San Diego awaits American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting

The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery's annual meeting returns to San Diego this year, March 25 to 29. This Southern California city offers a great climate in which to enjoy the outdoors while also attending a valuable ophthalmic meeting.

San Diego's average daily high temperature for March is 66°F, with the average low being 52°F. However, there can be a wide variation in temperatures as the topography moves from coastal, to mountain, or even desert.

San Diego is home to more than 100 culturally diverse neighborhoods, such as Little Italy, Hillcrest, La Jolla, and the Gaslamp Quarter, that offer unique cuisine, shops, and entertainment venues.

Coronado Central Beach stretches 1.5 miles behind beautiful houses along Ocean Boulevard in front of the Hotel Del Coronado, a national landmark resort with a marina. Swimmers, bodysurfers, boogie boarders, sand sculptors, and tide poolers will find plenty to do. North Beach attracts surfers in the morning, and at the extreme north is Dog Beach, where canines can play in the surf without a leash.

This town is small enough for visitors to walk almost anywhere. There are relatively flat paths for cyclists and skaters and miles of bike routes along city streets. Specialty shops and restaurants can be found at the Ferry Landing Marketplace.

You can reach Coronado in 15 minutes by ferry, or you can drive across the Coronado Bridge. The Coronado Visitor Center can be found at 1100 Orange Ave. (619/437-8788).

Another favorite San Diego attraction is Balboa Park, the nation's largest urban cultural park, with 1,200 public acres, located north of the central business district.

Highlights include nearly 200 varieties of roses in the Inez Rose Parker Memorial Rose Garden, the Spanish-inspired Alcazar Garden, the Japanese Friendship Garden, the desert garden, and the Botanical Building. Admission to the park is free.

Museums, Balboa Park

There also are many museums in the park and Balboa Park sells passport passes that provide admission to 14 of them. You can choose the 7-day Passport ($45 for adults, $24 for children) or an upgraded Passport with Zoo admission ($75 for adults, $39 for children). A Stay-for-the-Day pass is good for admission to any five of the 14 participating attractions (zoo not included) on one day ($35). Passes can be bought online or at the park visitors center. Some sites are not open every day and some charge additional fees for special exhibits. Call 619/239-0512 for information on days and times.

The pass includes entrance to: