Drive northeast on Park Boulevard to get to the beautiful Balboa Park, one of San Diego's greatest attractions and home to lovely gardens, numerous museums, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
Head due north on 5th or 6th Avenue to get to the western entrance to Balboa Park, or continue to the hip urban neighborhood of Hillcrest.
To the northwest of Downtown and easily accessed via I-5 or the San Diego Trolley is Old Town, the original site of the center of San Diego.
Coronado
is a lovely little city that lies on a peninsula just across the bay, accessible from downtown by a ferry ride (http://www.flagshipsd.com...) departs from the Broadway Pier or by driving just a bit south of Downtown to get to the Bay Bridge.