VJ

Hi Fodor's,

We are going to San Diego, CA on Christmas day and we will be there for a week. Please advice me, help me to plan my trip. I do have rental car for a week. I heard Disney and Universal Studio is not too far. I like to spend a day for that. Please give me tips for cheap tickets etc.
I head Mexico border is not too far as well. Please advice me about that as well.
I'm interested in sightseeing, nature, beach, shopping (my wife likes good & cheap deals).
I'll reach there Friday Dec 25 @ 1:30 pm and leaving Friday Dec 31 @ Noon (6 nights & 7 days). I'll be staying at hotel circle road or ave or blvd ...
Any advice will be appreciated.
Let me take this opportunity to thank y'all in advance for doing this wonderful job.
Wish y'all a happy and safe holiday season!!
Thanks,
VJ

tchoiniere

You cannot do Disney and Universal in a day. Its about an hour and a half drive from SD (without traffic).

Personally, I would just stick to San Diego. For nature, nothing would beat the SD Zoo or Wild Animal Park. Could even do both. Drive down the coast from Del Mar into La Jolla stopping at the Children's Pool to see the seals. Would also drive up to Cabrillo Monument.

I would recommend the Fish Market for a seafood restaurant (next to the Midway Aircraft Carrier). Would also suggest a tour of the Midway.

montereybob

If you've never been to Disneyland or Disney World before, then the 1.5 hour drive might be worth it. It will take all of one day to see Disneyland. Universal pales in comparison to it. The parts of Mexico you can drive to from SD are IMHO not a very good tourist destination. If you love nature, I would also recommend the Wild Animal Park. There is fun shopping and great beaches in La Jolla. Also fun shopping in Seaport Village.

sheri_lp

Mexico is close of course, but it's not really recommended to travel there now. You can certainly find plenty of good shopping in SD but I'd avoid going into Tijuana.

Barbara

You can easily do Disneyland in a day. It's a long day, but done by many San Diegans frequently. You can't do Disneyland and Universal in the same day. If you want to visit both of them, I suggest staying overnight somewhere in Los Angeles and spending one day at each park. They are not close together.

I strongly advise you not to visit Tijuana or any other border area of Mexico.

Close to Hotel Circle is Fashion Valley shopping mall. It's a very good mall and most of the stores have good deals these days. There are also movie theaters there.

You will be quite close to the first of the California Missions, Mission San Diego de Alcala. It's worth a visit.

Old Town, where San Diego began, is also close by and interesting.

Balboa Park is a lovely area to walk and has many great museums. You can easily spend a whole day, or more, there. The Zoo is actually in Balboa Park.

As mentioned, on the Embarcadero, the Midway aircraft carrier museum is good to visit. Also in that area is the San Diego Maritime Museum which includes the Star of India sailing ship. Many elementary school children in San Diego get to spend the night on the Star of India.

The Cabrillo National monument is interesting and has fantastic views. You may be able to see whales from there.

If you take a look at the San Diego destination page here on Fodor's, you'll find more information.

ksucat

We used to go to Disneyland on Xmas Eve because no one is there but after that is a zoo and the long lines are 1-2+ hours per ride.

I would maybe do Knotts Berry Farm that has great rides but not as crazy as Disneyland.
Staying in Hotel Circle you are central to everything in SD.

For restaurants close by for breakfast..Ricky's or Perry's.
Lunch...Fish Market downtown next to the Midway or Point Loma Seafoods and then go to Cabrillo National Monument.

Dinner..Casa Guadalajara in Old Town and do Old Town..not the same as it used to be but still good.

Go to Coronado to the Hotel Del..gorgeous and the Christmas decorations are stunning..they have an ice rink right on the oceanfront..great to ice skate and then have cocoa and lunch.

SD Zoo is awesome and have lunch at the Prado right outside the zoo or Alberts in the zoo is good too.
SD Wild Animal Park is great too..have lunch at Hacienda de Vega.

Gaslamp/East Village is Cafe Chloe..great French bistro.
Skip Mexico..super long waits to get to and from..sometimes 3 hours coming back..very dangerous too.

Drive up to Julian in the mountains in SD..about an hour..old mining town..great apple pie..sleigh rides.

Palm Springs is about 2 hours and take the Pines to Palm highway..great place to drive around and take the PS Tram.

Laguna Beach is up the coast and drive up and to Newport too.
Coastline is gorgeous.

La Jolla for the seals and village..have lunch on the terrace at Georges at the cove.

SD is a great town!

FrankS

When we go to San Diego, we rarely venture past OC because of the time and traffic, but you will be there during a great week. That week is about the only week traffic is great(if it doesnt rain and scare the natives).

If there is snow in the mountains, there might be traffic on the way up. However Lake Arrowhead is beautiful and worth the drive as are places on the Ortegas or even Julian.

RBCal

I personally find Hotel Circle pretty tacky. You are right next to the freeway with nothing scenic.

I like the Park Manor Suites. All rooms have kitchens and it is right across from Balboa Park.

1JAR

HI VJ,
Welcome to San Diego. I live in Point Loma an area of San Diego so many of the posters here have heard my preferences before.
You can pull up a recent post under my sign in name.
Cheap shopping can be found at 2 nearby outlets, Viejas and Las Americas on the San Diego side of the Mexican Border.
Otherwise you will be near 2 of our best regular shopping Malls, Fashion and Mission VAlley...may be some good last minute deals.
Triple AAA and military or Sr discounts are all offered in many stores, Disney etc. BTW, there is a brand new AAA bldg right in Mission Valley.
I would caution on driving to Julian if ther is any rain which will equal snow: often chains are required and usually rental cars don;t have chains.

Others have given you some suggestions on sight seeing: your hotel will have some great info too.

easytraveler

you're gotten some excellent advice!

I'll add my voice to those that say not to go into border towns of Mexico. Gangs are out of control and the Mexican police and Army are out in force.

You didn't say how many are in your party nor whether you will have children along. The places that are recommended will differ.

LSky

There is not a good cheap deal that's good and cheap enough to set foot in Tijuana, even in the best of times it's pretty depressing.

What kind of cheap deals are you looking for?

The Zoo is spectacular, especially at this time of year. The animals are active and the tourist aren’t. Get your hand stamped and go to the Prado as others have suggested for lunch. You can always browse at the Art Village in Balboa Park.

You didn’t say where you were from or if you were interested in the desert but it’s beautiful this time of year. You'll have to keep an eye on the weather like 1JAR said. Some years it's stunning, other years it's just cold.

Since you are staying in Hotel Circle you’ll be close to Presidio Park if you want a little early morning exercise. It’s a pretty little place, not a destination but you’re close. Not far from you is Perry’s Café for breakfast. Get there early and split a frittata, they’re huge.

While I wouldn’t call Hotel Circle “tacky” it’s more like a huge strip mall for hotels. A smart choice if you don’t plan on spending your vacation in a hotel room. Parking will be free and plentiful. Not a lot of entertainment at night though. Do you care though?

There are plenty of hikes to be taken in San Diego and some beautiful gardens if your interested in that type of thing?

MomDDTravel

I also do not care for Hotel Circle and think you can find a better place to stay if you have not already. I missed your budget.

I echo the thoughts that there is no way to go to Universal and Disney in one day. Perhaps as suggested go to one in one day and the other the next day.

I advise to NOT go any place close to the border - there are many issues now and it is not a place I think any tourist should be venturing these days.

GypsyMaiden

avoid the border. be safe.

try out www.masteryoga.org I would totally do yoga there all the day long if I lived there.

Have a beer in LaJolla.

I have never been to the zoo there. Go to the zoo. Beach. Coronado Island.

VJ

Hi Fodor’s thanks for your tips and suggestions. I do have few more queries.
1. Is there any thing open on Christmas day, especially food / restaurant, downtown?
2. What will be the weather during this time of year? A light jacket will be enough?
3. Any tip / suggestion for cheap ticket for Disneyland and Universal studio.

ksucat

Most hotels in the Gaslamp will be open for Christmas dinner.
I like the US Grant Hotel at the Grant Grill..where are you staying?
Hotel Solomar..Jsix is excellent along with the Ivy hotel, Quarter Kitchen.
Its been cool here and layering is always good..being by the coast, you get the wind off the ocean/bay.
It's been in the high 60's and low 70's this week..poured a week ago.
Deals for Disneyland and Universal studios..there are no deals that I know of..sometimes they have a SO.CAL rate for 2 for 1 and you have to show your CA drivers license.
It's very busy at Theme parks so be prepared for super long waits and a very crowded park.
As far as other posters saying how tacky Hotel Circle is..ignore them..its all about the $$ and there are Hiltons and Marriots along with La Quinta Inns that will give you more bang for the buck..let's just hope that you got a good deal!

Barbara

I agree with ksucat re Hotel Circle. It's a very convenient, central location.

Last week was hot here, in the high 70s, low 80s, but this week will be cooler and tonight there may be some rain. Also, there is supposed to be rain on Saturday and Sunday, so come prepared.

VJ

Thanks Ksucat and Barbara for your prompt assistance. I'm going to stay at same hotel circle. I'm still debating to go LA for theme park at this time of the year.
Do guys think I'll be able to use my 5 days stay without going any where out of San Diego. I personally like to skip LA trip but my 7 year old little excited.
Please advice.. Thanks again for your all help, tips and suggestions. I really appreciate you guys efforts and dedications.

LSky

It's been a little chilly here so bring warm clothes.

If it rains you can plan a trip to the Natural History Museum, it seems geared towards 7 year olds or do you think s/he would like to go to the IMAX theater at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center?

MomDDTravel

I think a 7 year old would love to go to SeaWorld - so perhaps do that in one day instead of going up to LA area.

I did get a two day pass for Universal for about 60.00 through Costco. We are going up after Christmas and my girls are also excited. Disney is a mad house that week - so just be prepared for a long day if you go there. You can stay in any number of the properties around Disneyland.

There is a Sheraton Universal that is within walking distance of Universal studios if you go that route. We are going up early on a Sunday and spending Sunday/Monday at the park. I am also prepared for crowds...

The weather is all over the place - so I would check it but bring layers.

Enjoy!

ksucat

Take your 7 year old to Legoland in Carlsbad..this is a huge theme park and geared for children their age.
It's about 45 minutes from Hotel Circle on the 5 North.
Go and have good Mexican at either Casa de Pico or Norte in Carlsbad.
Barbara is very knowledgeable as well as MomDD..both are great at giving excellent advice on SD!!