From sandstone cliffs to epic surf, San Diego is an ocean-loving adventurer’s playground. In addition to beautiful beaches, the oldest town in California  has a rich military and maritime heritage.

Spend the day at Balboa Park, a massive urban cultural park that features wide open spaces , natural vegetation zones, walking paths, theaters, and the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. A walk along the waterfront puts you up close and personal with the decommissioned USS Midway, one of the US military’s largest ships, now permanently berthed at Navy Pier. Then, walk over to nearby Seaport Village for an afternoon of shopping, eating, and outdoor performances.

Downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter National Historic District is a trendy 20-block stretch full of boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. If you’re looking to snap postcard-worthy shots, take a trip out to Point Loma where Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo first landed on the west coast in 1542. While you’re in the area, stop by the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, built in 1858, for a tour of the refurbished building.