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June 15-17 Marti Eicholz The Odyssey is sailing towards the State of California, and it is interesting to note: California, the Golden State’s Motto, “Eureka” means “I have found it,” reflecting the optimism of the Gold Rush era, the reason California became a state, discovering gold at Sutter’s Mill in 1848. California has the world’s tallest and largest living trees. California experiences over 100,000 earthquakes each year. California produces over two-thirds of the world's avocados, making it the "Avocado Capital of the World". Whales migrate north and south throughout the year on the Western Coast of the United States. Being on the Pacific Ocean it is easy to see the biggest mammals on planet earth swim by. The Odyssey docks on a partly cloudy, but pleasant day in San Diego, California at the terminal Broadway Pier, located on San Diego Bay’s Embarcadero, a two-mile stretch of downtown waterfront offering attractions, including dining, shopping, museums, and all with an amazing view. San Diego with more than 1.37 million people is the eighth-largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. People from all parts of the world, speaking more than one hundred languages, live here. San Diego, the seat of San Diego County, is known for its idyllic, mild Mediterranean climate, beautiful, sandy beaches, military presence, particularly in the Navy and Marine Corps, diverse population with rich Mexican and American cultures, being the craft beer capital of America, boasting over 150 breweries, home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Seaworld, a marine life park, offering educational and entertainment experiences, Balboa Park, and emerging wireless, electronics, healthcare, and biotechnology industry. San Diego is considered the "birthplace of California." Explore the historic heart of San Diego, Old Town San Diego State Park which offers a window into California’s earliest settlements, including Mexican heritage and historical sites, colorful shops, authentic restaurants, museums, a theater. Learn about the city's maritime and military history at the floating USS Midway Museum, the longest-serving U.S. Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century, and the Maritime Museum of San Diego, which is home to the Star of India, the world’s oldest active sailing ship. Within walking distance of San Diego’s B-Street Terminal cruise port is Seaport Village, a fourteen-acre waterfront shopping features fifty specialty shops and galleries, offering visitors beautiful panoramic bay views as well as gourmet restaurants, burger and pizza joints, a carousel and roaming entertainment set to a gorgeous backdrop of ocean water. Downtown is the colorful and whimsical architecture of Horton Plaza, setting it apart from any shopping mall in the region. San Diego's Little Italy is a delightful combination of urban chic coupled with history and tradition of Italian and Sicilian immigrants who settled in the early 20th Century. This colorful, festive district is fun to stroll through with numerous art galleries, antique dealers, specialty shops, Italian eateries and plenty of alternatives if your appetite leans toward other cuisines. Take a ferry to Coronado Island and enjoy the charming coastal town, featuring the iconic Hotel del Coronado, built in 1888, the oldest wooden structure in the United States, offering stunning views of the San Diego skyline. San Diego, considered America’s Coolest City, is a city in southern California famous for its idyllic, mild, Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine year-round, seventy miles of diverse and beautiful coastline with stunning stretches of white, pristine beaches for surfing to sunbathing, and a dazzling array of world-class attractions, including animated, diverse street art in Barrio Logan neighborhood, hub of cultural expression, The Gaslamp Quarter, a vibrant historic district, known for its Victorian architecture with plenty of restaurants and entertainment options and catch a Padre’s baseball game at one of the best ballparks in Major League Baseball, Petco Park. The Padres, San Diego 's Major League Baseball club since 1969, are a huge part of the city's history, the world-famous San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California, located in Carlsbad near San Diego, is an amusement park focused on LEGO bricks, offering a fun and interactive experience where a whimsical world of imagination and creativity come to life. Ocean Beach, the most hippie town in America, a world of its own, geographically isolated by the hills of Point Loma and the Mission Bay entrance channel, encapsulates the laid-back, easy-going, beach-centered lifestyle. You can immerse yourself in the California surf lifestyle at Ocean Beach or Pacific Beach, the hot spots for catching a wave or watching the pros. Nature enthusiasts escape to the rugged beauty where dramatic cliffs overlook pristine waters and start your day with a hike at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, one of the most picturesque coastal areas. Hike to Potato Chip Rock, a unique rock formation for breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Balboa Park is the city’s esthetic heart, a world-class cultural and natural gem, a sprawling, vibrant atmosphere bigger than Central Park in New York City (Balboa Park spans 1200 acres, while Central Park is 843 acres), highlighting Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, a Spanish village, and quiet nooks to bustling attractions, providing a peaceful escape from busy downtown. Not only does Balboa Park provide a scenic setting for a leisurely walk, but on a Saturday morning, start your day chuckling in a group, while going through various stretches, uplifting chants, and ending the class in a laughter meditation circle, putting you in a great mood for the rest of the day. It’s called “laughter yoga.” Perhaps this could be a new offer aboard The Odyssey. On Sunday’s, enjoy a concert at Balboa Park’s Spreckels Organ Pavilion and listen to the world’s largest outdoor organ. Balboa Park, the Smithsonian of the West, is an artistic oasis hosting a diverse range of activities: eighteen museums in a Spanish influenced architectural setting, a perfect place to learn about the rich history and culture of San Diego with one standout, the Natural History Museum, offering a deep dive into the history of the region, from prehistoric fossils to native species of flora and fauna, the Museum of Art, featuring world-class collections like works from the European Renaissance to contemporary pieces, numerous beautiful gardens, theaters, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo with a wide array of animals in naturalistic habitats, conservation efforts, and breeding programs. The layout encourages exploration with numerous walking trails and scenic views. Nature enthusiasts will love Balboa Park’s Botanical Building and Garden, housing 2,100 plants, including orchids, lilies, palms, and an adjacent lily pond, creating a serene atmosphere, a perfect place for a stroll. The all-time classic film, Citizen Kane, directed by Orson Wells, features Balboa Park in its opening newsreel montage. In 1915, Balboa Park was the site of the Panama-California Exposition, a grand event highlighting the progress of the United States and celebrating the opening of the Panama Canal, a pivotal moment in the park’s history, shaping its current appearance. Balboa Park is home to the Globe Theatre, inspired by Shakespearean theatre and known for its exceptional productions, whether its classical drama or contemporary productions. Balboa Park Was Originally Called “City Park,” a park designed in 1868, as a recreational area, by landscape architect William W. Price. Later the park’s name was changed to honor Vasco Nunez de Balboa, the Spanish explorer, the first European to see the Pacific Ocean Head to La Jolla Cove for its stunning natural beauty. Stroll along the coastal trails, enjoy panoramic views, and watch wildlife. It is one of the most well-known beaches in San Diego and a popular spot for scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming with unique underwater life or kayak and paddle through the sea caves for a unique coastal experience. As the sun begins to set, head to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park for dramatic ocean views of the Pacific and a breathtaking sunset. Some unique facts about San Diego, did you know? The original California burrito, a taco shop favorite, stuffed with carne asada, fries, cheese, and guacamole, originated in San Diego. San Diego is a major producer of avocados, producing the most avocados in the United States and 60% of California’s production. San Diego is credited with inventing the skateboard as early versions being created by the youth. WD-40 invented by Rocket Chemical in 1953 in San Diego. San Diego is home to Comic-Con International, the world's largest comic book and pop culture convention. Dr. Seuss called La Jolla home. You will be fined if you leave Christmas lights up beyond February 2nd. The first uploaded YouTube video was a clip of an elephant at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego. The SeaWorld San Diego is the first SeaWorld Park to be established in the United States. Ever wanted to experience a drive-in movie? The South Bay Drive-in Theatre is the place to watch a feature film on three one-hundred-foot screens from the comfort of your car. For some haunted history, explore the Whaley House Museum, known for its paranormal reputation, for a spooky experience. San Diego is referred to as “America’s Finest City.” Cabrillo Monument and Mt. Soledad offer a 360-degree view of San Diego from different perspectives, both magnify “America’s Finest City”. Even after living in San Diego County for over eighteen years, one never forgets the beautiful weather, diverse attractions, stunning beaches, laid-back, relaxed, casual lifestyle, and vibrant culture, contributing to its reputation as a desirable place to live and visit. The Odyssey is ready to leave San Diego, the city that has it all. |
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