Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [237]
The Firehouse Museum (Map; 619-232-3473; 1572 Columbia St, cnr Cedar St; admission $2; 10am-2pm Thu & Fri, 10am-4pm Sat & Sun) preserves a historic collection of fire-fighting equipment and has exhibits depicting some of San Diego’s ‘hottest’ moments.
Embarcadero & the Waterfront
San Diego’s waterfront, built almost entirely on landfill, is about 500 yards wider than it was in the late 1800s. Its well-manicured waterfront promenades stretch along Harbor Dr, and are perfect for strolling or jogging (or watching members of the US Navy doing same). The following sights are laid out in north–south order.
MARITIME MUSEUM
This museum (Map; 619-234-9153; www.sdmaritime.com; 1492 N Harbor Dr; adult/child/senior $12/8/9; 9am-8pm, until 9pm late May–early Sep; ) is easy to find: look for the 100ft-high masts of the iron-hulled square-rigger Star of India. Built on the Isle of Man and launched in 1863, the tall ship plied the England–India trade route, carried immigrants to New Zealand, became a trading ship based in Hawaii and, finally, worked the Alaskan salmon fisheries before winding up here. It’s a handsome vessel, but don’t expect anything romantic or glamorous on board: this is an old workhorse, not the Love Boat. In summer, Movies before the Mast (adult/child $13/8) presents nautical-themed films on board the Star of India; check the website for information.
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Shot in San Diego
If you experience déjà vu in San Diego, it could be because you’ve seen it before…on the silver screen. In addition to classics like Some Like it Hot and Top Gun, 21st-century box-office hits filmed here include Almost Famous (2000), Anchorman (2004), Babel (2006), Bring it On (2000), Bruce Almighty (2003) and Traffic (2000).
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SAN DIEGO FOR FREE
Timken Museum – a collection of Old Masters
Botanical Building – at Balboa Park; has changing plant exhibitions
Hotel del Coronado – the rooms are pricey, but walk-throughs are free
Sea lions at the Children’s Pool in La Jolla.
Free concerts at Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Beach, beach, beach, beach and beach.
Many venues offer free or discounted admission to active military members.
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Also moored here: the California, California’s official tall ship; the century-old steam yacht Medea; the Berkeley, an 1898 boat that originally ferried passengers across San Francisco Bay to connect with the terminus of the transcontinental railroad. The 1914 Pilot, which took harbor pilots to their merchant ships, has narrated rides which last 30 minutes and cost $3. They operate Friday to Sunday; inquire ahead for schedules.
SAN DIEGO AIRCRAFT CARRIER MUSEUM
The giant aircraft carrier USS Midway (Map; 619-544-9600; www.midway.org; Navy Pier; adult/child/senior & student $15/8/10; 10am-5pm; ) was one of the Navy’s flagships from 1945–91, last playing a combat role in the first Gulf War. On the flight deck of the hulking vessel, walk right up to aircrafts including an F-14 Tomcat and F-4 Phantom jet fighter. Tours lead you along the narrow confines of the upper decks to the bridge, admiral’s war room, brig and ‘pri-fly’ (primary flight control, the carrier’s equivalent of a control tower), but lines can be long. If crowds are thin when you arrive, see the upper decks first. There are also three flight simulators (phone for rates and reservations). Some inside areas get stuffy on warm summer days: come early to avoid midday heat and crowds. Allow enough time to spend two to four hours on board. Parking from $5.
SEAPORT VILLAGE & AROUND
South of the USS Midway, you can stroll along Tuna Harbor for a long view of the aircraft carrier en route to Seaport Village (Map; 619-235-4014; www.seaportvillage.com; 10am-10pm; ). Neither seaport nor village, this collection of novelty shops and restaurants has an unconvincing faux–New England theme. It’s touristy and twee but good