Winter will be coming up in a couple months and you may have some unused vacation time left. Rather than taking a ski trip where you have to brave snowstorms and abominable snowmen, come check out the beautiful beaches of Southern California. Here are the top ten reasons for doing so (no particular order).

1. THE WEATHER: Mentioned above, the weather is one of the greatest reasons to visit San Diego. Shorts during winter? Yes, please.

2. THE ZOO: Around since 1915, this nearly hundred-year-old institution is one of the largest and most well-respected zoos in the world.

3. BALBOA PARK: This breathtaking park was created in 1868 and features lush vegetation in addition to a myriad of museums, theaters, restaurants, and other attractions.

4. SAN DIEGO BEACH VACATION RENTALS: A multitude of pet friendly rentals can be found throughout the city. Spend your vacation living directly on the beach, some of the nicest beaches in the world I might add, especially in Torrey Pines and La Jolla.

5. NIGHT LIFE: There is never a dull moment in San Diego. Pacific Beach is filled with interesting night clubs and venues for live music. The Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach should not be missed either. The historic Gaslamp Quarter is overflowing with bars, night clubs, and music venues, as well as dotted with original, Victorian architecture.

6. BELMONT PARK: Located in Mission Beach, this amusement park has been around since 1925. It will entertain children and delight adults with its historic charm.

7. SEAWORLD: Also located in Mission Beach, the world famous SeaWorld is a zoological park of the same caliber as the San Diego Zoo, except dedicated entirely to marine animals. Its impressive collection of sea animals and numerous entertainment venues makes it a hit with both children and adults.

8. THE RESTAURANTS: San Diego is filled with great restaurants, from a variety of cultures, price ranges, and atmospheres. While there is no shortage of delicious Mexican cuisine, San Diego also features restaurants of many other Latin American origins, including Cuban and Brazilian restaurants. Be sure to head down to La Jolla if you wish to experience the finest dining in San Diego.

9. OLD TOWN: For a real taste of history, visit Old Town. Not only was this town the first settled area of San Diego, it was also the first European settlement in California. Plenty of original colonial architecture can be found here.

10. BAJA: San Diego is the gateway to Baja California, a popular tourist area and a site for nearly unlimited partying opportunities.