San Diego, California's second largest city, is known as America's Finest City and attracts some 30 million tourists a year. This is due to the pleasant climate with an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, the cultural diversity, the interesting history and the high quality of life, as well as the miles of dream beaches with white sand like in the Caribbean.
Even if San Diego does not impress with the glamour of Hollywood, the lifestyle of New York and the flair of San Francisco, it captivates every visitor with its romantic charm. One of the most beautiful parts of the city is La Jolla, which is characterized by a rugged coastline, numerous beaches, secluded bays and a remarkable wealth of wildlife and interesting underwater world.
More than just a vacation – enchanting diversity
Where today there are small secluded bays and you feel like Robinson Crusoe or a billionaire with a private beach, once the Kumeyaay Indians populated the area. In 1542 the land was discovered by the Portuguese navigator Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. Today the beach of La Jolla is crowded with young people, because San Diego with its many cool restaurants, exclusive stores and interesting sights is hip and trendy.
In the La Jolla district you will find sun-seekers relaxing on the white sandy beaches and in the turquoise water, surfers riding the waves of the Pacific Ocean, as well as animal watchers and divers. But also the romantics get their money's worth: Nowhere else in the world is the sunset as beautiful as on the coast of La Jolla!
In addition, the vacation in San Diego is a real highlight from a culinary point of view – especially Draft Republic and Caroline's Seaside Cafe will delight every gourmet palate.
And interesting for all golfers: La Jolla is also home to the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course, which hosts the professional PGA Tour Buick Invitational year after year.
The wildlife of La Jolla
In recent years, seals have settled at Children's Pool beach, a man-made bay near the city center, which can be watched for hours on end. But above all, the underwater world of La Jolla attracts numerous sport and hobby divers every year to the impressive Underwater Park, which extends over numerous bays and is a protected area. It is easily accessible from the shore and can also be explored by snorkelers. They might get company from leopard sharks, as these animals swim around near the coast especially in the summer months. They may look scary at up to two meters long, but they are totally harmless. If you want to observe the sharks in their natural habitat, just go into the water at the level of the Marine Room restaurant and you will encounter the huge fish already in less than two meters depth.
If you don't like it that wild: At La Jolla Cove you can snorkel with countless bright blue, bright red and bright yellow fish and with sea lions in the water, some of which swim right around you!
Even more animals can be seen at Sea World, San Diego Zoo and San Diego Safari Park.
Tips for entering the USA
Since the beginning of 2009, all persons visiting the USA have to obtain the electronic entry permit ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) as part of an extended security check. The application is on the Internet on the page www.estaform.org to find. The paid permit (currently around 11 €) is valid for a period of two years and must be requested at least 72 hours before departure. Vacationers with a valid visa or those who drive across the Mexican or Canadian border do not need an ESTA permit.
And here are three more important tips for a smooth entry into the USA:
- On some flights it is forbidden to take electronic devices with empty or weak battery on board (baggage regulations for the USA).
- At the immigration and customs office you have to show sufficient financial means for the stay in the USA as well as for the return journey when entering the country.
- When entering the country by land with a car, a valid driver's license, the vehicle documents and proof of liability insurance must be presented.
Worth knowing about daily life, living, eating, telephoning as well as among other things about car rental and security is on the page magazinUSA.com (German language). There are for example hints for motorcycle tours, for vacation on a ranch and some more.