I have never been to San Deigo, and I have always heard great things about it. Unfortunately instead of spending 4 days in San Deigo and 1 day in Palm Springs, I am doing the opposite. Anyhow that is a different story.
I know one day in San Deigo wont be doing it justice. But would you guys reccomend me something that will maximise by experience there.
I am planning on driving there from Palm Spring, maybe leave around 9 am and get into San Deigo around 11 (I guess).
I would like to go somewhere lively for lunch and maybe walk around. Any suggestions??
After that I would like to hit maybe one or two areas and then end up somehere nice for dinner.
COuld you guys maybe highlight one or two areas.
I ideally I could drive from one to the other.
Thanks

First, I suggest you leave Palm Springs by 8am. This would give you a little additional time in San Diego.

In the morning, you could explore the Embarcadero area...the Star of India, the Midway...have lunch at the Fish Market (Downstairs is very casual, upstairs a little more dressy, but you can make reservations upstairs and you may want to do this as it's a very popular place.)

You can also stroll on to Seaport Village from the Fish Market, but I would say after lunch go to Balboa Park. You could do a VERY quick trip round the Zoo, or just wander round the various museums in the Park. You could go to the Prado restaurant(very good, sit outside on the terrace) right in the center of the Park for dinner. This will leave you close to State 163 and an easy drive back to Palm Springs.

Please note the spelling of San Diego..it will make it easier to search if you spell it correctly.

One note about previous post: Touring the Midway takes a couple of hours -- lots of walking up and down steps. I only mention that because, given the short time you have, you may want to think about how long you have and budget accordingly.

For one of the meals, you can walk to Little Italy -- north end of downtown, near the aiport -- and eat at one of the places that has outdoor seating, or maybe grab dessert on the run from one of the bakeries.

If I was having friends come in from out of town for only 1 day, I would take them to La Jolla...you can walk on the beach at La Jolla Shores, window shop and eat lunch at Alfonso's in the downtown area, see the seals at the Childrens Pool and walk around the rocky shorline of La Jolla cove.

I second K2riders suggestion- I would totally skip Seaport Village ( full of lots of little shops filled with touristy things) and downtown SD and head for LaJolla
Lunch at Georges with beautiful views of the cove would be nice or for something less expensive - Brockton Villa- also has great views of the cove.

Thanks for the suggestions.
I think I wil drive from Palm Springs direct to La Jolla roam around there and then at then when it gets dark, or later during the day go into Town.
Quick questions
Not to sound ignorant but should I park anywhere and then walk around, or is the boardwalk very long and I should hit a certain part of La Jolla. I probably want to go and have lunch at Georges or Brockton Villa.
Then after strolling around go into the SD downtown area and hit Old Town or GasLamp for early dinner. Does that make sense logistically. I have never been to these places, and want to get back on the road by 9pm. to head back to Palm Springs.

Old Town Mexico is a great place to hang-out. You could park your car and walk everywhere. You might want to do it in the evening though, incase it gets too hot during the day. You certainly wouldnt enjoy walking there in the hot sun. If you like shopping, Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town is a good place to see/buy Mexican stuff..There are lots of good restaurants in Old Town that serve very authentic and delicious Mexican food...Point Loma is truly breathtaking for its spectacular views of the bay/downtown SD on one side and the pacific on the other side.

Thanks gimix.
Sorry to bug you guys today, last question. I got these directions from Map quest. Does this make sense.
They are from Palm Springs to La Jolla

6. Take ramp onto I-10 WEST - go 18.5 mi
7. Take the CA-60 exit toward RIVERSIDE - go 17.9 mi
8. Take the I-215 SOUTH exit toward SAN DIEGO - go 30.8 mi
9. Merge onto I-15 SOUTH - go 49.8 mi

dowtown LaJolla is pretty compact area and easy to walk around- parking can be difficult on the street but there is public parking too.
Think you have a good plan to go there first and then into SD for dinner - havent been to Old Town but hear some of the restaurants have closed -
there are lots of great choices in the GasLamp area -

The OP wants to "maximise" his/her experience in San Diego. Doesn't that mean seeing some of the things San Diego has to offer that you can't get elsewhere? You can shop anywhere, and there's a really good outlet mall not far from Palm Springs. So why go to La Jolla to shop?


gimix, the Bazaar del Mundo no longer exists. Old Town San Diego-I don't know where Old Town Mexico is-has changed a lot in the last few months.

I think everybody is just giving her different options to consider...then the choice is up to her.

Working for the police dept for the last 20 years, I can give you plenty of reasons why someone would want to avoid certain areas....Balboa Park is a "jewel" to the tourist industry but is quite the opposite when the blinders are off.

k2rider, I've lived here for 28yrs, so I'm well aware that there are areas of Balboa Park I wouldn't want to go in. But, the touristy, museum areas are fine, especially in daylight,and the Prado valet parks.

KG6C - Your directions are partially right, however, the 1-15 will take you into inland San Diego. Depending on where you decide to go, you will have to cut over to the coast.

I always like La Jolla-not so much for the shopping as just the view and the nice restaurants. There isn't a boardwalk in La Jolla. There is a park area and some places where you can go down into the cove but the coast line is on a rocky bluff. The view from Brockton Villa is amazing.
To get to La Jolla
You are going south on I-15
Take the 163 South (towards downtown)
go about 2 miles
Exit on the 52 going west - go about 6-7 miles west - Do not get on I-5 but continue straight onto Ardath Road.
Follow this down into La Jolla.
Ardath Road becomes Torrey Pines Rd.
Turn left onto Prospect and this will take you into downtown La Jolla.

After La Jolla you can then go to downtown SD, Balboa Park or Old Town. Old Town is open with new owners but don't know what is like now.

I would definitely start a little earlier. I think 8 am would be a good time. If you are going to drive from PS,you might as well have the whole day to enjoy San Diego.

Just to clarify, the former Bazaar del Mundo was not Old Town. Old Town is separate and has not changed. There are several good restaurants in Old Town which had no relationship to the Bazaar.

The Bazaar's former location, with shops and restaurants has a new leaseholder. Some of the former Bazaar shops have recently re-opened just down the road, next to the Casa de Guadalajara restaurant. The former leaseholder is planning to re-open the Bazaar at the old police headquarters, which are adjacent to Seaport Village, towards the end of 2006.

Barbara - You're right about Old Town. I always seem to just lump the two together. I know some shops have reopened at the site of the old Bazaar Del Mundo but don't know anything about them. I did see the news story on TV I think last week or the week before showing that Bazaar del Mundo had reopened at Taylor and Juan street.

Thank you to everyone, who have helped me plan this day trip.
This is the outcome.
I will leave around 8 and get to La Jolla area and find parking somewhere and walk around. Get lunch at the Brocktin Villa (is this place walkable from downtown La Jolla) or do I have to drive to the place here.
Than I will head into town near Seaport Village and walk around there and get dinner. (I may have some time before that, is there any popular street likewith shops where maybe I could start with). FOr example, if I get to Seaport VIllage is that walkable to the other areas or should I drive to some other part of town from La Jolla and then end up at Seaport Village. (thinking of eating at Busters Beach House). Then from Seaport head back to Palm Springs. The directios I got from Mapquest were pretty complicated, do you all recommend an easier way.
Thanks again everyone.

you can walk to the Brockton Villa from anywhere in downtown La Jolla-
Seaport Village is one of my least favorite places - but not really familiar with the restaurants there.
If you still have time after lunch in LaJolla and before dinner you might stop at Mission/Pacific Beach area - there is a long boardwalk , lots of little shops and restaurants - I always enjoy the area although it gets a bad rap from some- and my favorite restaurant there is the Green Flash-
You will be passing by on the way from LaJolla to downtown.

I have a similar question - I will be in SD for 4 days, but really only able to sight-see on 2 of those days. I will be staying at the Westin Horton Plaza. Do you think it's worth renting a car, or is there enough to see in that area to keep us occupied on foot for 2 days? I would like to see La Jolla, and I guess we would have to rent a car for that, but I would rather not. Any input would be very helpful!

Thanks

KBS531- I definately think it would be worth it to rent a car for at least a day and visit some of the beach towns north of the city- LaJolla, Carlsbad etc-
however they do have pretty good public transportation so guess you could go that way -
there is a coaster train that you can take from downtown up to Oceanside - it stops in several of the beach towns including Carlsbad- but does not stop in LaJolla .

I have to chime in here about Seaport village. If you are only going to be in San Diego one day, just skip it. A lot of the SD tourism websites include Seaport Village as a "must see" in San Diego, but its really just a big tourist trap. The parking is also a nightmare.
Balboa Park is a beautiful area. The Museum of Photographic Arts has a great user friendly exhibit right now of National Geographic photos, including the famous "Afghan Girl."
I would definately go to La Jolla (George's is my favorite) then either go to another beach area (Pacific, Mission or Solana Beach) and end in Balboa Park, dinner at the Prado in Balboa Park, or one of the great restaurants in Little Italy. Indigo Grill and Trattoria Fantastica are both terrific. Good luck.