San Diego vacation ideas

DrunkAndScrewed · Post by **DrunkAndScrewed** » December 21, 2004 10:03 pm

Heading to San Diego in January and was wondering if anyone has any ideas. I've never been so any advice on where to stay, where to eat, where to drink and what is not to be missed would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Pepe T. Pirate · Post by **Pepe T. Pirate** » December 21, 2004 10:53 pm

Take the tram to Tiajuana.........takes about an hour or so. TJ is very fun and a visit there definitely will be one of the highlights of your trip.

Pepe T. Pirate · Post by **Pepe T. Pirate** » December 21, 2004 11:10 pm

Oh, and Old Towne is fun - some good restaurants there. We always go to an open-air Mexican restaurant in Old Towne that's just outside the coolest shops, but I don't remember the name of the restaurant, sorry. (It has some trees overthanging the tables and is enclosed with ironwork and maybe an adobe wall - really good Margaritas and Chile Rellenos. Yum.) The Zoo is really a great one - you can easily spend the day there. The beach near the Coronado Hotel is nice because it's usually pretty empty for a town beach. Nice sunsets at that beach. Have fun! I'll bet the San Diego BN'ers will have some cool ideas!

lilcherub · Post by **lilcherub** » December 21, 2004 11:25 pm

If you go to Tiajuana, take a cab over by the bull fighting arena to a restaurant called Carnitas Uruapan. They serve pulled pork or chunked pork by the kilo with allthe usual sides, beans, rice, salsa, guacamole, tortillas and more. The price is right and the margaritas are great. In San Diego, don't miss Coronado Island and hotel del Coronado. It is on the beach and you can eat there and tour a lot of the old hotel. A lot of history there. Visit the light house on Point Loma, the view is awesome. I would stay on Harbour Island. It is close to downtown and most everything. There are several restaurants on the island and it is within walking distance of the airport, however, all the hotels have shuttles that take about 5 minutes. There are several marinas on the island that are nice to visit. The Zoo goes without saying. The best in the world. No matter where you go, you're in San Diego and you can't have a bad time. Oh, visit the old Gas Light district. Lots of great places for live music. Croce's used tohave live music, but I don't know if they still do. Jim Croce's wife owns it (or did).

lisajilbuffett · Post by **lisajilbuffett** » December 22, 2004 11:18 am

our family was just there last week- nice to get out of the cold Wisconsin weather for a week..... We ate at a place called Hodad's- near a beach but I'm not sure which one- just do a little research- very good cheeseburgers/fries/onion rings- that's what the keets wanted- they're still talking about it- they loved it-
Have a great time- the weather was picture perfect while we were there.
We did the zoo again- always a great time!

The Alpine Valley Lime Green family-
Rob, Lisa, Brett and Majesta

ladyparrothead · Post by **ladyparrothead** » December 22, 2004 12:35 pm

If you've never been, take one of the tours on those "trolley" type cars. You get a narrated tour and you can get on and off the trolley at the stops to see what interests you. I try to take one of these whenever one is available (if it is my first trip to a city). MHO

tahoeparrothead · Post by **tahoeparrothead** » December 22, 2004 12:40 pm

I lived in SD for 5 years, so I've got a few recs...

First of all skip that dump Tiajuana, it's filthy and lame. Instead, head another hour south along the coast of Baja to a little town called Puerto Nuevo for Lunch. It is the lobster capital of Mexico. It's a little town on the water filled with restaraunts. For like $15 you can get two lobster tales served with unlimited beans, rice, tortillas, chips, and salsa. Then hit Rosarito Beach on your way back to the US. Prepare to spend an hour waiting to get back accross the boarder, but it's worth it.

Definitely hit some bars/restaraunts in the Gaslamp district...too many to recommend, just cruise around and see what you like. Aubergine is one of the best restaraunts down there, and it turns into a hot nightclub at night. Notables: Dakota's, Salvatore's, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Blue Point, Rockin' Baja Lobster, The Yardhouse, Filippi's (Little Italy).

Check out Seaport village near the bottom of the Gaslamp, cool place during the day. Buster's beachhouse and long board grill is pretty Buffettesque.

Go over the bridge and stop by Hotel Del Coronado...it's beautiful. Say what's up to our troops over there...heavily military.

Balboa park has tons of gardens, museums, and the world famous zoo. Stop by the Prado restaraunt for a drink.

If you go to Old Town, Old Town Mexican Cafe is the spot to hit. Best Mexican food down there.

Fred's is real fun for lunch (mexican...great Margarita's and over 100 tequila's)...locations in Gaslamp, Old Town, and Pacific Beach...PB location used to have a model of the Hemisphere Dancer hanging from the ceiling...

Spend a day cruising Mission/Pacific Beach. Go to Garnet St. in PB for food and shopping. Also good nightlife. Rated #1 Bar Scene in America by Playboy Mag about 10 yrs ago. Lahina's is a great beach bar on the water...

Stop by the Pennant in South Mission Beach. Probably spent 80% of my five yrs down there at this Bar, has a special place in my heart...my Margaritaville. The Pennant roofdeck is a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon. Then hit the wave house in Belmont Park (near the roller coaster), it's an amazing oceanfront barefoot bar that just opened in August...had it been there when I was there, I would have been there everyday preaching the Church of Buffett...

Other short trips that are worth it...

La Jolla - Great high end shopping, fancy restarunts, terriffic views.
Del Mar - Quiet version of La Jolla
SD Wild Animal Park - better than the zoo
Sea World - explains itself
San Diego Mission - if you're into history
University of San Diego - One of the most beautiful campuses in the country - Go Torrero's!!!

Hope that helps...

ladyparrothead · Post by **ladyparrothead** » December 22, 2004 12:45 pm

Tahoeparrothead - you nailed it!

Any hints for next time I am in Tahoe? (summer visits)

conched · Post by **conched** » December 22, 2004 12:48 pm

Drunk and Screwed,
If you go to Croce's, please post something about it when you get back. I'd love to hear more about that place. I bought a cookbook by Ingrid Croce, called Thyme In A Bottle and it has some wonderful recipes served in the restaurant.

Have a great time. Sounds like I need to take some of this advice and plan a trip there. Maybe around February 13 when I know Jimmy will be out WEST.

PHBeerman · Post by **PHBeerman** » December 22, 2004 1:06 pm

I just got back yesterday. Just stay in Hotel Circle as it is pretty central to everything.

Sea World is amazing. But make sure you know the schedule of things as it is easy to miss some of the shows. And yes, you want to see them all.

The zoo is also amazing. Get the deluxe pass. It costs like 11 dollars more, but is worth it. Walking sucks.

RAGTOP · Post by **RAGTOP** » December 22, 2004 1:36 pm

I also lived there for a number of years. If you need the names to places where you can get the best cheap Mexican food... I'm your man

Cousin Baxter · Post by **Cousin Baxter** » December 22, 2004 1:41 pm

Don't forget about Dicks Last Resort. (may have already been mentioned)

ejr · Post by **ejr** » December 22, 2004 2:53 pm

I also recommend the zoo and Wild Animal Park.

And do go over to Coronado and walk around the Hotel Del Coronado-it's an amazing place! I used to visit Coronado 40 years ago (boy that even hurt to write) when an uncle of mine was stationed there in the Navy-at that time the town was almost entirely military and not nearly as developed as it is now, but it still worth visiting.

RAGTOP · Post by **RAGTOP** » December 22, 2004 3:03 pm

tahoeparrothead wrote: Stop by the Pennant in South Mission Beach. Probably spent 80% of my five yrs down there at this Bar, has a special place in my heart...my Margaritaville. The Pennant roofdeck is a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon. Then hit the wave house in Belmont Park (near the roller coaster), it's an amazing oceanfront barefoot bar that just opened in August...had it been there when I was there, I would have been there everyday preaching the Church of Buffett...

I use to go to the Pennant but spent most of my Saturdays at Johnny's by the coaster. From what I hear it's now called something different

DrunkAndScrewed · Post by **DrunkAndScrewed** » December 22, 2004 3:24 pm

Thanks so much for the advice, especially Tahoe. Can't wait for the trip and I reallyl appreciate everyone's input. I knew this was the spot for good recommendations.

Pepe T. Pirate · Post by **Pepe T. Pirate** » December 23, 2004 4:36 am

Yeah, Tahoe, good info. Thanks!

Oh, I like TJ precisely because it IS so lame and bizarre.....but you're right. I shouldn't assume that this is what someone would be looking for while on vacation. Yum, yum........lobster capital? I've always cruised through on the way to Mulege.

The Mayor · Post by **The Mayor** » December 24, 2004 12:17 pm

January is prime Whale watching time...here is a link http://www.hornblower.com/whalewatching.asp?port=sd

Get over to Coronado.....
Get up to Del Mar...
Get up to the Cabrillo National Park...(excellant views of ocean, San Diego and Mexico)...
Get up to La Jolla Cove and Children's Pool....seals a plenty
Get to the Gaslamp Dstrict....(downtown San Diego)
Horton Plaza at night is great....

just a few things to do....there are SO many...