The climate in San Diego approaches perfection, but there is more to the city than sun and sand. Central San Diego is a vibrant collection of neighbourhoods, restaurants, shops and attractions. The Gaslamp Quarter is the city’s historic district, a 16 block area of shops, galleries, coffee houses, theatres and restaurants. It can be explored by horse-drawn carriage, a Ford Model T or on foot with an audio walking tour from the Gaslamp Quarter Foundation. The San Diego Maritime Museum, anchored along Harbour Drive, is a good place to begin an exploration of the waterfront. Here, visitors can look at the Star of India (a century old windjammer), the steam ferry Berkeley and the luxury yacht Medea. The city’s maritime past is further commemorated in Seaport Village, a 14 acre waterfront shopping and dining complex. Balboa Park covers 1200 acres and contains some fantastic architecture, including 14 museums and art galleries. The Park also houses the world famous San Diego Zoo, which features 800 different species. The entire zoo is designed as a 100 acre tropical garden that can be visited on foot or on a guided tour bus.