We are staying in a condo in Solana Beach in mid April for 8 days and need advice on what to see and how to go about it. We are renting a car and know for sure that we want to go to Sea world, the Zoo, La Jolla, Balboa Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Padres game and a round of inexpensive golf somewhere. We wondered if it is worth going to L.A. and if we should take the train or drive? What about Disneyland? We want to get in as much as we can while visiting. Any advice out there for our itinerary? Thanks

San Diego Wild Animal Park is a more unique experience than the zoo. Of course, if you're from an area where there isn't a great zoo..............then nevermind

should you go do disneyland??? only you can decide that. you can do it in a day trip. i usually leave VERY early from san diego so that i'm in anaheim before the majority of the rush hour starts. have breakfast there and then you are set to go as soon as the park opens. stay at least until 7:00 p.m. to again avoid rush hour and head back.
but, there is plenty to do in san diego to fill up 8 days.
go to pizza port in solana beach if you like pizza.

There is so much to do around there I can't imagine going to LA as well- if you do everything you listed your days will be full.
Solana Beach has an area called the Cedros Design area with lots of cool shops-
North of Solana Beach is Carlsbad with the Carlsbad Company Stores Outlet Mall so lots of great shopping.
Torry Pines has some nice hiking trails
with views of the ocean -
Drive up to Oceanside and have lunch at Rubys at the end of the Oceanside Pier-
( just a diner- not fine dining) We saw dolphins the last time we were there.

Is there any reasonably priced public golf courses that the guys could go while we shopped in Carlsbad? Are there some places that we would be better taking the train from Solana beach than driving? Can you take the train to Disneyland from there? Thanks

You can take Amtrak from Solana Beach to Anaheim-- but the latter station is a mile or so away from Disneyland, over by the Big Ed (Angels Stadium). You can get a cab from there. It takes maybe an hour and a half and costs $13 one-way. Check out amtrak.com. It's an easy drive of an hour or so, straight up I-5.

don't know of any reasonable priced golf course in Carlsbad area - there is a website "SanDiego golf reservations"
and they have prices for some of the courses around -might check with them-

you could take the train downtown- no parking hassle then -

suggest lunch at George's in La Jolla-
incredible views- and if that sounds too expensive - try Brockton Villa- right on the cove.

Taking the train downtown sounds like a good idea. What should we be sure to see while there? Also, do they usually have plenty of tickets during the week to catch a Padres game so that we don't have to get them ahead of time? Thanks to everyone for the advice.

The downtown train station is close to the Embarcadero, so you could walk to the Star of India, the Harbor Cruise, the Midway museum, Seaport Village.

Padres tickets should be available, it depends on who they are playing.

I don't know how resonalbe it is, but my dad always played at El Camino golf course in Carlsbad. Nice course and I know it used to be reasonable.

I second the walking on the pier and eating at Ruby's in Oceanside - we do it every year. Dolphins are quite common along the coast, but it is just a matter of luck in them being there when you look.

In Laguna Beach, you can see the sea lions out on the rocks. The Mission at San Juan Capistrano is interesting - if you go by Amtrack, the station it right next to the mission.

Also consider Knotts Berry Farm as an alternative to Disneyland. Driving to Disneyland isn't too much of a hassle if you can use the HOV lane - there is an exit right to the park's parking lot