>>Long Beach? Stuff to do?>>

If you are driving on the 5 North to Long Beach (before you get to the 405 or the 173 toll road) you come to the charming town of San Juan Capistrano which has a restored historic Spanish Mission (built in the 1700's) that is well worth stopping by to visit. The town of SJ Capistrano also has a number of wonderful restaurants and shops along it's main (and pretty much only) street.

We have a time share in the same place you are going in Carlsbad and the restaurants next door are both very nice. But, you pretty much can't go wrong with any of the restaurants in the Carlsbad main street area.

Old Town has a number of restaurants that are fun depending on what you want. I like the Old Town Mexican Cafe

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...alifornia.html

I'll weigh in on a few San Diego ideas. I've personally never really chilled in Carlsbad, so can't help much here. We usually stay further south in San Diego. Probably our favorite place is the Catamaran, because you can walk to the beach and it is near some great bars, restaurants, and beach action. One of our favorite restaurants is JRDN. It is pricey for dinner, but their outside (beachside) patio offers little plates and wonderful cocktails and drinks. You're right next to the boardwalk, so lots of folks out and about, dogs, bikes, skateboard, surfers; you get the full beach vibe.
The restaurant is in a hotel called Tower 23, but it might be a little pricey. It's worth checking into. We also like the Bahia and the Dana, but they aren't on the beach, but on the bay. The Hyatt Spa is lovely as well.

You didn't mention the zoo, which is in Balboa Park. The Park is one of my favorite places in San Diego. So much to see and do. Photo ops, museums. Very special place.

I also really like Little Italy. Lots of shops, wonderful restaurants, and people watching. They do a Farmers Market on Saturdays, I believe.

I'm glad you guys rethought Temecula. It's a lovely place, but we've never been impressed with their wines or wineries.

Del Mar, on the PCH, is also a nice beachy area. If you stay near the highway, which cuts through town, you can walk to a lot of places. We stayed at the Courtyard in Solana Beach and really liked that area also.

If you need some restaurant recs, besides JRDN, I'd be happy to add those also. San Diego has amazing restaurants, you just need to stay away from most chains (except In and Out and Rubios) and find the "new" farm to table type establishments. Breweries, such as Stone Brewery in Escondido and Liberty Station, also are the big new trend coming to most youthful cities. Draft is a new place that opened up in South Mission Beach (south of Pacific Beach) that offers a very cool atmosphere and happy hour. Small plates. I second George's rooftop Terrace. We've had wonderful meals there...

Hi,
I actually live in Carlsbad, here are some of my suggestions for restaurants:
In Carlsbad: Miguel's (Great fish tacos, and on Tuesday they have them on special at their bar)
Vigilucci's for seafood and pasta. Has an Ocean View.

In nearby Encinitas, there are several restaurants with beautiful views of the Ocean/Sunset on 101 (Coastal Highway), near the San Elijo Lagoon. 2 of them are the Chart House and Pacific Coast Grill.

Have a nice trip

Alexandra

Hi,
One more thing: Traffic on Fridays to LA is usually worse than any other day of the week. If you can change your trip to LA/Long Beach, you may want to change it to Saturday. Usually Saturdays and Sundays have less traffic since the commuters are off.
Thanks
Alexandra

"San Diego has amazing restaurants, you just need to stay away from most chains (except In and Out and Rubios)"

I used to love Rubios, but they've been bought out by a large chain - I think General Foods or something and their food is terrible IMHO. If you want more authentic Mexican I'd check out Porkyland in La Jolla off Torrey Pines near Girard. It's kinds like Rubio's (more fast Mexican and you can also take out). Or even Chipolte is better than Rubio's these days.

http://goporkyland.com/

Bookmarking

Balboa Park is beautiful but the Zoo is fabulous. Not only in the collection but also the grounds are lovely. I believe they'll still be open late in Sept. Check the calendar.

The best time to see the animals is early in the day when they open, get your hand stamped and go to the park. It's an easy walk. You can have lunch at the Prado. Then when the heat of the day is wearing off go back to the Zoo. It gets better when the day cools off.

More great suggestions- thanks!

I don't think Saturday will work for the Long Beach/ LA trip as we are leaving fairly early Sunday so don't want be gone all day and into evening on Saturday. Maybe we could just meet the cousin for lunch or brunch on Saturday and get back to Carlsbad in late afternoon. Husband still dragging feet on emailing the cousin. I need to light a fire under him!!

Keep the ideas coming :) Thank you much!

nanabee- Rubios is not what it use to be! I do like Wahoos...not sure if there are any in S.D. but they are in Orange County...

About the only thing I must have at Rubios these days is their good old fish taco. They do that right. But I will agree. Lately it has been a bit disappointing. Their iced tea has been terrible.

In and Out is just what it is; good hamburgers, cheeseburgers. Order their fries well done and they come out golden and hot, hot, hot.

One of THE places to eat in San Diego right not is Cucina Urbana near downtown. Amazing doesn't describe it. This is dining, my friends. A little Mex fusion with, well, everything. You will not be disappointed. http://www.cucinaurbana.com/home


And Bo Beau is another fave. WONDERFUL.
http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/bobeaukitchenbar
If you eat here, you MUST have this dish;
Crispy Brussel Sprouts
pancetta, parmesan, balsamic. Heavenly vegies that are to die for...

Enjoy San Diego. It's the land of endless pleasures...

As much as I like the SD Zoo - I like the Wild Animal Park - now called Safari Park - even better - and I have volunteered at both places.

Drive over to Escondido early - see/get around Safari Park before it gets hot and then stop at delightful Orfilia winery on the way back and take their short- very interesting tour.http://www.orfila.com/

And as far as restaurants - sooooo many choices. The best deal - including a fabulous view of the Bay, downtown and Coronado - is the cocktail hour at C-Level/Island Prime (part of Cohn Group - which also owns Bo Beau) - Mon-Fri from 3:30 to 5:30. Great h'or d'ourves for $5 as well as wine/beer and my favorite - a Desi Arnez - a mint with mango mojito, or some such. see: http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/islandprime


In and Out burger is ok - they will make your burger to order - and plenty of places for good fish tacos (still like the Tues $1 specials at Rubios - or is it a $1.50 now?) - but agree - Cucina Urbana is amazing. Dang - it's getting too popular now. :)

And from the deck at George's in La Jolla (I had an office in the village for years) - it'ss less expensive than thei more formal restaurant - and with a fabulous view - also not to be missed.

And have not been to Bo Beau yet but do want to try their fabled brussel sprouts. Know the designer - and it was one of our quiet favorites back when it was Thee Bungalow? - or was that across the street. Get a wee bit confused with soooo many changes/great choices these days.

Here is the cocktail menu for C Level: http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/islan...enu/happy-hour

Yes, Tomsd, Bobeau used to be Thee Bungalow. And we dined there often as well. We also really like the 3rd Corner for good wines by the glass, cheeses and bristo menu; small plates. Very moody ambiance. there's a 3rd Corner in Encinitas as well.

There's another place that we LOVE, LOVE in San Diego, but won't reveal, or it might go the way of Cucina Urbana.

Point Loma seafoods is one of our favorite places for lunch. Right on the water, near the fising boats. You can sit outside. Their crab sandwich is my fave, and their smoked fish, fresh fish to take home.

These restaurants look all great but unfortunately we will prob only be able to eat 2 dinners in San Diego. Most evenings we will be in Carlsbad or nearby so need more recs for there. Thanks everyone and Alexandra for the Carlsbad recs!

You'll not have a difficult time finding a nice meal in Carlsbad. It's a lovely little town. Just don't write a fabulous trip report and make it too popular :)

Hi - was hoping to give a trip report by now but unfortunately we had to cancel. :(
My 95 year old FIL had a setback and my husband was not comfortable being on the other side of the country. After he stabilized, we did go to Rehoboth Beach DE for a few days which was nice.
Still hope to to to SD area another time so will bookmark this thread. Thank yu all for your help,
Sars

Sorry to hear this sara. Hope you can re-schedule, and best wishes to your FIL.