Hello:

I just got back from San Diego, CA. I wanna share our + and - experiences:

Restaurants:

Chives @ Gaslamp
George at the cove @ La Jolla
= must go!!! delish all of it!!!

California Cuisine, In and out burgers, St. Tropez bakery shop = please avoid.

Napa Valley Grill & Dakota = so so .

You must go:
Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, the outdoor malls.

Its a very busy city yet so relaxing, clean and beautiful!!! Great expressways, dont be afraid to drive they're very easy!

Heresy!!! You didn't like In and Out? Don't tell rjw...

Now, everyone's entitled to their likes and dislikes. I love my In 'n' Out burgers, but some don't. What ya gonna do...?

Now, Chives in the Gaslamp IS a Cal Cuisine restaurant, so I'm not sure what you mean by avoiding California Cuisine. Is that an eatery somewhere in SD? By the way, for those who like Cal Cuisine, I would also recommend Dobson's on Broadway Circle, next to Horton Plaza. Awesome restaurant!

Glad you liked George's at the Cove. One of my faves in La Jolla too.

I'm overdue for a trip down to San Diego, I think....

Not to be too nitpicky (and thank you so much for referring to it a s the Gaslamp Quarter). For people who are looking for this restaurant online maybe - it's actually Chive...

Just back from San Diego (and other parts of SoCal),too.

I also indulged in George's cuisine, which never seems to fail. I am particularly fond of that gorgeous Ocean View Terrace, where prices are lower but the food still great- and the view even at night is neat, being able to spot all those lights along the coast.

In order to answer your question ,rjw: California Cuisine, while being a style of cuisine I in many instances truly like, is also the name of a San Diego restaurant located at 1027 University Avenue in Hillcrest. I haven't eaten there, though. Thus, I cannot comment on its quality.

P.S. Once in a while In 'n Out, while a bit greasy, is quite tasty, I should think. I also happen to like their fries.

Too bad you didn't get to Ocean Beach -Thee Bungalow/3rd Corner for dinner.
George's on the Cove is great - he's from Dallas.
Did you really like the "gaslamp" area?
I think it is awful.
M

Linda:

Where did you stay?

Thanks.
Sandy

I also just returned from San Diego. Yes, George's on the Cove was a wonderful place for lunch...good food and lovely view of the Pacific Ocean. The Fish Market and Anthony's, downtown San Diego, were also very good.

The Grand Hyatt Manchester, downtown San Diego, was a great place to stay... great location and service....had a beautiful Bay view.

Enjoyed the Old Town Trolley for an overview of the city....Coronado was a wonderful place to stop...Old Town has the best Mexican food, can't go wrong with any restaurant there. Balboa Park....the zoo is a separate day trip as well as LaJolla.

Didn't like In & Out!?!?!?!?!?! I don't think I have ever heard those words uttered!

Hmmmmmm, I don't think you will be allowed to come back!

Awe, I LOVE In and Out. For a quick burger and fries, you can't beat it. Did you know they actually cut the potatoes they use for the fries in the restaurant? One thing about In and Out, ya gotta eat it on the spot, IMO. It is much better fresh.

What, no Rubio's??? Great fish tacos.

We also LOVE Dobsons. Great, wonderful, "real" food, fab bar, and the owner is just a great guy.

We also love the Gaslamp. Huge variety of shops, restaurants, places to hang. We especially love Westgate's piano bar. Very classy joint.

Old Town for Mexican food? Well, American version of Mexican food. It isn't very authentic. If you like "real" Mexican food, don't eat in Old Town. It is for the tourists. But can't beat those huge margaritas.

Don't you just LOVE San Diego? What an awesome town. I just love all of it; Cornonado, La Jolla, Balboa Park (all of it), Old Town, Gaslamp, La Mesa, Mission Valley even. Great food and some of the best people anywhere.

Linda, thanks for sharing with us your special vacation. And yes, where did you stay?

Hello:
sorry about a year later, but we stayed at the Westin Horton Plaza. It was very comfortable! We also got a good deal and it included breakfast for 2 daily. Only bad part was no self-park anywhere around so we had to Valet it.