San Diego's main attractions, which bring in visitors and tourists from around the world, are the sprawling San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Balboa Park, Mission Beach and Old Town, not to mention the beaches.  Sports fans enjoy having major league baseball (San Diego Padres) and national league football (San Diego Chargers) in town, as well as the opportunity to golf at more than 70 private and public courses in and around the area.  Boating, deep sea fishing, sailing and every other water activity one can think of are just minutes away.  The San Diego Museum of Art houses collections of Dutch Old Masters and works from the Italian Renaissance.    The La Jolla Playhouse is a Tony-award winner theater, and the California Ballet Company and the San Diego Opera offer chances to further enjoy a little culture.  

One of the primary reasons to consider a San Diego retirement is the warm and sunny weather.  The average year-round temperature is 70 degrees, and winter temperatures rarely drop below 40 degrees.  They say it never rains in Southern California, and that is almost true as the average annual rainfall is less than ten inches; most of this moisture occurs from November through February (the "rainy season").    Humidity averages in the high 60% range, and the sun shines nearly 70% of the time.  The area can see chilly evening fog in the summer months.

Retirees will find an excellent public transportation system here; the Metropolitan Transit System provides buses throughout San Diego as well as trolleys in certain sections.   Seniors ride for $1 and monthly passes are $15.

Volunteer opportunities are in abundance, as would be expected in a city this size.  Seniors' time and talents are needed at N.A.I. Legacy Corps where volunteers mentor foster children, at the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair to help man the gift shop and register participants and at any one of the many local tourist attractions, the San Diego School Unified School District (22,000 volunteers) or the San Diego Parks and Recreation Department.   The local RSVP (Retired and Seniors Volunteer Program) is also alive and well and has more than 1,000 volunteer opportunities in its database.    

The San Diego Parks and Recreation Department operates Senior Citizen Services (619-236-6905) which runs fifteen senior centers throughout the area so new residents will have no problems finding low cost health screenings, transportation assistance, social activities, resource centers and ways to meet other retirees in the area.   AARP is active here as is Meals on Wheels.  

San Diego is laid back and vibrant all at the same time, and for such a large, sprawling place, it has a crime rate that just meets the national average, another plus for seniors.  There are, though, obviously drawbacks to retirement here, the primary one being the high cost-of-living.   There are also wildfires and mudslides in the hills, and not everyone wants to spend their later years fighting city smog and traffic.  Still, the California lifestyle, the temperate climate and having an ocean so close appeal to many a retiree.

Great Retirement Spots Newsletter is published weekly by Webwerxx, Inc.  2770 S. Elmira St., #152, Denver, CO  80231. (303) 358-0512.  Copyright © 2007.  All rights reserved.  No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced without the express written consent of Webwerxx, Inc.  All attempts were made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this bulletin, but some information may have changed since publication. Webwerxx, Inc. cannot be held responsible for information that has changed since this publication appeared online.  Please contact us at staff@greatretirementspots.com if you have questions or comments.  To unsubscribe or change your subscription information, click here.