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San Diego - Reccommendations

KidcloudkickerKidcloudkicker Posts: 414
edited October 2012 in All Encompassing Trip
So, I'm going to be visiting my sister in LA for the next week and I was thinking of heading down to San Diego for a couple of days since I've never been.

Does anyone have any recommendations for what I should do? I'm really open to anything. Sights, shopping, dining (fish tacos?), bars. Any reccommendations are welcome.

Also, where should I get a hotel? Downtown-Harbor Island or Gaslamp? Ideally I'd like to be in walking distance of some stuff, but I will have a car.
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Comments

  • lukin2006lukin2006 Posts: 9,087
    San Diego is one of my favourite US cities

    San Diego Zoo is awesome...
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  • he.who.forgetshe.who.forgets Posts: 4,593
    I've only visited SD once for a wedding weekend, but I enjoyed the Gaslamp district. Also there was a cool bar right on the beach called the Lahaina Beach House. They also had a cool arts/farmers market right on the boardwalk not too far from there. Enjoy! The weather is incredible out there.
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  • Black DiamondBlack Diamond Posts: 25,107
    Sunday Brunch at Hotel DelCoronado
    GoiMTvP.gif
  • he.who.forgetshe.who.forgets Posts: 4,593
    Black Diamond wrote:
    Sunday Brunch at Hotel DelCoronado
    oooooh, that's actually where the wedding was and where we stayed. You sir, are right. That was a helluva brunch!
    We were but stones your light made us stars
  • polaris_xpolaris_x Posts: 13,559
    gaslamp is definitely the "happening" part of town ... if you plan on doing quite of bar hopping and such - you probably want a hotel close to there ... if there's a big convention - could be tough to find rooms and at a good price ...

    outside of that - you kinda almost need a car to check out the sites (beaches and what not) in the area ... i wouldn't really bother much with the urban stuff ...
  • Wma31394Wma31394 Posts: 3,045
    Pacific beach area..good looking people everywhere.
    "Going where the water tastes like wine!"
  • KidcloudkickerKidcloudkicker Posts: 414
    Thanks for the recs so far. Really looking forward to going.
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  • RYEzupSFRYEzupSF Posts: 6,003
    I love San Diego. I go down there a few times a year and always have a great time. Gaslamp is the happening part of town, lots of bars and restaurants- definitely worth checking out. I LOVE the beaches in San Diego. Pacific Beach, Mission Bay, Del Mar. If you have a car definitely head up there for a day. Rent kayaks or stand up paddleboards and hang with the sea lions and dolphins. Old Town is worth checking out. The zoo is an absolute MUST.

    Fish tacos are my favorite food on the planet and the best ones are at Mariscos German. You will dream about these for the rest of your life.
    http://www.yelp.com/biz/mariscos-german-san-diego

    If you have a passport and are feeling daring drive to the border and park or just take public transportation. Walk into tijuana for the afternoon. Once you cross the bridge don't take a taxi or buy chicle from the cute little kids. Walk around the tourist section. drink super cheap beers, eat tacos, haggle for silver jewelry, turquoise and donkey hoof canteens. I love TJ.

    Have fun!!
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  • PJFAN13PJFAN13 Posts: 1,422
    Kidcloudkicker wrote:
    So, I'm going to be visiting my sister in LA for the next week and I was thinking of heading down to San Diego for a couple of days since I've never been.

    Does anyone have any recommendations for what I should do? I'm really open to anything. Sights, shopping, dining (fish tacos?), bars. Any reccommendations are welcome.

    Also, where should I get a hotel? Downtown-Harbor Island or Gaslamp? Ideally I'd like to be in walking distance of some stuff, but I will have a car.

    I live in San Diego, and I love this city...they don't call it "America's Finest City" for no reason... ;)
    Since you said a "couple of days" I would recommend the following:

    Live Music: http://www.casbahmusic.com/ (the best place to catch live bands in an intimate setting)
    GRUB: Breakfast: Hash House a Go Go or the Original Pancake House in RB, Lunch: The Tin Fish, Marisco's, Rubios, Wahoo's (all awesome fish tacos) Dinner/Bevvys: Stone Brewing Co, Coronado Brewing Co, Karl Strauss --> all great local beers and awesome food, Casa De Pico for great Mex food and margies
    Excursions: Balboa Park, Segways of San Diego, Coronado, The Zoo, Birch Aquarium, Gaslamp, Trolleys, Whale Watching, take a tour of the Midway, go to the beach @ LaJolla, picnic at Lake Poway, hike Mt. Woodson, hike Torrey Pines, Point Loma tidepools & lighthlouse, paddleboard Coronado Bay/Mission Bay, take a Harbor Tour/whale watch

    So much to do
    So easy to get around
    Tons of free stuff
    Great food

    Have a BLAST

    if you get stuck feel free to contact me!
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    7.9.03~9.28.04~10.1.05~5.12.06~5.13.06~5.27.06~5.28.06
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    11.21.13~8.27.16(EV)~11.14.16(TOTD)~4.13.20~9.27.20~9.26.21~10.2.21
    2.15.22 (EV)~2.25.22 (EV)~2.27.22 (EV)~5.3.22~5.7.22~9.17.24~9.29.24
  • eeriepadaveeeriepadave West Chester, PA Posts: 42,434
    lukin2006 wrote:
    San Diego is one of my favourite US cities

    San Diego Zoo is awesome...

    or SeaWorld

    I've never been to San Diego though :oops:
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  • DS1119DS1119 Posts: 33,497
    Make sure you see a Padres game while you're there!
  • eeriepadaveeeriepadave West Chester, PA Posts: 42,434
    DS1119 wrote:
    Make sure you see a Padres game while you're there!

    I thought the OP said they will be there next week? Don't think the Pads will be playing then :lol:
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  • barger395barger395 Posts: 855
    Black Diamond wrote:
    Sunday Brunch at Hotel DelCoronado

    This is a MUST!!

    Also,
    San Diego Zoo and/or Wild Animal Park
    Stay in the Gaslamp distrcit
    Sea World
    and yes, get yourself some fish tacos!!

    Enjoy and welcome to So Cal, my part of the world!!

    Cheers,
    Barger
    Seen the Best Rock Band on the Planet a few times here and there.
  • RFTCRFTC Posts: 723
    breakfast or lunch at world famous in PB, cant beat the view (oceanfront) and you can walk off the food/beer up and down pacific beach.
    hash house a go-go has fkn incredible breakfasts, skip hotel del, save $40/head and get a legendary breakfast

    do some beer tours, stone, ballast point, green flash, hell if you like micro brews, do the van tour.

    torrey pines state park has great trails and views, 2-3 hours there easy.

    definitely do point loma light house, another 2-3 hours of trails and views.

    i would cruise over to la jolla if you have time and see the sea lions, and window shop where the 1% live.

    i lived in SD for 6 years and rue the day i moved to TX, will be getting back there in 2013-14 for sure.
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  • musicismylife78musicismylife78 Posts: 6,116
    i took the train to san diego in 2006 to see Radiohead at the Embarcadero. Was such an interesting experience. Stayed at a hostel in the gaslamp. Being from a small city, I was struck by how the city was up and moving even at 11 or or midnight. Went on a open air bus tour of the city. Did a ton of walking and exploring the city. Eye opening experience if there ever was one.
  • peacefrompaulpeacefrompaul Posts: 25,293
    It's a cool city. I recommend not picking a fight with the Marines.
  • DS1119DS1119 Posts: 33,497
    peacefrompaul wrote:
    It's a cool city. I recommend not picking a fight with the Marines.


    I would definately say that's not a good choice.
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