Driving Over the Bridge to Coronado: The first time or the fiftieth, there's always an adrenaline rush as you follow this engineering marvel's dramatic curves and catch a glimpse of the panoramic view to either side. Driving west, you can easily pick out the distinctive Hotel Del in the distance long before you reach the "island."

Riding on the San Diego Trolley to Mexico: The trip from downtown costs a mere $2.50, takes only 40 minutes, and the clean, quick, bright red trolleys are fun in their own right.

Taking the Ferry to Coronado: The 15-minute ride gets you out into San Diego Harbor and provides some of the best views of the city. The ferry runs every hour from the Broadway Pier, so you can tour Coronado on foot, by bike, or by trolley, and return whenever you please.

Escaping to Torrey Pines State Reserve: This state park is set aside for the rarest pine tree in North America. But the bluff-side reserve has short trails that immerse hikers into a delicate and beautiful coastal environment that is rapidly disappearing.

Drinking Coffee at Sidewalk Cafe: San Diego offers a plethora of places beyond the ubiquitous Starbucks to enjoy lattes, espressos, and cappuccinos, many of them have outdoor seating areas. Some of my favorites include Peet's, 350 University Ave., Hillcrest (tel. 619/296-5995), Gargoyle Gallery and Café, 1845 India St., Little Italy (tel. 619/234-1344), the Pannikin, 7467 Girard Ave., La Jolla (tel. 858/454-5453), and the various branches of Living Room Coffeehouse.

Watching the Sun Set Over the Ocean: It's a free and memorable experience. Excellent sunset-watching spots include the Mission Beach and Pacific Beach boardwalks, as well as the beach in Coronado in front of the Hotel del Coronado. At La Jolla's Windansea Beach, wandering down to the water at dusk, wineglass in hand, is a nightly neighborhood event.

Watching the Seals at the Children's Pool: This tiny La Jolla cove was originally named for the toddlers who could safely frolic behind a man-made seawall. These days, the sand is mostly off-limits to humans, who congregate along the seawall railing or onshore to admire the protected pinnipeds that sun themselves on the beach or on semisubmerged rocks. You can get surprisingly close, and it's a truly mesmerizing sight.

Renting Bikes, Skates, or Kayaks in Mission Bay: Landscaped shores, calm waters, paved paths, and friendly neighbors make Mission Bay an aquatic playground like no other. Explore on land or water, depending on your energy level, then grab a bite at funky Mission Cafe.

Strolling Through the Gaslamp Quarter: Victorian commercial buildings that fill a 16 1/2-block area will make you think you've stepped back in time. The beautifully restored buildings, in the heart of downtown, house some of the city's most popular shops, restaurants, and nightspots.

Walking Along the Water: One of my favorite places to stroll in the city is along the waterfront from the Convention Center to the Maritime Museum, with views of aircraft carriers, tuna seiners, and sailboats.

Listening to Free Sunday Organ Recitals in Balboa Park: Even if you usually don't like organ music, you might enjoy these outdoor concerts and the crowds they draw--San Diegans with their parents, their children, and their dogs. The music, enhanced by the organist's commentary, runs the gamut from classical to contemporary. Concerts start at 2pm.

Purchasing Just-Picked Produce at a Farmers' Market or Farm-Fresh Stand: Markets throughout the area sell the bountiful harvest of San Diego County, and organic farms like Chino's are nationally famous for their delicious produce.

Listening to Live Music Outdoors at Humphrey's: An intimate, palm-fringed venue located on the water at Shelter Island, Humphrey's has name acts from mid-May to October and puts those impersonal summer concert "sheds" found in other cities to shame.

Running with the Grunion: These tiny fish spawn on San Diego beaches between April and June, and the locals love to be there. To find the date of the next run, pick up a free tide chart at a surf shop or consult the daily newspaper.

Floating Up, Up, and Away Over North County: Hot-air balloons carry passengers over the golf courses and luxury homes north of the city. These rides are especially enjoyable at sunset.

Visiting the "Lobster Village" in Puerto Nuevo: South of the border, a few miles south of tacky TJ, Puerto Nuevo's time-honored seaside restaurants serve lobster with rice, beans, tortillas, and freshly made salsa. It's an affordable and deliciously filling meal.