san diego trip -- advice needed

[2underpar]

looks like this year's summer excursion via marriott points is san diego.
other than playing torrey pines and seaworld, what are some things me and the wife need to do?
also, I know torrey pines is a great course, but are there any hidden gems out there?
should we stay downtown?
any great bars/restaurants that we need to hit that aren't overly touristy?

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Move there permanently. Great place. If I could live one place in the world it would be San Diego.

 

[Boom_70]

Best Zoo in the country in my opinion.

Suggest going to La Jolla and walking around. There is a place called Alphonso's that has great margarita's

I usually stay in Coronado to be right on the beach.

 

[joe]

Hike the Torrey Pines trail down to the ocean and back. Some great vistas and picture opportunities along the way.

Go to Coronado Island if the aircraft carriers are in. Photos don't do those massive ships justice.

Eat at El Indio. Best Mexican for the least amount of money ever. I stayed 50 miles north of it over Christmas, and I ate there twice.

3695 India Street
San Diego, CA 92103
619-299-0333 phone

 

[Huggy]

Move there permanently. Great place. If I could live one place in the world it would be San Diego.

I'll second this. We're hoping to get back there this summer, we didn't spend anywhere near enough time in town last time we were in Cali.

We had a great burger at this place in Ocean Beach:

http://hodadies.com/home/

I will also second the San Diego Zoo. My cousin, who lives out that way, took us to the Cabrillo Monument and that was pretty cool. Great views.

http://www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htm

 

[JackReacher]

Once you're there, don't go back.

 

[Pencil Dick]

Zoo is much more interesting than Seaworld, IMHO.

Try Balboa Park Municipal Golf Course - Zoo also located in Balboa Park. San Diego City Amateur held there annually.

Don't go to Mexico. You're too valuable as a scramble partner.

Definitely hit the cliffs in La Jolla. Incredibly scenic.

 

[TigerVols]

Stay at the Marriott Gaslamp; just stayed there about 2 weeks ago and it's perfectly located. Plus, the bar on the roof has a great happy hour -- and it's great for people watching before and during a Pads game (you can even see much of the field from the bar).

Also suggest you tour the seaport museum. Good stuff there.

 

[Buck]

There's a little cafe where they play guitars all night and day.
You can hear them in the back room strummin'.

 

[spurtswriter]

Down from Torrey Pines is Black Beach. Nude. Lovely scenery.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

La Jolla is just gorgeous. I could just walk around that place all day.

 

[Boom_70]

La Jolla is just gorgeous. I could just walk around that place all day.

Make sure you know how to pronounce - La hoya

 

[Mizzougrad96]

La Jolla is just gorgeous. I could just walk around that place all day.

Make sure you know how to pronounce - La hoya

My sister went to UCSD. I've spent more than my share of time there. It's an amazing place.

 

[Turtle Wexler]

I'll add a vote for the Zoo over Sea World. I'm not really a zoo person, but I love the one in San Diego. But definitely wear your walking shoes, because it's huge.

Petco Park is a great place to watch a game, even if you don't care about the Padres or the opposing team. You can get tickets for under $20 and enjoy the atmosphere.

 

[SoCalDude]

Suggest going to La Jolla and walking around. There is a place called Alphonso's that has great margarita's.

Me and a friend one night went looking for San Diego's best margarita. There wound up being a 10-way tie for first place.

 

[qtlaw]

Zoo is fantastic; great place for the family. Sea World is pretty good but not on par with Zoo. Wild Animal Park is pretty good too if you have kids. Young kids (under 9)? Then hit LegoLand too.

Petco is very cool spot. If you can, stay at the Omni right next door (I can never go wrong with an Omni.)

Gaslamp district is pretty nice but I wouldn't walk too far at night.

LaJolla is a great beach as well.

 

[Huggy]

Last time we were there the Padres were on the road but a ball game is definitely on the agenda this time.

We will also be touring the Midway, didn't have time to do it last trip.

Mrs. Huggy and I went to the races at Del Mar one Sunday, highly recommended even if you aren't into the ponies.

 

[2underpar]

as usual, some good advice coming my way.
i was debating staying in gaslamp district? What are the pros and cons?
Padres are out of town when we're going, so that's not an option. i forgot about the zoo.
Is La Jolla the best/safest beach?

 

[TigerVols]

Gaslamp district is pretty nice but I wouldn't walk too far at night.

No ****; you may wind up being raped/assaulted/mugged by one of San Diego's many rogue cops:

http://www.kusi.com/story/14603675/yet-another-san-diego-police-officer-arrested

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

The El Indio suggestion is good for a cheap meal (I recommend with carnitas burrito with an extra side of guacamole. The pork is moist and tender and the guac is terrific).

For lunch or early light dinner I recommend:

http://www.pointlomaseafoods.com/

The seafood cannot get fresher than that. If you walk around back, you can see them gutting the fish.

Breakfast (actually lunch or dinner, too, if you don't want to spend a tremendous amount):

http://www.hobnobhill.com/

For lunch I really love the turkey croquettes, which you don't see on a menu everyplace. In fact, I can't recall seeing them anyplace else in any city.

If you are wedded to Marriott, I can't recommend beyond that, but I would not go out of my way to stay downtown. It is kind of a nice downtown, but not appreciably different than a downtown you can see in similar-size cities. And it is a pain in the ass the way every downtown is. Not every city has an ocean, however, so I would try to stay near it.

For beaches, lots of people like La Jolla and I'm not going to argue with them, it's nice. I have to agree with Boom about Coronado, though.