San Diego - 2 days in February
 

Hey there. (I'm reposting this is the CA section...)

My husband and I will be in Anaheim this month; but after his conference is over, we want to drive to San Diego.

A few questions:

1) How long will it take us to drive from the Marriott in Anaheim to the Torrey Pines Hilton in La Jolla? We will be leaving Anaheim after the conference around 1:00 p.m. on a Wednesday. Traffice terrible?? Is this a scenic drive?

2) What would you suggest we see in the short time we'll be in San Diego area. Only 1 1/2 days really. We'll have all day Thursday; and a good portion of the day Friday, but Friday afternoon we'll have to make our way back closer to John Wayne airport, because we have an early flight out Saturday morning.

3) Any suggestion as to where to stay the last night so that we are not rushed to get to the airport???

I would see the Wild Animal Park on the way in. I would see the Zoo and Balboa Park while in SD. The zoo is the best in the world, but the wild animal park is even better (the zoo owns it also). If you haven't seen a Seaworld, the that would be an option also. If you go the Wild Animal Park, do the Photo Caravan where you get to feed the animals. It is an experience feed a rhino an apple.

The drive may take an hour or longer depending on traffic. You should try to see downtown and the gaslamp area as well. If time allows, do downtown La Jolla and see the seals on their beach. Balboa Park with all its museums is nice as well. Coronado is another option as well. Del Mar at 15th and Hwy 101 with a stop at Del Mar Plaza for drinks looking out at the ocean and then a stroll on the beach is very nice. There is so much to see and do; you could easily spend 5-7 days. Just pick based on your interests. I like the zoo and wild animal park but with such limited time, would probably only do one. The zoo is AT Balboa Park so it efficient to do both.

I responded on your initial thread. Sorry you haven't taken my advice.

Barbara, both threads were made nearly at the same time so I don't think its a matter of her taking your advice.

I do agree with what you told her as I have done the same thing.

With such a short time, its hard to give suggestions without knowing someone's interests. Would definitely recommend walking around La Jolla and the Gaslamp

Ahh. I didn't pay any attention to the time they were posted. Good catch, tchoiniere.

I don't care whether or not she takes my advice, plenty of people don't! It just seemed pointless to post an identical thread. Now I understand.

Sorry! I double posted thinking I needed to get this question on the CA board and still not sure I did it right. :-/

Started to reply earlier this morning Barbara but have been sidetracked.

I did exactly as you said and looked at the San Diego destinations page and that did help.

So I'm thinking now that we'll enjoy walking around the town of La Jolla that Wednesday (walking the State Reserve there too if we have time); finding a nice restaurant there that night (Tahita Tam recommended George's I see); then make our way to Balboa Park and the zoo on Thursday. There is a car museum at Balboa Park that I bet my husband would enjoy. I'd also love to go to the Contemporary Museum of Art in La Jolla (interior design major here); thanks for the recommend...wouldn't be my husband's cup of tea but maybe a compromise??? lol Car museum for contemporary art museum??? :-)

Now for Friday. We'd have some time before heading back to Santa Ana. Any suggestions? Maybe the trolley tour of Old Towne or a harbor tour or a walk around a particular area? I need to go read about the various districts. That's what I have to figure out now...what we'd enjoy doing before heading back Friday evening.

Although the Wild Animal Park sounds great I think we'll probably skip that in leiu of just doing some leisurely walking around the city...

And excuse me, ncounty, it looks like you answered my last question. Now I'm going to read about the downtown and Gaslamp areas. Sounds like that is what we need to do on Friday.

All this contingent upon good weather of course!

Thanks a bunch everyone!

Lisa, you can spend the entire day in San Diego on Friday, and head back to John Wayne airport after dinner. No reason to end up there any sooner than necessary!

The car museum in Balboa Park isn't one of the best around but it's interesting for a short time. There is a Contemporary Art Museum in Downtown San Diego too.

Friday morning might be a good time to visit Torrey Pines - it's a beautiful place for a morning hike.

You could start heading north on Friday and stop off in Del Mar or Carlsbad. Both are nice.

Some people like to go to San Juan Capistrano or Laguna Beach both are on the way back to the airport.

IF you decide to head back Friday, I recommend a stop in SAn Juan Capistrano to stroll around and have lunch at Ramos House, a cafe right next to the train tracks which is cute, memorable and has amazing food. Another place to eat for dinner later on is a completely different place called Mastro's steak house in Irvine? very close to South Coast Plaza. You can google it if interested. It is fantastic!....very posh New York Sinatra style high end steak house. I would recommend eating at the bar and ordering various appetizers. Their shrimp cocktail is colosssal and amazing and all their side dishes and appetizers are fantastic.

Oh, San Juan Capistrano looks lovely; thanks for the recommend.

Ramos and Mastro's...making notes. Took a look at the websites...yum.

Del Mar and Carlsbad..going to look...

Thanks everyone.

There's lots to see in Balboa Park, gardens and museums for every interest. Even a full day there doesn't do it justice.

We found the USS Midway fascinating, spent four hours there, and could have spent more, but we wanted to take a harbor cruise, which was also very nice.

BTW- I may have mentioned it but just in case if you stop by a Macy's Department store you can get a pass for 1/2 off on museums in San Diego for the month of Feb.

This includes:
The Birch Aquarium (La Jolla)
Museum of Contemporary Art (LJ and downtown)
USS Midway
Automotive Museum
etc

Also, The Quail Botanical Gardens is lovely. It's in Encinitas, north of La Jolla and included in the pass. If you like gardens.

LisaMS,

Please write back after your trip with your thoughts on those experiences. I am definitely curious if you end up trying one or both of those restaurants what you think of them.

BTW, I would second L84sky's recommendation of a hike at Torrey Pines. I don't think you really have enough time to do this but it is one of THE spectacular things to do in San Diego. I would park at the top and hike down to the beach. There is a well known trail there. Again, however, that will gobble up a good 2-3 hours of time but is just gorgeous. You could then cruise up Hwy 101 and stop at Del Mar Plaza 5 minutes up the road for lunch at Pacifica Del Mar and take in more great views.

Well, ncounty, if I make it a top priority and the weather cooperates, it would be doable.

It's right there next to the Hilton I understand so maybe we can make it work Wednesday or Thursday.

Thanks for all the help.

I second the recommendation for Ramos house - wonderful! I went last year for breakfast and it was amazing. San Jaun is a very cute little town to enjoy on your way up to SNA.