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Jacob Boomsma\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
When it comes to a traveler’s wish list, San Diego is usually at the top. After all, “America’s Finest City” is home to world-renowned attractions and sandy beaches, and it boasts appealing year-round weather. There’s also plenty to explore in the greater metropolitan area, which is home to over 3 million people\u00a0according to Census Reporter<\/a>. The suburb of National City, in its South Bay region, has\u00a0waterfront fun, neighborhood eateries, and old-world charm.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to World Population Review<\/a>, National City has\u00a0almost 57,000 residents\u00a0across nearly 8 square miles.\u00a0In the 1760s, the Mission San Diego de Alcala used the land\u00a0before it became part of the over 26,000-acre El Rancho de La Nacion land grant, according to the San Diego History Center<\/a>. In 1868, a contractor, Frank Kimball, purchased the land with his brothers\u00a0and founded National City, with incorporation in 1887. Today,\u00a0San Diego County’s second oldest city\u00a0has several\u00a0buildings on the\u00a0National Register of Historic Places, including the Granger Music Hall, Brick Row on Heritage Square, and Santa Fe Rail Depot.\u00a0<\/p>\n National City feels relaxed, with a spacious waterfront and ample green space for wandering. It’s\u00a0less than 6 miles south of downtown San Diego and\u00a09 miles south of San Diego International Airport,\u00a0making it close enough to access the city and far enough to be away from crowds.\u00a0The San Diego Trolley’s Blue line runs south from 5th Avenue Station in San Diego to 8th Street Station in National City. National City is also just\u00a012 miles north of the U.S. border with Mexico.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Experience bayfront fun and vintage charm in National City, California<\/p>\n
Sam Antonio Photography\/Getty Images<\/p>\n The 5.5-acre Pepper Park along San Diego Bay with the adjacent 4,700 square foot Aquatic Center and Pier 32 Marina are popular community spaces. You can launch boats and other watercraft\u00a0such as jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards\u00a0and enjoy picnic areas. Other amenities include a splash pad\u00a0and a\u00a0pirate-themed playground. Anglers can cast a line from a\u00a0pier without a\u00a0fishing license, even at night, as it’s illuminated after dark. Cyclists can access about\u00a0a mile\u00a0of the 24-mile-long Bayshore Bikeway which runs through National City, connecting with Pepper Park and the Sweetwater Bikeway. You can find\u00a0maps and detailed route information\u00a0on\u00a0TrailLink’s<\/a>\u00a0website\u00a0or app.\u00a0Art lovers, meanwhile, can follow the Bayfront Art Walk, which starts or finishes in Pepper Park. The\u00a0self-guided stroll is nearly a mile\u00a0and it\u00a0features\u00a0eight\u00a0one-of-a-kind installations, including sculptures, murals, and a ceramic tile.<\/p>\n You can view National City’s vintage downtown buildings on another mile-long walking route\u00a0known as the Historic Brick Row Walk. Kimball constructed the row homes to house railroad executives, and today they include the Kimball Museum, which houses the National City Historical Society. The free museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and by special appointment.\u00a0History buffs can see a full list of historically significant buildings on the city’s website<\/a>. Head to the National City Depot Museum\u00a0on weekends to see\u00a0antique rail cars\u00a0and a model train.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you have more time, visit Chula Vista, an\u00a0underrated beachside city and hidden gem for retirees<\/a>, approximately 3.5 miles south. It’s\u00a0home to a\u00a0water park, a dozen restaurants, and<\/a> California’s largest hotel with ocean views<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center. Alternatively,\u00a0combine National City with a visit to San Diego, the friendliest major city in the U.S<\/a>.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Eat like a local in National City, California<\/p>\n With a longstanding multicultural community, National City offers plenty of diverse dining options.\u00a0The Waterfront Grill\u00a0at Pier 32 Marina has a casual vibe, bay views, and a menu that includes a MexiCali salad, Baja fish tacos, cocktails and craft beer. The\u00a0vendors\u00a0at the\u00a0Market on 8th\u00a0food hall\u00a0reflect the mix of cultures prevalent in National City, offering Thai, Japanese, Mexican, and burgers. The approximate 11,000 square foot space is open seven days a week\u00a0and it has indoor and outdoor seating, bars with craft beverages, and live entertainment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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