San Diego's Big Bay and the Unified Port Authority of San Diego are two great partners of Get Away Today.  To help better familiarize our readers with San Diego's Big Bay, they've provided information on the area for us to pass on to you.  We hope you'll find it helpful in planning your San Diego vacation.

The San Diego Bay has 34 miles of scenic waterfront dotted with restaurants, shops, hotels, attractions, parks and marinas that reside in seven distinct areas. Each lends unique ingredients to the overall flavor and character of the waterfront on the Big Bay®. Whether you spend an entire day exploring all seven areas or enjoy each one individually, there is something for every taste and budget.

The Big Bay promises entertainment and adventure for the entire family from Point Loma, along Harbor Drive, across the Bay to Coronado, south to the shores of National City, Chula Vista and Imperial Beach. Visit all the attractions and shops, and enjoy the best in San Diego dining, all set against the Bay's spectacular views. The area's beauty is accented by a growing collection of public art, scenic parks and miles of paths for walking, jogging and cycling.

National City:

National City’s three-mile long waterfront, a bustling hub of world trade activity, naval operations and maritime ship building, is preparing to welcome new neighbors. In June 2009, a Best Western Hotel and Buster’s Beach House restaurant will bring lodging, alfresco dining and 16,000 square feet of commercial space to this maritime Working Waterfront.

At the south end of National City’s portion of the Big Bay on Marina Way is the new 245-slip marina.  Pepper Park is National City's 5 ½-acre bayside park that sits alongside the Sweetwater Channel, with a pleasant view of San Diego Bay and the activities along the Working Waterfront. A family-friendly destination, the Pepper Park boat launch was recently upgraded, and an aquatic center is on the drawing board. The public art piece Seaside Seating is on display and is set against the magnificent Working Waterfront, National City’s marine terminal and San Diego’s lifeline to the West Coast’s supply of fresh produce, building materials, automobiles and more.

Embarcadero:

What’s not to love about the Embarcadero on San Diego’s Waterfront? Take a walk along one of California’s most scenic coastal destinations. You’ll pass by a wide variety of restaurants , hotels, tours and museums, all displayed against the beautiful San Diego Bay.

Start at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, which features nautical exhibits and tours of an impressive collection of historic ships, including the Star of India.

The Embarcadero boasts world-class hotels and restaurants. From the newest — the Hilton San Diego Bayfront — to the tallest on the West coast — the Manchester Grand Hyatt — along with the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina and Holiday Inn San Diego On the Bay, explore the views, the dining and the shopping that define the Embarcadero.

As you continue south, you will pass the Cruise Ship Terminal. San Diego is a year-round home port for Carnival Cruise Line’s Elation, and a seasonal home port to Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. No port offers more options for cruises to Mexico, including 3-, 4-, 5-, 7-, 8-, 10- and 11-day cruises to the Mexican Riviera and the Sea of Cortez. Cruises from San Diego also sail across the Panama Canal, to Hawaii and up the California coast.

Continue on to the Broadway Pier where you can take in the panorama of San Diego Bay from the end of the pier. Nearby is the USS Midway Museum, an unforgettable adventure for the entire family.

One block away is Tuna Harbor Park. Established to honor the commercial fishing industry, the park provides a perfect vantage point for viewing the diverse activities on the Big Bay. It is also home to the Greatest Generation collection of military themed art and memorials.

A short walk farther south, you’ll arrive at Seaport Village, a historically themed venue with bistros and boutiques in a charming bayside setting.

Harbor Island:

Harbor Island is a pleasant, park-like waterfront get away close to San Diego’s downtown, airport and cruise ship terminals. Locals love the island for its majestic Bay views spanning from the downtown skyline to impressive military ships to the Point Loma peninsula.

To the far west end of Harbor Island is Tom Ham’s Lighthouse Restaurant. An actual functioning lighthouse, known as Beacon #9 on any Coast Guard nautical map, was incorporated into the design. The result is one of San Diego's best known architectural landmarks.  The Boathouse Restaurant on the island is a San Diego favorite, with fun daily specials and versatile banquet facilities.  On the east tip of Harbor Island is Island Prime/C-Level Bar. Resting on stilts atop San Diego Bay, relax and delight in quintessential San Diego Bay dining. This and many more Waterfront restaurant options are available on San Diego's Harbor Island.

Shelter Island:

Shelter Island was created more than 50 years ago to accommodate the larger ships of U.S. Navy. The sand dredged up from the bay-deepening process was repurposed to form Shelter Island, the home of Polynesian-themed restaurants, hotels, venues, marinas and public art. From Sunday brunch to an outdoor concert to a weekend spa vacation, Shelter Island is a getaway place of delightful adventures.

Nestled on the island and surrounded by marinas and Big Bay views are four boutique hotels complete with dining, spa services, event venues, shopping and beautiful guest rooms. The Bay Club Hotel and Marina, Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn & Suites, Best Western Island Palms Hotel & Marina and Kona Kai Resort and Spa form the Shelter Island Village. Under the Big Bay evening skies, Humphrey’s rounds out the lure of the village with its famous Concerts by the Bay series, which run June through October.

Imperial Beach:

Imperial Beach is nestled between miles of uncrowded beaches and unparalleled open space and wetlands teeming with wildlife. Because this town is one of the last untouched beach towns in Southern California, it is known as Classic Southern California®. There is much to see and do in Imperial Beach. From swimming or surfing at the beach, to a walking tour of public art, to a nature walk and bird watching at the world-renowned Tijuana Estuary or enjoying an ice cream treat at Cowabunga, its summer all year round on this piece of the Big Bay waterfront. You can take in the sunset while dining over the ocean at the Tin Fish restaurant.

The enticing and colorful public art piece, “Surfhenge,” serves as a gateway to the vibrant Imperial Beach Portwood Pier Plaza Park. Visitors can enjoy a picnic area and entertainment stage. Adjacent to Portwood Pier Plaza Park is the Imperial Beach Fishing Pier. Located at the foot of Evergreen Avenue on Seacoast Drive, the pier extends over the Pacific Ocean for 1,500 feet.

Follow Seacoast Drive south to discover Dunes Park with a fishing pier, which provides a beautiful view of the Coronado Bay Bridge and San Diego skyline. Dunes Park is a colorful complement, notable for its vibrant playground and landscape design. New to the park is “The Spirit of Imperial Beach.” This large bronze sculpture depicts the dual theme of surfing and sand castles, for which Imperial Beach is world famous. The new sculpture compliments existing art works nearby, including Mary Lynn “Dominguez' Illuminations” at Pier Plaza, and Wyland's “Ocean Riders” at Dunes Park as well as Malcolm Jones’ “Surfhenge.” Together these works reflect the civic pride of Imperial Beach and a remarkable renaissance of public art in this community.

Coronado:

For a true Big Bay treat, drive the majestic San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge or take the ferry across the Bay to Coronado, “The Enchanted Island.” Explore art galleries, shops and restaurants at the Coronado Ferry Landing and in the quaint downtown village. Not too long ago, the island was only accessible by water and all passengers to and from the Coronado passed through this ferry landing.

For a truly unique experience stay at the world famous Hotel Del Coronado which has hosted a number of celebrities, dignitaries, presidents, and world leaders.  Its Victorian charm, gourmet restaurants, beautifully appointed guest rooms, incredible grounds, and ideal location on Coronado Beach still lure the rich and famous.

Coronado isn’t all play. Important work takes place here too. Coronado is the birthplace of naval aviation and home to Naval Air Station North Island and the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Heads up! You may sneak a peek of Navy Seals training on beautiful Silver Strand State Beach.

Chula Vista: 

Chula Vista is a destination for locals and visitors alike, who can enjoy its many attractions, including the bayfront harbor, marinas, shoreline parks and popular waterfront restaurants.

The Chula Vista Bayside Park and Pier , located on Bayside Parkway, is surrounded by marinas, restaurants and shopping. Bayside Parkway features a fishing pier, picnic and game tables and walkways.

The popular Chula Vista Bayfront Park at the foot of Marina Way includes a public boat ramp. The park overlooks the bay to the west and the Sweetwater Estuary to the south. This park is family-friendly and an ideal spot for a picnic, nap or walk. During the summer, various oldster car clubs will host events, which can attract large crowds. But the park is fairly large, offering more secluded areas away from the crowds.

Located at 200 Marina Parkway, Chula Vista Marina View Park has play equipment and the waterfront public art piece, Wind Harp. The park is popular for large gatherings, such as birthday parties and holiday festivities.

Enjoy the two Waterfront restaurants – the Galley at the Marina and the South Bay Fish and Grill – at the Chula Vista Marina. Both restaurants feature patio dining, delicious food and great entertainment on weekends.

In addition to bayside and waterfront parks and piers, Chula Vista is home to the Nature Center, which brings the history, geology, ecology and natural history of the marsh, its surrounding wetlands and San Diego Bay to life. The Chula Vista Nature Center is dedicated to serving the public by providing a quality nature center/living museum experience while promoting coastal resource conservation and environmental stewardship through education.

Book your San Diego vacation today and you'll be on your way to explore San Diego's Big Bay!