San Diego over Christmas
Nov 15th, 2011, 09:23 AM
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San Diego over Christmas
I'm gonna be in San Diego for 1 week over Christmas and was looking for some sage advice from fellow Fodorites. Here is the background:
Been to San Diego before as a tourist, but never in December (mostly enjoyed the beaches, Shelter Island, cruises, etc. -- summertime activities). This time, I'm going on business and will be staying at the downtown Embassy Suites. However, I'll have about 4 days free to do tourist stuff. I don't have kids, and I don't want to do SeaWorld (for personal reasons).
Should I get a car? Are most places closed on Christmas? Will I have trouble finding places to eat on Christmas? What are good activities during the winter months? I'm considering the aircraft carrier tour and maritime museum because they are close to my hotel - are those interesting? Any activities my husband might enjoy? I'm trying to entice him to join me, but he'll be alone for several days while I'm in conferences. I check the Chargers, and it seems they are away that weekend.
I appreciate any and all advice on acitivities, places to eat, weather predictions, holiday closures, etc. Thank you in advance.
Been to San Diego before as a tourist, but never in December (mostly enjoyed the beaches, Shelter Island, cruises, etc. -- summertime activities). This time, I'm going on business and will be staying at the downtown Embassy Suites. However, I'll have about 4 days free to do tourist stuff. I don't have kids, and I don't want to do SeaWorld (for personal reasons).
Should I get a car? Are most places closed on Christmas? Will I have trouble finding places to eat on Christmas? What are good activities during the winter months? I'm considering the aircraft carrier tour and maritime museum because they are close to my hotel - are those interesting? Any activities my husband might enjoy? I'm trying to entice him to join me, but he'll be alone for several days while I'm in conferences. I check the Chargers, and it seems they are away that weekend.
I appreciate any and all advice on acitivities, places to eat, weather predictions, holiday closures, etc. Thank you in advance.
Nov 15th, 2011, 09:42 AM
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There should be plenty of good restaurant choices during that time.
Have you also been up to Balboa Park? The Natural History Museum, Timkin Art Museum, the Aerospace Museum, the Vintage Car collection, and more. There is also a great place to have snacks or full meals at the Prado restaurant.
see: http://www.balboapark.org/
Have you also been to the Wild Animal Park - or is that similiar to Sea World for you? The animals are in more of their natural setting.
Also driving over the bridge to Coronado and seeing the little museum in the basement floor of the Hotel Del is a trip.
Old Town for other dining choices and you can watch the women make the tortillas at the Old Town Mexican Cafe.
And just walking around the Gaslamp/4 to 6th avenues is fun, with 5th ave being the main drag.
Have you also been up to Balboa Park? The Natural History Museum, Timkin Art Museum, the Aerospace Museum, the Vintage Car collection, and more. There is also a great place to have snacks or full meals at the Prado restaurant.
see: http://www.balboapark.org/
Have you also been to the Wild Animal Park - or is that similiar to Sea World for you? The animals are in more of their natural setting.
Also driving over the bridge to Coronado and seeing the little museum in the basement floor of the Hotel Del is a trip.
Old Town for other dining choices and you can watch the women make the tortillas at the Old Town Mexican Cafe.
And just walking around the Gaslamp/4 to 6th avenues is fun, with 5th ave being the main drag.
Nov 15th, 2011, 09:43 AM
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BTW - you can also take the ferry from the docks over to Coronado - about a 10 minute walk from Embassy Suites. And just walking along the Embarcadero is fun, as is touring the famous Clipper ship - the Star of India, as well as the nearby ferry - the Berkeley.
Nov 15th, 2011, 09:47 AM
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And yes, the tour of the USS Midway (aircraft carrier) is great, and the nearby Fish Market restaurant is also very good, and if you go upstairs to the Top of the Market - it is truly gourmet, and both have great views looking across at Coronado, and some good historic pics of fishing in San Diego. http://www.thefishmarket.com/topofthemarket.aspx
Hey - just having fish and chips at Anthony's fishette is also fun - a could blocks further down from the Midway, or they also have a top restaurant right next door.
http://www.gofishanthonys.com/fishette.html
Hey - just having fish and chips at Anthony's fishette is also fun - a could blocks further down from the Midway, or they also have a top restaurant right next door.
http://www.gofishanthonys.com/fishette.html
Nov 15th, 2011, 11:39 AM
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I would second Balboa Park! It is huge, and much to see there. We visited SD in March and spent one whole day at Balboa and didn't even get to see everything. It's lovely there, nice walking about, they have free shuttles going back and forth all day. Our feet were so tired from walking we went to the shuttle stop (they are all over the park) and just rode around for a while. LOL
Some of the exhibits you do have to pay to go inside and some are free. We visited the Botanical Gardens (free) and viewed all the lovely plants, flowers, etc. Some of the exhibits are closed on Mondays so we weren't able to visit them. However, it is really worth the visit there.
We stayed at Holiday Inn Express in Old Town and loved it in Old Town. It's very walkable and we would stroll down the main street at night and look in the stores, do some souvenir shopping, ate at a couple of nice restaurants.
Some of the exhibits you do have to pay to go inside and some are free. We visited the Botanical Gardens (free) and viewed all the lovely plants, flowers, etc. Some of the exhibits are closed on Mondays so we weren't able to visit them. However, it is really worth the visit there.
We stayed at Holiday Inn Express in Old Town and loved it in Old Town. It's very walkable and we would stroll down the main street at night and look in the stores, do some souvenir shopping, ate at a couple of nice restaurants.
Nov 15th, 2011, 02:29 PM
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Loved Christmas in San Diego!
Highly recommend going to Hotel Del Coronado during your visit. On Christmas Eve it's magical. They really go all out with decorations, there is ice skating on the beach, locals and tourists everywhere, carolers inside The Del, shopping, great dining and other festivities.
For a splurge at The Del there's a theatre dinner called An American Christmas with the last performance on Christmas Eve. They also have a very elaborate spread in the Crown Room. For more casual dining there's 1500 Ocean and Eno Wine Bar that serves appetizers. No matter what you do, it's all very festive and you can't go wrong. It would be well worth the cab fare if the ferry closes early or you're without a car. Tell DH he's going or else!
You'd need a car but I know Island Prime on Harbor Island Christmas Day is open. Here you have fabulous views of San Diego's skyline and the food is very good. We return often. I'm sure more will chime in with other recommendations that will be open on Christmas Day that are closer to downtown.
The weather will most likely be on the cool side. It rained on the day we were leaving.
Are your 4 days of sightseeing consecutive? The reason I ask if you've been to San Diego before and haven't been to Palm Springs you could head out there for a night or two. It's a little over 2 hours each way but it's glorious in the winter.
Make sure to check allhours of operation for everything before you head out. Since Christmas falls on Sunday most things will be closed on Monday also.
Highly recommend going to Hotel Del Coronado during your visit. On Christmas Eve it's magical. They really go all out with decorations, there is ice skating on the beach, locals and tourists everywhere, carolers inside The Del, shopping, great dining and other festivities.
For a splurge at The Del there's a theatre dinner called An American Christmas with the last performance on Christmas Eve. They also have a very elaborate spread in the Crown Room. For more casual dining there's 1500 Ocean and Eno Wine Bar that serves appetizers. No matter what you do, it's all very festive and you can't go wrong. It would be well worth the cab fare if the ferry closes early or you're without a car. Tell DH he's going or else!
You'd need a car but I know Island Prime on Harbor Island Christmas Day is open. Here you have fabulous views of San Diego's skyline and the food is very good. We return often. I'm sure more will chime in with other recommendations that will be open on Christmas Day that are closer to downtown.
The weather will most likely be on the cool side. It rained on the day we were leaving.
Are your 4 days of sightseeing consecutive? The reason I ask if you've been to San Diego before and haven't been to Palm Springs you could head out there for a night or two. It's a little over 2 hours each way but it's glorious in the winter.
Make sure to check allhours of operation for everything before you head out. Since Christmas falls on Sunday most things will be closed on Monday also.
Nov 15th, 2011, 02:49 PM
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Sorry, I meant to answer SOCALOC -- I have one day at the beginning, and three days at the end (Christmas eve, day, and the following day). That's why I was a little concerned about holiday closures, because my free days are mostly during the time when places are likely to be closed. Sounds like I could swing a trip to Palm Springs if I get a car.
Nov 15th, 2011, 02:58 PM
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There are a lot of good places to dine in San Diego and Island Prime also has an outdoor seating area - C Level - which has some reasonably priced offerings. see: http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/menu-.../island-prime/
Nov 15th, 2011, 02:59 PM
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And IMO - if you only have 4 days and the hotel is paid for - I think there is plenty to see and do in San Diego - but if you want to get over the hill to see Palm Springs, the greater Coachella Valley - their Rodeo Drive - El Paseo - does have a lot of Christmas decorations.
Nov 15th, 2011, 04:16 PM
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Agree Tom. We never get tired of San Diego!
If the hotel is paid for then stay put. I just put out another option to consider.
You have to admit being in warm weather during the winter is a treat too! A resort, hiking, dining, scenery, Palms to Pines drive etc. and R&R isn't a bad way to spend the holidays! At least to me anyway, especially if things will be closed.
Jolie could actually do both. Christmas Eve at The Del( can you tell I love it) then head to Palm Springs Christmas morning and relax all day and have dinner at a resort. Not bad at all.
If the hotel is paid for then stay put. I just put out another option to consider.
You have to admit being in warm weather during the winter is a treat too! A resort, hiking, dining, scenery, Palms to Pines drive etc. and R&R isn't a bad way to spend the holidays! At least to me anyway, especially if things will be closed.
Jolie could actually do both. Christmas Eve at The Del( can you tell I love it) then head to Palm Springs Christmas morning and relax all day and have dinner at a resort. Not bad at all.
Nov 15th, 2011, 04:43 PM
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I LOVE San Diego at Christmas - one of my favorite times of the year - could be warm enough to sit by a pool or chilly - either way it is wonderful.
I do think if your hotel is not paid for - go out to the JW Marriott and hit the spa (if that is of interest) ... I love a good spa day to myself.
The Del is remarkable and special at Christmas. Listen to SocalOC.
You can walk to the Midway from your hotel in downtown - go to top of the Hyatt for the views and a cocktail - amazing. I am not sure how old you are but Gaslamp is fun - might be quiet over the holidays. Have fun!
I do think if your hotel is not paid for - go out to the JW Marriott and hit the spa (if that is of interest) ... I love a good spa day to myself.
The Del is remarkable and special at Christmas. Listen to SocalOC.
You can walk to the Midway from your hotel in downtown - go to top of the Hyatt for the views and a cocktail - amazing. I am not sure how old you are but Gaslamp is fun - might be quiet over the holidays. Have fun!
Nov 15th, 2011, 05:49 PM
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Good grief how did I leave out SPA! Great call MomDD!!!
We had a spa day on Thanksgiving so I'm sure other hotels in PS will have their spas open on Christmas Day too!
So many possibilities, so little time. lol
We had a spa day on Thanksgiving so I'm sure other hotels in PS will have their spas open on Christmas Day too!
So many possibilities, so little time. lol
Nov 16th, 2011, 01:27 AM
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Hi Jolie:
We were in San Diego last year over Christmas. it was warm and sunny. We had drenching rain during our San Francisco and LA parts of the trip earlier that week.
On Christmas day, we visited the San Diego Mission. It't the first of the California missions and very scenic and well maintained. There are 21 along 101 from SD to Sonoma. We've visited 12 of them so far.
Enjoy your trip!
We were in San Diego last year over Christmas. it was warm and sunny. We had drenching rain during our San Francisco and LA parts of the trip earlier that week.
On Christmas day, we visited the San Diego Mission. It't the first of the California missions and very scenic and well maintained. There are 21 along 101 from SD to Sonoma. We've visited 12 of them so far.
Enjoy your trip!
Jan 1st, 2012, 01:46 PM
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Hi everyone-
Just wanted to say thanks again. The trip turned out great. DH joined me, we got a car, and spent a lot of time checking out the various museums at Balboa pak. The weather was great over Christmas weekend, clear skies and highs around 70. We also drove to the Safari park, which DH especially enjoyed. The narrator on the tram ride said their Northern White Rhino was one of only 6 left in the world, which is incredibly sad, but I'm glad that we visited.
We didn't make it to the Fish Market or Top of Market, both were closed on Christmas and we never got around to eating there. But there were a lot of other great places to choose from. We ate at a lot of places in the Gaslamp district, and Cafe Sevilla was probably our favorite.
Thank you again for all the advice, and Happy New Year to everyone.
Just wanted to say thanks again. The trip turned out great. DH joined me, we got a car, and spent a lot of time checking out the various museums at Balboa pak. The weather was great over Christmas weekend, clear skies and highs around 70. We also drove to the Safari park, which DH especially enjoyed. The narrator on the tram ride said their Northern White Rhino was one of only 6 left in the world, which is incredibly sad, but I'm glad that we visited.
We didn't make it to the Fish Market or Top of Market, both were closed on Christmas and we never got around to eating there. But there were a lot of other great places to choose from. We ate at a lot of places in the Gaslamp district, and Cafe Sevilla was probably our favorite.
Thank you again for all the advice, and Happy New Year to everyone.
