Seaport Village

Category: Attractions

A must-visit for tourists and a popular day-trip destination for locals, Seaport Village offers 14-acres of waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment. Located on the edge of San Diego Harbor with gorgeous views of the bay, the area has more than 75 shops and over a dozen themed eateries, all surrounded by lush landscaping and Cape Cod-inspired architecture. Cobblestone paths are perfect for carriage rides through the village, a romantic staple on warm summer nights.

A popular favorite of children of all ages, the vintage Broadway Flying Horses carousel (circa 1890) is a signature attraction that offers wonderful photo-ops for shutter-bugging. Bookworms and caffeine hounds can while away the day over The Upstart Crow Trading Company, while lefties can find specialty items at Southpaw. Everyday is Christmas at Mistletoe, and Harley hounds can find specialty items and collectibles in every corner of the San Diego Harley Davidson boutique. Especially dear to the hearts of local folks are the Wyland Galleries, the owner a renowned marine-life artist who has been generous to the city with both his art and his time) displays and sells works that are favorites of collectors.

Seaport Village's oceanfront location is evident at most of the eateries; while choices range from pasta to island fare, seafood sets the keynote for most menus. Buster's Beach House has a beachy island theme with a menu full of American fare sparked up with Pacific Rim flavors. The San Diego Pier Cafe focuses on fresh seafood, while the Edgewater Grill brings pastas and pizza to the table. Families looking for a kid-friendly eatery can find burgers made out of everything from buffalo to ostrich at the San Diego Burger Company.

What seems to be an endless round of events are hosted at the village, including visiting exhibits along the walkways, and live music in the east plaza gazebo. A pretty place year-round, the area is particularly pleasing during the holidays, when twinkle lights and festive music make it a waterfront wonderland. Note that Old Town Trolley Tours, a popular way for visitors to see San Diego, makes several stops at the village daily. -- Lisa Galloway