Hi-we are going to celebrate w/ 6 days in SD on July 28-Aug 3. We would apprectiate suggestions for reasonable places to eat that are still good, especially a nice place for our anniversary dinner(places like George's are to $$$$ for a young couple like us!), so something cheaper would be great. Also, any other fun things to do besides the obvious area attractions would be great! THanks!

The Crab Catcher in La Jolla is very good with a pretty outdoor patio, less expensive than George's, also.

You should go to Coronado Island and spend some time. Tour the Hotel Del Coronado, there is a casual restaurantt here called the Stillwater that is very good. Check out Miguel's Cocina in Coronado for some great Mexican food in a fun atmosphere. Have fun! ***kim***

Geoge's upstairs terrace is not nearly as expensive as the main restaurant and the food is just as good, although the menu is a little different. If you go there try their signature soup.

Trattoria Aqua in La Jolla is also excellent, but I'm not sure how it would fit into your budget.

http://www.trattoriaacqua.com/

Jake's Del Mar is great, and as it's right on the beach, you could go for a romantic stroll after dinner!

http://www.jakesdelmar.com/

Plan on valet parking for George's and Jake's. Do make reservations well in advance-ie NOW! The races at Del Mar will be on while you're visiting and these restaurants are all especially busy then.

there are several good restaurants along pacific beach which are nice if you get a window seat to watch the sunset.
i haven't been there for years but tom ham's lighthouse on harbor island was always good. nice view of downtown.
a wonderful, romantic thing to do is pack a picnic and head down to sunset cliff's.

Georges at the Cove in La Jolla has entrees for around $20 pp..I don't know exactly your budget but its pretty reasonable for one of the top restaurants in the country and for your anniversary, I couldn't think of a better place..
I would eat only at the ocean terrace about an hour before sunset.
You can eat the rest of the week at our great taco shops that are cheap and delicious.
Where are you staying in SD?
Here is a link to Georges and you can check out their menu..

georgesatthecove.com

We dined at California Modern (Geroge's) right before they did the remodel. The dining room looks very upscale from the website, amazing food here. If your budget doesn't allow a full meal, maybe stop by for appetizers or dessert and enjoy the ambiance! ***kim***

Thanks so far everyone, very helpful! We're staying at a Howard Johnson Sea World, we're hoping it's ok! So excited!!!!

During the time you'll be there, the annual horse racing season at Del Mar (20 miles up the coast) will be happening. The track is very near to the water, and is quite scenic. (to some, this wouldn't count as 'obvious', to others, it would)

All in all San Diego is a great city in which to celebrate your anniversary.

If it were me, I'd do the anniversary dinner somewhere in the gaslamp district - it doesn't have to be expensive - just "unique" and memorable.

Consider an evening at Croce's in the Gaslight District downtown. Fine food, affordable, often a jazz band performs. Very enjoyable. Owned by Jim Croce, the late singer's widow.

Hi nireenna,
Your going to be in San Diego for a week...how great is that! Weather here has been around 78-80 at the coast..Ho Jo's at Sea World is fine..budget motel..its in the Sports Arena area on Rosecrans..you are closer to Point Loma and you can do Point Loma Seafoods for fresh seafood sandwiches or walk along Shelter Island where all the boats are.
Del Mar Race Track is a blast and to go and bet on the ponies it's fun and cheap too..$2 bets and you can wear shorts and flip flops.
Gorgeous track..and a must if you can do it!
Go to Fidel's in Solana Beach for one of the best Chile Rellenos or Chicken Burrito..Yummy!
Brigantine Restaurants throughout SD have great Seafood happy hours all week and the best fish tacos for $2.25.
The ocean temps are warming up to 70-72 degrees..go to La Jolla Shores for boogie boarding or kayaking..
Jeff's Burgers in the Shores is great for burger or the Cheese Shop for one of the best deli sandwiches.
Keep us posted on your trip!

dmtc.com
brigantine.com

San Diego Magazine has a listing of restaurants
SanDiego-online.com
Search by Best of
Cheap Eats
Neighborhoods Point Loma, Shelter Island

Souplantation...if you like salad bars this is ultimate and about 7.00 per lunch or dinner. Use AAA card for discounts.
Also a nice Italian Bistro restaurant is Old Venice in Point Loma on Cannon St. Patio out back (might be a romantic dinner site but no water views)

Island Prime is on the Bay near the airport..nice outside patio

Humpreys On the Bay Shelter Island has out door concerts..really fun (can do dinner & concerts pkg)fun to watch the "boat people"
humphreysconcert.com

Humprphreys also has the best Sunday Champagne seafood Brunch too..

A trip to Cabrillo Park is great for views of the City, Bay ocean and for exploring old lighthouse and beaches hikes.

Ask the hotel and they will give you a booklet on restaurants nearby.

Wow so many great ideas! We decided to go ahead and got a reservation at George's, and will try to eat at most of the other recommended places too! Thanks everyone for all your ideas!

So far, we're hitting the tourist places like Sea World and the zoo. Also going to
-hike at Torrey Pines
-Del Mar racetrack-we love the races!
-tour that navy boat (can't remember the name)
-kayak/snorkel in La Jolla
-go to a baseball game
-Old Town
-We wanted to rent bikes to explore some of the ocean side areas, like Mission Bay or the Pacific Beach area, where is the best place to do that?
-go to the Olympic Center
-Is it really worth going to Mexico?
-Mabye more questions later! Thanks everyone!

Try to fit in a trip on the Coast Highway through North County - Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff, Encinitas, etc. These towns have their own personalities, good restaurants, all are on the beach, fun shopping. You could spend a day doing this drive, ending up at the Oceanside Pier.

In my opinion, its not really worth a trip down to Mexico. Not to disparage TJ, but it is not the nice part of Mexico and with security the way it is, you could be spending a lot of time trying to cross the border.

Other good, but more reasonable places to eat are:
1. Hash House A Go Go-portions are extremely large so you could share.(on 5th in Hillcrest neighborhood).

2.Perry's for breakfast, its a greasy spoon, but portions are large and people just flock to it and it is always crowded-located on Pacific Highway in Old Town

3. Indigo Grill-Southwest style, again huge portions, located on India Street in Little Italy.

4. Big Kitchen-great breakfast, big portions, located in golden Hill

5.If you are going to catch a game, we saved money by stopping at Bread on Market (very near the ball park on Market between 7th and 8th). I get an incredible BLT and 1/2 salad for $6.75. Much better than the ballpark food and a lot cheaper. They let you take it into the ballpark. You can buy $5 Park at the Park tickets (you get into the ball park area and see the came on a grassy slope.

6. Go to Point Loma Seafoods-its takeout but really good.

For other activities, get the cheap infield tickets to Del Mar as suggested-you can bring in your own food to save money. Also you can bike out to Cabrillo Monument or take your car-there you can visit tide pools and get some incredible views. Although you can take a more expensive boat tour of SD on the Hornblower, you can do the "poor man's" version by taking the $5 fare across the bay from downtown to coronado island. At the fare, Peohe's might be too expensive, but you can stroll over to Coronado Brewing Company for lunch then take the ferry back.

Hope these ideas help, itsv

2. The

If you DO go to Mexico. Drive down to the U.S. side of the border, and then WALK across, and perhaps walk the 3/4 of a mile into downtown Tijuana (Revolucion Avenue).

Most Southern Cal tourists should never drive into Mexico just to see Tijuana.

Tijuana is quite a lesson in the "haves" and the "have-nots", and still references itself as "the most visited foreign city in the world".

If you're from a long way away from San Diego, then maybe go visit Tijuana on one afternoon. Even if you stay late for dinner, a cab back to the border is an option to avoid the walk after dark.

Just in case you go to Tijuana...

unless you can drive down passed tj, a trip to mexico is not worth the time. south of tj has some nice areas but still very americanized and touristy.
you can rent bikes at a lot of places in pacific and mission beach. if you only want them for the day, just go down and find a place. if you want to rent them for several days, maybe ask for a recommendation from your hotel or get them from downtown - probably cheaper.