San Diego coast, downtown are visitor magnets; diverse geography and activities keep tourists coming back.

Near the southern border of the U.S., San Diego is one of California's most diverse and vibrant cities. Born as a port and military town, San Diego still serves those connections with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines proudly. But today it has become much more.

San Diego County is a microcosm of the entire state, embracing coastal resorts and plains, foothills, mountains and desert. Its rejuvenated downtown has a mix of commerce, residents and visitors that makes it a vibrant community. Its trolley system helps move people and connects to Amtrak for points north.

Those driving in from Orange County might want to board an Amtrak in San Clemente and ride to downtown San Diego. Otherwise, follow the I-5 Freeway, which will take you to downtown in just about an hour. That proximity makes it an attractive weekend getaway for many Southern Californians. About 68% of San Diego's visitors come from other parts of the state.

Those approaching from that casino trip to Pechanga (or a wealth of other Indian gaming resorts in San Diego County) will approach on the inland route, I-15 and the I-805. Though downtown continues to reinvent itself with redevelopment projects that embrace hotels, condos, retail, entertainment and dining projects and other businesses, it would be a shame to rush past the charming coastal cities of north San Diego without a look.

"This is by and large an upscale market with a niche in the super luxury category," said Bob Ranch, director of the Center for Hospitality and Tourism Research at San Diego State University.

NORTH COAST

Oceanside, Carlsbad, Del Mar, Solaria Beach, Encinitas and La Jolla each have their own unique character--plus miles of sand along the Pacific Ocean.

Oceanside is best known for its proximity to the U.S. Marine Base Camp Pendleton, but it's starting to develop its tourism and recently approved plans for a Westin Resort on the waterfront near its historic pier--the longest over-water pier in the state.

Meeting planners like using Cutting Edge Special Events at Camp Pendleton, which can arrange for groups to witness their own amphibious landing, engage in paintball teambuilding events or dine in a non-commissioned officers' club.

If you missed Mission San Juan Capistrano in Orange County or developed an interest in the string of California missions, Mission San Luis Rey is just a couple of miles off the freeway in Oceanside.

Carlsbad has become the center of North County's visitor industry, with its unique Legoland amusement park (the only one in the U.S.), Flower Fields where ranunculas and other flowers put on a show each spring, the Museum of Making Music that features a grand display of musical instruments, and some of the best golf in the Southland.

Carlsbad is home to the exquisite Four Seasons Aviara Resort and the famed LaCosta Resort. The Spa at Four Seasons is San Diego's lone four-star spa, though LaCosta boasts both a Chopra center and full-service spa as well as two golf courses. Three lagoons grace the city's perimeter as well.

Carlsbad is a stopping point for Amtrak and has a charming, pedestrian-friendly downtown village filled with restaurants, antique shops and mainstream shopping.

"We're central to San Diego and Orange County and we're a nice, quiet community with diverse (hotel) properties," said Pat Fearn, chairman of the board of the Carlsbad Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Del Mar comes alive during thoroughbred racing season at the Del Mar Racetrack and in summer for the San Diego Fair. While small B&Bs dot the landscape, the San Diego Marriott Del Mar offers 284 rooms and meeting space tucked away from the big-city bustle and groups can rent private suites at the racetrack.

Others might prefer the boutique style of L'Auberge Del Mar Resort & Spa, a 120-room property just minutes from the action in Del Mar.

On the other side of the freeway is Del Mar National Golf Club.

LA JOLLA

Continuing south, be sure to explore La Jolla, the crown jewel of San Diego's coastal cities perched on a blufftop overlooking Mission Bay and downtown roughly 10 miles away.

Sweeping views from Torrey Pines Reserve's hiking trails keep locals coming back, and the Torrey Pines Golf Course is among the top 100 courses in the U.S., according to Golf Digest. The Hilton La Jolla is adjacent to the golf course, while the newer Craftsman-style Lodge at Torrey Pines sits just beyond the 18th hole. Torrey Pines this year hosted the Buick Invitational Golf Tournament.

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa--open just one year--was named one of the best new resorts by Conde Nast Traveler this spring. The boutique campus-style property offers the best of both business and leisure travel with its full-service spa, guided hikes and yoga classes as well as an IACC-rated conference center for meetings.

Another boutique option in La Jolla--near the main shopping district of Prospect Avenue--is La Valencia Hotel, whose Sky Room Is one of San Diego's highest-rated restaurants.

For evening entertainment, try the Cove Theater for classic films, Comedy Store La Jolla, or Concerts by the Sea. For other fine dining, Nine Ten at the historic Grand Colonial Hotel, or George's at the Cove in the village are top-rated choices.

Just a few blocks outside the village is the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, which overlooks La Jolla beaches and the downtown skyline. The aquarium-affiliated with the ocean research institute-can host groups of up to 400 for cocktails and dining.

This fall, a new event facility at the former Point Loma Naval Training Center between La Jolla and downtown will feature 26 historic buildings, plazas and gardens on a 28-acre campus that will house creative arts, science, culture, technology groups and non-profits.

The Command Center Conference & Meeting Center and the Library Special Events Center are slated to open first and add about 20,000 square feet of indoor event space to the area's inventory as well as the Luce Court at Legacy Plaza, which will be able to host up to 4,000.

MISSION BAY/OCEAN BEACH Mission Bay--created in part to address flood ing from the San Diego River--today is an outdoor paradise where visitors can mix with locals on 44 miles of waterfront park trails for biking, jogging, boating, picnicking or enjoying the beaches.

It's the home of Sea World, which this summer debuted a new sea lion and otter show and brought back its Cirque de la Mar--an air, land and water acrobatic show. Both vacationers and groups also can swim with the dolphins in the Dolphin Encounter.

"It was a highlight for meeting attendees," said Bret Jarvis, partner of International Site Alliance in Laguna Beach, which plans three or more meetings in San Diego each year.

Dana Mission Bay hotel is the closest to Sea World, but the Hilton San Diego and San Diego Marriott Marina are just a few minutes away.

All are just 10 minutes from the airport.

Two sternwheelers ply the bay between the Bahia Resort and the Catamaran Resort Hotel; The Bahia and Catamaran--right on the water--share the boats, which can host receptions, dinners or seminars.

As part of the redevelopment of Mission Bay's Belmont Park area, the new Wave House adds a surf park to the shore (its other site is in South Africa) where you can watch surfers challenge the Bruticus Maxiumus wave machine from a cabana style outdoor lounge or try your own hand with the waves. Wave House offers a private beach with open-air barbecues, fire rings, boardwalks, hammock lounge and music stage that's a built-in party setting for groups.

DOWNTOWN

Downtown San Diego has been the talk of the visitor industry since the mid '90s and it's still evolving. Its waterfront Convention Center evokes images of sailing--available right outside the adjoining Marriott Hotel. Just a block away, next to Seaport Village and park, is the Manchester Grand Hyatt, whose rooftop pool deck provides stunning views of the harbor, Coronado Bay Bridge and downtown.

A block in the other direction is the newer Omni Hotel--the only hotel in the country that's linked to a baseball park--Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres.

The ballpark was the catalyst for additional development in downtown.

While the Gaslamp District still is thriving with restaurants of every ethnicity and clubs like the Bitter End. Croce's and the Martini Ranch bringing in the nighttime crowd, now it's the East Village that is getting the attention.

On the fringe of East Village, the Marriott Gaslamp and Hotel Solamar debuted this year and more hotels and downtown residences are going up fast.

Along Broadway, a Hard Rock Card is slated to open next year and the venerable U.S. Grant Hotel--currently closed for remodeling--will reopen this fall. Another entertainment venue, On Broadway in a former bank building is a unique setting for banquets and parties.

"The Gaslamp Quarter is one of the hottest spots in the U.S.," Rauch said.

Street improvements are part of the mix, and though that may create a bit of a backup heading up 10th Street toward Balboa Park (one of the largest urban parks in the nation), that eventually will become a pedestrian-friendly link between downtown and Balboa Park.

The San Diego hotel market has been hot in recent years, posting first quarter occupancy of 73%, and rates have headed up, as they have in other urban areas. But there are properties available for almost any budget. South of downtown, average rates run about $65 a night, while in La Jolla you can expect to pay an average of $200 a night. For a more leisurely pace, stay across the Bay on Coronado Island at Hotel Del Coronado--the queen of San Diego hotels--the Marriott Resort or Loews Coronado Bay. A ferry runs between the island and downtown--as do some land/amphibious tours.

Balboa Park itself could occupy museum lovers for a week or more, with its Natural History Museum, Ruben H. Fleet Science Center, Air and Space Museum and--of course--the San Diego Zoo.

But before you leave, take a little time to explore inland San Diego for a taste of Southern California in earlier times.

From downtown, you can go east on the 1-8 Freeway and then north on State Route 79 toward the mountain town of Julian and then State Route 78 to the Anza Borrego Desert and Borrego Springs. Julian--the apple capital of Southern California--has gold mines, wineries and even a wolf rescue center as well as unique shopping along Main Street.

Or, explore semi-rural areas via a network of smaller highways to reach golf Meccas like Morgan Run Resort & Club, Sycuan Singing Hills or Pala Mesa Resort or Indian gaming resorts like Harrah's. Barona Valley Ranch or Pala Casino. Once just dark bingo parlors, today many have turned into full-scale resorts, often with complete meeting facilities that give planners the option for a touch of Las Vegas without the crowds.

If it's spring, you're in for a real treat during wildflower season in the Anza Borrego Desert--the largest state park in the country at 600,000 acres. Outside Borrego Springs is La Casa Del Zorro Resort & Spa, a desert oasis. Meeting groups like the self-contained resort setting with tennis, several pools and golf adjacent. Leisure visitors also come for the food, the wine, the golf--or just pure relaxation.

When you're ready, go east on County Highway 22 and then north on State Route 86 toward Palm Springs.