Do you picture yourself lying on some exotic beach this Memorial Weekend? Would you settle for a San Diego beach such as Coronado, Mission, Pacific or Ocean? Many travelers, will indeed, trek to San Diego and make it their paradise on the three day weekend that launches the summer season. The kids are nearly out of school, the weather is getting warmer, and the peak season for California travel is getting into high gear starting Friday, May 27, 2011.

San Diego generally ranks Number One among travelers for several reasons. First, it the closest beach escape just a few hour's drive from California's largest metropolitan area of Los Angeles and Orange County. Those two regions have close to 15 million residents, all seeking easy drive trips and close-by escapes. San Diego is around a two hour drive from Orange County, and three hour drive from Los Angeles County. Add Riverside and San Bernardino County travelers to the mix, and that makes for a lot of people wanting to go on vacation.

Another reason San Diego is popular is that it combines beaches with attractions. SeaWorld sits on a bay overlooking the Pacific Ocean next to Mission Beach. The downtown San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park is never more than a quick drive to hotels and beaches, and even the beaches have amusements such as Belmont Park with a Plunge Pool, kids rides, and roller coaster overlooking the ocean.

Finally, there are hundreds of hotels in San Diego providing every experience imaginable from beach vacations such as the Hotel del Coronado (shown in photo) to the high-rise hotels at Gaslamp, Petco Park, and Shoreline Village. There are many affordable hotels in Hotel Circle near Old Town, hotels downtown, and hotels offering swimming pools, boat rides, bike rentals, and everything under the sun. The options are practically endless.

San Diego is a city of around one million people. It is the 2nd largest city in California under Los Angeles. The Mexico border is just a 20 minute drive south so you can park your car and walk across the border for day trips into Tijuana, as well.

If you are heading out on vacation this weekend, many of you will be going to San Diego, and we wish we were going with you.