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Four Days in San Diego for adventuresome couple

Four Days in San Diego for adventuresome couple

Old Jun 2nd, 2011, 06:06 PM
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Four Days in San Diego for adventuresome couple

Hello all,

I am planning four days in San Diego for my girlfriend and I. July 17 through July 20. I could use some advice in terms of the best order to do certain things in San Diego, and if I should pass on any, or if I should definitely do something I haven't thought of. I've done the research on the forums and think it's time I posted to get advice!

Background about us: We are really active, do sprint triathlons, love the outdoors, and also love romantic spots and activities and things.

I should also say that I really would like to propose to her on this trip - so please keep that in mind.

Okay, here I go:

We've done a safari in South Africa (during a missions trip) and so I feel I should pass on Wild Animal Park...but maybe it's amazing...lots people on these forums speak highly of it. I thought I'd hear more favorable things about the San Diego Zoo too on these forums, but people aren't gushing about it. Plus, it's summertime and blazing so maybe I should pass because the animals will be lethargic or sleeping.

We obviously have to go view seals at Casa Beach at La Jolla in the early evening/evening. Where exactly should we park for this? Are the tide pools pretty close as well, and can you see cool sealife in them sometimes? I guess I should time things to go after the tides start to recede....

We obviously also have to check out Torrey Pines State Park, and do some cliff-side hiking. Do you recommend a specific hike, or should we just go exploring?

My girlfriend loves lighthouses. We've seen so many, we've spent the night in one, it may be romantic as heck if I propose at the top of a lighthouse during sunset. Do you know of any that we can ascend all the way to the very, very top and be outside behind a railing?

I figure we also should go kayaking - I was thinking about these outfitters: http://www.aqua-adventures.com/tours.html

Have any of you done any of them? Maybe the moonlight coastal paddle from La Jolla to Mission Bay would be super cool? Is there one where we would see more wildlife/sealife than others? Maybe if we go to the Sea Caves, I could propose in there? But maybe there will be other people around and it will be lame to do it there...

Is it worth going to Coronado Island?

I thought about the San Diego Old Town Trolley Tour (http://www.trolleytours.com/san-dieg...sp)...thinking we would start early in the day and go until night doing things like seeing the Gaslamp District...but honestly we won't really appreciate the history or the shopping...and maybe we should just drive to the Gaslamp District one evening and have dinner there, and call it good. What might I really miss out at Old Town if I don't go?

I'm also wondering if I should just rent a place through VRBO that is centrally-located...where we can just use as our launching spot for all of our day trips and adventures...or if I should go the hotel route.... I guess I'd like to know what town/area would be ideal to look for a place to stay. I should probably also say that I really don't like driving or traffic in general, and I know it's California, but anything we can do to minimize that would be wonderful!

I'm a little nervous about Comic-Con (which starts on the 20th). That might affect how crowded everything is. But maybe not. I have no clue.

That's all I've got for now. I so appreciate your help, advice, thoughts, and concerns - they'll definitely help me try to make this a really amazing trip for my girlfriend.

Papsicle
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Old Jun 2nd, 2011, 06:33 PM
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The safari park is neat, but it is inland and can get hot. But there are some neat things to do there. We are members so we go there pretty often. There is zip lining and segway tours, they look like fun but I haven't been on them yet. The photo safari through the park and feeding the giraffe and rhinos was a lotbof fun. But if you have been to Africa, I don't know...

There are hot air balloons near Del Mar.

Gas Lamp was fun, great food and bars. Lots of bike trails.

Have fun!
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Old Jun 2nd, 2011, 06:53 PM
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There is a lighthouse at Pt. Loma. You can't climb into the lantern, but there are amazing views of San Diego and Coronado Island, nice hiking trails, tide pools. It's a beautiful spot at sunset.
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Old Jun 3rd, 2011, 07:14 AM
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I will try to answer as much as I can.

First, if you are going to be in San Diego during ComicCon - get your place to stay ASAP. Hotels in downtown San Diego / Gaslamp will be pricey and full.

If you have been on a real safari, the Wild Animal Park, now the Safari Park, will not impress. Contrary to what you say others have said, the SD Zoo is amazing. During the summer they have nighttime zoo, with a better chance of seeing the animals awake. As far as zoos goes, its great.

The seals at the Children's Pool in La Jolla - don't know if you know, but there is amazingly a great deal of controversy over them. There are actually people who don't want them there. Anyway, park whereever you can at the La Jolla cove. During summer, that will be at a premium, so just be aware. Tidepools are close by. Definately go to the caves, but there will be other people around. It is summer after all. Walk around the town, go up to Georges rooftop deck. Its lovely there.

Torrey Pines is just north of La Jolla. Drive over there and just walk. There's an interpretive center there and they can guide you to whatever type of walk you want.

Yes, it is worth it to go to Coronado. The beach is lovely. Check out the Del.

You say you are active people. I would not think the Old Town Trolley Tour would be of interest to you. Old Town is not what it used to be, IMHO. You can walk around it yourself, eat some Mexican food at Old Town Mexican Cafe.

The Gaslamp is fun for nightlife. It will be crazy with ComiCon.

There is one lighthouse in San Diego. Its in Pt. Loma at the Cabrillo National Monument. Its tiny, so not sure if inside would be a great place to propose. The views from there are spectacular - maybe propose in the area with the lighthouse in the background?

You have lots of choices for your short stay. Enjoy!
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Old Jun 3rd, 2011, 09:45 AM
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We took a Segway tour through the Gaslamp Area and then into Balboa Park. Very fun and informative. I can't remember the name of the tour company, but I know it was very highly rated on Tripadvisor.
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Old Jun 5th, 2011, 02:12 AM
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papsicle: Avoid the Wild Animal park in the summer because it's too hot. Go to the San Diego zoo instead...it's great year-round. I have seen zoos around the country (and some around the world), and our zoo is beautifully laid out...the grounds are as nice as the animals. The zoo is big enough so that if you walk far away from the entrance you can get away from the crowds. Try to get to the zoo in the morning to get parking. I'd say various animals at the zoo are active either in the morning or else, in the case of nocturnal animals, such as some of the cats, they are sometimes more active later in the day, as the sun sinks lower and it gets cooler.

I live in San Diego and its equally crowded all summer, no worries about any particular time being more crowded. Here is what you can do about that. Keep in mind that the most crowded time for parking and crowds will always be between noon and 2:00 pm. If you can get someplace early you will be ahead of the crowd. If that doesn't work for you, it sometimes is best to wait and get there around 3:00. That includes the beaches. By 3:00 people with small kids or people who need to get home for dinner are leaving and you can find parking and its less crowded once again.

Avoid SeaWorld in the summer as it doesn't handle crowds well, especially avoid Sea World on the weekend.

You can take a beautiful walk or jog in the La Jolla Cove area and Children's pool area...they are walking distance from each other in La Jolla. Beautiful sea views, and there are seals there too. Lots of good places for breakfast or lunch on the nearby streets as well.

Try a walk or job at La Jolla Shores, the swimming beach, in the late afternoon when you might get parking and some people start going home.

Balboa Park is next to the zoo and its always a pleasant place to stroll. There are museums, and usually some "street" musicians performing outside.

I'm not sure if you are this adventurous but there is hand-gliding at Torrey Pines cliffs if the winds are right. If you can't fly, you can always watch! However every few years somebody is killed trying to climb down the cliffs. It's only safe if you are actually on the pathway that used to be there...years ago...haven't been on that pathway in many years...can't even remember where it is. Be smart.

Pt. Loma has some tide pools as well.

Have fun...
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Old Jun 5th, 2011, 02:14 AM
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Woops typo...I meant try a jog at La Jolla shores...not a job!
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Old Jun 5th, 2011, 02:20 AM
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Oh yes...good luck proposing...you will do fine! But just to tell you the light house in Pt. Loma is small and not too exciting. However as someone said above there are some great views in Pt. Loma...I just don't think the lighthouse itself will live up to your girlfriend's expectations. La Jolla and Coronado also have some beautiful romantic spots along the beaches. When its the right moment to propose, it matters where you are on the INSIDE...NOT where you actually are standing outside. Sincerity is what counts. Also I always say...if you think about it...you know what romance actually is...romance is the ultimate thoughtfulness. When you are being very very thoughtful...you are often being romantic.
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Old Jun 5th, 2011, 01:00 PM
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I don't think you can get outside the railing at Cabrillo Lighthouse, but you might try e-mailing them and ask if it can be arranged. Who knows?

I've never heard of the moonlight paddle from La Jolla to Mission beach, but that sounds like fun, and another memorable spot to propose if you are not in a big group.

I think a very romantic place to propose would be in Coronado at sunset. There is a seawall consisting of huge boulders all along Ocean Blvd that separates the sidewalk from the beach. There are access steps every so often, and benches on top of the wall. Go to one at the middle, as it will be more secluded than the ones at the ends by the Hotel Del or dog beach.

If it is a great sunset, tell her every sunset is better with her and ask her to marry you.
If it is a poor sunset (unlikely), tell her it didn't matter, as she is better than any sunset and you want to be with her forever. (***)

People who attend Comic Com tend to sleep and eat in the downtown area of San Diego. unless you are in that area, it's unlikely you'll even know it is there.

Then head down to the Del and have a drink overlooking the ocean.

***Feel free to think up a more appropriate proposal. My husband proposed to me at this spot and we've been married almost 30 years. I thought it was a memorable, romantic spot.

( ;-) Too bad there was some confusion when he asked if I wanted to get engaged... Getting engaged is NOT the same as saying "Will you marry me?"
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Old Jun 5th, 2011, 03:15 PM
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Lcuy, I just had to post this even though it's only very peripherally OT (sorry Papsicle)... In 1944, my mom's best friend was proposed to by her boyfriend, a German immigrant -- he said " I want you for my wife". To which she replied: " What's she going to do with me?" I still smile when I think about it.
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Old Jun 5th, 2011, 03:29 PM
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I wouldn't bother with the Zoo--IMHO, seen one, seen them all.

We really enjoyed touring the USS Midway--spent about four hours there. The harbor cruise was also very good.

We spent two days in Balboa Park, walking around and seeing many of the museums.

We did a self-guided historical walking tour of the Gaslamp District--pleasant, but nothing special.
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Old Jun 9th, 2011, 05:36 PM
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Hi all!

Thanks so much for the fantastically detailed advice, and for the encouragement. I appreciate it! I have decided this is what we will do - definitely let me know if you have any thoughts/advice. I will value it!

Day 1, Monday. Arrive, get settled, have late lunch, go to the San Diego Zoo's Nighttime Zoo. Try to get tickets off of Craiglist, as it'll be cheaper. Have a late dinner in the Gaslamp District if possible (maybe Old Town Mexican Café? Any other recommendations?). Crash.

Day 2. Wake up, go park over at the La Jolla Golf Course (?). Walk towards the Children's Pool, check out the seals (what time of day is best?) and tide pools (wherever they are), drive over to Pt Loma, check out the lighthouse and tide pools there too, then drive over to check out Torrey Pines, hike the cliffs, take in the ocean breezes, work up a sweat, go have an early dinner somewhere (recommendations?), then either do the Moonlight Coastal Paddle from La Jolla to Mission Bay (to see the Sea Caves at night, five hour trip, from 7pm to midnight. Or we may just do the two-hour moonlight paddle, or the 2-3 hour dinner paddle. See http://www.aqua-adventures.com/tours.html for more information. If any of you have done one of these, please let me know your thoughts!

Day 3. Wake up leisurely after tiring Day 2. Head over to Coronado. I don't really know what we would do here except putz around. Maybe I can find someone who can take us sailing, my girlfriend has always wanted to learn. Alternatively, we could not go to Coronado and instead try to go Hang-gliding at Torrey Pines (http://flytorrey.com). I'm open to your input, guys - so let me know!

In the evening of Day 3, I could use a recommendation for a good restaurant.

Somewhere in all of this, I will hopefully feel compelled to drop to a knee and pop the question.

Thank you again so very much for reading over this and providing counsel and guidance!

Papsicle
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Old Jun 9th, 2011, 10:07 PM
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To do in Coronado: rent bikes for the day at Holland's bike shop. Go to the Hotel Del and walk around this Victorian marvel. There is a bike path under the bridge that is fun to ride. Fron the Del head north along Glorietta Blvd till you have the golf course on your right. At about 7th or 8th you'll see the path on your right. go under the bridge and continue to the end. There are some nice places to eat lunch or dinner there.

When you come out of the ferry landing, turn right (west) on First Street. Go all the way down to the navy gate and peek through at the ships docked there, then go back a street or two and head up any of the Avenues all the way to the beach. Head left to end up back by the Hotel del, or cut through Star park a little earlier. you can't really get lost The Hotel Del makes a great reference point!

If you're feeling energetic, you could bicycle down the Silver Strand, though I wouldn't
go any further than the Silver Strand beach park as the traffic gets bad heading into Imperial Beach..
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Old Jun 10th, 2011, 06:52 AM
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Day 2: Park at La Jolla Golf Course?? There is none, although there is a La Jolla Country Club, but that is way too far to park for the Children's Pool. You want to park around La Jolla Cove.

Sounds like a fun filled trip. I doubt you will get all in, but sounds like a good plan.
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