If you're heading to SD, a great place to visit is Point Loma, a California State Park. It's a beautiful peninsula with a historic lighthouse and great views.

Close to the entrance of the park is the Point Loma marina, home of Point Loma Seafoods. This is a fish market that also serves prepared seafood. Some of the best chowder I've had on the west coast, along with super fish tacos, smoked wahoo sandwiches, scalops, and lots of other great food.

If you want seafood to cook at home, this is some of the best and most fresh you'll find anywhere. Their fresh fish cases are beautiful, not to mention the lobster tanks. It's a San Diego institution for decades and a must-do stop in my opinion. I never visit SD without a stop at PLSF.

Just to clarify, the "park" is the Cabrillo National Monument. While Point Loma Seafood is a great place, it's not near the entrance to to the park, but is on the way.

Thanks for the clarifications. It's been a while since I've been, but I'm heading back next week and I've been thinking about Point Loma a lot.

Alan, I hope you have a great visit. The weather is lovely right now, mid 70s during the day and cooling off at night so you can sleep well!

Nice tip...if our son ever returns from Iraq to Camp Pendleton, we will be spending some time in S.D. -- This sounds like the perfect picnic suggestion.