kam

Am leaving shortly to visit a friend of mine who lives in Del Mar. I have been to San Diego many times and so we've tried to think of new places to go Neither of us has been to the San Diego Mission (San Luis Rey, yes we have, it's great), to Old Town (there's supposed to be a good Mexican restaurant or is it too touristy??), and it's been years since I've been to Coronado (is it worth a day and by ferry or car?) We will spend most of our time in Del Mar and La Jolla, but wanted to do something a bit different. No husbands for a week so we can be self indulgent and not keep to a schedule. Also, there's a nice little seafood restaurant right on the water in either Cardiff or Solano Beach--not the Chart House, but nearby. Does anybody know the name? And there's an Anthony's that's basically just a carry out and sit outside and watch the planes take off---any idea where it is? I think you can walk from Seaport Village. Thanks for any opinions or other suggestions.

Owen O'Neill

It's been 3 or 4 years since my brief time in SD but I recall Coronado as being very much worth a visit (probably not enough for a whole day unless you plan to hang out on the beach). There is a very nice upscale shopping/restaurant area and getting to the island by car is a cinch - no reason to take the ferry. I've heard Oldtown is nice but haven't been there. Also consider taking the trolley/rail down to Tijuana. It's about a 30 minute ride. Get a cab immediately at the border and skip all the sleazy clap-trap in that area. One or two miles into downtown Tijuana is a very nice shopping center (can't recall the name). Basically a Mexican version of an mid level-upscale American mall but with open air atriums rather than having a roof or skylights. Lots of great deals on women's designer labels (jeans etc.) and the supermarket there has an incredible selection of hot sauce. If you bake, high quality vanilla extract is available ridiculously cheap (under $2 US for 16oz bottle). It helps if you know some rudimentary Spanish, as most of the store clerks seems to know little English and don't pay more than $4 - 6 for the cab - they will TRY to charge you more). Have fun - it's a great city!

David

The Old Town Mexican Café (2489 San Diego Ave) is recommended for good food. Old Town iteself, though, doesn't appeal to me...too "touristy."

Coronado is nice, although I don't think it's worth more than half a day. I recommend taking the ferry. The ride over is fun and the view is great.

Anthony's Fish Grotto (1360 N Harbor Drive, between Ash and Broadway) might be the place you're thinking of. It's casual, decent food; they can get crowded, though. It's a bit of a walk from Seaport Village. You can ride one of those bike "rickshaws" for not too much, though.

We love Horton Plaza for the shopping...depends on what you're interested in.

One thing: it will probably be pretty humid down there, so plan accordingly.

clarice

Old Town is pretty touristy, but the Mexican restaurant I went to was good. Coronado will not take a whole day to see, it seems like a small town. If you do there, see the Coronado Hotel. It's a huge 1920's beach hotel. Dakota Grill is an excellent restaurant in the GasLamp District downtown - don't miss it. I also saw a great exhibit at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park.

SanDiegoSam

Kam:

I live in the San Diego area and have posted many messages that should answer some of your questions. Coronado is definitely worth it. By all means take the ferry. Not because it is easier but because it is a great adventure with fantastic views of the harbor and San Diego skyline. We personally walk from the ferry in Coronado down Orange St. to the Hotel Del Coronado. It is about a mile and a pleasant walk. You can take a bus or taxi if walking isn't your bag. Make sure you take the official Coronado ferry that leaves from the foot of Broadway in Downtown San Diego right next to the pier. It costs about $4.00 /rt. The Navy often has open house on various ships at the Broadway pier. Parking is immediately available and suggest that you do it on Sunday as the meters are free. One of the best Mexican restaurants in the San Diego area is located in Coronado across from the Hotel Del Coronado. Great food and reasonable. It is called Miguel Cocina and is located in the courtyard of the small shopping strip almost across from the hotel. The Brigantine restaurant is right nest to it.

Old Town is a nice place to visit on the weekends. It is pretty touristy but is a fun place to go. There are many good restaurants. There are various free outdoor activities on the weekends such as Flamenco dancing etc. Gaslamp area is a must with the Dakota Grill being a great place to eat.

Debbie C

Hi there,

I visit Del Mar 5 X a year and recommend a sunset "happy hour" at the Del Mar Plaza. Here you can people watch and partake of the social hour of 2 top eateries: Pacifica Del Mar and across the way, Epazotes. Walk a block to the cliffside park to view the ocean and cliffs. La Jolla is another great town to explore toney boutiques and people watch. I especially like Coronado, Gaslamp District, and Seaport Village. For a nice walk w/ coffee in the morn, try the cliff walk that begins at Swamy's (?), a surfers, runners, rollerbladers haven. Spend a day exploring museums and landscape at Balboa park.

Have fun!

kam

Thanks everyone!! I know the Hotel Del but wanted to know about the ferry----now I do! Undecided about Old Town---think I'll let my friend who lives there decide. We will definitely go to Del Mar restaurants and also spend a lot of time in La Jolla. It should be fun to spend time there again---usually she comes up to me and we go into SF. This will be a treat for me.

ray seva

Agree w/all of the above.
MY favorite seafood restaurant is Point Loma Seafoods on Emerson St. in Pt. Loma. They're fast, cheap...have GREAT fish taquitos (don't laugh; they're absolutely AWESOME.) Plus, they have possibly the BEST selection of locally-caught smoked fish. It's HUGE! It's also right by the docks, so you get a nice view of dock-life.
Don't forget to check-out the NEW aquarium in La Jolla (above the old one at Scripps & across from Univ. of California at San Diego. Great exhibits...and an AWESOME view of the ocean/La Jolla.
I grew up down in SD...have fun; it's a great city!

Tricia

Lots of good suggestions- in fact I've got to try that ferry ride and that mexican restaurant now! But to whoever said that it will be humid, WRONG... remember this is California- it does not get humid here- well, never say never, but hardly ever! And remember this is the beach!

David

I'm the one who said it would be humid and I'll say it again. I know it's California...I've lived here all my life. And it oftens get humid, especially on the coast. (I used to live in Santa Barbara--quite humid in the afternoons.)

I just returned from San Diego a couple of weeks ago and it was humid enough to be somewhat uncomfortable during the midday. It was much more so the last time I was there in September.

Take some powder!

Debbie

I recommend going to a play at the Old Globe in Balboa Park one evening. Also, when you're in La Jolla you should go to the Brockton Villa - great atmosphere and vie. Try the creme brulee if you go for lunch or dinner. Get margaritas at Casa de Bandini in Old Town.

SanDiegoSam

This is about the weather. As a long time San Diegan, I would say that it CAN get humid and hot. Las summer it was hot and muggy for several weeks. That is not normal but it does happen. It normally only gets hot and humid for a week or two. The climate is normally failry dry and pleasant. It also depends whether you are talking about the coast or inland. All in all, San Diego has the best all year around climate in the US. However to a visitor that is only here for a few days it may not always seem like that. Who would have though that we would have a Padres game rained out? It happened this year. To the San Diegan that thinhs it is hot and humid, I suggest that they try the mid west or better yet Florida. I lived in Florida for 8 years. Those places are humid.