The San Diego Unified School District serves most of the metropolitan areas within the city limits of San Diego. The district is committed to supporting schools and enhancing the classroom-learning environment through modernized facilities and resources and through parent, teacher and community involvement in the educational process. The Point Loma Nazarene University is just one of many fine schools for advanced study in the area. Both San Diego State University and the University of California at San Diego augment the many community colleges in the county.

Ocean Beach was built mostly during the early 1900s when the Wonderland Amusement Park still operated on the beach near Newport Avenue. Prior to that, Billy Carson and Frank Higgins laid out some of the first streets in 1887 and named the town Ocean Beach. That was just after San Diego County was established in 1850. Annual events in and around Ocean Beach include the Street Fair, Chili Cook-off and Fireworks Festival, Octoberfest, OB Restaurant Walk, Sandy Claws at Dog Beach and the OB Christmas Parade. Several other annual events are centered on and around the famous OB Pier, the longest concrete structure on the coast. Live music, fishing, fireworks and exploring the tide pools are all frequent pier activities.

Ocean Beach is only about one mile south of Sea World and about 15 minutes from the world famous San Diego Zoo. Downtown San Diego is a shopper’s paradise while the Gas Lamp Quarter offers sidewalk cafes, open-air restaurants, jazz clubs, dancing and microbreweries. There are also unique shops and galleries throughout the district.

Point Loma is probably most famous for being home to Cabrillo National Monument and the Old Point Loma Lighhouse. In 1542 Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo landed at San Diego Bay, the first time Europeans landed on what was to become the West Coast of the United States. President Woodrow Wilson memorialized Cabrillo by creating Cabrillo National Monument in 1913. The lighthouse operated from 1855 to 1891 before it was replaced with a new lighthouse in a better location. The view from the lighthouse and the monument is nothing short of spectacular.

Just minutes from Point Loma and Ocean Beach is Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the United States. The park features 15 museums, several art galleries, stunning gardens and Old Globe Theater. San Diego County has 92 golf courses and top professional football and baseball teams.

Transportation in and around San Diego is easy. MTS buses, trolleys, and coasters are all available throughout the county. Interstate 5, which runs the length of the state, is a main artery into San Diego and to Lindberg Field, the city’s International Airport. Amtrak also serves downtown San Diego.