The year-round sunshine tempered by the breezes from the Pacific Ocean are San Diego’s main enticements, providing ideal conditions for complete relaxation and a true antidote to the razzle-dazzle of Los Angeles, just two hours away. The golden sands and peaceful waters of Mission Bay are the perfect base from which to explore this Spanish-influenced region, where San Diego’s famed zoo, the world-famous water shows and marine life of SeaWorld and the delightful resort of La Jolla are a highlight. For a taste of Mexico, a one-hour drive south just across the border will take you to Puerto Nuevo, known as the “Lobster Capital of the Baja” and a further hour beyond, the wine country of Valle de Guadalupe.
About a two-hour drive to the east of Los Angeles and set in a tea-cup shaped valley, Greater Palm Springs is completely surrounded by mountains that rise to nearly 11,000 feet. In between the towering peaks are miles of lush hiking trails, interesting rock formations and lovely waterfalls that nature lovers adore. A stay in Greater Palm Springs offers the visitor a diversity of experiences, from the fashionable shops, restaurants and galleries of downtown’s Palm Canyon Drive to a close-up view of one of the most menacing geological forces in North America, the San Andreas fault.
