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by TourGuideTimPala Casino Spa Resort & Event Center
Location: Pala (51 Miles / 50 Minutes Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: Casino Open 24 Hours a Day / 7 Days a Week
Features: Destination Casino with Slots, Card Tables, Baccarat, Roulette, Online Lessons; Large Selection of Restaurants; Nightly Entertainment; Major Event Center; Resort; Spa
Gems 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.
Information for Foreign Visitors in San Diego
There are many resources for foreign visitors in San Diego. While traveling far from home, take comfort that there are many people from your country who now live in San Diego. They host cultural events and provide San Diego resources for fellow emigrants and visitors to San Diego.
You can find San Diego resources from the internet links below to help make you feel at home or find assistance if you need help. Come visit San Diego. It is a great international city where you will feel welcome and experience travel that you will remember for a lifetime.
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.
San Diego Greyhound Stations
Greyhound offers five full service stations throughout San Diego County, including access to the beaches, international border, and major tourist attractions. Details on the Greyhound Stations, including Google Maps, other transit services, and nearby attractions are noted below.
Coronado Ferry
The Coronado Ferry is a great way to visit Coronado while enjoying San Diego Bay and the downtown skyline views. The Ferry is operated by Flagship Cruises (formerly San Diego Harbor Excursions) and runs hourly from the Broadway Pier and generally every two hours from the Fifth Avenue Landing behind the Convention Center to the Coronado Ferry Landing Marketplace. It takes only 15 minutes to cross the bay. The Hotel del Coronado is 1.5 miles from the Coronado Ferry Landing and can be reached by foot, bus, pedicab, or taxi.
Pedicab Tours Around San Diego
A pedicab is a three or four wheeled bicycle carriage usually powered by a college student, many of whom are visiting from overseas. The pedicabs can generally carry two to four guests. They are a great option for getting around the crowded Gaslamp Quarter and East Village streets on weekend evenings. They are also a good choice to take to the San Diego Padres baseball games at Petco Park. You will see them around the downtown area and at major events. Cost depends on the number of passengers and generally ranges from $15 – $30 for a mile ride. You can also call one of the pedicab companies listed below to arrange for a tour.
Zipcar (Flex Car) in San Diego
Zipcar provides cars that can be rented by the hour or by the day. They have two locations in San Diego – the UCSD campus, which is near La Jolla Shores, Torrey Pines, and University City and the UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest, just a few miles north of downtown San Diego. Check for new San Diego locations on the Zipcar web site. You must apply to be a Zipcar member in advance. Learn more about Zipcar. If you are looking for Flex Car, the company was acquired by Zipcar.
Tour San Diego at a Leisurely Pace on a Segway
A Segway is a personal transport vehicle. As long as you can stand comfortably, your motorized Segway will take you around town at about 6 – 9 mph. You can take a guided tour on Segways around San Diego or rent them for your own use. Listed below are the local Segway companies and the tours they offer.
California Welcome Center
Location: Oceanside (39 miles / 40 minutes North of Downtown San Diego); 1st Visitor Center in San Diego County when heading south on highway I-5 from Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
Hours: Generally open daily 9AM – 5PM.
Services: Professionally trained staff to assist with San Diego vacation plans, brochures, maps, and discount tickets.
Host: Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
Printable Oceanside Visitor Guide – 102 Things to Do – 2 pages.
Google Map
Print the San Diego Map
Print the La Jolla Map
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