Photos: San Diego

Cabrillo National Monument, which sits at the tip of San Diego‘s Point Loma, is named for the Spanish explorer who arrived in 1542. Besides featuring a 19th century lighthouse, visitor center and broad ocean views, the monument includes tidepools and dramatic coastal trails.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

The U.S.S. Midway served as a Navy aircraft carrier for more than 45 years before its retirement and 2004 conversion into a museum along San Diego’s downtown waterfront.   (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

The U.S.S. Midway Museum’s flight deck measures 4 acres, big enough for two dozen aircraft.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

This 25-foot-high waterfront sculpture on San Diego’s waterfront, titled “Unconditional Surrender” and inspired by photos from the end of World War II, was made by artist Seward J. Johnson.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, situated high on San Diego’s Point Loma with views of Coronado and San Diego Harbor, honors nearly 100,000 veterans and their family members.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Owners of the Waterfront, a popular bar and grill on Kettner Street, apparently grabbed up San Diego’s first available liquor license when Prohibition ended.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Cucina Urbana, a busy new Italian restaurant, stands on Laurel Street near Balboa Park in San Diego.   (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

On the sprawling harbor-front site where the Navy trained recruits for most of the 20th century, the restaurants, retailers and residences of Liberty Station have taken over, preserving signature buildings and open spaces.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)