View Attractions Related to: North County Inland
by TourGuideTimGems of Pala Tourmaline
Location: Pala (53 Miles / 55 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: Panning is on most weekends by Appointment Only
Cost: $20 for a Bucket of Pilings
Features: Tourmaline Mining at the famous Stewart Mine; Gem Store
Dig for California Gemstones at the Oceanview Mine
Location: Pala (53 Miles / 55 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)
Gem Mining Hours: 10:30AM – 3PM on Sundays and Some Thursdays; Reservations Required.
Cost: $60 ($50 for Kids)
Features: Pan for California Gemstones, including Pink Tourmaline; Tour a Gem Mine that supplies Museum Curators and Jewelers around the World.
Converting Currency in San Diego
There are several locations where foreign visitors can convert currency in San Diego. The main currency exchange company in San Diego is Travelex, the world’s largest retail operator. There are two locations at the San Diego Airport and several more throughout San Diego County. Their details and a currency converter are provided below.
General Aviation Airports
San Diego offers a number of airports for private plane travel. Below, you will find general location information, Google Maps, and web site links for each of the airports.
Taking Pictures in San Diego / Photography Help
Features: Get your cameras ready for taking lots of pictures in San Diego County. Learn what to expect, where to look for great photo opportunities, and where to go to address any camera problems you may have while visiting San Diego.
Dig for California Tourmaline at the Himalaya Mine
Location: Santa Ysabel (75 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: 10AM – 3PM Thursdays through Mondays
Cost: $75 ($37.50 for kids ages 12-15; Free for Kids under 12); $50 for 1PM-3PM only
Features: Mine for Tourmaline from one of the most famous Tourmaline Mines of the 20th century.
Fly Sailplanes Above the Mountains and Desert
Location: Warner Springs (75 Miles / 1.5 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: 9AM – 5PM (Weekday reservations strongly recommended)
Cost: Rides start at $125 for 20 Minutes. ($160 for 2 people)
Features: Glide over the Mountains and Desert on a Sail Plane
Palomar Observatory
Location: Palomar Mountain (78 Miles / 1 Hour and 45 Minutes Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Open Daily: Generally open 9AM – 4PM (Closed on December 24th and 25th)
Cost: None
Features: Home to One of the World’s Most Powerful Telescopes; Took Clearest Pictures Ever of Outer Space in 2007; Images Used in Google Sky; One of America’s Finest Scientific Achievements.
Cleveland National Forest
Location: Cleveland National Forest (1 Hour Drive from the Coastal Areas of San Diego)
Cost: Most Visitors Will Need An Adventure Pass – $5 per Day or $30 per Year.
Features: Mountains, Meadows, Views of Ocean and Desert; Scenic Drives; Eagles; Falcons; Trails for Hiking, Biking, and Horseback Riding; Campground & RV Sites
San Diego Weather Forecasts
Find the current weather conditions and forecast for the area of San Diego you will be visiting today. If you are making your first visit to San Diego, you should learn more about San Diego weather so you are prepared for your trip. For example, you will want to bring a light jacket or windbreaker if you plan to watch a baseball game downtown, especially if you are visiting from an area where you are used to a lot of heat and humidity.
Weather Forecasts for San Diego: (more…)