FINALLY, San Diego n Huntington
 

Hi Everyone
Well we tried to go last June and my son decided to flunk HS math...then we tried to go at Christmas and my hubby's stepdad passed away...so now WE ARE GOING!

We are leaving late 3/21 and spending 5 nights at Capri by the Sea, then we are heading to Huntington Beach Hilton for 3 nights.

Here is what I need help with...I need to budget carefully, since we were going to use Marriott points for the San Diego portion, but I got a great deal at Capri for only $153. per night. I have ALWAYS wanted to stay on the beach and my dear hubby is humoring me. (Hilton is on points too)

So what is your recommendation for cheap breakfast close by to either hotel?? is there a grocery store close by to get the basics? Read a mention of a place called Kona's in San Diego, is that close?

I have two and 1/2 teens (15, 16 and 12 1/2) where can I let them wander to on their own? beach and or down Gerhard (spg)street which is close to the Capri.

Can we rent beach things like boogie boards, and chairs close by??

Any recommendations for surf lessons?? My 15 year old loves the sport and wants a lesson.

We are planning on going whale watching? Will it be better here or in Huntington/Newport?

We are planning on going to Sea World, Balboa Park for the roller coaster and boardwalk, Scripps Aquarium and of course La Jolla - we want to kayak the cove and the caves...

any thing else that the teens would enjoy...I am so grateful to be in your part of the world that I will be happy doing anything! lol

I am pulling this together very quickly, any help and or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Janet

Hi..
Kono's is the best cheapest breakfast in town and its a block or two on the boardwalk in front of the Capri..its right at the pier..
Belmont Park is where the roller coaster is and they have a wave ride which is a blast..
whale watching is great in SD..
Rent bikes, boards, chairs and stuff at several places close..they have free surf lessons.
There is a Smart and Final behind the Tower 23 hotel for snacks and drinks..
Taco Surf on Mission Blvd is excellent for cheap Mex food.
You are going to have a blast!

belmontpark.com
cheap-rentals.com
sdhe.com

The water activities may have to be tempered by the reality that the ocean waters are rarely warm in March. Make sure everyone has a wetsuit.

The Huntington Beach Hilton is just south of the HB Pier. The couple of blocks around the base of the Pier have every type of eatery imaginable (and there HAS to be at least one Starbuck's). And there's a Ruby's on the Pier itself, isn't there? Good burgers. It's been a few years, so I don't recall if they have breakfast there.

I'll bump this so HB/coastal OC locals can chime in. I'm sure you can find a supermarket within a short drive of the hotel.

One of my favorite San Diego restaurants is the Green Flash, right alongside the beach. Great for people watching and do go for the sunset! Food is OK but it's a fun place!

In Pacific Beach there is a Trader Joe's, Albertson's and Von's grocery stores. In Huntington Beach you might have to drive a little but there are grocery stores on Beach Blvd.

rjw is right about the water temp and needing a wetsuit. Water temp in Huntington Beach right now is 59 degrees BURR. Our weather this week is beautiful but you never know in March. Last week I went with my daughters to the Dog Beach in Huntington so that my DD could introduce her puppy to the ocean. Although it was a bright sunny day, it was windy. We had on pants and a light jacket and were still cool. The puppy loved the beach.

Hope you have a great time in So. Cal.

Thank you, Paula-- I couldn't think of the main north-south street in HB. Beach Blvd!! Of course. I've gone car-shopping there (the Boulevard of Cars). Can YOU think of any good diner-type joints around the HB Pier/Hilton? I'm drawing a complete blank. Just means I have to do a day trip down there sometime!!

Ruby's does have breakfast. Sugar Shack on Main Street is another breakfast place, as is Shore House Cafe. There are a slew of chain retaurants on Main Street near the pier, the men might like BJ's Pizza. I like the chili but the pizza is not my favorite (mostly bread).

San Diego right on the boardwalk besides the Green Flash is World Famous on the boardwalk a couple of blocks down and its really good and you can sit outside and watch the goofballs go by..
Also, Lahaina's is one of the best oceanfront dive bars in the world!

About a block away from Von's grocery in Pacific Beach is a great breakfast place called the Broken Yolk on Garnet Avenue. Open for breakfast and lunch only, reasonable and delicious.

ONE More Question....VERY IMPORTANT!

Where is the closest IN & Out Burger??? We have dreamt about them since our last trip! LOL

Here's their location locator. Input your starting addresses, and the rest is Internet magic!

http://www.in-n-out.com/locations.asp

And the nearest one to the HB Hilton is about 3 miles away, up on Beach Blvd, FYI. Yum.

Closest In n Out is in Pacific Beach at Garnet/Highway 5 going North..

TahitiTams
Re: Lahaina's is one of the best oceanfront dive bars in the world!

Considering my hubby and I met in a dive bar in Chicago 18 years ago (he was dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ - but that is another story!) ...we will most definately have to go there one night! thank goodness we are dragging Grandma with us...woohoo! I get a night out!

One more thing...SAFE AREA'S for TEENS??? Can I let the kids wander the boardwalk / beach together? during the day? evening?

What about the shopping district that is close to the Capri? Or in Huntington? I need to know where I can give them some freedom and where I need to rein them in. We are city people and they know how to deal with the homeless, the one's that are harmless anyway.

I just know that the older one's are gonna want to hang and meet some locals...where is it safe to do that???

Cannot thank everyone enough for the information! You guys are great!!! Please give me any other tourist info that I might have forgotten to ask...I am so excited to be going back...
janet

Hey Janet,
You are my kind of gal..love Lahaina's and so will you..ride your bike up to the boardwalk or walk..loud music, cheap beer and us crazy locals having a blast! Watch the waves and the surfers..they need more of these kind of places in the world..((D))
Your kids will be fine on the boardwalk up and down riding some rental bikes..make sure they have a bike lock..
they can go to Belmont Park which is about a mile or two down the boardwalk..they will love the wave rider and the roller coaster rocks..
There is homeless people but they usually keep to themselves and drink tall boys on the wall..just have them keep their wits about them.
Do get up to La Jolla..its the next town north and the coastline is gorgeous and that is where you want to go shopping!
Georges at the Cove is wonderful on the terrace for lunch/dinner/drinks..
Tower 23 a block away from the Capri would be lovely for a romantic dinner.
The weather has been in the 80's but as always that can change..
Rubios for fish tacos is a must too..
You are going to have so much fun and the Capri is a good spot..
The ocean water is around 59-60 but with a wetsuit will be just fine...kids will love to boogie board.
Can't wait to hear your Trip Report!

rubios.com
georgesatthecove.com
t23hotel.com