As the locals will tell you, this big city with a small town heart is a place to relax. Seventy miles of sun-drenched beaches await you on the Southern California coast, but San Diego has so much more to offer. It is an eclectic mix of a modern sensibilities worked into the elegance of an old-time city. There are sprawling parks and perfect sunset views, renowned cultural events, and of course, world-class shopping. The city crawls into the canyons and up the hillsides, with a downtown that offers the cosmopolitan traveler a wide array of both historical sites and cutting edge urbanity.

The shoreline is part of the grey whale migration route, and wildflowers create a painter's palette of color in the springtime desert to the east. And if you want to go south of the border, the city center is less than 20 miles north of Mexico. Even within the city, there's a rich Hispanic heritage, as well as engaging cultural and artistic performances. A busy special events calendar keeps the whole family entertained, and sporting enthusiasts will enjoy the area's excellent scuba diving and golf courses. With year-round mild weather that is as welcoming as the friendly people who live here, San Diego exudes a casual, unhurried atmosphere.