San Diego

[Iceaxe]

I'm heading to San Diego with the family soon.... so give me the 411....

Places to see, things to do, good restaurants, favorite beach, best strippers.... whatever....

Last time we were there we did the zoo, Sea World, Midway (aircraft carrier)....

Never did find a descent restaurant on the last visit.... Anyone know a good place to stay? Near the beach is cool, on the beach is awesome....


:rockon:

[Scott Card]

I have stayed at Old Town many times but I haven't been there for a while. There are a couple of good mexican places there. I like Coronado for the beach. I must say the bridge getting to the island kinda freeks me out though.

[blueeyes]

Hmmm all I got is a good recommendation for a car mechanic if you were to need one located in Chula Vista. I will be forever gratefull to him and Jesus at the Jiffy Lube.

I did like the beach in Chula Vists. If you head out Imperial Beach Blvd you will run into it. I will see if I can find a good pic so you can see what it looked like. It wasn't crowded which was nice and we went in July. I'm sure it is nothing compared to Coronado.

We went to the Zoo and that was amazing to me and Sea World. I didn't really have time to do much out there. Love to go back. We ate cheap so cereal, milk and Mc Donalds. I do remember on resteraunt that we splurged on it was in Coronado. I think on Orange Ave it was 1950's style shop with the Ice Cream bar. Mootown Creamery. There were lots of places to eat on Orange Ave this one was in my student budget at the time.

Have fun!

[BruteForce]

Legoland and the flowers at Carmel (just N of San Diego).

We generally prefer to stay in La Joya. There's a hotel that sits right on the beach. Each room with a balcony overlooking the ocean.

[Iceaxe]

Scott and Blue Eyes... you talking Imperial Beach maybe?

I've been to Mission Beach, which is really nice..... and Ocean Beach which is a dump..... and I've heard there is some really nice beaches by La Jolla if anyone has any info on them. Also heard there was some good diving and snorkeling places around La Jolla but I don't know jack about where. And I'd need to rent cause I ain't dragging my dive gear on the plane....

Already checked and the Chargers will be out of town the weekend we are in, which kinda sucks. That would have been fun. And Utah plays SDSU at home this year, which is normally the weeknd we schedule our San Diego trips.....

Is TJ worth the trip? I haven't been across that boarder in a few years. Last time was for the Baja 1000 and we didn't get to do much stopping and sightseeing :haha:

Keep the ideas a coming.....

:rockon:

[Iceaxe]

We generally prefer to stay in La Joya. There's a hotel that sits right on the beach. Each room with a balcony overlooking the ocean.

Need a name.... La Jolla is just fine....

:cool2:

[Scott Card]

The beach I was talking about is right at or near the Hotel del Coronado. By the way, "Some Like it Hot" was filmed there (Marilyn Monroe film) which knowing your style a bit may interest you. http://www.beachcalifornia.com/coronado.html

Also, La Jolla has some nice places. I will have to see if I can get some info from my friends who live in that area. Randi lives in So Cal and should know some beaches in the area.

[Scott Card]

I have stayed at Old Town many times but I haven't been there for a while. There are a couple of good mexican places there. I like Coronado for the beach. I must say the bridge getting to the island kinda freeks me out though. The restaurant I mentioned above is, I think, is Cafe Coyote y Cantina. http://www.oldtownsandiegoguide.com/ads/restaurant/cafecoyte_ad.html

[Scott Card]

Ah nuts.... maybe it was this place that had the good food. I don't remember. http://www.oldtownsandiegoguide.com/ads/restaurant/otmexcafe.html I have eaten at both and was happy with both. I think it is Coyote that had a little more Mexican ambiance. Anyway, if you get to Old Town, they have good Mexican food. . . . :nod:

[Felicia]

What time of the year are you traveling?


:popcorn:

[CrazyFinn]

Scott and Blue Eyes... you talking Imperial Beach maybe?

I've been to Mission Beach, which is really nice..... and Ocean Beach which is a dump..... and I've heard there is some really nice beaches by La Jolla if anyone has any info on them. Also heard there was some good diving and snorkeling places around La Jolla but I don't know jack about where. And I'd need to rent cause I ain't dragging my dive gear on the plane....


I recommend the Hotel Del Coronado to stay at least one night. Nothing in IB except some surfers in Tijuana sewage. eew!
The LaJolla cove has the good snorkeling and scuba stuff so staying in LaJolla is good if you got $. The most pricey area around.
Try make it downtown to the GasLamp district for dinner some night. Also out to Shelter Island for a view of downtown at sunset. A couple nice restaurants out there.



Already checked and the Chargers will be out of town the weekend we are in, which kinda sucks. That would have been fun. And Utah plays SDSU at home this year, which is normally the weeknd we schedule our San Diego trips.....

Is TJ worth the trip? I haven't been across that boarder in a few years. Last time was for the Baja 1000 and we didn't get to do much stopping and sightseeing :haha:

Keep the ideas a coming.....

:rockon:

Stay out of TJ or anyplace in Mexico right now. Way to many gunfights. Plus, even the locals don't go there now.

A great day ride is up the coast along Highway 1 from Mission Beach on up to Oceanside. Also a trip out to Cabrillo National Monument for a view of downtown and North Island Naval base during the day.

Also a trip up to Palomar Mountain Observatory is cool.

I'll try put some websites together for you.

Oh, by the way I live here. :2thumbs:

[CrazyFinn]

Legoland and the flowers at Carmel (just N of San Diego).

We generally prefer to stay in La Joya. There's a hotel that sits right on the beach. Each room with a balcony overlooking the ocean.

The flower fields are in Carlsbad (So of Oceanside) and only bloom in the spring (April).

http://www.theflowerfields.com/

[blueeyes]

Ice I do believe it was Imperial Beach... we did drive down Imperial Blvd to get to it.

Here are a few pics. Most of the 50 I took at the beach were of the kids in the water and very few of the beach itself.

I had forgotten Sarah's stunt of hiding under a blanket and scaring the seagulls. :lol8: At first she had the color side up and the birds would not dare.

Any how it will give you an idea what that beach is like.

[CrazyFinn]

Since your not planning on moving to IB let me say It is the most polluted beach here as the Tijuana river comes out just south of there. Looks like you guys hit a good day.

But it is monitored! :haha:

The best beaches are from Pacific beach north. Blacks beach (the nude one) is just north of PB but you have to walk to get to it. The younger crowd hangs at Mission and Pacific beaches. Some good surfing at Tourmaline beach in LaJolla. LaJolla has a nice beach just north of the cove. Thats if you like the ladies. :nod:

When I lived down that way I would ride my bicycle up and down the coast during the summer as it was cooler and there was good eye candy. :five:

[Alex]

Ice did you get my PM? Wasn't sure if you wanted more info on La Jolla?

Car rental in SD is a pita! I rented from Fox before, they were pretty cheap. But the pain in the ass in SD is that the rental agencies are all off airport and you have to take their shuttle. You might want to call as soon as you get off the plane to your company and tell them you need a pick up. We ended up waiting for 30 minutes for a damn bus.

Snorkeling and scuba in La Jolla is very nice during that time, lots of fish and tiger sharks. You can rent all gear locally. http://www.snorkelsandiegoscuba.com/

[CrazyFinn]

General visitor website:
http://www.sandiego.org/nav/Visitors

Balboa Park downtown - The museums and grounds are a nice walk for an afternoon.
http://balboapark.org/

Cabrillo Nat Monument:
http://www.nps.gov/cabr


Palomar Mountain:
http://www.astro.caltech.edu/palomar/

LaJolla Cove:
http://www.lajollacove.com/

Blacks Beach:
http://www.blacksbeach.org/
http://www.blacksbeach.org/2009banner.jpg

I'll think of some more...

[CrazyFinn]

Gaslamp District:
http://www.gaslamp.org/
http://www.gaslamp.org/images/hometiles/state%20of%20the%20city%20header.icon.jpg

Old Town:
I'd try a restaurant with outdoor seating in the evening.
http://www.oldtownsandiegoguide.com/

[CrazyFinn]

A couple of nice Restaurants:

Island Prime on Harbor Island (view of downtown) located across from the airport. Sorry I said Shelter Island butr it's Harbor. An evening after sunset:
http://www.sandiegorestaurants.com/restaurant.cfm/restaurant/298/IslandPrime

Georges at the Cove in LaJolla. Also tour Prospect street in LaJolla.
http://www.sandiegorestaurants.com/restaurant.cfm/restaurant/41/GeorgesattheCove

Croces Restaurant in the Gaslamp downtown. Jim Croces wife ran this place years ago but I haven't been in awhile.
http://www.sandiegorestaurants.com/restaurant.cfm/restaurant/110/Croces

[RedMan]

You could cruise Blacks Beach clothing Optional and see if they are enforcing the "no nudes prudes" ordinance.

[blueeyes]

Since your not planning on moving to IB let me say It is the most polluted beach here as the Tijuana river comes out just south of there. Looks like you guys hit a good day.

But it is monitored! :haha:



:puke: Guess my mother of the year award was retracted for letting my kids swim in sewage.

I simply plead that I didn't know about Bogley at that time in my life so I couldn't get good advice on where and what to do.

So pre-Bogley swimming in nasty water post-Bogley better qualitiy trips. :2thumbs:

[offpiste]

Anthony's is always good! La Jolla is my fav in SD. Gas Lamp is a good place to hit in the evening good tunes most of the time.

[Deathcricket]

I used to live there too but CrazyFinn's advice is spot on. Since you're into racing there is the El Cajon Speedway. They race every weekend if I recall correct.

Don't miss doing the gaslamp at least one night. Do the club hopping scene.
:2thumbs:

[CrazyFinn]

I used to live there too but CrazyFinn's advice is spot on. Since you're into racing there is the El Cajon Speedway. They race every weekend if I recall correct.

Don't miss doing the gaslamp at least one night. Do the club hopping scene.
:2thumbs:

The speedway was pretty cool but it's been gone now a few years. Why do they always take away the good stuff? :frustrated:

[CrazyFinn]

I forgot - the Horses are running in Del Mar right now till Sept 9.

http://www.dmtc.com/season/

[Deathcricket]

The speedway was pretty cool but it's been gone now a few years. Why do they always take away the good stuff? :frustrated:

Ahh bummer!

[CrazyFinn]

:puke: Guess my mother of the year award was retracted for letting my kids swim in sewage.

I simply plead that I didn't know about Bogley at that time in my life so I couldn't get good advice on where and what to do.

So pre-Bogley swimming in nasty water post-Bogley better qualitiy trips. :2thumbs:

Actually I'm sure you were just fine. Years ago we started processing their sewage. I think it was either swim in it or process it.

Now it gets bad when it rains and it washes down the river into the ocean.

So yes, we move them to the front of the line in Emergency Rooms, educate their kids, and process their poo.

Such fine people we are. :naughty:

[Iceaxe]

So.... how old do my kids have to be to go on the nude beech???? :ne_nau:

....just kidding..... :haha:

You guys have given me some great ideas.... I did find this

Snorkel w/the Sharks
http://www.sandiegobikeandkayak.com/step_2.php

Which is only $30 per person, the cool part was you get to keep the rental gear (including wetsuit) all day. The rental gear alone is $20 for the day. I figure it can't be to big of deal since the shark part lasts one hour, but it should give me an understanding of La Jolla Cove, which is a place I've never been. and the gear to play in the area... thoughts?

Also, anyone sea kayak the La Jolla caves? if so, what did you think?

Dang, it's hard going to a new place when you don't know jack.... I'm sure some of my questions sound stupid...

And if it's any help:
My kids are 11 and 13.
We'll be in town first week in October.
I'm a PADI certified rescue diver but none of my family are certified.

Hotels are a tough call.... rooms on Hotel Circle are $50 at descent places... rooms on the beach are $150 at a Best Western on Mission Beech and go up sharply from there.

Last time we were in SD we did a booze.... err... I mean dinner cruise.... probably do that again as it was a nice way to spend an evening.

Your guys are an awesome resource. :2thumbs:

.

[jgowans]

If......

(1) you can ditch the kids for a night, and

(2) you can read tide tables, and

(3) you want to get laid,

then I think you and the wife should make a reservation here to coincide with sunset and an incoming tide:

http://www.marineroom.com/

Make sure you check out the video tour.

If you must take the kids, then they also have Winter High-Tide Breakfast Buffets on some of the weekends in October.

[CrazyFinn]

For kids there is the roller coaster in Mission Beach. Not a big one but fun for kids.

http://www.giantdipper.com/index.html

Also Legoland up in Carlsbad as Brute mentioned. You could drive up the coast highway to Carlsbad from the Beaches.

http://www.legoland.com/california.htm

There is also a restaurant next to Island Prime on Harbor Island the kids might enjoy. It is an old river boat that still floats. I think it's called Charlie Browns but it's right next to Island Prime.

When my kids were young they wanted to spend time at the beach. The weather here in October is still warm but the ocean is cooling so I'm not sure they will swim in the ocean. There is a fresh water pool right next to the roller coaster in Mission Beach I used to go to. A huge pool. If they like swimming try it. It's called the Plunge.

http://entertainment.signonsandiego.com/places/plunge/

I don't know a thing about scuba diving so I can't help here. Sorry.
I know there is an ship they sunk off LaJolla that divers go to. If you snorkel definitely visit the cove.

One more thing is they may like a bike ride along the ocean. There is the boardwalk that runs from Mission Beach up to Pacific Beach and you can rent bikes. If they are up to it you can ride all over, even around Mission Bay or up to LaJolla.

But alas, being 11 & 13 that would put a crimp on the most fun of all which is to visit the Lesbian Bars in Hillcrest for laughs. Just saying. :haha:

[CrazyFinn]

Thought of another thing the girls might like.

The Stephen Birch Aquarium in LaJolla is interesting. This website may also have other things of interest.

http://www.sandiegocoastlife.com/attractions/san-diego-coast/other-stephen-birch-aquarium.html

[CrazyFinn]

Thought of one more thing for kids.
The Rueben H Fleet science center in Balboa Park as the IMAX theater as well as many hands on exhibits. Pretty cool.

http://www.rhfleet.org/

[Deathcricket]

Oh man I totally forgot about that IMAX theatre! That is one of the coolest things and I haven't been in years and years. The one I saw was an underwater scuba diving with sharks type thing and it felt like you were really there. Highly recommended. I got to hit that up next time I'm in town.

:2thumbs: