by Julie Diaz

Created on: April 28, 2009   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

If you only have one day to see the highlights of San Diego, consider taking the 59-Mile Scenic Drive. The drive, established in 1965, takes about three hours; but beware, the sights are so compelling that you will be out of the car in no time. Most of the drive is marked with a distinctive blue and yellow sign with a white seagull on it.

To get more information and maps of the area, stop at the Visitor Center on the northeast corner of West Broadway and Harbor Drive. Begin your drive at the Embarcadero on Harbor Drive. There you will drive north on Harbor to see Broadway Pier where you can take harbor cruises or a ferry across the harbor to Coronado. Next to Broadway Pier is the Cruise Ship terminal where there may be an enormous cruise ship docked. A little farther north is the Maritime Museum with its incredible collection of boats that includes the Star of India, the Berkeley, and a Russian submarine.

From here keep driving north on Harbor Drive towards the International Airport to get to Harbor Island. Drive along Harbor Island to see beautiful San Diego Harbor, Downtown and Point Loma.

After this is Shelter Island, with its many hotels and marinas, then on to

Point Loma. You will drive through the military cemetery at Fort Rosecrans with its rows of white cross against the background of the Harbor.

Continue on until it the road ends at Cabrillo National Monument. Here you can see the statue of Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo, the Portuguese explorer who "discovered" San Diego in 1542. You can also take in the amazing views of the harbor, as well as visit tide pools and the Old Point Loma lighthouse.

Next, you will journey through Ocean Beach and Mission Bay Park on your way to Mount Soledad. The park on Mount Soledad has perhaps the most breathtaking views in the entire city. You can see for miles from this vantage point; as far as Catalina Island on a clear day. The stunning white cross and the Veterans wall of honor are vivid reminders of the importance of the military in the city.

From Mount Soledad you will drive through the beautiful Torrey Pines area to see University of California at San Diego, Salk Institute, and Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Then it is on to some of the most scenic coastal views in San Diego at La Jolla Cove. Drive through La Jolla to see some of the most exclusive homes in the area.

Pacific Beach and Mission Beach are popular beach areas for both the locals and tourists. The drive takes you past the Sports Arena, which hosts the

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>