Getty Center
Spend the day checking out the Getty's phenomenal collection - sure to delight, inspire, and educate with some of the world's greatest masterpieces.  Plus it's less than two hours from downtown San Diego.  1200 GettyCenter Drive, Los Angeles.  310-440-7300.  www.getty.edu.

Hollywood 
This is where the magic happens.  About an hour and a half from SD, you can visit the famed Grauman's Chinese Theatre, stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, check out the Hollywood Bowl and the Hollywoodsign, or spend the day cruising down world-renowned Sunset Strip on to Beverly  Hills and the fabulous mansions of movie and TV idols.  Coach sightseeing tours available.  Starline Tours.  800-959-3131.  www.starlinetours.com.

Julian
Experience historic California.  This premier mountain getaway is just an hour east of SD, in the beautiful Cuyamaca mountains.  Step back in time to the days of Julian's beginning, rooted in the 1870s gold rush.  Shop in stores housed in original buildings, sample Julian's famous apple pies, hike and picnic amid oaks and pines, or ride down Main Street in a horse-drawn carriage.  760-765-1857.  www.julianca.com.

Tijuana, Mexico
It's only 30 minutes from downtown SD, but once you've crossed into Mexico, you've entered a whole new world.  This is Tijuana:  a must for bargain shoppers and lovers of Mexican cuisine.  The arts and crafts here? Beautiful.  The tacos?  Phenomenal.  Plus, the sights are dazzling.  Check it all out by cruisin' with one of the state-of-the-art buses that cross the busy international border several times a day.  www.tijuana.com.

Rosarito, Mexico
If Tijuana isn't your scene, take a tip from those in-the-know:  the Rosarito Beach Hotel's the best place south of the border to escape the madness of everyday routines.  It's less than three hours from downtown SD, the blockbuster Titanic was filmed here, and it's still the perfect getaway to relax, horseback ride in the surf, enjoy the nightlife, or just laze the day away on a beach lounge or  with an 18-hole course.  Tempted?  www.rosarito.org.