San Diego Top Gun, California, USA
Airing Date: May 26th, 2007
San Diego, with its superb coastline, near-perfect climate and Mediterranean faade, is possibly the quintessential Southern Californian beach city. It's also
Top Gun territory - the movie was set and shot here in 1986 and the real Top Gun programme actually operated in San Diego during the 70's and 80's.
At the time the movie was made, the Top Gun program was based at the former Naval Air Station Miramar, which is now the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
The city also has one of the largest military complexes in the USA, with 11 Navy, Marine and Coast Guard installations, including
Camp Pendleton Marine Base,
Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island,
Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, and
Naval Station San Diego.
Two aircraft carriers (USS Ronald Reagan and USS Nimitz), 50 surface warfare ships, and six submarines are also home ported in San Diego's beautiful natural harbour.
The
USS Midway is now
San Diego's Air Craft Carrier Museum. It was the longest-serving carrier in the history of the U.S. Navy and has more than twenty aircraft on display to show visitors exactly what life aboard an aircraft carrier is actually like.
To cruise around San Diego just like Tom Cruise's Maverick did in the cult film,
Eagleriders San Diego have motorcycles for hire.
The
Kansas City Barbecue is where some of the bar scenes of the movie were filmed and the owners have a stack of Top Gun movie memorabilia on display.
Further Information:Air New Zealand- Fly return to Los Angeles from $1770 ex Sydney, $1850 ex Brisbane & Melbourne, $2070 ex Adelaide and $2250 ex Perth. Prices correct at 27/4/07. Prices include taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
Surfer Beach Hotel - Standard rooms from $265 a night. Prices correct at 26/5/07. Price includes taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
DriveAway Holidays - Car hire from $53 a day. Based on 7 day rental for Chevrolet Cavalier or similar. Call DriveAway Holidays on
1300 363 500. Prices correct at 26/5/07. Price includes taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
Eagle Rider San Diego- Harley Davidson hire from $135 a day. Includes unlimited kilometres, basic insurance & safety helmets.
Valid Monday - Thursday only. Prices correct at 26/5/07. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
