solo in san diego
Nov 9th, 2003, 06:18 AM
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solo in san diego
greetings!
I am planning a get away to San Diego first week in December and will be traveling alone. Any suggestions on quality places to stay near to local rest./shops etc. Also any hikes, beach, tours or active suggestions.
I am planning a get away to San Diego first week in December and will be traveling alone. Any suggestions on quality places to stay near to local rest./shops etc. Also any hikes, beach, tours or active suggestions.
Nov 9th, 2003, 08:02 AM
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There are lots of different areas to choose from. Coronado Island is beautiful & linked to downtown San Diego by a bridge so you can get there by car (you will rpobably wnat to rent one) or water taxi. The Hotel Del Coronado is a beautiful big resort on the beach there. There are rest. & shops on Coronado plus you're a short drive to downtown San Diego. There's a tram ride you can take for $24 (about 2 1/2 hrs) that goes all around San Diego (including Coronado) & makes stops at Balboa Park (the zoo & many museums are here plus a botanic garden & a nice rest. called Prado), Gaslight district, Old Town, La Jolla etc. It's like a hop on hop off tour. There are also endless numbers of other tour options thta include the zoo, animal kingdom etc.
There are a number of resort hotel properties that are beautiful (The Lodge at Torrey Pines, The Four Seasons are 2) but these are not within walking distance of shops/restos.
Staying in La Jolla is another option where there's an active town with shops etc. Someone mentioned the Hotel Parisi as a nice place to stay there. I've heard the Valencia is also nice.
The ocean will be too cold for swimming. You'll see surfers in wetsuits.
Here's a link to hiking in the area.
http://gorp.away.com/link_tracking/l...e%5faway%2ehtm
There are a number of resort hotel properties that are beautiful (The Lodge at Torrey Pines, The Four Seasons are 2) but these are not within walking distance of shops/restos.
Staying in La Jolla is another option where there's an active town with shops etc. Someone mentioned the Hotel Parisi as a nice place to stay there. I've heard the Valencia is also nice.
The ocean will be too cold for swimming. You'll see surfers in wetsuits.
Here's a link to hiking in the area.
http://gorp.away.com/link_tracking/l...e%5faway%2ehtm
Nov 11th, 2003, 05:03 AM
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All I know bodhi is the place to go is Rosarita (beyond Tijuana) and you can't take a rental car across the border due to insurance issues. I believe there are bus tours you can take. Do a text search here (try typing San Diego to Mexico or Rosarita).
The area is just beautiful & you will have a great time. I'm not a hiker but I can't think of a better place to hike around. While in La Jolla, go to the Brockton Villa for breakfast (French toast is fab) & lovely views. Afterwards, you can walk along the sidewalk above the beach. Also in La Jolla had a nice dinner at Nine-Ten, rest. in the Colonial Hotel-all fresh local ingredients. The area closes early - most restaurants relatively empty by 9:30 or 10pm.
The area is just beautiful & you will have a great time. I'm not a hiker but I can't think of a better place to hike around. While in La Jolla, go to the Brockton Villa for breakfast (French toast is fab) & lovely views. Afterwards, you can walk along the sidewalk above the beach. Also in La Jolla had a nice dinner at Nine-Ten, rest. in the Colonial Hotel-all fresh local ingredients. The area closes early - most restaurants relatively empty by 9:30 or 10pm.
Nov 11th, 2003, 07:54 AM
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bodhi,
I have been to San Diego a couple of times on my own, too.
I have always preferred to stay in the area of La Jolla. If you are looking for a deal on hotels you might even take Del Mar into consideration. This means a bit of driving if you intend to go downtown but I have never found it a hassle, as you can choose a scenic drive along the coast or the freeway.
Del Mar is more quiet, although it features some nice dining options. Hotel choices would be L' Auberge Del Mar (expensive), Best Western Stratford Inn (reasonable), the Del Mar Hilton North San Diego (by the race track- car woukd be preferable for dining; do ask whether they have renovated recently. Approx. 3 years ago the place was a bit rundown) or a Courtyard by Marriott (which is listed as Solana Beach but borders Del Mar).
That you need a car goes also for La Jolla. There is more going on, it is more posh but very enjoyable, too. I second the recommendation of Brockton Villa and will of course hint at George's for dinner.
If you play Golf, you might want to give Torrey Pines a try. The Greenfee is still reasonable for a course in such a location. Call ahead or get up early (something like 5.30 h) in order to line up and get a spot, though...
Coronado is also wonderful. Very laid back beach town, from where you can get into downtown pretty easily by ferry of via the bridge by car. The obvious place to stay would be the Hotel Del, but the Coronado Marriott on the bayside left a very nice impression with me, too.
The Golf course on Coronado is a cheap gem to me.
I would advise against going to Mexico- that is as long as it concerns Tijuana.
I did that once and it was a complete waste of time. You can't take your rental car. Do not feel tempted to walk across and venture into downtown on foot. It is too far- no matter what the distance signs on the American side say. You would need to take a cab, which maybe a rip- off. Take a bus on the American side, if you cannot resist going over there at all.
Tijuana is basically an assortment of drugstores and stores featuring cheap leatherware and faux or real designer brands in clothing. You just can't be sure.
Apart from that and a few pubs there is absolutely nothing. And traffic at the border can be a pain on your way back. I would refrain from going there.
Apart from that- not much to add to mclaurie's advice. Balboa Park is pleasant and you might want to take a look at the zoo.
Enjoy your trip!
hsv
I have been to San Diego a couple of times on my own, too.
I have always preferred to stay in the area of La Jolla. If you are looking for a deal on hotels you might even take Del Mar into consideration. This means a bit of driving if you intend to go downtown but I have never found it a hassle, as you can choose a scenic drive along the coast or the freeway.
Del Mar is more quiet, although it features some nice dining options. Hotel choices would be L' Auberge Del Mar (expensive), Best Western Stratford Inn (reasonable), the Del Mar Hilton North San Diego (by the race track- car woukd be preferable for dining; do ask whether they have renovated recently. Approx. 3 years ago the place was a bit rundown) or a Courtyard by Marriott (which is listed as Solana Beach but borders Del Mar).
That you need a car goes also for La Jolla. There is more going on, it is more posh but very enjoyable, too. I second the recommendation of Brockton Villa and will of course hint at George's for dinner.
If you play Golf, you might want to give Torrey Pines a try. The Greenfee is still reasonable for a course in such a location. Call ahead or get up early (something like 5.30 h) in order to line up and get a spot, though...
Coronado is also wonderful. Very laid back beach town, from where you can get into downtown pretty easily by ferry of via the bridge by car. The obvious place to stay would be the Hotel Del, but the Coronado Marriott on the bayside left a very nice impression with me, too.
The Golf course on Coronado is a cheap gem to me.
I would advise against going to Mexico- that is as long as it concerns Tijuana.
I did that once and it was a complete waste of time. You can't take your rental car. Do not feel tempted to walk across and venture into downtown on foot. It is too far- no matter what the distance signs on the American side say. You would need to take a cab, which maybe a rip- off. Take a bus on the American side, if you cannot resist going over there at all.
Tijuana is basically an assortment of drugstores and stores featuring cheap leatherware and faux or real designer brands in clothing. You just can't be sure.
Apart from that and a few pubs there is absolutely nothing. And traffic at the border can be a pain on your way back. I would refrain from going there.
Apart from that- not much to add to mclaurie's advice. Balboa Park is pleasant and you might want to take a look at the zoo.
Enjoy your trip!
hsv
Nov 12th, 2003, 08:37 AM
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if you like to be active i.e. roller blading, biking, etc. you may also want to consider staying in the pacific beach area. you can go for several miles along the coast and there is also the bay side which is quieter and very nice. lots of activity. younger crowd and very downscaled compared to la jolla.
Nov 12th, 2003, 10:52 PM
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If you are interested in a bus trip to Mexico, try Baja California Tours (bajaspecials.com). They have day trips and short vacations to Mexico. They are located in La Jolla and will pick you up at your hotel. This might be a better than taking the trolley down to Tijuana, which is another option.
Nov 24th, 2003, 12:51 PM
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Unless they have changed policy recently, the So. Calif AVIS outlets do allow their cars into Mexico, at least they did about 6 months ago.
I agree with the advice about Coronado and the Hotel Del. I also agree that if you go to Mexico, bypass Tijuana and go to either Rosarito Beach or Ensenada. I like Rosarito too but Ensenada is a bit larger and has more to do and more choices for hotels and dining. Unless you have a burning desire to go to Mexico, I'd skip it and spend my time exploring San Diego. It didn't get its nickname "America's Finest City" by accident.
Have a wonderful trip.
I agree with the advice about Coronado and the Hotel Del. I also agree that if you go to Mexico, bypass Tijuana and go to either Rosarito Beach or Ensenada. I like Rosarito too but Ensenada is a bit larger and has more to do and more choices for hotels and dining. Unless you have a burning desire to go to Mexico, I'd skip it and spend my time exploring San Diego. It didn't get its nickname "America's Finest City" by accident.
Have a wonderful trip.
May 22nd, 2004, 07:21 AM
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It's about 20 miles from downtown SD to the border and another 60 or so miles to Ensenada.
Once you get across the border, there are two routes. The Toll Road is a little smoother and easier to navigate. It is also quite scenic in spots. The old highway is cheaper (no tolls), more scenic in more spots, but it is a little rough and, unless you know your way or can easily read Spanish signs, you are more likely to get lost.
I think you are going to be restricted to either bus or hired car. I am not aware of any car rental company that would allow you to pick up a car in San Diego and drop it off in Ensenada.
Have a great trip.
Once you get across the border, there are two routes. The Toll Road is a little smoother and easier to navigate. It is also quite scenic in spots. The old highway is cheaper (no tolls), more scenic in more spots, but it is a little rough and, unless you know your way or can easily read Spanish signs, you are more likely to get lost.
I think you are going to be restricted to either bus or hired car. I am not aware of any car rental company that would allow you to pick up a car in San Diego and drop it off in Ensenada.
Have a great trip.
