Did a search for San Diego and didn't find much info. Planning trip for later August and have just begun to research....could you give me a few ideas to get started? No young children so will not want to do any amusement parks. Are there any National Forests in the area like Muir Woods which we loved? Side trips? Approx how long of a stay would be suggested?

First, go to the destination part of this web site and read what you find about San Diego. Next, take the time to read some of the many hundreds of posts about San Diego. What is attracting you to the area?

I'll try to get you started and let others chime in.

As far as "touristy" things, I would plan on seeing the following: the zoo (a must!), Coronado (beautiful!), Balboa Park, Cabrillo Point (great views), the Midway (new and very interesting). You might consider Sea World - it's fine for adults, but skip Leogland because it is truly geared for kids. I wouldn't head up to the Wild Animal Park in August until I checked the weather - it gets pretty hot up there in Escondido. They are usually open at night, so that would be an option if you really wanted to visit.

There's beautiful hiking at Torrey Pines State Beach (on the bluffs above the beaches), and some of the nice local hikes would be Cowles Mountain, Iron Mountain, and Los Penasquitos Canyon. You should be able to google any of these for more information.

Enjoy our beautiful city!

A few more places to add to KMPORDAGEE's fine list: Seaport Village & Gaslamp District (downtown), Old Town & La Jolla. Enjoy your stay!

if you did a search for san diego and didn't find much information i think you need to use a better search engine, bud.

not only will you find endless info here on fodors talk, you will also find excellent info in fodors "destinations"...go to the fodors home page and stgart from there.

there's a state park out at poinr loma, with a tourist center, programs, and rangers.

hb06 - A good place to start is www.sandiego.org which is the official tourist website. Send for their free visitor booklet.

Sandy

I just did a search for "San Diego" within the travel talk area. Believe me, I've used this site for many trips and it has been most helpful. Actually, nothing is attracting us to San Diego, other than we have never been there and heard it was great. Thanks for the tips that you posters sent. I will do my "homework"!

If you're not opposed to renting a car and not staying in downtown San Diego, we absolutely loved the Loews Hotel on Coronado Island. Gorgeous property, easy access to ocean, gondola rides... It's bit removed from the main drag of Coronado, so a car is absolutely essential.

If you prefer to be able to walk to at least a few things (other than onsite restaurants and such), I would either stay on the main drag on Coronado or in the Gaslamp District.

Enjoy your trip to San Diego!

hb06 - There is so much about San Diego on this board that I was a little curious about you not finding much info. So I typed in "San Diego" and I will agree that not as much came up as I expected and some strange things came up that I didn't expect! I know that the subject of how to search has been discussed on this forum.

Anyway, try searching some different ways. I put in "San Diego Hotels" and there were 30 posts since 11/04. I then tried "San Diego Zoo" got about the same amount. Also try "Coronado" and "La Jolla", I couldn't believe how many La Jolla posts there were and they are all recent. Seems like when you type in more than just San Diego it pulls up a variety of posts.

San Diego is a beautiful city and there is a lot to see. August is a pretty busy month so I would plan ahead accordingly. You have already received some good advice. Do searches on those topics and then we can answer any specific questions you have.