First time in San Diego and area
Feb 22nd, 2007, 08:00 AM
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First time in San Diego and area
Hello,
My husband and I are leaving on Monday (Yikes!) and doing a varied trip to California, starting in san Francisco, heading to Napa, Lake Tahoe, then to Carmel, San Luis Obispo and heading finally to San Diego (bypassing Los Angeles) We have never been to San Diego nor to the area south of Laguna Beach.
We have most of the trip planned up to and including San Luis Obispo.
I am wondering if it is best to drive straight to San Diego -- we only have 3 full days from the time we leave San Luis Obispo -- or should we stop in Dana Point or San Juan Capistrano and start early the next day for San Diego.
If we stay in Dana or Capistrano -- I wonder if any of you have a preference between the Blue Lantern Inn in Dana Point or the Mission Inn in San Juan Capistrano? Trip advisor comments ranged from really good to pretty horrid for Mission Inn-- any thoughts?
We are still checking out some San Diego hotels -- we do not like the big chain type places and want to be somewhere charming (ideally near water) with easy parking and with easy access to the airport as we have a 7;00 a.m. flight - meaning be at the airport at 5:00 a.m.!!!
We are especially interested in seeing Balboa Park, Coronado, yacht clubs and going for a sail. -- maybe the zoo but not essential
Any suggestions please?
Thank you.
My husband and I are leaving on Monday (Yikes!) and doing a varied trip to California, starting in san Francisco, heading to Napa, Lake Tahoe, then to Carmel, San Luis Obispo and heading finally to San Diego (bypassing Los Angeles) We have never been to San Diego nor to the area south of Laguna Beach.
We have most of the trip planned up to and including San Luis Obispo.
I am wondering if it is best to drive straight to San Diego -- we only have 3 full days from the time we leave San Luis Obispo -- or should we stop in Dana Point or San Juan Capistrano and start early the next day for San Diego.
If we stay in Dana or Capistrano -- I wonder if any of you have a preference between the Blue Lantern Inn in Dana Point or the Mission Inn in San Juan Capistrano? Trip advisor comments ranged from really good to pretty horrid for Mission Inn-- any thoughts?
We are still checking out some San Diego hotels -- we do not like the big chain type places and want to be somewhere charming (ideally near water) with easy parking and with easy access to the airport as we have a 7;00 a.m. flight - meaning be at the airport at 5:00 a.m.!!!
We are especially interested in seeing Balboa Park, Coronado, yacht clubs and going for a sail. -- maybe the zoo but not essential
Any suggestions please?
Thank you.
Feb 22nd, 2007, 08:11 AM
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Take the Old town trolley.You can get on/off all day and the driver is a very good guide. The following days you can then visit in depth the things you really liked.You should also visit the mission of S.Juan Capistrano.It's very nice.Paul
Feb 23rd, 2007, 06:39 PM
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If you have only 3 days, I would just drive straight thru to SD, since there's quite a few things you'd like to see in SD. I recently drove SLO to SD. We stopped in Solvang for breakfast and were in SD mid afternoon before traffic started. Hopefully someone can help you out with a place to stay in SD. The first thing that came to mind, if you want to be near the water, and the airport, is the Shelter/Harbor Island area. You'd still be near downtown and not too far from Balboa Park. I'm sure someone else will have better rec's than I'm giving...
Feb 24th, 2007, 08:29 PM
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We enjoyed one night at the Montage in Laguna and 3 nights at the Hotel Del Coronado on our trip last Dec. We loved both areas, Southern CA is gorgeous. You may want to consider a stay at the Del, a very nice resort with full amenities and so much history and charm. 
I would also not miss La Jolla, shopping on Prospect, a meal at the CrabCatcher and relaxing at the cove were the highlights of our time in La Jolla. Also, gorgeous sunsets! ***kim***
I would also not miss La Jolla, shopping on Prospect, a meal at the CrabCatcher and relaxing at the cove were the highlights of our time in La Jolla. Also, gorgeous sunsets! ***kim***
Feb 25th, 2007, 09:33 AM
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Thank you all.
We decided that we don't want to drive too much and will see what we can. So we are stopping first in Dana Point and will check out San Juan Capistrano -- that is still a good drive from SLO. Then we will head off fresh in the morning to La Jolla. We will visit places there as well as San Diego and will stay in San Diego the last day. We opted for charm.
Will see the harbor anyway -- and as we have a boat, we decided that many of the places along the beaches just did not do it for us fromt the various descriptions. Many are more family oriented or seem tacky. Hotel Del Cor. was not available on the day we wanted and besides it looks huge - we don't like big hotels -- but we'll go visit.
cheers
We decided that we don't want to drive too much and will see what we can. So we are stopping first in Dana Point and will check out San Juan Capistrano -- that is still a good drive from SLO. Then we will head off fresh in the morning to La Jolla. We will visit places there as well as San Diego and will stay in San Diego the last day. We opted for charm.
Will see the harbor anyway -- and as we have a boat, we decided that many of the places along the beaches just did not do it for us fromt the various descriptions. Many are more family oriented or seem tacky. Hotel Del Cor. was not available on the day we wanted and besides it looks huge - we don't like big hotels -- but we'll go visit.
cheers
Feb 25th, 2007, 12:26 PM
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Excellent choices on both BB'S!
When in LJ, Roppongi for happy hour is really good and a block away and they have a ahi tuna stack that is to die for..La Valencia Hotel is beautiful to have drinks and listen to piano and lunch at Georges on the terrace is a must as well as having marg's at Alfonso's..love Crab Catcher for the best seafood happy hour..great ocean views..
In SD, so many great restaurants..
Chive is wonderful along with the Prado in Balboa Park too..
Have fun Swannee!
Gaslamp.org
When in LJ, Roppongi for happy hour is really good and a block away and they have a ahi tuna stack that is to die for..La Valencia Hotel is beautiful to have drinks and listen to piano and lunch at Georges on the terrace is a must as well as having marg's at Alfonso's..love Crab Catcher for the best seafood happy hour..great ocean views..
In SD, so many great restaurants..
Chive is wonderful along with the Prado in Balboa Park too..
Have fun Swannee!
Gaslamp.org
Feb 25th, 2007, 01:04 PM
#11
Why are you staying in two different B&Bs in San Diego? Instead of moving your stuff from one to the other, you could have additional sightseeing time. You won't be here for long, so why waste time?
Feb 25th, 2007, 03:22 PM
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Thanks for the suggestions TahitiTams.
Will look them up.
Barbara, to answer you question-- I know that this means more umpacking etc, however, we are doing that for the last part of the trip and are packing accordingly. This was a tough decision but we really wanted to be in LaJolla and in San Diego so we discussed it and this is what we decided.
If we don't see everything (and we won't) , we'll just come back. We are going to look at options on the trip as we have a lot of places to be at before even getting to Southern California -- and we're stay 8 days in one location -so lots of time tocheck things out.
Cheers and ciao as we are leaving early in the morning.
Will look them up.
Barbara, to answer you question-- I know that this means more umpacking etc, however, we are doing that for the last part of the trip and are packing accordingly. This was a tough decision but we really wanted to be in LaJolla and in San Diego so we discussed it and this is what we decided.
If we don't see everything (and we won't) , we'll just come back. We are going to look at options on the trip as we have a lot of places to be at before even getting to Southern California -- and we're stay 8 days in one location -so lots of time tocheck things out.
Cheers and ciao as we are leaving early in the morning.
