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are open everyday except Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Admission is $11.00 for adults, $9.00 for seniors and college students with I.D., $7.50 for children ages three-17 years and babes under 2 are free.

Cabrillo National Monument
It has become our family tradition to begin every visit to San Diego with a stop at the Cabrillo National Monument. Part of the National Parks network, this park has it all the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, the tide pools, the military cemetery and museum, and beautiful walking and biking trails. If none of that does it for you, then just sit back and enjoy a fantastic view of the bay. Entrance fees are $5.00 per carload and they are open every day of the year from 9:00am to 5:00pm. It is important to note that the Bayside trail closes at 4:00pm and the tide pools close at 4:30pm.

The Chula Vista Nature Center
Alright, so it's not technically in San Diego, this place is worth mentioning being a mere seven miles from downtown San Diego. You will park in a free lot at 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive in Chula Vista and a shuttle will take you down a small dirt road to the reserve. Located on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge on San Diego Bay, this place is surprisingly full of exhibits and educational fun. A self guided tour takes you through beautiful displays and enclosures of coastal wildlife and botany. A new hands-on stingray pool offers great fun and awesome photo opportunities. It is open 10:00am to 5:00pm, Tuesday through Sunday, but the last shuttle leaves for the center at 4:00pm. They are closed December 24th through January 1st for the winter holiday. Admission is $6.00 for adults and $5.00 for seniors and college students with a proper I.D. Children ages 12-17 are considered juniors and pay $4.00 while children ages 4-11 pay $3.00. If you are under four, then you enjoy a free visit.

San Diego has a plethora of amazing attractions to dazzle the eyes and empty the pocketbook, but it also boasts some of the most fabulous and relatively unknown places-of-interest to inspire, enjoy, and leave you with money for a few extra dinners out. Take a step away from the beaten path and delight in these treasures of San Diego.

Learn more about this author, Vivian Nelson Melle.
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