Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Balboa Park
San Diego's best-known attraction, the zoo, is ensconced in Balboa Park, one of America's
great urban spaces. Balboa Park rose to fame with a world's fair about 100 years ago, the
Panama-California Exposition of 1915-16. Grand Spanish-colonial revival-style pavilions
were constructed, which dominated the California design sense for generations. Here's the
thing, though: they were temporary, made largely of stucco, chicken wire, plaster, hemp
and horsehair like Hollywood movie sets, but they proved so popular that many were later
replaced with the durable concrete structures that you see today. And among the park's
many stages and amphitheaters, the jewel is the 600-seat Old Globe, modeled after the
London theater where Shakespeare's works were performed. At 1200 acres, Balboa Park is
more than 50% bigger than Central Park in New York City (778 acres).
GAY & LESBIAN SAN DIEGO
Historians trace the roots of San Diego's thriving gay community to WWII. Amid the en-
forced intimacy of military life, gay men from around the US were suddenly able to create
strong if clandestine social networks. Post-war, many of these new friends stayed, and by
the late 1960s, a newly politicized gay community made its unofficial headquarters in the
Hillcrest neighborhood, which still has the highest concentration of LGBT bars, restaur-
ants, cafes and shops, though the center is gradually branching out to other neighbor-
hoods including nearby North Park. Visitors and locals alike find San Diego's gay scene
generally more casual and friendly than in San Francisco or LA.
San Diego County's Best Water-View Dining
Anthony's Fish Grotto
Seafood classic next to the great naval ships of the Embarcadero,
by Downtown San Diego's seashore.
Bali Hai
Tiki to the max, baby; watch the sailboats go by off Point Loma.
World Famous
This spot in Pacific Beach has never given up the surfer vibe.
George's at the Cove
Consistently rated one of America's top restaurants, with three
venues for your dining pleasure. The rooftop lounge has awesome views.
