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And for those whose moods don't rise with the tides, Orange County's mixture of adventure and indulgence keeps the fun factor high and the stress level low. From shopping at South Coast Plaza (one of the nation's largest and busiest malls, where Macy's is a major draw) or Fashion Island in Newport (where Macy's and Bloomingdale's preside), to sightseeing at the galleries of Laguna Beach, to zipping down a hill on Disneyland's Space Mountain - Orange County's inland is action-packed. Stop for a brew at Huntington Beach Beer Company, a favorite spot among locals. And you can certainly stay dry at any of OC's 50 golf courses, luxurious health spas, posh restaurants and waterfront nightclubs. Plus, there's always room for friends on the booze cruise (no there is no ship involved, just a local's favorite that includes a walk down the Newport Beach Boardwalk with a cocktail stop every block)! Just a little further south down I-5 (stopping just north of the Mexican border) is "America's Finest City," San Diego. Sunny and mild in weather and personality, San Diego is familiar to most for its world-class zoo and wild-animal park. But in actuality, the San Diego Zoo is just one of more than 14 attractions that make up the illustrious Balboa Park (others include the Museum of Man, the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Aerospace Museum and the Natural History Museum). Outside of its vast animal kingdom, San Diego enjoys the harmony of city life and coastal leisure. For shopping, it's The Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town for crafts/clothing, La Jolla and Girard Avenue for exclusive boutiques and Kobey's Swap Meet for some good old-fashioned bargaining. Just south of the border, Tijuana offers Mexican arts and crafts, as well as a glimpse of the country's culture. San Diego cuisine, while varied, is dominated mostly by seafood from the Pacific and produce from the Southern California farmlands. The historic Gaslamp Quarter downtown is home to dozens of small and diverse restaurants. Try the Bitter End, known for its specialty Black Martini. Other local favorites include Trattoria Acqua, Roppongi in La Jolla and Las Olas in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. For some authentic Mexican influence, head to the Cenote Grill and El Agave for an enchilada and a margarita. If seafood is your fare of choice, The Fishery and Point Loma Seafoods are among San Diego's best. And for a little after-dinner entertainment, Solana Beach's Belly Up Tavern features live music, downtown's Croce's Jazz Bar satisfies a more mellow crowd, Mission Valley's In Cahoots teaches country fans to boot, scoot and boogie and Harbor Island's Tom Ham's Lighthouse keeps customers crooning with karaoke. Hot day got you looking for a cool night? Check out Air Conditioned in Normal Heights for a relaxed, fun atmosphere. From anywhere in Southern California, you're within easy distance of mountains, deserts, and canyons for hiking, exploring and escape from big-city life. Skiers enjoy day trips to Big Bear or weekend adventures to Mammoth Mountain. Southern California's clear weather is conducive to hot air ballooning, particularly at Del Mar, Perris and Temecula. Regular commuter-hop flights will take you to other entertainment venues, such as Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Lake Tahoe and Reno. For more information on life in Southern California, go to:
www.la.com
www.access-sandiego.com
www.apartments.com
www.relocationcentral.com
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