San Diego CA, Tijuana?
 

Hi I'm going to San Diego in July. I was wondering what are the best places to stay and do (besides Zoo and Sea World). Also I've heard bad things about Tijuana. Is it worth going to? Thanks for the help.

In San Diego, for Luxury Hotel I would recommend the Sheraton Grand Torrey Pines although it is a bit out of the way for most things.

If you are not looking for Deluxe, the La Jolla Marriott is also a very nice hotel and in lovely La Jolla.

Personally I would skip Tijuana, it is filthy with unbathed children begging in the streets and a very unpleasant place.

In San Diego, for Luxury Hotel I would recommend the Sheraton Grand Torrey Pines although it is a bit out of the way for most things.

If you are not looking for Deluxe, the La Jolla Marriott is also a very nice hotel and in lovely La Jolla.

Personally I would skip Tijuana, it is filthy with unbathed children begging in the streets and a very unpleasant place.

Sure, Tijuana is filthy and discusting, but that is what makes it interesting. If you like the typical tourist experience, stay in a luxury hotel, go to Sea World, go to the San Diego Zoo, spend a day in La Jolla (a quaint, terribly typical, upscale tourist spot) and while you're at it, visit downtown San Diego's Horton Plaza, where you can find great stores like the Body Shop, the Gap, Nordstrom and all kinds of stores that you will find nowhere else--I hope you sense my sarcasm. If you feel like doing something a little more off the beaten path, go to "TJ" for a day. If you go with an open mind, you might even enjoy yourself.

San Diego is truly a great place to vacation. If you want to get a taste of Mexico you need to go somewhere other than TJ. It can be dangerous and not worth "the atmosphere." Please visit Old Town. It has many wonderful shops and restaurants that will give you a flavor of Mexico.
In all fairness, many Americans do cross the border and return safely, though. The Princess Resorts is a very nice place to stay. It is close to Sea World and right on Mission Bay - with all the water activities. Some other suggestions are The Wild Animal Park, Balboa Park, and Sea Port Village. Have a wonderful vacation!!

THE hotel in San Diego is the Del Coronado. located on the beach, she is a classic. The Hyatt by Seaport Village is a great location for downtown . Take the red trolly down to Mexico for a little adventure, better than driving, and experince something new. Don't forget your ID....Enjoy

Beware of the Surfer's Motor Lodge in Pacific Beach,CA, near San Diego. Even though it's in Fodor's San Diego Guide it does NOT belong there.

It is a shabby, run-down, dingy place with stained linens and moldy bathrooms and no screens. It seems insecure and dangerous and doesn't even qualify for a AAA sticker.

There are bugs, mildew everywhere, and you wouldn't want to shower there.

Ironically, the Fodors San Diego guide leaves out a clean, modern, secure Best Western (the Blue Sea Lodge) which is right next door, and also directly on the beach.

Hope you have a great time here. Also suggest going to the Stephen Birch Aquarium near UCSD. Walk through Old Town, Balboa Park. Many nice Italian restaurants in Gaslamp (downtown on 5th ave)--Fio's,
Salvatorres, or jump up to the funky Hillcrest (north on 5th ave)and check out Kemo Sabe restaurant or Mixx. A Taste of Thai on University/5th ave is very good-quite reasonable $$. Go to TJ and have a beer along Avenida Revolution (the main drag-but "dry" over 4th of July weekend!) It is a foreign country but has lot's of bargaining potential if you like that. Stroll along the boardwalk area in Pacific Beach for people watching (beware the roller-bladers!)Drive east about an hour for a lovely hike in Cuyamaca State Park (warm this time of year, but lovely hiking-parking fee is about $5)
Hope you have a great time!!

If you want to see a beautiful beach, visit La Jolla Cove at sunset. There are lot of grassy areas to have a picnic and watch the sunset.

If you would like to learn more about the history of San Diego, there is a great guided walking tour that leaves from the Glorietta Bay Inn on Coronado and takes you through the Hotel Del Coronado. They have it a few days a week - call the hotel for details.

If you like the outdoors, Cabrillo National Monument at the end of Point Loma has beautiful views of the city and its surroundings with some good walking trails down to tide pools.

The nightlife is great in the Gaslamp Qtr downtown - there's something for every age.

Make sure you have some fish tacos while you are in San Diego!

Have fun!

Tijuana? By all means go. Old Town will give you the flavor. TJ will give you the experience. It is very interesting.

Eric: My fellow travelers have offered some good advice, so I won't repeat them. Across from the Del are two great restaurants, the Brigantine for seafood and Miguel's for Mexican. Museums at Balboa Park are great; Organ Pavilion has recitals at 2 on Sundays. If you want fish tacos, go to Catalina to a wonderful little outdoor restaurant next door to the Casino. Have a great trip!