San Diego Historical Society Museum
A good place to start if you are a newcomer to San Diego, the recently remodeled museum offers permanent and changing exhibits on topics related to the history of the region, from pioneer outposts in the 1800s to the present day. Many of the museum's photographs depict Balboa Park and the growth of the city. Plan to spend about 30 to 45 minutes here. Docent tours are available; call tel. 619/232-6203, ext. 117, for information and reservations. Books about San Diego's history are available in the gift shop, and the research library downstairs is open Thursday through Saturday.

Whaley House
In 1856, this striking two-story brick house (the 1st one in these parts) was built for Thomas Whaley and his family. Whaley was a New Yorker who arrived via San Francisco, where he had been lured by the gold rush. It's probably an urban legend that Whaley's house is designated as "one of only two authenticated haunted houses in California," yet 10,000 schoolchildren visit each year to see for themselves. Besides, no one can really explain why photos taken inside the house often develop with foggy apparitions (apparently, four spirits haunt the structure). Exhibits include a life mask of Abraham Lincoln, one of only six made; the spinet piano used in the movie Gone with the Wind; and the concert piano that accompanied Swedish soprano Jenny Lind on her final U.S. tour in 1852. In back is the cottage that was San Diego's first drugstore (dating to 1867) -- it now houses a shop selling attractive Native American art and jewelry. And the nice shop in front is run by the Save Our Heritage Organisation, which offers beautiful Arts & Crafts pottery, architecture-themed books, and crafts.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps
This beautiful facility is both an aquarium and a museum, operated as the interpretive arm of the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography. To make the most of the experience, be sure to pick up a visitor guide from the information booth just inside the entrance, and take time to read the text on each of the exhibits. The aquarium affords close-up views of the Pacific Northwest, the California coast, Mexico's Sea of Cortez, and the tropical seas, all presented in more than 60 marine-life tanks. The giant kelp forest is particularly impressive. Exotic highlights include the fanciful white anemones and the ethereal moon jellies, which look like elegant parachutes. The sea horse propagation program here has met with excellent results -- nine different species of sea horse are on display in one of the aquarium's best exhibits. The outdoor demonstration tide pool not only shows visitors marine coastal life but also offers an amazing view of Scripps Pier, La Jolla Shores Beach, the village of La Jolla, and the ocean. Free tide-pool talks are offered on weekends, which is also when the aquarium is most crowded, and off-site adventures are conducted year-round (call for more details). The museum section has numerous interpretive exhibits on current and historic research at the Scripps Institution, which was established in 1903 and became part of the University of California system in 1912. You'll learn what fog is and why salt melts snow; the number of supermarket products with ingredients that come from the sea (including toothpaste and ice cream) might surprise you; and you can feel what an earthquake is like and experience a simulator ride, Morphis. The bookstore is well stocked with textbooks, science books, educational toys, gifts, and T-shirts.

Embassy Suites Hotel San Diego-La Jolla
The Embassy Suites San Diego-La Jolla is conveniently located in the heart of the Golden Triangle. We are between San Diego I-5 and the Inland 805 Freeway. The hotel is directly across from the University Town Center-a large outdoor shopping mall, as well as minutes away from the beach, restaurants, attractions, and businesses. Downtown La Jolla 5 Mi W San Diego-Lindberg Arpt 14 Mi S Train Station 14 Mi S Downtown San Diego 14 Mi S Bus ...

Comfort Inn At The Harbor
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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 ...