While the bright lights of Los Angeles and the cosmopolitan hipster hang-out of San Francisco get most of the attention, Mark Bridges found another city, San Diego, which is more than worthy of a visit . . .

ANYONE strolling along San Diego’s Embarcadero can’t fail but to notice a vessel so impressive it doesn't pale in the imposing shadow of the gigantic floating museum and former aircraft USS Midway moored just yards away.

The super-yacht, named Luna, is 377 feet long and is owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. It is equipped with two helicopter pads, a pool, spa, medical centre, hot tub, and a crew of 40.

When international playboy Abramovich, a billionaire 12 times over who is the enigmatic owner of Chelsea FC, moors his yacht in your city, you take it as a huge compliment.

For as Roman knows, San Diego has masses to offer, despite its reputation as an optional extra or missed altogether on many Brits' fly-drive holidays.

Indeed, this magnificent waterfront city has a relaxed, open feel a million miles from the clogged freeways of Los Angeles. It’s even-temperature, year-round sunny climate is the stuff of dreams too.

The sophisticated city has a number of distinct neighbourhoods – all with their own personality and incentives to visit.

For the ‘party people’ the Gaslamp Quarter is the place to go with 16 blocks of world-class bars and restaurants. A magnet for the uber-cool locals, they mingle with the city’s thousands of delegates to find entertainment, who are in town because of the city’s burgeoning conference trade.

Perfect for people watching, and home to some of the city’s best ‘chow-down’ joints are Ocean Beach neighbourhood, with its hippy vibe and US-renowned fish tacos, and Pacific Beach, home to the college crowd with upmarket, boisterous cafés and bars. Popular surfers spot Mission Beach is connected to ‘PB’ by a three-mile boardwalk – a mecca for dog walkers, inline skaters and joggers.

La Jolla is another day trip well worth making. This Mediterranean-style village has world-class art galleries, a community of seals and the historic pink brick La Valencia Hotel.

La Jolla has a mini-Beverley Hills feel to it and the glamour continues at the Hotel Del Coronado The Del, as it is known locally, is a luxury hotel in the City of Coronado, just across the San Diego Bay. It is one of the few surviving examples of an American wooden Victorian beach resort.

The 125-year-old hotel has played host to countless Hollywood stars and heads of state.

When you’re not marvelling at the architecture or stunning beach where Some Like It Hot was partly filmed, the hotel’s incredible brunch is worth every penny, even at $80, featuring pretty every food stuff imaginable, all sumptuously cooked.

Nearby Mission Bay is a city-owned aquatic playground where people can sail, swim and powerboat all year round.

For a more sedate time, harbour tours offer a real feel of the city – especially its naval links – and from December to April, offer the opportunity to see the grey whales migrating from Alaska, although the pods of dolphins which pop up around the boat are just as entertaining. Away from the water, Balboa Park provides city dwellers and tourists with a haven of tranquility.

The 1,200-acre site with its Spanish revivalist architecture lining stately boulevards is occupied by more than 20 museums, focusing on everything from sport to science.

Nearby is the famous San Diego Zoo – one of the world's largest collections of mammals, birds, and reptiles where a backstage tour gets you the chance to hand-feed giraffes and get a front-row view of Malayan tigers and infant panda Xioa.