ChicagoDallasGirl

We are researching destinations to celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary. Hubby mentioned San Diego and it looks like that'd be a great alternative (had been looking at cruises) for a three-four night stay. We'll be traveling with our 8-month-old son, so ideally we'll find a vacation rental that can accommodate us nicely. Usually prefer these over hotels, but would consider a Residence Inn or other suite-type hotel. Lo Jolla seems to be a good spot, but also see attractive lodging options in Ocean Beach. A friend suggested the Gaslamp District, but it seems like that might be a bit more hustle and bustle. We'd like a chill spot within close proximity/walking distance to the beach.

Must sees for us are the Birch Aquarium and the San Diego Zoo. Coronado Island looks nice and perhaps there are some historic estates to visit. Other than that, we don't yet know a lot about what else there is to see/do in the area.

We enjoy touring residences (like DeGolyer House in Dallas, Biltmore, Versailles, etc.) Are there any such attractions in the SD area? Also, we would consider tagging on a couple days in Palm Springs to see the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm (pretty much a must for hubby). Or, he'd be fine with us driving up and back, unless there's some not-to-be-missed site in PS.

Appreciate any feedback on these draft plans/ideas...

Any 'must see/do' attractions we're missing?

qwovadis

hoteldel.com my fav if budget is good

betterbidding.com Hyatt La Jolla bid Priceline.com from $70

best for budget...

virtualtourist.com good local postings lots to do pretty warm

Sea World Balboa Park SD Zoo wildlife center my favs...

Have fun!

Tomsd

January is a great time to be in SD - as you will either have nice 70 degree weather along the coast, or get to enjoy one of the few rain storms that pass thru.

For authentic Victorian residences, by Old Town, they have several B & B 's - and I will try to get at least one webpage for you.

Downtown/Gaslamp is fun for adults but I think you might also enjoy staying in the Village of La Jolla - and/or Del Mar - or if you don't mind more of a motel type setting, but directly overlooking the ocean - the Sunset Cliffs Inn in Pt Loma/Ocean Beach cannot beat for staying right over the surf, and that time of year, surf should be up.

You will probably enjoy the zoo - but it's sister place - the Wild Animal Park - in Escondido - 27 miles up hiway 163/15 - is a place where you can take the open air tram cars and see animals in their natural habitat.

You can easily drive over to Palm Springs in two hours and 15 minutes, and you see the wind farms on your way in. There is plenty to see and do in the greater Coachella Valley - and you might like sauntering along their Rodeo Drive - (fiddely foo - can't remember the right name now - it's where hiway 79 meets 111) ) and also seeing their great zoo/desert botanical gardens, The Living Desert. Or take the Cable Car up through 7 temperate/ecological zones to the top of the mountain.

Please don't hesitate to email me if you want more info about the place with the best mainland climate in the US.


Tom in San Diego -
[email protected]

Tomsd

Here you go: Heritage Park in Old Town, http://www.heritageparkinn.com/ and it's El Paseo over in Rancho Mirage/Palm Desert. http://www.palmsprings.com/elpaseo/

And here is the Inn at Sunset Cliffs, and funky little Newport Dr in Ocean Beach is withing walking distance - or a one minute drive. http://innatsunsetcliffs.com/

Tomsd

As for Big Estates in the greater San Diego area, the biggest - at least with acerage - are in the Horsey community of Rancho Sante Fe (east of Del Mar), and closer in - La Jolla has some mansions, and there are some older, less grand but classic places in Mission Hills - just above Old Town. Coronado is worth a drive - just going over the bridge is a trip - and there are some nice places over there - quite desired because of their location, and there is a cute litle historic museum/hallway in the basement of the fabled Hotel Del - where they filmed Some Like it Hot, with Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe was it?

ChicagoDallasGirl

Thanks, ya'll! appreciate the lodging tips. With bottles and such to wash, we're pretty locked in to a vacation condo/house or a hotel suite with kitchen. So, can't go the bidding or motel route this time.

qwovadis, will check out virtualtourist.

tom, appreciate the awesome feedback. la jolla and del mar are def appealing. will add coronado to itinerary.

DebitNM

Really good info here, too:

http://www.localwally.com/

Tomsd

Hope you have a blast, from one who was born in Chicago - but then Dad finished Med school and we moved to Oregon.

Actually - I think the Inn at Sunset Cliffs may have some rooms with small kitchens. "the kitchen is fully furnished with a stove, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffee maker and serving utensils."

They may even have a small laundry room, or there are laundromats fairly close.

Tomsd

And DebitNM: Ask Wally (Local Wally) does look like a good SD site. Thank.

sf7307

The "Rodeo Drive" of Palm Desert is El Paseo. Obviously, very high-end shopping.

SandyBrit

ChicagoDallasGirl:

You will find offers, discount coupons, what's on etc. at the official tourist information site for San Diego, send for free brochure at http://www.sandiego.org

Inn at Sunset Cliffs - yes they do have suites with a small kitchen which is nice with a baby. Location is hard to beat on the Pacific Ocean. Have stayed here several times. Yes you can walk into Ocean Beach. No laundry on site.

I'd also recommend that you take a look at the Homewood Suites, Liberty Station not far from the air port. We have stayed here several times and will again over Thanksgiving. In addition to the small kitchen, you can do laundry in the hotel. Included in the price is a wonderful breakfast and on week days they serve a light evening meal. This is a perk indeed. We have never found noise to be an issue. Also they have lots of free parking. Not the situation at every hotel. Within walking distance is a nice play ground for children and delightful walking trails. There are always a lot of young families at this hotel.

Enjoy beautiful San Diego.

Sandy

ChicagoDallasGirl

DebitNM and SandyBrit, thanks for the links! Checking them. Homewood looks like the way to go! Excellent!

Tom, hey! (waving from one Chi-Towner to another) As SB said, you're right about Sunset Cliffs. On the short list.

Hey sf7307! Thanks for the clarification. Sounds like might be worth a pit stop.

Tomsd

Downtown/old Palm Springs is also fun to explore - and here is the El Paseo site - which is about 15 minutes east of Palm Springs, along hiway 111. see: http://www.palmsprings.com/elpaseo/

Also - the Marriott Desert Breezes? - has an indoor to outdoor Gondola ride, which you might enjoy. If your husband is a history buff - the General George Patton museum is about a half hour east of Palm Desert along the freeway/10.

Tomsd

And if you want to see a pretty mountain town/artist retreat - Idyllwild is great. You could hit that on your way back from Palm Springs. Actually - might be fun to spend a night there. see: http://www.idyllwild.com/

Tomsd

Just to explain a bit more: From Paseo Drive - one can take 79 up over the hill - and on to Idyllwild, about 45 minutes total?. It's a bit curvy - but there is a great outlook to stop and chill out - about half way up the hill.

Tomsd

Actually - I guess it's called 74 which goes up from Palm Desert up the hill to Idyllwyld and eventually back to Temecula and the freeway 15 back down to SD. See: http://www.artinidyllwild.com/AAI_Directionx.html

Tomsd

Ok - here is my confusion. I think 79 (have to head back about 10 miles from Idyllwyld toward Palm Springs - not shown on the above map) is the one you take to Temecula and 74 is the one you take from Idyllwild to Hemet. We prefer 79 but either one works.

d_claude_bear

The best historic places to visit are the (1) Basilica San Diego de Alcala, originally built in 1769, a restored California Mission and (2) the Marston House. The latter is a craftsman home at the NW corner of Balboa Park that was built by department store magnate George Marston and turned over to the SD Historical Society when the last heir died. It is now run by the preservationist Save Our Heritage Organization and is furnished as it was in 1905.

http://www.seecalifornia.com/mission...o-mission.html

http://sohosandiego.org/marston/