In addition to seeing all the amazing sights in San Diego while we are there for 10 days I'm also hoping we can take a few day trips. One idea was going to Palm Springs but I'm wondering if it's too far for a day trip and a challenge to do the drive in December? Alternatively we are thinking of driving up to Anaheim and spending a day in Disney. Other ideas are going to Julian for a day trip. Better idea??? Love to hear your thoughts as we have never been there before.

You should definitely go to Coronado Island for the day. It has an amazing beach and is very charming! Also, if you like wine Temecula is an up and coing wne region about an hour away that is worth going to.

No Palm Springs isn't too far it's only about 90 min from here.

Disney is also a day trip.


Where are you from? It may rain December and be chilly but it's a great month to enjoy the desert.

Julian is a lovely little town and over the hill from Julian is Borrego Springs. It may snow in Julian during Dec, so you'll have to wait and see.

In addition to what you mention, the beach towns of Orange County along Highway 1 are fun to visit--Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, etc.

If you're into missions, San Luis Rey Mission is near Oceanside and Mission San Juan Capistrano is not far from Dana Point.

HTTY

I second the recommendation for Anza Borrego Desert State Park if you want to see a completely different desert landscape. The mammoth metal animal sculptures there are dramatic and beautiful: http://www.galletameadows.com/news06302008.php
(Great photo opportunities!)

Another idea for a day trip is the Getty Museum in L.A. Gorgeous gardens and free admissions:
http://www.getty.edu/visit/see_do/gardens.html

Just go to the north county towns and beaches- Del Mar, La Jolla, Carlsbad- Carlsbad is one of my favorites.

You can even take the train to some of them and not have to worry about driving or parking.

What types of things are you interested in seeing?

You can drive up to Julian and enjoy that a bit - and from there - on down to Palm Springs, or vice versa.

Palm Springs is about 120 miles from San Diego - and Julian is about an hour away. Great Apple pie in Julian.

As for driving up the Coast - it's beautiful - and if you start in say Pacific Beach - you can go on up through La Jolla, Torrey Pines, Del Mar, Solano Beach, Encinitas, and Carlsbad - even on to Oceanside if you want. From La Jolla to Carlsbad is about 20 miles.

And the first Mission in San Diego is just above Old Town - which is also fun to visit. http://www.oldtownsandiegoguide.com/

Our favorite Mexican restaurant in the Old Town area is Casa Guadalajara - just to the North and West of the main area - a couple of blocks. Great food, Matriarchies playing, tasty Margaritas, fun happy hour - and the like. http://casaguadalajara.com/

Another fun thing to do is visit Balboa Park - which in addition to the Zoo - has many museums, a beautiful Arboretum and Rose Garden, etc. http://www.balboapark.org/in-the-par...FYsaQgodA0CqdQ

And unless a really big rain storm blows in - unusual for SD - you can drive anywhere in Dec, getting over to Coronado in 20 minutes, to Disney in little over an hour, Julian in an hour, and Palm Springs or LA in two hours.

I also second seeing the Getty Center in LA if you like art and architecture and beautiful gardens, Just fabulous, and right off the 405 as you head past/north of the airport/LAX - about 10 miles.

The original Getty - now called the Villa - is out on the coast by Malibu - is also very pretty and houses the antiquities.