Humans aren’t the only ones who love the weather in San Diego. While people flock to this destination to soak up the sun and relax, there are also a bundle of opportunities nearby where you can check out the flora and fauna that enjoy this climate.

San Diego vacation packages offer experiences for every type of nature lover – from the person who enjoys austere wilderness to those who would rather see their favorite animals from a safe distance without having to trek into the wild. As a major tourist destination, there are a bounty of San Diego hotels to choose from that can accommodate any budget. Again due to its popularity as a destination, cheap flights to San Diego can be had by opportunistic travelers.

Here are a few of the options available to nature lovers visiting the San Diego area:

Sea World: A major attraction for families looking to entertain their children, while also giving them a lesson in nature, Sea World offers opportunities to view seafaring species in a theme park atmosphere. Guests can feed the dolphins at one turn and hop on the part-flume, part-rollercoaster “Journey to Atlantis” at the next. In addition to seeing a famous performance by the killer whale Shamu, guests can also view pacific walruses, penguins, beluga whales and polar bears.

Whale watching: If you visit San Diego at the right time, you also have the opportunity see whales in their natural habitat. The massive grey whale travels near the coast during its migration from December through April. Whales may be spotted from viewing points on the coast and numerous boat viewing tours are offered.

Joshua Tree National Park: This national park itself is bigger than the state of Rhode Island and offers visitors the chance to visit parts of both the Mojave and the Colorado deserts. From San Diego, the park can be reached in less than three hours by car. In addition to being home to about 250 species of birds and bighorn sheep, Joshua Tree boasts unique rock formations that capture the imaginations of visitors.

San Diego Zoo: Where Sea World is part theme park, the San Diego Zoo takes a more educational approach. Long considered one of the best zoos in the world, San Diego’s maritime climate makes it possible for many exotic species to survive happily within its confines. The zoo operates a panda research program and features a vast monkey exhibit, an arctic polar bear exhibit and a new elephant habitat.

Balboa Park: One of the oldest parks in America, Balboa Park features a multitude of gardens that sport great diversity in plant species. If you’re looking to stay closer to the city, but want to get out and hit some nature trails, the San Diego area offers canyon hikes in natural areas within its urban area. The city’s website can point you in the right direction with maps and descriptions of nearby wildlife areas.