Sorry, I don't know them. You can always swing buy here (Albuquerque) and I'll make you both!

We might do that! You live in a great place.

sludick, I think you mean starrs! i'm not quite that young anymore! :)

I'd forgotten that Croce's had moved -- will have to make a point to go there. We rarely went while they were in the Gaslamp because parking was difficult on a Fri/Sat night.

If sludick is meeting up in the Hillcrest Area with family - the new Croce's isn't that far maybe a few minutes by car to Fifth & Olive (I think that's what their web site said).

starrs, it was magical growing up in Coronado especially in the 50's and 60's. It was very much a Navy town and a beach community.

It sounds wonderful.
It looked wonderful when we were there.

We were staying at the Marriott and walked around a bit and just fell in love with it. I can imagine it in the 50s/60s. Lucky you!

Let me ask you a really obscure question. Years ago I saw a photo of a home DIRECTLY on the beach and I think it was in Laguna Beach. I think a family with famous surfer(s) lived there. Anyway, there was a garage style door in the living room, so when they opened it up the living room was open to the sea and sand. I think the floors in the living room may have been concrete. All the kiddos surfed too. I was entranced by that house, that very "open" concept and I wish I could remember where I saw it. I'm sure it was in a magazine back in the 60 but I'm still entranced with that very open living room. I've seen off the grid cottages that have a similar door. I'd like to find pictures of the CA house.

starrs, I'm not aware of such a house, but would like to know too. I'd loved to live in a house like that. I know more restaurants are doing that - where they have a large garage door type wall of glass that can go up during the day and close at night. It opens up the restaurant to the outside. What a great concept for a home.

Still out there?

Looking at two options for multi-day passes: Explorer - $53; includes 17 museums, good for 7 consecutive days. Explorer with Zoo - $89; 17 museums plus zoo with the tram/bus tour in zoo, same 7 consecutive days.

So I realize this is a discount off the regular zoo price. My question is whether, in a 3-3.5 day period, the Zoo would be too much (figuring it would realistically consume a day). We've all been to the Zoo at least once, and would happily go again. But we have never been to any of the museums at all, cannot judge time there and don't want to shortchange too drastically. Wouldn't go to all the museums, but a handful at least.

I would skip the zoo, and I love zoos! {I am a docent at our local zoo} You will be busy with museums as the zoo takes easily a day or more.

If you are interested in architecture and history, the Marston House, on Seventh Ave in the northwest corner of Balboa Park is wonderful. It is an Arts and Crafts style house built in 1905. There are regularly scheduled tours that give you history of the house but also a bit of history of San Diego in that period.

http://www.sohosandiego.org/main/marston2.htm

Thanks DebitNM, mama_mia, and everybody else. I'm not always very good at producing trip reports, but will certainly try to put up something this time.

sludick - not knowing your exact location other than to the west of the park not sure what restaurants will be in walking distance. If you are on the west near 6th Ave there is a popular restaurant on 5th & Laurel.
Cucina Urbana - need reservations or be there when they open
http://www.urbankitchengroup.com/

Croce's should be in walking distance
http://crocesparkwest.com/

There's also Hexagon
http://hexagonerestaurant.com/

Bankekr's Hill Restaurant might also be walking distance
http://www.bankershillsd.com/

A lot more restaurants up in Hillcrest. Arreviderchi, Baby Cakes, 100 Wine Kitchen (same owner as the Prado). Probably nt walking distance: The Patio, Brooklyn Girl, Empirehouse.

Wow, thank you. We'll be on Spruce Street between 5th and 6th (Worldmark, Inn on the Park). So happy for any recommendations; hope to be able to walk around as much as possible.

Sorry for my poor spelling, it's
http://www.arrivederciristorante.com/

Oh, and if you have a sweet tooth you are dangerously close to
http://extraordinarydesserts.com/

I haven't eaten at San Filippo's in a long time. Don't know how good it is. But it is out your door.
http://www.sanfilippos.net/