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During your San Diego vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala
Established in 1769 above Old Town, this was the first link in a chain of 21 missions founded by Spanish missionary Junípero Serra. In 1774, the mission was moved from Old Town to its present site for agricultural reasons, and to separate Native American converts from the fortress that included the original building. The mission was burned by Native Americans a year after it was built -- Father Serra rebuilt the structure using 5- to 7-foot-thick adobe walls and clay tile roofs, rendering it harder to burn. In the process he inspired a bevy of 20th-century California architects. A few bricks belonging to the original mission can be seen in Presidio Park in Old Town. Mass is said daily in this active Catholic parish. Other missions in San Diego County include Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in Oceanside, Mission San Antonia de Pala near Mount Palomar, and Mission Santa Ysabel near Julian. Known as "the King of Missions," the San Luis Rey is the largest of California's missions and one of its most beautiful.
San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum
On January 10, 2004, the USS Midway made her final voyage into San Diego Bay. The aircraft carrier had a 47-year military history that began 1 week after the Japanese surrender of WWII in 1945. By the time the Midway was decommissioned in 1991, the warship had patrolled the Taiwan Straits in 1955, operated in the Tonkin Gulf, served as the flagship from which Desert Storm was conducted, and evacuated 1,800 people from volcano-threatened Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines -- in all, more than 200,000 men served aboard the Midway. The carrier is now moored at the Embarcadero and has become San Diego's first naval museum. A self-guided audio tour takes visitors to several levels of the ship, telling the story of life on board. The highlight is climbing up the superstructure to the bridge and gazing down on the 1,001-foot-long flight deck, with various aircraft poised for duty. What really brings the experience to life is how the ship has not been restored cosmetically -- incomplete paint jobs litter the walls with the occasional graffiti, the austere bunkers look like the inhabitants just stepped out. Check into docent tours to add additional insights for your visit.
San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum
One of the country's few multisport museums, the slick Hall of Champions has been a destination for sports fans since 1961. The museum highlights more than 40 professional and amateur sports. More than 25 exhibits surround a centerpiece statue, the Discus Thrower. One particularly interesting exhibit is devoted to athletes with disabilities. You can see it all in under an hour.
Best Western Bayside Inn
Fourteen stories, full service modern hotel located in downtown San Diego near the Big Bay. Conveniently located to all of San Diego's most popular destinations, such as Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Gas lamp, Old Town and Horton ...
Humphrey's Half Moon Inn & Suites
Nestled in lush tropical gardens on Shelter Island, overlooking San Diego Bay and a private marina, this quaint hotel offers all the amenities of a luxury resort with a gourmet restaurant, nightly entertainment and happy hour, massage therapy and exercise facilities. The spacious 182 rooms and suites welcome you with muted Mediterranean decor, and display a large array of ...
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