Anyone familiar with San Diego?

[ThunderHockeyFan]

We are thinking about flying to San Diego next June and going to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. We are not used to big cities and just wondered how easy it is to get around. Any other suggestions of things in the area would be welcomed also.

[teacherkim]

My husband and I went and did those things plus a side trip to Tijuana once. We enjoyed it, but I'm no help as it was 15 years ago, and we used organized bus tours to get around. I've never heard anything but good things about San Diego, though.

[ThunderHockeyFan]

Frontier Airlines has some pretty cheap flights (cheap for Wichita anyway). It is either there or San Antonio. Hotels are sure expensive though.

[lindiet]

It has been a few years since I have been to San Diego but there are lots of freeways to get around on but also quite a bit of traffic. One of my favorite places is Seaport village! It has fun little shops, restaurants and it is right on the ocean. There is a dock right next to it that you can get a ticket to take a cruise around the bay which was fun. I think olde town San Diego is not far from here also. The traffic is a bit of a problem but there are so many things to do in San Diego!

[ThunderHockeyFan]

Well we just reserved a hotel room for the week. I hope it is close to everything. It is in hotel circle it says so hopefully it is.

[teacherkim]

Oh how fun! I hope you have a great time and tell us all about it when you get back!

And oh, your Branson trip is coming up fast! I'm so excited for you!

[Cheesecake]

Ive only been in San Diego for short business trips in the last 15 years...so I'm no help with ''getting around''.

But..when I lived in California, we went down there ..it was a 10 hour drive then..........and we loved it.
We went to SeaWorld and the ZOOZOOZOO - that is wonderful and if you want the full benefits....make it at least a 2 day trip.

We loved the Mission...once we started in San Diego and followed the footsteps of the PARDRES all the way to the Presidio where my daughter was born.........an amazing journey following the footsteps of the Fathers.


The weather was NEVER bad, any time I've ever been there.
I used to love the Sailors...(I still do....)......

My Soldier Son and wife went there two years ago...it was his Birthday Present....Wifey took him down for frilly drinks and to kiss the whale....lol...we have pictures of him kissing the whale....and a few dolphins too.....lol...........after all those frilly drinks and his year and a half in Iraq, kissing a whale was easy.

Oy...going off subject again...and making another story....'scuse moi.

Have a wonderful time...there is no doubt in my mind that you will.

[ggh]

Dh and I found our way around San Diego with a map and rental car - if you can read a map you'll be fine. Lots of freeways, and things are scattered.

Instead of going to the SanDiego zoo we went to a 'zoo' where the animals were kept in a more natural setting... now I can't remember the name of the place, it was north of SanDiego - and we LOVED it.

We took a trolley ride downtown, would do that again! We also took a harbor tour on a large boat, we'd both do that again.

We enjoyed visiting Cordoba Island, and spending time on the beach.

We visited in June too - the locals call it 'June gloom', the coastline is 'foggy' in the morning hours, and the water is cool - but the temps were great, in the mid to upper 70's when we were there for highs.

Have a great time, we'd LOVE to go back...so much to do, so little time & $$.

[libraria]

Hotel Circle is just what it sounds like. It is a "loop" in Mission Valley that goes around the major East-West Hghway (8 I think). I lived in San Diego, but it's been 16 yrs. since I've been there. Yes, lots of freeways, and it's not "laid out" in squares like most towns we know, because of all the hills.

ggh is thinking of the Wild Animal Park which is a ways North of San Diego.

I highly recommend going to visit the Point Loma lighthouse. It is right on the end of a "point of land" with the San Diego Bay on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other; breathtaking views.

Seaport Village is fun, right on the Harbor. Harbor cruises are fun. Old Town San Diego, great for Mexican food.

What part of the year are you thinking about going? June can be gloomy.

[ThunderHockeyFan]

I think the animal place you are talking about is something we are doing. I went on the zoo website and they have a 3 for 1 coupon. It is good for 5 days with unlimited visits to the San Diego Zoo, Sea World and this Wild Animal Park. It is $107.00 per person. I thought that was a great deal.

Now I am researching car rentals. My gosh is it expensive. We have only rented a car twice and it was just for a couple of days. I guess I am just cheap.

[ggh]

Wild Animal park is the place - LOTS of fun- be sure to get nectar and feed the birds.

I couldn't remember what they called the old town ... duh! I really enjoyed walking around "Old Town San Diego", nice and fun... kind of a mini SDC, set in SD..., without the rides.

Point Loma was GORGEOUS at sunset!

We got our rental car by watching closely, and bidding (now I can't remember who we bid through...) paid $25/day for a mid size car. Got our hotel via bidding as well, wanted north of SD proper, and got a nice place for $39/night, I don't think you'll come close to that IN SanDiego though, we got a steal of a deal - spent a week out there, and spent more money on food than anything else. Had a great time.

[BeagleDad]

The one hint I would suggest is that you good a GOOD map of Sand Diego and study the 'downtown' area. There are several one way streets and getting out of the downtown area going North (back to the 'hotel circle' area) can get confusing. Some of the streets just don't make a lot of sense.

Seaport Village is a must and follow the walking path that goes along the sea wall. It will take you to other sea side attractions.

For us 'land locked' water lovers, San Diego is pure Paradise!

[ThunderHockeyFan]

Well I just bought airline tickets so I guess we are going. For some reason the whole getting around part really scares me. You know where I am used to vacationing....Branson!

[ggh]

The day we left SD, I was in a panic, ...

We'd rented a car, off the airport site, and went to return it - the plane left at 7, we were suppose to be at the airport "2 hours early" according to the airport... the car rental didn't open until 5:30am, and then they had a dozen or so families to take to the airport, but not until all the paperwork was done on the car rentals.... I was a nervous wreck, sure we were going to miss our plane.

The shuttle bus driver eased my nerves when she told us the airport doesn't even open until 6am.

.... one other thing, while on vacation, getting lost isn't a problem, just be sure that you see the sights as you adventurously find your way back to the origional destination.

[ThunderHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by ggh

The day we left SD, I was in a panic, ...

We'd rented a car, off the airport site, and went to return it - the plane left at 7, we were suppose to be at the airport "2 hours early" according to the airport... the car rental didn't open until 5:30am, and then they had a dozen or so families to take to the airport, but not until all the paperwork was done on the car rentals.... I was a nervous wreck, sure we were going to miss our plane.

The shuttle bus driver eased my nerves when she told us the airport doesn't even open until 6am.

.... one other thing, while on vacation, getting lost isn't a problem, just be sure that you see the sights as you adventurously find your way back to the origional destination.

Our flight back home leaves SD at 6:20 AM!! I had a hard time finding a car rental place that we could reserve a car because of this. I have reservations with Enterprise and they have a drop off place at a "park and ride" lot that we can leave the car at and then they will shuttle us over. I hope we can find it OK since it will be at 4:00 AM.

I know I have this all planned out a little early but that is how I am.