San Diego
 

2 seniors spending the first week in April . Staying at Point Loma Hostel. Like to hike, will have car, appreciate things we should no miss while there.
Thanks in advance.

My husband and I are renting for a month in San Diego at the moment and one of the things that we thought was well worth the visit is the

http://stuartcollection.ucsd.edu/

It is an open air art collection at the UCSD campus. It is easier to visit on a weekend since the parking is open and free then. The campus is quite hilly so it makes a nice walk and little workout as well.

We are staying in Pacific Beach and really just hanging out around the Bay and beach are also amazing. Also, is you are interested, there is a free chi gong class we have been going to in Balboa Park near the zoo. It is a lovely way to spend some time in the park:

http://www.sandiegoqigong.com/san-di...ng-classes.htm

Here's something I think you will like. USS Midway Museum…


http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/Tom_...San_Diego.html

((H))

On weekend mornings - there are various farmers markets around San Diego - including in Point Loma and Little Italy, etc.

And at the top of Sunset Cliffs - you can walk around for some beautiful views at the (Juan) Cabrillo National Monument - and they have a nice museum and gift shop there - and the tide pools down below also offer some good exploring.

Of course - the world renowned San Diego Zoo offers good ambling as does the "sister" - Safari Park - formerly called the Wild Animal Park.

kyhiker - I have some concerns about this hostel but it was from seeing it years ago. I'll ask tomsd - who may also know more.

tomsd, maybe you know, but years ago their was a hostel in Point Loma that was basically a flop house for young people and it didn't look particularly safe. I wonder if this is the same one or if it's been under new management and is nicer?

If I get a chance within the next week maybe I can swing by and check it out.

U.S.S. Midway is a good suggestion. It's something like $10-$15 to park down there all day. Just to the south of the Midway is a statue depicting the iconic picture of the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square celebrating the surrender of the Japanese in 1945. Also in the vicinity of the statue is a life-size monument depicting Bob Hope doing a USO show with audio of actual USO soundtracks.

If you don't already have one, pick up a Senior Lifetime National Parks Pass at Cabrillo National Monument near the tip of Point Loma. It's for U.S. citizens 62 years of age or older, and good for the rest of your life at any National Park...and it's only $10. Anybody who is in your car gets in with your pass. Cabrillo Nat'l Monument affords a great view of Coronado Island with downtown San Diego in the background. Walk less than 100 yards and you also have a great view of the Pacific Ocean on the other side of the Point Loma Peninsula. Great place to watch a sunset.

Sunset Cliffs Park is another great place to watch a sunset on the Point Loma Peninsula. It's at the west end of Hill Street at Sunset Cliffs Blvd. About a half mile south of Hill Street, Sunset Cliffs Blvd ends at Ladera St. and there is parking there also in a nice cliffy area overlooking the ocean.

Coronado Island is the home of Hotel del Coronado (used as backdrop in the movie "Some Like It Hot") and its classic beach. The bridge over San Diego Bay to get to Coronado Island IS FREE, despite some old signage claiming it's a tollway. The Hotel and grounds are free to walk around on. And the beach is free to use and relax upon. Just south of the hotel on Silver Strand Blvd at Avenida Lunar is a free public parking lot on the east side of the street. Park there and walk up Avenida Lunar less than a block and you're on the beach. An eaasy stroll up the beach and you're at the Hotel Del Coronado.

Mission Beach is a great kitschy beachfront area with the Belmont Amusement Park and its old roller coaster right on the beach. Park in the free parking area at the south end of the small amusement park, or across the street in one of the Mission Bay Park lots. Walk or bike the paved beachfront trail from here all the way up to La Jolla if you want.

Mission Trails Regional Park (www.mtrp.org) offers hiking of a more traditional form in the scrub hills between San Diego and Santee. Be aware of the occassional rattlesnake along the trails in this park though.

Old Town San Diego (just north of the airport) is a free touristy area that gives some insight into the original town along the san Diego River.

Balboa Park is a beautiful urban park with some nice, albeit pricy, museums and great free gardens. The Rose Garden is particularly nice. Park in one of the free parking areas along Presidents Way or take the free shuttle from the huge lot at Presidents Way and Park Blvd.

Balboa Park is also home to the San Diego Zoo. If you like to hike, you'll love the huge, hilly Zoo. Take the free bus tour of the Zoo to get your bearings, then set off on your own to to get intimate with it. If you tire, just wait for one of the free shuttles to take you back to the entrance.

Nana - if it's the hostel on Newport street - considered more Ocean Beach than Point Loma - it's not unsafe I don't think but I would certainly keep an eye on my valuables.

It's usually freaquented by younger/more hip visitors - and one could probably get a little high by inhaling some of the unique "smoke" that might be found there. :)

Personally - I would spend a little bit more and stay at the Inn at Sunset Cliffs - which has a dramatic deck - literally 20? feet above the ocean waves crashing against the rock face below you. see: innatsunsetcliffs.com,

Thanks for the excellent suggestions, I have the senior pass, what a great bargin

Does anyone know if there is a Hertz car rental near the hostel? Trying to avoid airport taxes.

localwally.com has great info on San Diego.

And if you google the hostel and look at the map of the area and then look for hertz locations; the only one near is airport All others are in towards the city.