San Diego

San Diego's cruise terminal at B Street Pier is a short walk from downtown. The USS Midway Museum, a decommissioned aircraft carrier docked on the waterfront, is right next to the terminal. The Gaslamp Quarter, a few blocks inland, has Victorian-era buildings converted into restaurants and bars. Balboa Park holds 15 museums, gardens, and the San Diego Zoo, all reachable by bus or a short drive. Coronado Island, across the bay by ferry, has the wooden Hotel del Coronado, a landmark since 1888, and a wide public beach. Fish tacos from a local taquería are the essential San Diego meal. Seaport Village and the Embarcadero have souvenir shops along the waterfront. Most attractions are within walking distance of the pier, and hop-on-hop-off buses cover the rest. The weather is warm and dry almost year-round.