San Diego here we come!
For many Arizonans, skipping San Diego in the summer is like ordering chips without salsa. They hotfoot it to the beach as soon as the driveway gets hot enough to singe the feet. And why not? The Southern California city is everything Phoenix is not in June, July and August: cool, wet and happening.

San Diego attractions
For kids and a fair share of adults, a San Diego vacation is synonymous with theme parks and other marquee attractions. If it's Monday, it must be the zoo. Tuesday, SeaWorld, Wednesday, the Wild Animal Park.
• Itinerary ideas for San Diego summers

Luxurious best of San Diego
Travelers with five-star vacation budgets will find plenty of ways to spend it up and down the coast. The three hot spots, from north to south, are Del Mar, La Jolla and Coronado. Carlsbad, best known for Legoland and family-friendly prices, is also a contender.

Side trip: Cruising Highway 101
U.S. 101 has been called the "Mother Road of California." And "Route 66 with a view." This coast-hugging road from Torrey Pines to Oceanside has enough stunning views to make even the most photo-obsessed mother happy.

Side trip: Tijuana
What is the best thing about Tijuana? A lot of folks answer: "San Diego." Which maybe tells you everything you need to know about Tijuana -- and maybe not. Tijuana is Mexico. Tijuana is not the best of Mexico. Not even close. But go check it out anyway.