California Official Visitor's Guide 2009 - UK - (Page 10) california road trip Friendly San Diego, desert hideaways Visit San Diego Zoo, go shopping or play golf, then relax in Palm Springs and explore deserts on a drive south towards Mexico gATEWAY AirpOrT: LAx, 124mi/200km: 2hr 5min north of downtown San Diego; also check flights to San Diego International (SAN) surroundings that re-create their authentic wildlife habitats. www.sandiego.org 3. Escondido (30mi/49km: 36min). Imagine you’re in Africa when you visit San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park on the Journey Into Africa open-air tram, which winds its way through habitats filled with a huge variety of wildlife. www.sandiegonorth.com Cycling fun in Carlsbad 1. San Diego See dolphins, polar bears and exciting shows, before enjoying entertaining amusementpark rides at SeaWorld. Stroll through the hip gaslamp Quarter for outdoor dining and nightclubs. Parents, let the kids play at The New Children’s Museum, with interactive exhibits, then enjoy romantic skyline views, steaks and seafood at the Island Prime restaurant. www.sandiego.org Welcome Center to get tips on desert attractions, places to eat and the best ways to explore the Joshua Tree National Park (see next stop). www.desert-regionaltourism-agency.org 4. Carlsbad (17mi/27km: 30min). At LEgOLAND, enjoy charming rides and astonishing displays, including cities built in miniature, using thousands of LEgO bricks. Visit vistas of rainbow-coloured blossoms at nearby Flower Fields. www.visitcarlsbad.com 9. Joshua Tree national Park (15mi/23km: 20min). Explore this stunning desert park, known for its bizarre, eponymous trees. Take part in ranger-led hikes throughout the year. Watch rock climbers scrambling over granite formations at “J-Tree.” www.nps.gov/jotr 2. Balboa Park (6mi/9km: 15min). This sprawling complex in San Diego has 15 fascinating museums, performances at the Old globe Theatre, concerts and the world-class San Diego Zoo, which is home to thousands of animals in 5. oceanside (8mi/12km: 13min). Stop by the California Welcome Center before you start your tour, for expert tips on the region’s best beaches and entertaining destinations. In town, tour the California Surf Museum free of charge, to learn about the sport without getting wet. www.oceansidechamber.com 10. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park/ Borrego Springs (127mi/204km: 2hr 25min). Hike to secluded palm groves, climb to desert vistas; look for roadrunners, golden eagles and bighorn sheep. www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638 TOTAL LEngTH OF DrivE TOur: N San Francisco 0 0 15 25 mi 50 km Los Angeles 6. Palm Desert (93mi/150km: 2hr 10min). Head inland to this desert playground for spectacular shopping (try El Paseo Shopping District and Westfield Palm Desert), art galleries, excellent restaurants, luxury lodgings and green-in-thedesert golf courses. www.palm-desert.org 464mi/745km San Bernardino 15 215 to LAX 5 Twentynine Palms 62 9 10 JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK Palm Springs 7 Palm Desert 6 74 Yucca Valley 8 SPoTLigHT 79 371 79 74 111 86 86 111 76 Oceanside 15 5 Escondido 4 Carlsbad 3 78 Legoland San Diego 79 5 Zoo’s Wild Animal Park Borrego 10 Springs ANZA- 78 BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK 8 7. Palm Springs (12mi/19 km: 30min). Marvel at mid-century modern homes on guided architectural tours of this desert oasis, a film-industry getaway. Treat yourself to a spa treatment at a posh resort. Catch the gay scene at Arenas Road clubs. Enjoy shopping bargains at Cabazon Outlets (19mi/31km northwest). Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tram, rising 5,873ft/1,790m above the desert. www.palm-springs.org 75 5 8. Yucca Valley (32mi/52km: 40min). Visit the California See animals roaming in cage-free habitats and enjoy spectacular African wildlife, such as this young lion. 10 www.visitcalifornia.co.uk Welcome Center sM ALExA MILLER (2) Pacific Ocean Old 5 Globe 805 SeaWorld Theatre 15 San Diego Zoo 8 15 BALBOA San Diego 2 PARK Int’l Airport Gaslamp 1 San Diego Quarter San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park/Escondido. http://www.sandiego.org http://www.sandiegonorth.com http://www.desert-regional-tourism-agency.org http://www.desert-regional-tourism-agency.org http://www.sandiego.org http://www.visitcarlsbad.com http://www.nps.gov/jotr http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638 http://www.oceansidechamber.com http://www.palm-desert.org http://www.palm-springs.org http://www.visitcalifornia.co.uk
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