26 Reasons Why San Diego Is America's Finest City

Reasons A-Z why no other city can come close to San Diego!

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A. Arts & Culture

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San Diego is home to Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the U.S., that features 15 museums, numerous art galleries, beautiful gardens, the Tony Award-winning The Globe Theaters and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. From Art Galleries, to Symphonys, Live Theaters to Operas, San Diego is a great area to explore the arts. Add to this the exploding culinary arts with more than 7000 restaurants and counting.

B. Beer

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San Diego is The Craft Beer Capital of America, or “The Napa Valley Of Craft Beer”. As of early 2015, the county is home to 101 licensed craft breweries and brewpubs, with 45 more on the drawing boards. The county's brewers have pioneered several specialty beer styles, most notably Double India Pale Ale (Double IPA), or San Diego Pale Ale. It's beer culture is a draw for tourism, particularly during major festivals such as San Diego Beer Week and the San Diego International Beer Competition. San Diego County breweries like AleSmith Brewing Company , Stone Brewing Co., Green Flash Brewing Company, and Ballast Point are consistently rated among the top breweries in the world.

C. Comic-Con

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Comic-Con is the largest pop-culture convention in the world. The original multimedia phenomenon for over 40 years, brings several hundred thousand people to San Diego every year. All forms of entertainment are featured, including: Celebrities, Movies, TV, Video Games, Graphic Novels, Horror, Animation, Anime, Toys, Collectibles, Music, and more.

D. Diverse Neighborhoods

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The birthplace of California, and it's second largest city is in a county spread out over 4,500 miles that include so many neighborhoods, that you could be born and raised in San Diego and never see all of them. It is a city of eclectic villages that each include their own vibe, lifestyle, and fun. From the amazing food and drink in North Park and Little Italy, to the nightlife and recreational options in Pacific Beach and The Gaslamp Quarter, you'll never be disappointed in the many diverse areas of San Diego.

E. Education

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With over 50 schools of higher education, San Diego is a great place to go to a University or College. University of California San Diego, San Diego State University, University of San Diego, and many others including research institutes, law schools, trade schools, and community colleges.

F. Family Attractions

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If you are looking for theme parks or entertainment centers, San Diego has much more to offer than just Seaworld, The Zoo, and Legoland. For an old fashioned seaside amusement park on the boardwalk, go to Belmont Park to experience a historic wooden rollercoaster and an artificial surf wave generating machine called Wavehouse. Visit the 125 year-old Hotel Del Coronado for an enchanting look at the famous vacation hotspot for celebrities and world leaders. For waterfront eateries, shops, and entertainment, be sure and visit Seaport Village to see the best family fun San Diego has to offer.

G. Golf

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San Diego and the surrounding area features over 80 golf courses, making it a renowned golf vacation destination. The variety in design includes layouts to satisfy the taste of any golfer. Desert golf courses are typical of East County, whereas tree-lined and links style golf courses in San Diego are predominant closer to the coast. Coronado Golf Course and the world famous Torrey Pines Golf Course border the Pacific Ocean, and provide for astounding views and the challenge of the sea breeze. San Diego golf courses carved along canyons are characterized by dramatic changes in elevation and the daily variations of the wind make club selection and playability even more difficult.

H. Hiking

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Torrey Pines Natural Reserve is a breathtaking place to hike while watching silent gliders above and enjoying beautiful ocean views. San Diego offers hike destinations for all skill levels and terrain types. Other amazing hikes include Mt. Woodson that features Potato Chip Rock, Cowles Mountain with a 360-degree panorama of San Diego County, and Sunset Cliffs Natural Park that incorporates natural caves, tidepools, and scenic ocean views.

I. Interesting People

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San Diego contains so many different types of people that come from all spots on the map that mix together to create colorful character. You've got the well-to-do types in La Jolla and Del Mar, The hippie culture of Ocean Beach, the hipster food and drink scene of North Park, the indie happening in South Park and Golden Hill, The young and beautiful beach and bar scene of Pacific Beach and Mission Beach, The cosmopolitan feel of Downtown and The Gaslamp Quarter, and the LBGT friendly communities of Hillcrest and University Heights.

J. Julian

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Snow in San Diego? You bet. Step back in time to the gold rush 1870's era mountain town of Julian for the best apple pies in Southern California. The cozy little getaway is an hour East of San Diego, featuring numerous romantic bed and breakfast spots, shopping in historic buildings, wine tasting, and art galleries.

K. Kazillion Things To Do

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In the same weekend you can root for the home team at a Chargers or Padres game, kayak with the seals around the sea caves of La Jolla and Sunset Cliffs, Tour the aircraft carrier Midway and the oldest active sailing ship called The Star of India on the downtown harbor front, go to any number of Outdoor Festivals that happen every weekend, see spectacular panoramas of the city and and view the historic Old Point Loma Lighthouse at Cabrillo National Monument. You also don't want to miss out on the seasonal events like the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Racing Season.

And yes, Kazillion is a word!.

L. Lists

 

San Diego is featured on so many top 10 lists that it's hard to keep track. Below are just a few examples of lists that show why America's Finest City is so amazing.

America's Coolest Cities

America's Smartest and Kindest City

Best Place To Be Single

Greatest Foodie Cities

Best Beaches

The Best Places To Launch A Business Startup

The New Capital Of Influence

Best Cities For Biking

Most Scenic Restaurants

Greenest Cities

Top Meeting Destinations

M. Mexican Food

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San Diego has the best Mexican Food in the country and it's available 24 hours a day on almost every corner. The home of The original Fish Taco in America, The Birthplace of the Carne Asada Burrito and The California Burrito, authentic Mexican Cuisine in Old Town San Diego and Fine Mexican Dining in numerous restaurants around the county.

N. Not Los Angeles

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San Diegans don't have to deal with the ridiculous L.A. Traffic, Bad Smog, or Fake Hollywood Types. Not to mention that our weather, economy, and beaches are better. Chances are, your waitress or barista in San Diego won't be more concerned with learning her audition lines than providing you with good service.

O. Ocean. With 70 miles of Coastline

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There are many reasons why San Diego is one of the nations Top Tourist Destinations. One of the biggest is it's number of amazing beaches and coastal access for every taste. Family beaches, Party Beaches, Scenic Beaches, Surf Beaches, Resort Beaches, Snorkeling and Swimming Beaches, Dog Beaches, and even Nude Beaches. Don't forget the the largest waterpark of its kind in the world, Mission Bay Park that is comprised of 4,200 acres, surrounded by 27 miles of meandering shoreline of sandy beaches that are Interconnected by a network of waterways.

P. Pet-Friendly City

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San Diego is one of the most pet-friendly cities you will find. Complete with Dog Beaches, Pet-Friendly Hotels, and even Pet Boutiques and Spas, there is no shortage of places to spoil your beloved animals.

Q. Quintessential Laid-Back Southern California Lifestyle

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San Diego is the epitome of the Laid-Back, no worries, lifestyle that tourists and locals relish year-round. It's hard to be stressed out with so many beautiful views, recreational choices, relaxation opportunities, and nice people.

R. Running And Fitness

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The original Rock 'N' Roll Marathon all started here and introduced the live music and raucous crowds running format to millions across the globe. The year-round perfect climate allows for the beautiful people of San Diego to perpetually keep active. There is no better place to keep active and have fun. Whether you're into surfing, wakeboarding, skiing, jet-skiing, paddle boarding, mountain climbing, off-road racing, kayaking, snorkeling, biking, fishing, yoga, kick-boxing, or just walking along the scenic boardwalk, it's available in San Diego 365/24/7.

S. Sunsets

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Nothing beats the spectacular sunsets available for free every day.

T. Technology

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San Diego is ranked as One Of The Best Cities For Tech Jobs, The Best City To Start A Business, and one of the Best Places for Business and Careers. San Diego is even on the list of The 10 Happiest Cities For Young Professionals.There are many varieties of high-tech companies headquartered in San Diego, including Telecommunications, Software, Electronics, Defense Contracting, Bio-Tech, Medical, Internet, Energy, and Media. The largest of the group is the 45 billion dollar Qualcomm, a global semiconductor company that designs and markets wireless telecommunications products and services.

U. Ultimate Surf Town

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San Diego has played an important role in the history and culture of surfing. It was here, in the time of the old Windansea Surf Rats immortalized in Tom Wolfe's The Pump House Gang, and engineer Bob Simmons pioneered the lightweight fiberglass surfboard that has remained the standard to this day. Pro surfers Rob Machado, Brad Gerlach and Taylor Knox hail from San Diego. San Diego is a surfers paradise that offers many locations for waves for all skill levels, and even surf schools.

V. Vacation

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San Diego hosts more than 33 million visitors each year, and is in the top ten U.S. travel destinations. There is no place else on earth quite like it, and the people keep coming back for more.

W. Weather

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The United States Weather Bureau describes San Diego's weather as the closest thing to perfect in America. Holiday Magazine described San Diego as the "only area in the United States with perfect weather." Pleasant Weather Rating Service Poll voted San Diego as the best year-round weather in the nation, and the second best in the world.

X marks the spot for adventure.

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There are so many adventure opportunities, that we couldn't possibly list them all here. To name a few unique San Diego adventures: Whale watching, sailing, diving, off-roading, trampolining, segway tours, amphibious vehicle sight seeing, speed boat adventure tours, luxury spa treatments, dinner-dance cruises, sport fishing, and paddle boarding tours.

Y. Youth Movement

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Two-thirds of the population in San Diego is under 35, so the old and stuffy crowd can be found elsewhere. Additionally, It is an almost 50/50 ratio of men to women and single to married people and you have the perfect demographics for all types of people.

Z. Zoo

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The World Famous San Diego Zoo sits on over 100 acres in Balboa Park, and has over 3,700 animals. It is part of the largest zoological membership association in the world, with more than 250,000 member households. The San Diego Zoo pioneered the concept of open-air, cageless exhibits that re-create natural animal habitats. Locals and tourists agree, it is a must-see for everybody.

Do you want 75 more reasons why San Diego is America's Finest (Funnest) City?

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And 30 more reasons?