Teach me about San Diego
 

Flying into SAN May 11th-17th and was looking for interesting things to do in this city. Hoping to make it up to LA for a day or two also.

SmileWavy

Gaslamp district. I have friends that work nightclubs there, incl the friend that you thought was unholy hot ;)

Wild Animal Park in Escondido is great, much better than the San Diego Zoo. Coronado Island is cool as well as Shelter Island and LaJolla for people watching.

Art, I really should skip San Diego Zoo and go to the Wild Animal Park? The zoo was definitely on the "to do" list.

Tom,
Yes! Wild Animal Park is something you should experience! The San Diego Zoo is nice, but does not compare to the Park! I lived in San Diego/Fallbrook from '82-'91 when I was in the Navy. Be sure to visit LaJolla and eat lunch at Alfonso's at LaJolla Cove!

More info Tom. Are you coming with kids and if so how old? Family only eats/entertainment/sights or are you looking for nightlife dining/bars/dancing recommendations too? What part of town are you staying? Are you renting a car?

It will be me and a friend. We are both in our early 20's. All things food/entertainment/sights. We don't mind going out at night. Not really into the nightclub scene, prefer to drink a pint at a pub. Renting a car.

Tom,

If you don't mind a little drive, head up the road to Stone Brewing Company in Escondido, CA. It's about a half hour drive north of San Diego. I'm going to San Diego on the 11th of March and will be heading up there for a couple pints. We went last year and they have an excellent resturant as well as an awesome beer garden outside. Have fun on your trip!

Stone Brewing Co.

-Kerry

Well, I'm telling you that it's not an option, you HAVE to go to Boudoir and say hello to my friends
Then go have a pint at Dublin Square or Henry's Pub

Check out this thread... We had a blast!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/466384-my-way-san-diego.html

Thank you everyone. I have been doing some serious "google" ing today.

Is this business, pleasure or combined?

Dublin square is where I met my wife.

For a great pub place, Shakespear's. It's a lot like the Richmond pub and Stag's head. It is on Washingon. I also like "The Bitter End" in the Gas Lamp.

A cheap free thing to do is go to the end of Point Loma during low tide. They have tide pools you can walk down and look at the life.

Do not be thinking about beach this time of year. It is not warm.

Bring a jacket at night. San Diego is cool at night even in the Summer.

La Jolla, go to Symbolic Motors and look at the cars for Sale.

I wil second the Wild Animal park. You might also consider the Air and Space museum. There is also the Air Craft carrier Midway.

The tide pool sounds REALLY neat James. This is purely a pleasure trip. I just need to dip my balls in the Pacific and I'll be fine. Love old warships so USS Midway is on the list.

Question: What is Balboa park?

A Canyon surrounding CA163. It is where the Zoo and the And Space museum are located.

Two words... "Blacks Beach!"

You might want to see is this deal is still going:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/455223-san-diegans-cars-coffee-balboa-part-auto-museum-sun-2-15-a.html
PM efhughes

Go onto the inernet & type in "San Diego Reader." You can get a good idea of what there is there. Then go on and check it out a week or so before you go. There is a box entitled Find an Event you can use to target activities. I wouldn't bother with Black's Beach like Joe suggests. I stopped going there back in the '70 when too many "pretty boys" started showing up. The thing that did it for me was some guy humping on an inflatible cushion. Never returned after that. Long ago it was a really nice place to go.

subscribed:D

Lots of GOOD beer places. Stone Brewing and Bistro in Escondido, etc.

Bali ha'i, a decent polynesian place on shelter island.

La Jolla cove, Scripps aquarium, etc.

I love it down there!

From Point Loma you can see the whole Harbor, Naval Base and Coronado Island. On a clear day it's awesome.

the wife wants to go Whale watching and I think they're migrating this time of year.

Yes, Stone is a must!!!

Stone Brewing Co.

Wow... i can't believe I've never heard of that place! My in-laws live just over the hill in San Marcos. Definitely gonna check it out next time.

Cabrillo National monument at the end of Point Loma is the best place for a great view of the harbor and city. Balboa park near the SD Zoo for museums, etc. Also, I like the Zoo more than wild animal park, but it's a subjective judgment. Stay away from Sea World... pretty expensive and not much to see IMHO. Old town for Mexican food, but it's not as good as it should be.

Avoid Mexican food in San Diego. It is different than Tex-Mex and not always for the better.

Start in downtown San Diego and just follow the coast north.

You wont need to hop on any freeways.

The coastal stretch from del mar to carlsbad is the best in my opinion. Do not set a schedule and just cruise and stop when ever you like. Beach at Del Mar 15th street is cool as well as a place called swami's. Just ask around and you'll find it.

Love San Diego!

Order a couple of Don Winslow novels (say, Power of the Dog, Savages, Dawn Patrol etc) from Amazon and read these before you go. They will completely set you up for San Diego. Trust me on this. Like reading Tony Hillerman before seeing the south-west.

Don't miss the Coronado Hotel. You can channel Marilyn Monroe on the beach out front. It's worth wandering around the hotel. Used to be the biggest wooden structure in the world. At least have lunch there.

The museums in Balboa Park are small, but nicely done. You'll find something there of interest. +1 on the Midway. Also rent a car and do the coast up to Del Mar and Carlsbad.

There's a great horse track at Del Mar, which is kind of a fun scene with the ocean in the background. Worth a punt. They do great tequila shooters at the bar, and it's fine place to spend an afternoon people-watching.

+1 on Symbolic Motors in La Jolla—and I like the small Classic Car shop next to Symbolic even better. Very knowledgeable owner who has done every European rally etc. But leave your check-book at home.

You won't be bored.

PS: Ocean Beach is a fun neighborhood to check out. Still has a bit of that 60's vibe. And on Sunday morning the Mexican gang bangers bring their pit bulls to the big dog beach. Crazy scene.

Go surfing! Join the Navy! Get drunk and really sun-burned!

Seriously, that's a beautiful month to be almost anywhere. Especially SD. I've spent a fair amount of time in San Diego growing up but all in La Jolla. Definitely drive around and hang-out in LJ including Wind and Sea beach, the coves and walk through the La Valencia Hotel. This is the most scenic and beautiful part of SD and the beach is second to none in the continental USA. Have fun!

Thank you everyone! I am very excited about this trip.

@Jim, I hope you are ready.

Hey Tom,

If you like strong beer, you'll be in Heaven. Lot's of people mentioned Stone, but Ballast Point, Alesmith, Alpine Brewery and Pizza Port are all down here and make exceptional IPAs.
We are hosting national meetings during your visit, or else I could show you around behind the scenes at the Zoo. PM your address and I'll send you a couple of passes.
DO NOT go to Old Town for authentic mexican food, San Diego has some great hole in the wall places, don't go to the tourist traps.
If the weather is nice, a stroll along the Mission Beach Boardwalk is always a nice way to spend the day.
San Diego is a great city, I know you'll enjoy it.