ARCHITECTOUR: Cool landmarks to see in San Diego, California

Yes, the Golden State is not just a mecca for the outdoorsy sports folks and partygoers. San Diego’s landscape is dotted with Spanish, Gold Rush and Neo-classical architecture; indeed, the city offers some really nice design spots, both historic and up-to-the-minute, and reveals a totally different side of Cali to its visitors.

To save you the hassle (you’re welcome), we’ve compiled a list of some cool landmarks that make up the San Diego skyline. Don’t forget the photo gear.

Mission San Diego de Alcala

“Mother of the Missions”, was founded in 1769 by Father Junipero Serra. This first Franciscan mission is older than the USA(!) and represents a very significant part of the nation’s Spanish heritage. It is part of a living faith community — has a “lived in” feeling and it’s, by all means, more than a museum.

The grounds and exhibits, like the old American flag with 13 stars, info about the native population’s history, are very nice and well maintained. The mission hosts The Festival of the Bells — the largest, most important event of the year as it commemorates the founding of this beautiful and historic church. There are opportunities for everyone to get involved and to participate. People of all ages are welcome!

La Casa de Estudillo

Built between 1827 and 1829, the Estudillo House, or the La Casa de Estudillo, is one of the oldest surviving examples of a typical large Spanish-Mexican one-story town house in California. Since its construction, the house has served as a residence, a town hall, a chapel, a shelter, an early 20th-century tourist attraction (“Ramona’s Marriage Place,” a tourist attraction based on Helen Hunt Jackson’s famous novel Ramona), and a museum.

California Tower

A city landmark located inside San Diego’s Balboa Park, this 200-foot tower announces its presence every fifteen minutes with a carol of chimes. Built using the Baroque, and Rococo styles of Spanish Colonial architecture for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the California Building and Tower are San Diego’s premiere iconic structures. The Tower was closed in 1935, and reopened to the public on January 1, 2015, as part of the Balboa Park Exposition Centennial celebration.
The 360-degree views from the tower are quite stunning

San Diego Coronado bridge

Construction of the bridge started in 1967 and opened on August 3, 1969. The San Diego-Coronado Bridge is a 2.12-mile bridge that spans San Diego Bay and connects the City of San Diego with the City of Coronado. The bridge is the main way to access Coronado’s beaches and the North Island Naval Air Station. The clean architecture and blue paint have made the bridge one of San Diego’s most notable landmarks. The 90-degree curve, spanning long enough so it can rise to a height of 200 feet, allowing even the Navy’s aircraft carrier to sail under! State of the art.

Geisel library

Goes by the name “The mothership of knowledge”. The main library building of the University of California San Diego Library. It is named in honor of Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. The building’s distinctive Brutalist architecture has resulted in its being featured in the UC San Diego logo and becoming the most recognizable building on campus. It also contains the Mandeville Special Collections and Archives, which houses the Dr. Seuss Collection, which contains original drawings, sketches, proofs, notebooks, books, audio and videotapes, photographs, and memorabilia. Students absolutely love it!

One America Plaza

Completed in 1991, with its obelisk shaped tower is a prominent fixture of downtown San Diego. It’s by far the tallest building in the San Diego city skyline at 500 feet (due to height restrictions it will never be towered over).

It contains the office tower, trolley station, museum building, restaurants, retail shops and extensive outdoor plazas… Also has an MTS bus stop right out-front which houses route 992 — the airport connector.

You’ll get some great views of sea lions and marine birds, close up. On-board guides are well versed in the history of the city and will give you interesting info all the way through. This is your chance to be in a vehicle that drives into the bay!

P.S. Old Scripps Building, The Prado, Cabrillo National Monument and Santa Fe Depot have missed the list narrowly.

Nowadays, buzzing around the city on our own is the thing. Express Rent A Car has a selection of cars that matches everyone’s budget — you can book your rental smooth and simple to ensure yourself a carefree holiday. Our staff is eager to help you out with tips and additional info!

Originally published at www.expressrentacheapcar.com.