San Diego’s North County is a vast, expansive region known for its immaculate beaches, natural preserves and miles of open spaces. It is made up of a collection of unique communities, from the picturesque seaside villages of La Jolla, Del Mar and Carlsbad to the scenic Rancho Bernardo, nestled in a lush valley amidst golf courses and wineries. If you’re looking for opportunities for outdoor activities in San Diego, the north region is the ideal spot. From hiking in Torrey Pines State Park and cycling up Palomar Mountain to surfing or kayaking in La Jolla, there is something for everyone. For a true California experience, take a scenic drive along the Pacific coast on historic Highway 101 and explore a range of picturesque coastal communities as you make your way north from Del Mar to Oceanside.
North County is also home to some of San Diego’s top attractions, including the San Diego Safari Park, LEGOLAND California, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, the Flower Fields at Carlsbad, and the Museum of Contemporary Art La Jolla. A stay in San Diego’s North region puts you halfway between Disneyland and downtown San Diego where the museums of Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo are nearby.
You think you know San Diego, but you have no idea! Here are 7 things you didn’t know about San Diego
1. San Diego is cursed!
How come San Diego hasn’t won a Super Bowl, World Series, or NBA final, ever? One Ruth-like explanation tossed out there: a curse following the trade of Lance Alworth to the Cowboys after the Chargers AFL-championship 1963 season. That’s powerful juju (Ruth only jinxed ONE sport).
2. Jewel wrote her song “who will save your soul” here!
San Diego’s Java Joe’s and Innerchange Coffeehouse were where folk-“Soul” singer Jewel gained prominence. She moved to horsey suburb Rancho Santa Fe, which showed up in headlines when a cult known as Heaven’s Gate committed mass suicide with the appearance of the Comet Hale-Bopp in 1997.
3. Famous residents!
We all know Ted Williams grew up there, but he’s not alone among sports idols raised there. Think Julie Foudy (women’s soccer), Tony Hawk (skateboarding), and WWE’s Rey Mysterio (a.k.a. Oscar Gutierrez). Our guess? Mr. Mysterio is a good hitter too.
4. McDonalds is the best!
The man who made the Golden Arches our nation’s fast choice, Ray Kroc, made San Diego his home. Queasy, unrelated fact: a McDonald’s in the city’s San Ysidro area served as the site of one America’s biggest mass murders in 1984, when a man killed 21 people. It’s a park now.
5. We are huge!
A possible explanation for mellowness: While Boston is crammed into a mere 48 square miles, San Diego (like, Jacksonville, come to think of it) makes Boston look like a geographic dwarf. San Diego spreads over 372 square miles.
6. God Bless our Military!
San Diego hosts the largest naval fleet in the world. The city is home to the majority of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
7. Alta Vista Insurance Agency is old!
Established in 1927, Alta Vista Insurance is a full service Vista Insurance agency dedicated to providing you with superior California insurance policies. As an independent insurance brokerage located in Vista, they have access to a quality assortment of insurance carriers, offering you the best rates throughout California.
