California

Signature City San Diego

Program No. 16955RJ
Walk Torrey Pines State Reserve, explore the San Diego Zoo, savor the cuisine of Little Italy and sail San Diego’s harbor as you explore the best this seaside city has to offer.

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At a Glance

From the world-renowned San Diego Zoo to sparkling beaches, bustling boardwalks and a picturesque harbor, San Diego is a city where life is lived outdoors. Experience the best of this sun-kissed California jewel, as you sample San Diego’s rich Genoese and Sicilian culture on an exclusive expert-led walk through Little Italy, marvel at the architectural masterpieces and manicured landscapes of Balboa Park and discover one of the wildest stretches of land on the Southern California coast — Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 2-3 miles each day, stairs, some hills, standing indoors and outside for up to 1-2 hours at a time, getting on and off a motor coach without assistance.

What You'll Learn

  • Explore San Diego’s harbor on a study cruise and learn about the city’s fascinating maritime heritage and how it came to be home to the largest Navy and Marine Corps complex in the U.S.
  • See San Diego’s natural side with a walk at Torrey Pines State Reserve and a visit to Cabrillo National Monument.
  • Experience the historic Hotel del Coronado and explore Balboa Park with a local.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Anthony Davi
Anthony Davi is a New Yorker of Sicilian descent who has lived in San Diego for several decades. In 1997, he formed Little Italy Tours to share his love of his ancestor’s for visitors to experience Italy in San Diego. As a documentary producer, Davi created a mini-documentary for the San Diego Symphony about the music of Italy and stories of Little Italy. Davi speaks a bit of the old Sicilian dialect and his passion for all things Italian resonates throughout his programs.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Anthony Davi
Anthony Davi View biography
Anthony Davi is a New Yorker of Sicilian descent who has lived in San Diego for several decades. In 1997, he formed Little Italy Tours to share his love of his ancestor’s for visitors to experience Italy in San Diego. As a documentary producer, Davi created a mini-documentary for the San Diego Symphony about the music of Italy and stories of Little Italy. Davi speaks a bit of the old Sicilian dialect and his passion for all things Italian resonates throughout his programs.
Profile Image of Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson View biography
Jennifer Hudson is a native San Diegan working as a local expert here since 2002, after working for the National Park Service in Massachusetts, and managing motorcoach trips in Ireland and the western U.S. She owns a walking travel company that crafts small group experiences in four San Diego neighborhoods. She has a bachelor’s in history and a master’s in hospitality and tourism management. She loves to travel and has visited three continents, and walked 185 miles of the Camino de Santiago.
Profile Image of Roger Nys
Roger Nys View biography
Roger Nys is a native New Englander who has lived in cities across the country including Boston, Washington, Detroit, and San Francisco. His career included administrative posts in government, universities, and biomedical research. His first group leading experience began in San Francisco where he led through Golden Gate Park. Relocated to Southern California, he volunteers at Balboa Park, providing walking expeditions on history and architecture. Outside of Road Scholar, he leads city bus trips for cruise ship visitors.
Profile Image of Joe Kane
Joe Kane is an artist living in Coronado, California. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 2020 after nearly 27 years as a photojournalist and mass communication specialist. Joe is a painter, teacher, and musician who is most well known for his painted rocks, which have been spotted in most U.S. states as he leaves them for others to find. Joe’s inspiration comes from observing colors and patterns in nature, and from the artistic techniques found in stained glass, mosaics, and primitive art traditions.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
10 meals
5 B 2 L 3 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
San Diego CA
D
SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Diego Downtown/Bayfront

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00-5:15 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: Orientation. In our private meeting room at the hotel, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. Travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We’ll get to know our fellow Road Scholars in a session we call Crossing Points and discover what we share beyond a love of lifelong learning. Then settle in and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
History Lecture, Harbor Cruise, Old Town, Little Italy Walk
San Diego CA
B,D
SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Diego Downtown/Bayfront

Activity note: Walking less than .5 mile to boat launch. Getting on/off a 150-foot vessel with stairs accessing 3 decks; riding approximately 1 hour. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking about 1 mile, approximately 2 hours; paved sidewalks, dirt paths, periodic stops for commentary, and opportunities to sit.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will be joined at the hotel by a local expert for an overview of San Diego history. We’ll learn about the evolution of the area from a native Kumeyaay village to a Spanish settlement, including the Mexican and American periods. We’ll then walk across the street and board our boat at San Diego Bay for our 1-hour narrated study cruise. Find a seat of your choice, indoors or out, and enjoy the view of the San Diego skyline as we cover 13 miles on the Bay. We’ll pass landmarks such as the Harbor and Shelter Islands, the Cabrillo National Monument, and the Star of India. As we go, we’ll learn about bait barges and keep an eye out for sea lions as we pass Point Loma. We’ll also get a sense for the significance of the military presence in San Diego as we pass by the North Island Naval Air Station and the Nuclear Submarine Base. Following our cruise, we'll board our motorcoach and make our way to Old Town. Here we'll enjoy lunch and have some time to explore on our own.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll ride to Little Italy for an introduction to San Diego’s rich Genoese and Sicilian history during a walking field trip. We’ll stop to explore key sites including a historic Italian home, Piazza Basilone, and a historic Italian-Catholic church. There are “Little Italy” communities throughout the country but San Diego’s is one of the most active. Many of these Italian Americans were employed in the local fishing industry, earning San Diego the title of Tuna Capital of the World. This community also has a long history of activism; after the decline of fishing industry, local Italian Americans rallied together in the 1990s to create their own community management corporation and saved the industry. Little Italy today is symbolized by the exciting new Piazza della Famiglia development.

Dinner: At a restaurant in Little Italy.

Evening: Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

DAY
3
Balboa Park, Hotel Del Coronado, Chicano History Lecture
San Diego CA
B,L
SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Diego Downtown/Bayfront

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 18 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking about 2 miles throughout the day; paved and dirt paths; unavoidable stairs. Any additional walking and activities during independent exploration will be based on personal choice.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning we'll board our motorcoach and make our way to Balboa Park where we'll join our local expert for a walking tour. We'll learn about the architecture and landscaping in Balboa Park. The park is the remnants of two Expositions: the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition commemorating the opening of the Panama Canal and the1935-36 California Pacific International Exposition that was held to boost the local economy during the Great Depression. Following our walking tour, we'll have some independent time to explore what interests us most in Balboa Park.

Lunch: At a local brewery.

Afternoon: Back aboard the motorcoach, we’ll ride to Hotel del Coronado, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. With a docent from the Coronado Historical Association, we’ll set out on a walking field trip to learn the history of “The Del”, as it is affectionately known. Construction began in 1887 and the hotel was completed in only 11 months at a cost of $1 million (equivalent to nearly $25 million today). Labor was provided largely by Chinese immigrants from San Francisco and Oakland. The hotel was built as a premier resort for the wealthy and its guest list included Thomas Edison, L. Frank Baum, Charlie Chaplin, Babe Ruth, Charles Lindbergh, and Edward VIII, who met his future wife — Coronado resident Wallis Simpson — during his stay. One of the oldest and largest all-wooden buildings in California, this Queen Anne Style hotel was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977. We will then return to the hotel with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: We will end our day with a discussion with a local expert about Chicano culture and history in San Diego. Learn about the influence of the ancient Aztec to modern Chicano culture in Southern California.

DAY
4
USS Midway, San Diego Zoo, Free Time, Chicano Park
San Diego CA
B
SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Diego Downtown/Bayfront

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles, approximately 30 minutes. Walking up to 1.5 miles; moving sidewalks; steep grades; climbing stairs and ladders aboard USS Midway. Any additional walking and activities during independent exploration will be based on personal choice.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning we’ll walk across the street to the USS Midway Museum where a docent will lead our exploration of what was a floating city at sea and trace nearly 50 years of world history aboard the longest-serving Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century. We’ll have access to the mess deck, berthing spaces, hangar deck, flight deck, island superstructure, and various exhibits and displays. Museum docents stationed throughout the ship are eager to share their personal stories of life at sea. Following our time at the Midway, we'll board our motorcoach and make our way to the San Diego Zoo.

Lunch: On your own to have what you like in the San Diego Zoo.

Afternoon: Upon arriving at the Zoo, we’ll set out on a self-guided field trip. Our admission will include a 45 minute bus tour which participants can take at their leisure. Check with group leader for bus tour times. You can also take a trip on the areal tram across the zoo to get a bird's eye view of the exhibits. We’ll observe some of the most popular exhibits, such as the Elephant Care Center or the giraffe enclosure, and then have some independent time to explore what interests each of us most. The Zoo exhibits animals in the most natural way possible and around a particular habitat. The same exhibit features many different animals that can be found side-by-side in the wild, along with their native horticulture. Exhibits range from Africa Rocks that reveals animal and plant inhabitants of six iconic African habitats to the Tiger Trail that highlights the tigers and other animals that share the tropical Asian rain forests. In addition to the extensive collection of birds, reptiles, and mammals, the zoo maintains its grounds as an arboretum with a rare plant collection. As part of its gardening effort, it raises some rare animal foods such as the 18 varieties of eucalyptus trees for its koalas. The Zoo is active in conservation and species-preservation efforts. After our time at the zoo, we will board our coach to Chicano Park. We will meet a local expert and scholar who will guide us through Chicano Park which is a designated historic site. The park has over 80 murals. This site was saved by residents in 1970 and two years later artists starting adorning the concrete walls with images celebrating Chicano culture and activism.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
Torrey Pines State Reserve, La Jolla, Cabrillo Nat. Monument
San Diego CA
B,L,D
SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Diego Downtown/Bayfront

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 50 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Walking up to 1.3 miles; paved sidewalks, dirt trails, some uneven terrain, 100-foot elevation gain. Elective 2.8 mile walk at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve with 429-foot elevation gain. Any additional walking and activities during independent exploration will be based on personal choice.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll board the motorcoach and ride to Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve where we’ll meet a member of the Torrey Pines Docent Society. This majestic wilderness within San Diego city limits is home to one of the world’s rarest pine trees, Pinus torreyana. Believed to be remnants of ancient woodlands that once flourished along the Southern California coast, the trees now grow naturally only on this small strip of coastline and on Santa Rosa Island. We’ll learn about the human and natural history of the Reserve as we walk on a selected trail. Next, we’ll visit the Ranger Station-Visitor Center and look at the displays before heading out to La Jolla.

Lunch: At a restaurant in La Jolla.

Afternoon: We’ll then ride to the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula for a self-directed field trip to the Cabrillo National Monument. En route, our Group Leader will provide an introduction to the site. Designated as a California Historical Landmark in 1932, it commemorates the landing of the Spaniard explorer, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. We’ll have opportunities to explore the Visitor Center and chat with a ranger, take a short walk to one of the original eight lighthouses on the West Coast, Old Point Loma Lighthouse, and visit the “They Stood the Watch” exhibit presenting the history of Fort Rosecrans in a historic military building. We’ll then board our motorcoach and ride back to the hotel and take in the astounding views of the San Diego Bay. At the hotel, we will be joined by a local expert for a discussion about the military and it's presence in San Diego.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
6
Program Concludes
San Diego CA
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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