Our family of four will be visiting San Diego in May. Moving about by public transportation is usually an integral and enjoyable part of our travel and learning experience. Freeways are not. We've got Downtown, Coronado, etc figured out. We're trying to plan our day trips to La Jolla and Torrey Pines. Is it possible? If so, how?

Try this site sdcommute.com.
Also, do a search here for San Diego Transportation and maybe you could work something out.
I live in S.D and love taking public transpo in other cities but not here. Usually, if we take the trolley somewhere, we drive to get there. The buses are dismal in this city but I'm sure it can be done. Take along a good watch, a book and a lot of patience.

Lived in San Diego and visited very many times since leaving: rent a car.
M

I went to UCSD and even most of us students all had cars, I'm afraid. La Jolla and Torrey Pines are worth the visit, but you'll have to rent a car. It would also allow you to go to the Wild Animal Park, if you're interested.

Not knowing where you will be staying makes it a bit more difficult to offer much help. The web site L84SKY mentioned has maps and is easy to navigate. However, the freeways here are also easy to navigate and along with the other posters, I recommend using a car.

If you are staying in the downtown area, it would take 20 minutes at the most to drive to the village area of La Jolla. A bus will take a lot longer, but you also don't have to park it when you get there. Maybe about the same driving time to Torrey Pines where there is plenty of parking for a small fee.

Rent a car. I don't think you have to use a freeway to get from downtown SD to La Jolla but a car is the only way to go. Ditto from La Jolla to Torrey Pines.

Using public transportation to
La Jolla/Torrey Pines will be a day trip in itself to get there..
Rent a car..you can get them for less than $20 a day!

Thanks for all your help!
We'll be staying at The Hyatt at Seaport Village. So getting around downtown is simple enough. Our preference for public transportation is always about the experience, not the expense. It's part of teaching the babies responsible travel. (They've become excellent travellers.)
Some cities, San Francisco for one, provide systems that allow for total access easier than by car. Sounds like San Diego poses too much of a challenge to consider the experience. Rental it is!
How about a casual spot with a view for lunch in La Jolla? Kids (11 & 15) are Burger-ers, Mom and Dad like salads and seafood.
Again, thanks.

Brockton Villa is one option. Across from the ocean, funky place.
http://brocktonvilla.com/1.html

Alfonso's for Cal-Mex.
M

Hey JRP..
Brockton Villa, Alfonso's are great restaurants..
Maybe Crab Catcher for lunch or Georges at the cove but do the terrace..casual and fab food and view!

crabcatcher.com
georgesatthecove.com

TT,
Have you been to George's on the Cove elegant restaurant since the change in ownership?
Always our fav (later '70's - early '00's).
Muchas gracias.
M

Hola mikemo..
I have not but they have a peak of their new menu and it looks good..
reasonable too..
You can't beat the food, service and of course the view.

Mikemo, no change in ownership, just a new look for the restaurant and menu.

Barbara..
Didn't even see the change of ownership question..
George Hauer and his chef Trey Forshee and Mark Oliver, are still the main investors..

They all sound great! George's website is enticing. We'll see if the kids buy in. Great recommendations- thanks.

Lo siento, I thought someone had stated a month or six weeks ago, that George's had been sold.
We may try to get back in September.
Is Thee Bungalow in Ocean Beach still functioning? I think I saw it was sold sometime last year.
M

Mike, yes, Thee Bungalow was sold to the Cohn Restaurant Group. As far as I know, it's still open, but I don't know if they've changed anything.

http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/cohn/cohnrestaurants/

JRP,
Good decision. Never rent a car when visiting San Francisco. ALWAYS rent one when visiting San Diego (or LA for that matter).

JRP, Enjoy my town. La Jolla and Torrey Pines are definitely worth the visit.