San Diego
If you want the most fabulous and extensive collection of beaches in the United States, be certain to visit San Diego. Featuring seventy miles of glorious coastline, and pleasant temperatures all year, San Diego is a great place for tourists. Among many other activities, San Diego is a prime spot for swimming, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaking, bicycling, and skating. Balboa Park and three world-famous animal parks round out this magnificent city. The San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, and Sea World are all wildlife extravaganzas.
Over the past two decades, San Diego has exploded into a cultural mecca, filled with activities and tremendous diversity. Prior to that, this region had a reputation for being a quiet little Navy town. A huge naval base can be found in San Diego, and a lot of the military have their permanent homes in the city. But the influence of three major universities in the area has transformed San Diego into a lively town. The shopping, dining, and entertainment options expand exponentially annually, and there is no reason to think that this expansion will cease any time soon. In addition, San Diego is right near the Mexican border, and visitors often take a short side trip and venture south into Tijuana.
San Diego was the first city established in all of California, making it a rich center for state and national heritage. It is a significant region that should be recognized as such, and whenever tourists pass through, they appreciate its beauty and importance. In addition to the great beaches and pleasant dining establishments, a number of state-of-the-art facilities are springing up all over San Diego. Qualcomm Stadium is the home of the San Diego Chargers and the San Diego Padres. If you plan your trip to include a sporting event, you won't be disappointed.
Cabo San Lucas
At the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula,
where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, lies the tropical paradise
known as Cabo San Lucas. Excellent weather, miles of magnificent public beaches
with crystal clear water, and championship golf courses set the mood for a
vacation that entices you to unwind and refresh.
Once sought after by migrating pirates for its safe harbors,
the Los Cabos (The Capes) area, and Cabo San Lucas in particular, is one of the
most popular tourist destinations in Mexico. It has grown in recent decades to a
city of over 25,000, with many of its residents drawn to its rugged and
beautiful coastline, water-sports galore, and world-class golf resorts. Cabo is
particularly famous among the sport fishing crowd because of its year round
status as the Mecca of big game trophy fish.
No matter what the season, in Cabo San Lucas you can partake
in the thrill of hooking a blue or black marlin, sailfish, dorado or tuna. There
are also many great surfing opportunities in Cabo San Lucas. To add some
underwater excitement to your stay in this beautiful city, go on a deep-sea
diving adventure, where you can see spectacular gardens of black coral reefs,
gorgeous sea turtles, and sand waterfalls.
The legendary spirited nightlife of Cabo San Lucas, as well
as the wonderful fresh seafood served in its charming restaurants, also
highlights this wonderful city. Shopping for creative Mexican arts and crafts,
or spending the day out on a glittering white sand beach, are other ways that
you can enjoy your peaceful stay here. It is no wonder that visitors return
again and again!
Acapulco
In the 16th century, Spanish explorers came across the Bay of Acapulco and were captivated by its naturally protected shores and beautiful surroundings. Today, Acapulco remains a stunning Mexican hideaway that caters to all the needs of the modern tourist.
Acapulco is by far the largest, most opulent of all the resort cities in Mexico. An endless variety of dining, entertainment, and sporting options are available in town, assuring that you will never run out of things to do while visiting. In addition, it is quite close to the resort cities of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo; two destinations providing a brief escape from the hustle and bustle of Acapulco.
Acapulco is the ideal location for either a relaxing or an exciting day under the sun. A typical day on the bay will find you spending the majority of your time outdoors. With an average temperature of 80 degrees, Acapulco enjoys some of the finest year-round weather in the world. While spending the day on a beautiful beach, you can either lie peacefully, soaking in the sun's rays, or instead enjoy the many adventurous water sports offered in Acapulco. Some of these water sports include scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, and water skiing. In addition, you should not miss La Quebrada, where daring cliff divers take a 130 feet plunge into the ocean. Other sites you should see is the beautiful vegetated lagoon of Coyuca, the historical Fuerte de San Diego, built to protect Acapulco from dangerous pirates in 1616, or a glass bottom boat where you can view the submerged Virgin of Guadalupe on the ocean floor off Roqueta Island.
At the end of a tiring, sun-splashed day, head over to Pie de la Cuesta and watch the beautiful sunset. Once the sun is down, Acapulco turns into a city of the night. There are delicious cafes, shops, boutiques, and lively clubs throughout the charming streets of Acapulco.
Huatulco
Bahias de Huatulco is located on the gorgeous coast of Oaxaca in Mexico. This region is beautiful and bursting with activity, and the bays of Huatulco encompass over thirty tropical beaches. The entire community is, in essence, a beach, so you will never be far from the sparkling sea and the warm, shimmering sand. There are a couple of outstanding restaurants in the vicinity, and the shopping here is limited but still enjoyable. The Museo de Artesanias Oxaquenas is an extraordinary museum where you can watch artistic geniuses at work. Huatulco's popularity is increasing, but some tourists remain hesitant to visit because of the unfinished appearance of the area. It is not nearly as built up as Cancun or Mazatlan, but there is a certain allure that is unique to Huatulco. In fact, many seasoned travelers prefer the rustic look of Huatulco to the other more commercialized areas of Mexico.
The bays can be toured by boat, and while viewing the spectacular sunset, you may want to engage in some fishing, followed by dinner consisting of your fresh catch. If you would rather enjoy a meal at one of the local establishments, some excellent choices exist. The crystal clear waters of Huatulco are perfect for swimming, and a wide array of water sports is at your disposal. The coast of Oaxaca is largely uninhabited, and there are trails all around the bays of Huatulco that are ideal for exploration.
Miami
A destination of vast diversity, Miami's year-round warm
weather attracts visitors from all over the world to its beautiful beaches,
modern architecture, and vibrant nightlife. Two million people call Miami home,
but another 10 million come to visit every year.
The Spanish were first to arrive, and it is understandable
that their influence should be felt first and foremost. Miami was colonized by
the Spanish in the 1500?s, then used as collateral in negotiations with the
English that ended the Seven Years War. Spain gained Havana back in exchange
for Florida. In 1783, England traded Florida back to Spain for the Bahamas, and
Spain ruled Florida as a colony until 1821, when Florida became a state.
Miami now is world famous for its beaches, 35 miles worth,
from South Beach to Sunny Isles. Whether you want to sunbathe, swim, or just
people watch, there are enough different beaches to suit your fancy.
But there is so much more to the city. A wide range of
museums and parks can be found here. They add a refined sense of culture to the
glitz and glamour of Miami's world-renowned nightlife.
Of course, if shopping is your main objective, Miami has more
than enough shops and boutiques to suit your needs. That's without even
mentioning the many upscale shopping malls and sidewalk stores that dot the map
What sets Miami apart from most other tourist destinations is
the blend of people who call it home. Nowhere else in the world will you see so
many people from so many different cultures. Large communities of Cubans and
Haitians mix with retired "snowbirds" from New York and Canada.
It's hard to take in all that Miami has to offer in one
day, but here are some of the highlights.
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