We will be in San Diego on Dec. 20, arriving at 10:30am. We will be going on to Maui the next day. Any suggestions on how to spend the day in San Diego? Would like to keep the budget low to save for $Maui$. We know we can't see it all, but would like to get a nice feel for the city for a longer visit in the future.
Thanks!

The Zoo, stroll around the Gas Lamp Quarter, Balboa Park, take a ferry to Coronado and walk around, plenty of good places to eat in San Diego.

Are you staying overnight? If not, just take a cab to Old Town for some Mexican food. Then cab to Gaslamp for shopping and dinner. Both are close to the airport. If you rent a car, you can fit in La Jolla Cove and Coronado.

Yes, we will be staying over night. Our flight to Maui is around 8:00 the next morning. So, no late night, but would love to see some things! I will look into all suggestions.
Thanks!

Head out to Coronado and see the Hotel Del with all the Christmas decorations..it is gorgeous..
It's across from downtown SD..you can take a water taxi and then a taxi to the other end of the island.
Gaslamp area of downtown SD is great.
Go to La Jolla if you have a car..beautiful coast town.
Have lunch at George's in LJ or Island Prime on Harbor Island across from the airport.
Have a great time in SD and Maui!

sdhe.com
hoteldel.com
georgesatthecove.com

If you don't rent a car for that day, then you can only go to Gaslamp/downtown and Old Town relatively cheaply. If you want to see other areas which are worth seeing, I would rent a car and go to Coronado and LaJolla Cove and then dinner in Gaslamp.

What area should we stay? On the map I was looking at on priceline, it looks as if the downtown area is close to the aiport. I would like to try to get a hotel through priceline. Should I try for this area first? We will be renting a car, but don't want to have a long drive for our early morning flight.

Thanks!

downtown (Gaslamp) is convenient to the airport and has a ton of restaurants and nightlife. definitely bid for something there.

Our bid on priceline won the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel. Is this within walking distance to the Gas Lamp Quarter, or is parking easily found?

Thanks!

Manchester Grand Hotel is a gorgeous hotel and within walking distance to the Gaslamp..across the trolley tracks and Seaport Village..
They have valet or self parking but it will be pricey..lots around for less but you will have to walk a bit.
Have a great time!

There is a wonderful restaurant in the gaslamp district named Osetra the Fishhouse.
http://www.osetrafishhouse.com/

Balboa Park is a nice place to spend some time, not far from downtown. The zoo is a very popular attraction and not far from downtown, about $23 to get in. Good time of year to see many of the animals b/c it's a little chilly and they tend to be more active than in summer.

You'll be seeing lots of beaches in HI but Del Mar or La Jolla are lovely beaches.

Bring something warm to wear. It's been a bit chilly here lately and the nights are really cold.

The zoo is great!!