Awesome place, I love it there.

I always go look at cars for an afternoon and The Hotel del Coronado tour is very interesting, right on the beach too. The Hotel contains the 2nd elevator ever installed in the US and it was wired by Thomas Edison.

Enjoy and eat lots of fruit, tastes sooooo good there!
Oh and there's a real awesome seafood place downtown, can't remember name, but incredible, right on the ocean.

Thanks guys, keep the ideas coming! I'm glad I asked early so I have some time to put together some plans. That's interesting that the water is always cold over there. Maybe I'll re-think the beach visit.

What's it like driving around there? I mean is it going to be a nightmare going from the motel to Lego land, the zoo, sea world, midway, etc with the Mapquest maps? Or is there more of a 'LOCAL' route to avoid traffic backups? Please advise on this one because I really don't like sitting in traffic for very long...

Just don't attempt during rush-hour: SB I-5, WB I-8, SB I-15 in the mornings, reverse in the evenings.

The Zoo and Sea World are an easy commute from your hotel. For SeaWorld, just head straight up Pacific Hwy. You can probably walk to the Midway from where you're stayin'.

Edit: Oops...nevermind the last paragraph. I thought you were staying at the Holiday Inn Embarcadero. You will take "Nimitz" straight to SeaWorld. Harbor Drive south directly to the Midway. Harbor Drive south to the airport, left on Laurel...straight in to Balboa Park/Zoo/Auto/Aerospace Museum (don't forget the IMAX!). All minutes away from your location.

...

AJUSA is out there, so is Stone Brewing, both are must see, plus, if there are still out there, the guys who build the Monster Miatas with 5.0 Ford engines:D

My $.02:

Balboa Park
The Fleet Science Center(*)
Aerospace Museum
Wahoo's Fish Tacos
...in that order

(*) The Fleet Science Center is reallllly cool for kids. Very hands on - and very informative!
Fleet was quite a guy. He founded Consolidated, known for its *****en military aircraft and flying boats. In Fact, he relocated the whole factory from - like - the shore of one of the great lakes, to SD - because he wanted to be able to test his planes year round - unlike in the East.

Anyways...........go to Balboa Park. Take the family. You won't be disappointed!

IMHO of course - YMMV!

Ahh, Stone Brewing - becoming one of my all time favorites! Now I want to go to SD!

Sweet! Something else to check out....

Dont miss the Midway, excellent tour. Not a bad golf course a few miles north either. Last time I was out there I drove east a little while and found some great roads in the mountains. It was after the fires so the scenery was breathtaking. I'll never find the name, but there was a good brick oven pizza joint in the mountains, great break from the roads. I'd be sure to get out there, even in a rental. Although, I assume it's pretty busy on the weekends.

If you have time to do some driving, the scenery between SD and the AZ state line is amazing. Last time I rode there, I stayed on I-8 through the Imperial Sand Dunes, which are so awesome. You go right along the fence to Mexico. Then I got off at Campo and took Rt. 94 into SD. So gorgeous.

Arrogant Bastard is my favorite. Hopefully the name makes it through the filter...

Stone Brewery used to be here in San Marcos but moved a couple years ago to Escondido. Luckily they are still close enough to drop by for a weekend growler to bring home.

Not much to see at AJ-USA as it's mostly a storefront. They might have a coupe interesting cars in the showroom and/or repair shop but I don't think it would be worth the trip. If you want to see really nice cars go to Symbolic in La Jolla.

If you go to LegoLand with the kids then definitely stop for dinner at Karl Strauss Brewery which you will pass near the entrance to the park. Great food and good beer.

If you want to take a 1/2 day out for driving East county roads let me know and I'll send you the best route loop. I think I have it on google maps and can share it.

Heck yes! I would really appreciate it. I'll PM you my email address.

Rick - Those dunes would be neat to see too.

Maybe this 1/2 day drive and those dunes could be combined? I need to get in front of some maps soon to see these routes.

Any last comments/suggestions or must see stuff? Leaving very soon!

My wife and I are flying down for this coming weeked - as mentioned earlier. I have taken notes on all the great suggestions. We plan to head to the Gas lamp area when we arrive Friday late afternoon. We are staying in La Jolla and plan to do a kyak tour http://www.lajollakayak.com/. Perhaps a nice close restaurant on Saturday night. Perhaps Georges, as recommended. Sunday morning we will do some driving and head back that afternoon. It is not easy getting away from 2 teenagers, 2 grade-schoolers, 2 dogs and a cat. But we will!

The trip in April with the kids was nice. We drove down that week. Nice townhouse accommodations a short walk from Pacific beach. Lego Land, Sea World, some college tours and the Midway tour. I could have spent hours on the Midway IF my kids had shown more interest in what I did for EIGHT years of my life - actually only 10 months on the Nimitz. Lego Land has some decent rides - My jr. producer 7 yo liked the shows at Sea World - after a week of after dinner shows she slowed down.

If it's still open, the La Valencia Hotel/Restaurant in La Jolla for brunch is excellent.

I assume you mean a Sunday brunch? One place better then the other? I'd have to see if it's still open for reservations..

Went to Legoland beginning of last month. Grew up with Legos but I think I was a bit too old for Legoland. Was cool seeing the cities built out of Legos...kids 8-10 would probably really enjoy it. The aquarium next door I think was ok...the sharks were cool but I don't think I'd be back.

that, and Rubio's "world famous" fish tacos sucked...Wahoo's over Rubios any day.

Thread title just reminded me of a brilliant movie quote:

"The Germans discovered it in 1904, and they called it “San Diego”, which in German means “a whale's vagina...."

We got back to MI yesterday. Thanks again to everyone that gave us ideas. We hit pretty much everything mentioned here. But I want to send out a special thanks to dmoolenaar (david) for his directions and advice. We were running from dawn till dusk to try to get it all in. I would have never found some of these places if it wasn't for you guys. A BIG thank you again....