San Diego in January.. any suggestions?
 

Hello there,
My fiance and I are going to San Diego next week on business. We fly in on Sunday - we're staying at the Pacific Inn on the Beach. I need suggestions on what to pack to wear.. the weather forecast says it'll be in the 60's, but I don't know what the wind will be like, etc, since San Diego is a beach town. Will we be able to swim in the ocean or will it be too cold? etc.. any advice is greatly appreciated!
Also, we're going to Tijuana on Wednesday - what is the best way to get there? We'll have a company paid rental car but I've heard it's easier to pass through the border on foot. Any suggestions?
Also [:)], I'm wondering about places to eat, etc. Not too expensive, but I'd like to go to a decently nice place at least one night. Any recommendations? I'd like to go to a classy bar one night and do some shopping as well. I guess I'm asking for your favorite places and any other hints about San Diego! Thanks! :)

I haven't been to San Diego in January, but we have been twice in December. The weather was cool but not cold. Most of the places we went to eat still had outdoor eating. It was too cold to consider swimming in the ocean, but it was great for walks, etc. As far as going to Tijuana, we drove to the border, parked the car, and then walked across. Much easier that way. I believe there are all kinds of complications with insurance, etc. if you try to drive across. It is absolutely no problem walking across. We absolutely loved San Diego, and I would love to return.

I have lived in san diego all my life. If you are staying near the ocean, alot of over cast is to be expected in january. light sweaters and pants are appropriate. Also, there may be some days where sunshine will over take, so, a t-shirt and jeans will do. Regular surfer usually consider this time to be the season for waves, but you will find most of them (the sane ones) wearing full body wet suits. I would be careful no matter what (walking or driving) in mexico, keep your doors locked and dont carry a big hand bag.

Your rental company probably will not allow you to take their car into Mexico, so it's a moot point.

Also, remember that Tijuana is in a foreign country and you will need ID to get back into the US.

For a classy bar and shopping, either go to La Jolla or downtown to the Gaslamp Quarter.

The ocean is too cold for swimming. It's about 59F, I think.

Where is the Pacific Inn exactly? Not familiar with it...just trying to understand your location.

Zoo is great (go early), downtown Gaslamp, Seaport Village, the Marina, the Midway is an aircraft carrier turned museum. Lots to walk around and see shopping wise, and restaurant wise. Also night clubs if you are into that. You can take the ferry over to Coronado and explore that area, it is a quaint beach town and home of the Hotel Del, an old traditional hotel.

It's my understanding the Pacific Inn is on the boardwalk... the address is 4802 Mission Blvd.
I would love to see the Marina, as I haven't been to the ocean since I was about 8.. where is it located?
I have mapped out an itinerary to see the zoo, La Jolla, Tijuana, Old Town, and the downtown area. I have the schedule pretty stressed but would like to see the Marina and Coronado as suggested. What should I cut out?
Thanks for all the great suggestions, btw. This is my first time on this site and I will definitely come back! :)

I would cut out Tijuana-not worth the trip.

Go here for lots of info:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/visitorsguide/

I would also skip TJ. I have lived close to San Diego for 26 years and have yet to go to TJ. I am just not into border towns.

The marina is downtown near the Convention Center, Marriott and Seaport Village. They have a large sidewalk to walk nearby.

There are many great restaurants in the Gaslamp. Lots of Italian and steak. Many choices.

skip tj and just hit old town around 4:00 p.m. waunder around a bit and then have dinner down there. in my opinion, it does not require more then a couple of hours.
do you mean the pacific terrace inn?
there are tons of restaurants around there.

If you have your heart set on going to TJ, I suggest you either park your rental car at the last exit before the border and walk into TJ or take the Trolley.

The walk from the border onto Revolution (main street) is quick. Walk up and down Revolution, I really would wander off this street. Take a back pack as there are some good buys, silver jewlery, tequila, Kahlua, etc. Makes walking back to the border easy. Don't forget to buy some churros, yummy!