TGIF50

We will be vising San Diego in early October and staying in the DT area. Most things we want to do are accessible by the trolly system. However, we would like to also see the LaJolla area. Is it possible/safe to bike from DT to LaJolla and if so is there a DT location near Ash Street to rent a bike? If not plausible to bike to LaJolla, is there a place in the DT area that will rent us a car for just the day? I know most car rentals are in or near airports. Thanks for your help.

mclaurie

Biking would not be reasonable. Rather than depending on the trolley, rent a car. It won't be that much more. Hotwire.com is generally recommended.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34939496

sunbum1944

Enterprise Car Rental will come and pick you up at the hotel I believe.Dont think just one day rental is a problem

I have used the Coaster train to get around when I was down there- but it doesnt stop in LaJolla. It does go to Carlsbad though which is a great little
beach town and my favorite on the coast.
I have also used the bus system to get around Carlsbad- there is a visitors pass available which is very inexpensive.
Have fun!

TahitiTams

San Diego is so spread out and the Trolley really only goes to non-tourist areas except the Old Town area..you really are limiting yourself on seeing beautiful SD by taking public transportation with the time factor that is involved..I would rent a car to see La Jolla and up the coast to Del Mar to Carlsbad and then wander down to Rancho Santa Fe..
Being downtown is fun and all but it can be seen in a day and then what?

J_Correa

Renting a car will be easy. All the car rental locations are outside the airport, on the way to downtown. The airport itself is very close to downtown, so a cab ride from the hotel to the car rental office (any of them) will be inexpensive. Or, as mentioned, you can rent from Enterprise and they will come get you. Very easy.

Barbara

While I agree that the Trolley is no use for La Jolla, it does go to tourist areas other than Old Town. It goes to the Embarcadero, Fashion Vally Mall, Qualcomm Stadium, Mission San Diego de Alcala. Also, if you REALLY wanted-and I don't recommend it-the Trolley will take you to the border.

Barbara

Here's a handy web site for cycling info in San Diego.

http://www.efgh.com/bike/index.html

TahitiTams

Barbara..I really don't see the Q or Fashion Valley Mall as highlights for SD..
Embarcadero is downtown SD and the Mission is at the Old Town exit..
Who wants to go to the crime ridden area of San Ysidro/Border crossing..
I am all for people cycling but it just cracks me up that people think that SD is this small little flat area that they can get to with a bike in less than a hour and that our transit system works like NYC!

Barbara

TT, I didn't say they were "highlights", but they are places that a lot of tourists go to. The Mission is not at the Old Town exit, it's out past Qualcomm. The Embarcadero is downtown-sort of-but it's not the same as "downtown" and it's a much more touristy area than "downtown". I did say I didn't recommend going to the border, didn't I? But a lot of people post here about doing just that.

TahitiTams

I would be doing a great disservice to the tourists that come to SD to suggest that they use only the Trolley to sightsee SD..it really doesn't go to places that tourist want to see..
Old Town is really a tourist trap joke and after you had lunch and maybe go to the Whaley house and walk around thats about it..
Bottom line is you need a car to see SD unless you enjoy spending 2 hours each way on a bus and transfers to go from SD/LJ when you can drive it in 15 minutes..Our downtown area is mostly restaurants and shops..not like other big cities with musuems and points of interest..I classify Embarcadero with downtown SD and I was thinking the Presido Mission up on the hill from Old Town, which is gorgeous and great views to the ocean with lovely walking trails.
I think we both agree that going to the Border is dangerous and a waste of time..
Bottom line is SD County is huge and having a car is imperative..you can rent a car for less than $20 a day..

Barbara

TT, I agree with you that to really make the most of a trip to San Diego one needs a car. I have made this recomendation repeatedly.

TahitiTams

I know you have Barbara and for us that give advice about SD it is really frustrating to see posters that just think that they can bike anywhere in SD, that its flat and takes an hour or two to see our city...and that our public transportation is up to NYC standards..oh how I wish!

Barbara

It is, however the OP on this thread just asked if it was plausible to ride from downtown to La Jolla. Everyone who posted said-car!

ibob

Google "BikeTours San Diego" and yes you can ride to and from La Jolla. You can also take the bike on the Trolley(front or back of car/limit 2)... or on the Bus (rack on front/limit 2).....

mikemo

Lived in University City for 5 years in the '70's and always rent a car when visiting.
M

lcuy

There are car rental spots in downtown, or take a bus up the area where Alamo, Dollar, etc cluster on India.

If you bike regularly though, you CAN get around San Diego by bike! I used to ride my bike from Downtown to Mission Bay on a regular basis; La Jolla is not much farther.

I don't know about rental shops in Downtown, but you could take the foot ferry over to Coronado, rent a bike there, then take the ferry back to San Diego to start your adventure.

Very roughly, head out toward the Sports arena, then through Mission Bay and up along the boardwalk to Lower La Jolla. As an alternate go up India Avenue toward Old Town, Morena Blvd, then cut across Pacific Beach.

It's about 18 miles and will take you about an hour if you are fast, up to 2 if you're just cruising.

If you've had enough at the end of your day, you can catch a bus to downtown- they have bike racks. Early October should be lovely bike riding weather.