Europeans first set foot in what is now San Diego in 1542, when Spanish conquistador Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo landed on Point Loma Peninsula. Today, Cabrillo National Monument commemorates the explorer's voyage with a visitor center and monument and features panoramic views of the city. Another place to explore early San Diego history is Mission San Luis Rey, which was the largest and most prosperous California mission. Built in 1798, the Spanish Colonial structure is now a museum, and visitors are allowed to walk through several rooms and the outdoor laundry area.
Ocean Beach, less than half an hour from downtown, is popular with surfers, and offers restrooms, showers and plenty of parking. The north end of the beach is referred to as "Dog Beach," and dog-owners are welcome to let their pets play in the surf. Silver Strand Beach, at the south end of the Coronado Peninsula, offers a more private beach experience. The beach runs in front of the Hotel del Coronado, and is often empty. On clear days, Silver Strand offers views of the Los Coronados Islands, which are 18 miles offshore and belong to Mexico.
Mission Trails Regional Park, eight miles from downtown San Diego, offers 5,800 acres of walking trails that range from one-and-a-half to four miles in length. The park has two lakes, a stretch of the San Diego River and abundant bird life. The 1,600-foot Cowles Mountain offers views of the entire county. Torrey Pines State Reserve is another place to walk, located at the north end of La Jolla. The 1,750-acre park features undeveloped coastal scenery, including a beach, a lagoon and 300-foot sandstone cliffs. Several trails take visitors to the cliff edge of the beach.
The New Children's Museum features photography workshops, theater improvisation classes, a pillow fight room and a rock climbing wall. Balboa Park is home to 14 different museums, including the San Diego Museum of Art. The city's oldest and largest art museum, it holds collections of Spanish Baroque paintings and Latin American art. Other museums in Balboa Park include the Museum of Photographic Arts, with more than 7,000 photographs, and the Hall of Champions Sports Museum, which highlights famous San Diego athletes like skateboarder Tony Hawk and surfer Skip Frye.
