First settled by Native Americans, the region of San Diego County in California has had residents for thousands of years. Europeans first established the area when the Spanish military and Catholic missionaries came in the mid-1700s. An original county of the state of California, the county had its start in 1850. The beautiful beaches and bays as well as the other attractions and the nearly perfect weather continue to draw in people who want a coastal getaway.
Most San Diego County coastal cities have beaches, and especially in North County are found spectacular seaside scenes. Of course, some of the beaches are better known than others. For one excellent choice, Coronado Beach is considered as one of the best in North America. Then, Mission Beach is near the heart of San Diego, and the stunning La Jolla has beaches and reefs to explore. Now, surfers love catching the waves off the shores of San Diego County. Still, everyone out to experience the county should check out a beach or two for some relaxation and water sports.
Cities
The largest of the county's cities is San Diego, but several other urban centers are placed along the coastline and inland within the region. Here are 3 of the larger of these cities:
Carlsbad – In North County, Carlsbad has a thriving downtown restaurant and shopping district and is the home of LEGOLAND California.
Chula Vista – While this city in South Bay only has a boat ramp on the coast, Chula Vista also has Knott's Soak City that is a popular water park with numerous slides.
Encinitas – A small town in North County, Encinitas has the top beaches in San Diego County for surfing.
Other Adventure Options
Here are examples of the many other attractions found within San Diego County:
Balboa Park – A well-known and loved city park, Balboa Park has great features like walking paths and scenic landscaping as well as museums and playgrounds for children.
Point Loma Lighthouse – This historic landmark is opened for tours and wedding ceremonies.
San Diego Zoo – One of the largest and best of zoos in the United States, the San Diego Zoo caters to its wild animals and offers bus tours.
Sea World – For getting up close to the wonders of underwater worlds, Sea World has animal shows and sea adventure encounters during the daytime and even at night.
