Auto Club Publishes San Diego Guide; Hot Tips to Places Locals Love, AAA-Approved Lodging and Dozens of Detailed Maps Fill New Auto Club Travel Book.

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 30, 1999--

New Englanders can boast about their colorful fall leaves, but in autumn and year-round, Southern Californians can enjoy the "perfect" climate of San Diego.

When it's mild and sunny, there's no better time to pack the bags for a weekend trip or a vacation to San Diego using the Automobile Club of Southern California's just-published travel guidebook, "San Diego." Subtitled, "Where To Go -- From Locals Who Know!" the travel reference book uncovers the best bistros, restaurants, nightspots, AAA-Approved hotels and numerous local attractions in the country's seventh-largest city.

The book also features a list of 15 must-see attractions called "Greatest Hits," fun "Side Trips," and dozens of the Auto Club's detailed maps. Bargain hunters will love the boxed highlights called "Instant Natives" that offer hot tips, like where to get half-price tickets to San Diego's best concerts and shows.

The new book also features a distinctive symbol that shows two adults holding onto a child's hand to identify points of interest that are especially suited to youngsters.

The 330-page paperback highlights neighborhood gems that locals enjoy like "Extraordinary Desserts," located a block from landmark Balboa Park. "Ignore their (locals) misdirection ... lest you miss out on an amazing collection of extravagant treats so memorable it may send you into fits of uncontrollable gushing the minute anyone asks you about your trip," the guidebook states.

Featuring visitors touring the Gaslamp Quarter via "pedicab" on its book cover, "San Diego" is organized by region: Coronado, Downtown San Diego, La Jolla/Del Mar, Mission Bay and Beaches, Old Town & Mission Valley and Point Loma.

Within each area, the book provides the inside scoop on getting around, things to do and see, nightlife, dining and lodging. In Point Loma, for example, the guidebook recommends stopping in at "Java Joe's, home of mega-star Jewel, who appeared there frequently before she hit the big time."

Travelers can also use "San Diego" to plan day trips to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Carlsbad, Julian, Palomar Mountain, Tijuana and local wineries. Campers can learn about a selection of state parks and beaches, a national forest and recreational vehicle resorts.

There's also a calendar section in the book describing the area's major monthly events. During September, the largest rough-water swim event in the United States takes place in La Jolla; while in October, it's "Children's Month at the Zoo."

The paperback also offers tips about how to get in, out and around the town as a local with information about airport, bus, train, car, shuttle, ferry and water taxi transportation options. "Stop at the Transit Store at 102 Broadway in downtown San Diego to purchase a one- to-four-day Day Tripper transit pass. For as little as $5, you'll get unlimited rides on the bus," the guidebook suggests.

"San Diego" retails for $13.95 at bookstores. Auto Club members pay a reduced price of $10.95 at Auto Club offices and Web site.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by the organization's emergency road service, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs and legislative advocacy. Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.