a unique appeal - one that keeps visitors coming back for more time and time again.