How Does San Diego Get Its Name And What Visitor Attractions Are There?

As its name suggests, San Diego has Spanish heritage going back to its founding days of the city and the state of California. A Spanish missionary, Father Junipero Serra established a string of Roman Catholic missions along the coast; the first in 1769 overlooking what is now San Diego. All these years later his influence is still visible.

San Diego, even today, strongly retains its Hispanic roots and heritage, which is perhaps unsurprising – the US-Mexico border is within close proximity. Such is the strength of the Spanish language in San Diego that there are frequent cross-border cultural festivals and events.

The top visitor attractions include:

• SeaWorld Adventure Park is synonymous with San Diego. Your chance to get wet and go eye-to-eye with all manner of marine mammals.

• San Diego loves its animals. The zoo is internationally-renowned and a leader in breeding endangered species in captivity.

• Or step back two hundred years with a visit to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, the cradle of California.

• And don't miss the Balboa Park, America's largest urban cultural park.