Location: El Cajon (17 Miles / 20 Minutes East of Downtown San Diego)
Tour Time: 1PM Monday through Friday (Closed on Major Holidays)
Cost: Free
Features: Factory Tour of the Most Prestigious Maker of Acoustical Guitars; Gift Shop
South County San Diego Beaches
Location: San Diego County Coastline from South San Diego Bay to the Mexican Border (11 Miles – 18 Miles South of Downtown San Diego)
Features: Learn about the Beaches in the South Bay, Each With Its Own Character; Get Information on Attractions Near Each Beach, including Horseback Riding on the Beach.
San Diego Electric Railway Museum and Depot
Location: National City (7 Miles / 10 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: 9AM – 5PM Thursdays through Sundays
Cost: Free
Features: Restored 1882 Santa Fe Station is the Oldest Railroad Structure in San Diego; Vintage Trolleys and Electric Rail Cars
Border Field State Park
Location: Imperial Beach (18 Miles / 25 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 9:30AM – 5PM (Occasionally Closed Due to Conditions)
Cost: $5 for Parking on Weekends
Features: Most Southwest Corner of the United States; First Boundary Marker Established at the End of the U.S. – Mexican War; Border Fence; Hiking; Horseback Riding on the Beach; Picnics.
San Diego National Wildlife Refuge
Location: South San Diego Bay (9 Miles / 12 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: Varies by Location
Features: Four National Wildlife Refuges; Two Nature Centers; 370 Species of Birds; Guided Nature Walks
Things to Do at the Living Coast Discovery Center (formerly Chula Vista Nature Center & Aquarium)
Location: Chula Vista (9 Miles / 12 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: Daily 10AM – 4PM
Cost: $14 ($9 for Children 4-17, Students with ID, Seniors 65+)
Features: Wetland of International Importance; Petting Pool with Stingrays and Sharks; Up-Close Views of Endangered Green Sea Turtles, a Bald Eagle, and Golden Eagles; Butterfly and Humming Bird Garden; Nature Trails
Tijuana River Estuary National Wildlife Refuge
Location: Imperial Beach (15 Miles / 20 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)
Visitor Center Hours: 10AM – 5PM Wednesdays through Sundays
Cost: Free
Features: Wetland of International Importance, 370 Species of Birds, Exhibit Center, Hiking, Guided Nature Walks
Las Americas Premium Outlets
Location: San Ysidro (17 Miles / 20 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 10AM – 9PM (7PM on Sundays)
Features: 125 Outlet Stores including Nieman Marcus Last Call, Polo, Haggar, Lane Bryant, and Nike
Knott’s Soak City Water Park San Diego
Location: Chula Vista (17 Miles / 25 Minutes Southeast of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: Memorial Day (Late May) – Labor Day (Early September); Generally 10AM – 6PM (7PM during middle of summer); Open additional weekends during May and September.
Cost: Several options starting at $25.99 ($22.99 for Kids ages 3-11 and Seniors 62+); Parking is $14
Features: Two Dozen Water Slides; Family Rides, Thrill Seeking Rides, and Little Kids Slides.
United States Olympic Training Center Tours
Location: Chula Vista (20 Miles / 25 Minutes Southeast of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 9AM – 5PM; Guided Tours take place 11AM on Saturdays
Cost: Free
Features: Tour the Only Year-Round U.S. Olympic Training Center
Cycling in the San Diego Mountains and Desert
Location: Julian (62 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego); Borrego Springs (93 Miles / 2 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego); Palomar Mountain via Lake Henshaw (62 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego).
Time: Cycling Events Take Place at Various Times During the Year
Cost: Starts at $49 per Event.
Features: Go Cycling or Mountain Biking in San Diego’s Desert and Mountains. Rides Range from 11 miles to 100 miles.
Astronomy in San Diego County
The San Diego Mountains and Desert provide one of the best places in the world to get a clear view of the night sky. Good weather patterns help to limit atmospheric distortion while the remote location and support of nearby communities to keep lights dim provides the darkness needed to create a stargazer’s paradise.
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