The beautiful community of La Jolla is known as "the jewel" of San Diego, and it certainly lives up to that description. This upscale seaside community is known for its gorgeous ocean views and pristine beaches. It's also known for its shopping, offering everything from luxury labels to unique designers, as well as one-of-a-kind boutiques.

No one loves San Diego more than birds—except maybe birdwatchers. Feathered friends flock here for our fair climate, varied geography, and fresh- and salt- water habitats. Located along the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds, San Diego County has played host to 515 species, including those that have winged great distances, and others who call it home. Though winter sees the greatest number of birds here, birding can be done any day of the year, and everywhere in the county, from the beaches to mountaintops to the desert.

Located at the northernmost end of San Diego’s coastline, Oceanside is home to some of Southern California’s widest beaches, historical landmarks and a distinct Southern California surf culture.

With its unique identity as a beach town, a border city, a bustling international port and a former frontier burg, San Diego has mixed and matched architectural styles to surprising and sometimes dazzling effect over the decades. While the influence of the region's early Spanish settlement remains prominent, plenty of signature architectural sites here draw on other, more disparate traditions. Here's a look at 7 eye-catching San Diego buildings and districts that architecture-minded visitors will love discovering.