San Diego is often thought of a beach town where young people and college students get rowdy seven days a week. While this may be partially true, it must be mentioned that San Diego also has a growing sophisticated side. San Diego has blossomed in the last few years as people with refined tastes have voiced their needs for new evening activities. What do people with refined tastes drink? Wine.

Just over a sweeping bridge from San Diego, lies Coronado Island, where Balboa's water playground stretches uninterrupted toward the horizon, shimmering like iridescent turquoise taffeta.

Coronado is technically a peninsula with a long, slender causeway parallel to the shore as it reaches ten miles almost to Mexico. The residents like to think of the large piece of land lying just off San Diego as an island because it's accessed by bridge or ferry boat.

Whether you're from San Diego or just visiting, Coronado Island is one part of the city that must be seen. While many choose to head over the magnificent Coronado Bridge by car, an intimate way to experience this small town is by bike. So, grab a few friends or head over by yourself and enjoy the peacefulness of the island. You'll have a day full of people watching and sight "sea"-ing. It'll be a day you won't forget!

With gluten friendly fare in big demand, San Diego's hippest restaurants are quickly educating themselves and developing delicious options. "Gluten friendly" has become a growing demand as approximately 1 in 133 people are said to have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten which requires eliminating wheat, barley and rye from the diet and it takes creativity to establish menu items without these ingredients.

Year-round sunshine? Check. Miles of sandy coastline? Check. An oceanic playground for boarders, boaters and swimmers? Check. Perched on the southernmost tip of California, the only challenge San Diego poses to visitors, is finding the top spots to splash around it. The best place for water-lovers of all ages to begin the day is about 15 minutes north of downtown San Diego at La Jolla Shores.

San Diego is known for its amazing coastline, sunshine, an average temperature of 72 degrees and little rainfall. Of course, not all of San Diego is warm. Some of the "hottest" spots are the chilliest! What most people do not realize is San Diego is one of the most haunted cities in America. So get ready because today we visit the "old haunts" of San Diego.

If you are lucky enough to be in sunny San Diego for the weekend and feel like seeking some mischief, there is no better place to be than Pacific Beach. A popular beach area for tourists and beach lovers located north of downtown and south of La Jolla, Pacific Beach welcomes everyone and the locals have seen it all. It is a common occurrence to see a 50 person pub crawl most sunny weekends of the year. The attractiveness of this particular spot is the easy accessibility of all the bars and shops, and the positive energy of the weekenders and locals looking to have a great time.

The appeal of San Diego has always purportedly been sun-filled days and beaches for miles. While these perks aren't likely to diminish any time soon, lately it's San Diego's nightlife that's shining thanks to the presence of boutique hotels like the Ivy. Both a luxury accommodation and nightclub, 600 F Street is a destination spot itself; in particular, our destination for today.

Tucked behind the freeway between Mission Bay and Balboa Park in the heart of San Diego, sits the lively neighborhood of Old Town. The first settlement in California, Old Town is a place devoted to maintaining an ancient way of life. A place where people in colorful dresses and suits mingle amongst the tank tops and flip flops of the modern world.

The San Diego Wild Animal Park is like no other zoo. Here, large wild animals are free to roam within huge enclosures that replicate the wilds of Africa.

Clustered in these fenced-off acres are water buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, rhino, and several other impressive herds of different species. The animals mingle and romp up hills, through gullies, around waterholes and under trees. A motorized tram tour takes visitors around the perimeters of the enclosures, and for an extra fee, guests can ride on the back of a truck into the world of Africa itself on a Photo Safari.

On one of San Diego's many glorious sun-filled days, one of the best ways to experience its beauty is to follow the lead of the locals and get out onto the water. If you don't own your own nautical vessel, not to worry, a two-hour Hornblower Harbor Cruise is a great option to enjoy the water and soak up some sun. Bring your sunglasses, a camera, binoculars and a windbreaker and head out for a day on the bay.

Summer is synonymous with the word vacation. Most of us dream of romantic walks on a tropical beach, umbrella cocktails or maybe just hiding away with a great book. The months of July through August in Del Mar, California, spell out quite a different experience for about a million spectators and dozens of the most finely tuned athletes in the world.

San Diego is one of the jewels in the crown of California's coast and ranks as its second largest city. Diverse and vibrant, San Diego is rich in history, shares a border with Tijuana, Mexico, is home to University of California San Diego, offers miles of beautiful beaches and a Mediterranean-like climate, and houses 16 military facilities. From the historic Presidio of Old Town to the Waterfront, Little Italy to the Gas Lamp Quarter, the city has been undergoing gentrification since the 80's.

There may be no better way to start a perfect day in San Diego than to wake up at the Hotel del Coronado -- affectionately nicknamed "The Del." The classic Victorian hotel located on Coronado Island is just a half-mile bridge ride - that offers spectacular coastal views - from the city. Minutes from Sea World, the San Diego Zoo and other world class attractions, take a day on this island retreat for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.

As an East Coast transplant, the term "San Diego winter" seems like an oxymoron. Temperatures rarely drop below 60 degrees and the sun shines even on these cooler days. It's during this winter, though, that you're forced to find something other than sun tanning or swimming to occupy your time. Whale watching tours seem like the perfect way to stay outside December through March, and offers a chance to get a glimpse of these large wonders as they slowly migrate south from the Arctic sea to Baja, Mexico for the winter.