Upsidedown

My husband and I want to spend about a week in San Diego and we're looking for advice. First off - where to stay. The 2 places we have looked at so far are: Paradise Point Resort or The Bahia. Can anybody give us any pointers on either of those hotels - or even suggest another place.

We'd also like to make sure we have enough time to do everything we want. We'd like to go to the Zoo and probably Sea World. We also like to shop - both outlet and higher end shopping as well. We are planning a day to Tijuana and would also like to do a side trip to Joshua Tree (maybe do an overnight - any suggestions on where to stay there). When on vacation, we love dining out and are looking for ideas of where to eat. We like good food and great ambience.

We're not beach people - so a day at the beach won't be on our schedule - however, a great beachfront restaurant for lunch or dinner is certaining what we like.

Will we need a car for the entire time - or can we just rent one "by the day"?

Any other tips would be great.

Thanks

DebitNM

Make sure you put Balboa Park on you list of places to go. There is so much there, you can easily do a day or 2 there.

I would also plan to go up to Torrey Pines State Park and La Jolla and have dinner in La Jolla.

Personally, I would not go to Tijuana. It really is not worth it. If you do go, don't drive in, you can take the trolley down there I think or park by the border and take a bus in. We went further south for the day and then had to cross back in at Tijuana. It was horrible time wise and in other ways.

As for the car, it is usually cheaper to rent a car for the week than just a day here or there.

Also, be sure to go to Gaslamp District. Lots of people watching and good restaurant. Also, for good Italian food, go up to little Italy.

We stayed at Omni and loved the location. If you are sports fans, catch a baseball game right next to Omni {or football game depending on season}.

Hope this helps...
Debi

L84SKY

You'll need a car for a week in San Diego. The public transportation is pitiful.
Unless you are just dying to go and see for yourself, I'd cross Tijuana off my list.
Debi had some good suggestions.

It sounds like you enjoy nature perhaps you'd like Anza Borrego and Julian.

What places other places have you researched that have interested you?
Wild Animal Park? Sea World, personally not one of my favs but...

lcuy

for a nice dinner on the beach, JRDNs restaurant at Tower 23 (in Pacific Beach)is very nice. Ask for an outside table and you'll be right on the boardwalk. for that matter Tower 23 is a nice boutique hotel. Its new and on a very lively part of the beach.

The zoo\Balboa park can be a whole day. you can shop in La Jolla for higher end stuff, of head to MIssion Vally/Fashion Valley for every store known to man, including the discounters.

YOu might go over to Coronado one day. Fun to walk around or rent bikes, then several nice places to eat there. Go into the historical society museum and eat at the attached Tent City, or try the Boathouse for a very nice meal on the water.

I don't know JOshua TRee, but Julian makes a nice day trip to the mountains.

I like Tijuana, (especially for buying mens shoes and home decor)(and for eating) but lots of first timers don't. It takes a day, and you definitely want to take a bus or taxi on that side of the border. Head to the main Revolution/constitution Aves then you can walk back to the border.

dauphine5

My daughter is stationed in San Diego so we now have a great excuse to visit the area. We went last February and stayed at the Catamaran. It was very nice but we mainly picked it for our two teenagers. Next time we'll probably stayed closer to our daughter's apartment in Mission Valley. Using my travel book and this web site I managed to plan a great trip. Everyone agreed the best one was the Sunday we were there. We went to the zoo in Balboa Park when it opened (think around 9:00)and ate lunch outside at The Prado located in the visitor's center at the park. You will need a reservation since everyone else had the same idea! Then we toured a few of the museums. At that time the different international "houses" were only opened on Sundays since they are manned by volunteers. Last we went over to the Hillcrest neighborhood (only a mile away) and got pastries at this dessert place. Sorry-I can't remember the name but it is in most of the travel books. We live in a small city in the Midwest with limited dining options. (People around here get excited when an Olive Garden opens so you can see where we are eager to try places that might actually be a cut above chain restaurants!)The Prado was excellent. I also ate at the Fishmarket which had good seafood but is rather noisy. Several people have raved about Anthony's which I will try the next time I go there. Have fun-we really enjoyed San Diego. You really do need a car but we found it a very easy city to drive in.