Things to do in Lakeside

Prepare to be amazed and enchanted by the diversity of animal life on display at San Diego Zoo, which welcomes 5 million visitors a year. The 100-acre (40-hectare) site is home to around 4,000 animals from more than 650 species and subspecies. Most exhibits are open air, and designed to be as close to the natural habitats of the animals they house as possible.

For an educational or fun getaway in this Southern California city, find an event at the San Diego Convention Center. Many organizations hold private conferences here; take advantage of the excellent facilities and pleasant surroundings if you’re invited to participate. Public events are frequent too. Look for bridal shows, home shows and Brick Fest Live, with intricate LEGO® creations and demonstrations. November’s Art San Diego is a huge show of art, art installations and demonstrations.

Spend summer days enjoying the calm waters and gorgeous scenes of Mission Bay, a saltwater lagoon just north of downtown San Diego. This 4,200-acre (1,700-hectare) bay features pristine beaches, water sports for all ages and park attractions that bring summer to life.

SeaWorld® San Diego has long been a family favorite for its entertaining marine animals. Plan a multi-day visit to today’s exciting marine park to watch the animal attractions, from otters to orcas and penguins to pinnipeds. Enjoy the many exciting rides, including the Electric Eel roller coaster, with speeds to 60 miles (100 kilometers) per hour and an inverted roll 150 feet (46 meters) in the air. Bayside Skyride offers a gentler ride with magnificent views of Mission Bay.

People have beencoming to Mission Beach to top up their tans since the 1920s, when the firstholiday homes were built along its shores. Development increased in the 1960sand today this is a thriving, affluent oceanfront suburb. Thankfully, though,it hasn’t lost its old-fashioned charm. Stroll along the boardwalk that runsthe length of the beach and enjoy the relaxed, carnival atmosphere courtesy ofstreet performers, roller bladers and skateboarders, and the occasional artistselling jewelry or other crafts.