Torrey Pines State Reserve
The rare Torrey pine tree grows in only two places in the world: Santa Rosa Island, 175 miles northwest of San Diego, and here, at the north end of La Jolla. Even if the twisted shape of these awkwardly beautiful trees doesn't lure you to this spot, the equally scarce undeveloped coastal scenery should. The city first donated 369 acres as a public park, and the 1,750-acre reserve was established in 1921, from a gift by Ellen Browning Scripps. The reserve encompasses the beach below, as well as a lagoon immediately north, but the focus is the 300-foot-high, water-carved limestone bluffs, which provide a precarious footing for the trees. In spring, the wildflower show includes bush poppies, Cleveland sage, agave, and yucca. A half-dozen trails (all under 1 1/2 miles in length) travel from the road to the cliff edge or down to the beach, and there's a small visitor center, built in the traditional adobe style of the Hopi Indians and featuring a lovely 12-minute video about the park. Watch for migrating gray whales in winter, or dolphins who patrol these shores year-round. For a taste of what Southern California's coast looked like a couple hundred years ago, this delicate spot is one of San Diego's unique treasures. Note: There are no facilities for food or drinks inside the park -- bring a picnic lunch.

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.

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla
Focusing on work produced since 1950, this museum is known internationally for its permanent collection and thought-provoking exhibitions. The MCASD's collection of contemporary art comprises more than 3,000 works of painting, sculpture, drawings, prints, photography, video, and multimedia works. The holdings include every major art movement of the past half-century, with a strong representation by California artists. You'll see particularly noteworthy examples of minimalism, light and space work, conceptualism, installation, and site-specific art -- the outside sculptures were designed specifically for this site.The museum is perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and the views from the galleries are gorgeous. The original building on the site was the residence of the legendary Ellen Browning Scripps, designed by Irving Gill in 1916. It became an art museum in 1941, and the original Gill building facade was uncovered and restored in 1996. More than a dozen exhibitions are presented each year; in summer 2005 watch for "Strange New World/Extraño Nuevo Mundo," an exploration of the flourishing arts scene of Tijuana, the border town that is little appreciated by outsiders (the show will run concurrently at the downtown branch of MCASD). Guided docent tours available daily at 2pm, with a second tour Thursdays at 5:30pm. The bookstore is a great place for cutting-edge gifts, and the cafe is a pleasant stop before or after your visit.

Doubletree Hotel San Diego-Mission Valley
From Points North: Take I-5 South to I-805 South to Hwy 163 South. Exit Friar*s Road East. Take a Right onto Frazee Road. Take a Right onto Hazard Center Drive. From the South: Interstate 5 north to 8 east to 163 north. -Or 5 north to 163 north- Exit Friar*s Road East. Turn right on Frazee Road, turn right on Hazard Center Drive. From the East- Interstate 8 west to 163 north. Exit Friar*s Road east. Turn right on Frazee and turn right on Hazard Center Drive. From the ...

Hotel Solamar - a Kimpton Hotel
Located 3 miles from San Diego's Lindberg Field Airport, Hotel Solamar sits among the Gaslamp Quarter's historical architecture, eclectic shopping and premier dining establishments. Hotel Solamar is also within walking distance of the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park and the trolley system, which provides easy access to the Civic Center and Old Town. The San Diego Zoo is 3 miles and Sea World is 8 miles away. -Surrounded by "East Village" and its multitude of artisans. -2 ...

Holiday Inn SAN DIEGO-ZOO AREA
The Holiday Inn San Diego Zoo Area Hotel is located in the Heart of Mission Valley, featuring an array of area attractions including the World famous San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and Old Town San Diego to mention a few. The Palms Cafe features creative buffets and succulent dishes, while The Palms Cantina welcomes guests for relaxation and entertainment. The hotel features 7000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a complimentary fitness room, and an inviting pool area with visibility from a ...