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Overview
If you're a fan of spectator sports, San Diego's got 'em. There are the Padres (MLB), Chargers (AFL), and Wildcats (ABA), men's and women's soccer teams, rugby, hockey, and horseracing, not to mention a slew of college athletics. Participatory sports run the gamut as well, and the county has 92 golf courses, every imaginable beach activity and watersport, hiking, camping, mountain biking, geocaching, organized sports like tennis and dodgeball, disc golf – you name it. Plus the city has a lengthy history as a hub for surfers and skateboarders.
But it's not all about games. According to the US Census, San Diego is the ninth most educated city in the US. The county has about a dozen public colleges and universities, and even more private institutions and training schools. Bookstores abound, and the county operates more than 30 public library branches. The performing arts are well-represented, with professional opera and ballet companies, a symphony, and a host of theater and modern dance troupes. Venues large and small schedule established and emerging bands from all over the world. It's a safe bet that on any given night there will be a show somewhere in town that appeals to you.
For families, San Diego is ideal. If world-famous destinations like the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, Belmont Amusement Park, and LegoLand (in nearby Carlsbad) aren't enough, families can take advantage of an abundance of museums, a children's theater, a puppet theater, and all sorts of other, lesser-known but no less entertaining attractions.
San Diego's dining scene is catching up to its reputation as a world class city. Talented young chefs with boundless creativity have set up a fine array of award-winning restaurants here, and you can sample anything from traditional Thai to haute Mexican to New Californian cuisines. Numerous farms and vineyards are clustered in the northern part of the county, so the city's resourceful chefs aren't afraid to hit the local farmer's markets to find the freshest local ingredients and best local wines.
With this much to offer, it's no surprise that tourism plays a major role in San Diego's economy. Other big contributors include biotechnology, agriculture, manufacturing, and defense-related industries. The US Marines and the US Navy maintain several bases in the county. In fact, the naval fleet here is the largest in the world. As a port city, San Diego also sees its fair share of vacation cruise traffic.
San Diego is perfect for just about any style of vacation, whether you're heading out for a girl's weekend, a family trip, or a romantic escape. The city truly does offer something for everyone, and as a whole it's not as pricey as some of the other top US tourist cities. You'll be pleasantly surprised!
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