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A Tour into San Diego History – Wednesday, March 12 from 1-5.

Today guests will take a step back in time to California’s first church, founded on July 16, 1769 by Blessed Junipero Serra, the Mission San Diego de Alcala. Relocated on the site it currently sits in 1774. One year after the church was completed, it was attacked by Indians who destroyed the Mission by setting fire to the dry buildings. Padre Luis Jayme was killed in the attack and became the first Christian Martyr in California; he is buried in the Mission Sanctuary. In 1776 Padre Serra returned to the site and began reconstruction on the Mission. The Mission today is made from Adobe, which the Padres used in the reconstruction in order to make it fire proof, in case of another attack. Currently the Mission serves as an active parish for the Catholic community and as a cultural center for people of all faiths.

Next it is off to the Junipero Serra Museum, located in Presidio Park above Old Town. The building was constructed in 1929 to commemorate the site where Father Junipero Serra and Captain Gaspar de Portolo established the first mission and fortified settlement in present day California. The museum showcases artifacts such as housewares, period clothing, furniture, tools and a cannon and cannonballs from the periods from the 1700’s through 1848, featuring Native American, Spanish and Mexican artifacts. An on-site archaeological dig is continuing, linking San Diego’s past and it’s importance as one of California’s cornerstone cities.

California Coast and Tidepool Walk – Thursday, March 13th from 9-1

Known to many as “The Jewel by the Sea”, La Jolla boasts rocky cliffs, sandy coves, palm trees, and brilliant flowers. It is California at its finest! La Jolla is a must-see when visiting San Diego, as well as being one of the most exquisite areas in the county to live.

Today guests will explore one of the most beautiful and diverse meetings of land and sea in the world, right here in San Diego. They will enjoy invigorating salt air and admire dramatic settings while learning about local beaches and history. Trained naturalists guide guests through the marine life, birds, plants and geologic formations that abound. They follow pathways and enter sandy coves as they wind their way along the famed La Jolla coastline learning about La Jolla’s history, marine life, tide pools and kelp beds. See some of the loveliest ocean views in Southern California and experience close encounters with pelicans, rocky inter tidal life and harbor seals, usually sunning on the beach or seal rock.

After the coastline walk, guest will enjoy free time to explore the special boutiques, galleries and designer studios, viewing the coastline, or beach combing on their own at the famous La Jolla Cove. All of these are set against a stunning backdrop that is often compared to the French Riviera for its aesthetic appeal.

Coronado Mini Trek – Friday March 14th from 1-5

Coronado began in 1886, the dream of Elisha Babcock, who vowed to create a resort that was to be the "finest watering spot on the Pacific Coast." Along with its fabled Hotel del Coronado, the town became one of the great playgrounds of the world, drawing Presidents and princes, moguls and movie stars to its shores. Concurrently, North Island Naval Air Station was developed into one of this century's most important aviation centers, (Lindbergh and Doolittle lit her skies and shaped the destiny of flight in America).

Coronado's past, full of fabulous homes and famous memories, is still very much a part of San Diego's life today. On a leisurely, guided stroll through quaint Coronado, guests see the stately mansion of John D. Spreckels, or the cottage of the Duchess of Windsor, view the home where the Wizard of Oz was inspired and tour the magnificent Hotel del Coronado. Guests enjoy the tales and tidbits of a hundred years of remarkable history on Coronado Island!

City Tour – San Diego Old and New – Sunday March 16 from 9:30-12:00

Introduce guests to San Diego with a city excursion. A year-round mild climate, seventy miles of beaches, a myriad of recreational activities, and world famous Zoo are just some of the reasons why San Diego has been deemed, “City with Sol”.

The tour begins with a drive through the newly restored Historic Gaslamp District in route to the B-Street Pier where guests will enjoy a one-hour harbor excursion along San Diego Bay. The Bay is considered to be one of the finest natural harbors on the Pacific Coast. It is a bustling commercial port for shipping and fishing, home to the U.S. Naval First Fleet, and protected home for thousands of luxurious private sailboats and yachts.

The tour also passes through the Embarcadero. The Embarcadero lines the San Diego Bay from the Maritime Museum, the ferry boat Berkeley and majestic Star of India to Seaport Village and the San Diego Convention Center.

The next stop is beautiful Balboa Park, one of America's largest municipal parks housing museums from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition and the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition. It is the second largest collection of museums outside of Washington D.C. Balboa Park is also home to the world famous San Diego Zoo.

Old Town State Historic Park, where San Diego began, recreates the setting of California life of the Spanish and early American periods. Its historic buildings, shops and restaurants illustrate the vast changes that have taken place in this city since it was first settled in 1769.

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