We are thinking of a week in San Diego in July. I teach so summer is the only time we can travel. How hot will it be? Is it possible to use public transport from San Diego Naval Air Station and get around easily? Will we need to rent a car and how bad is traffic? If we don't stay at the Naval Air Station, where would you suggest?
Is there enough to do for a week? My hubby loves history. We know about the zoo. Anything else we should consider. As always thanks for the info. Your input has been invaluable in the past and I'm sure it will be this time again.

San Diego is a coastal city, and it doesn't get nearly as hot as inland. Think Mediterranean climate. July is a great time to go.

I will defer to the SD locals regarding transit options from the Naval Air Station, but I will say that the city is spread-out and it's much more convenient to rent a car. As long as you stay off the freeways, traffic won't ever be a bother.

The SD Zoo is in Balboa Park, where you will find a bunch of great museums-- art, history, technology. Old Town San Diego is where you'll learn about the city's early history.

You have lots of choices as far as where to stay. For luxury, La Jolla is my preference. But then again, I usually stay with friends in the Balboa Park neighborhood. Not a lot of hotels there. Maybe the Gaslamp...?

That's at North Island, right? You will be much better to have a car as public transportation in San Diego is not great. However, if you don't have one, if you can find a way to get from NAS to the ferry, you can take the ferry to downtown San Diego, then use the Trolley for some things. You would either end up taking a cab or spending a long time waiting for the bus if you go somewhere other than places on the Trolley line.

You could also take the Old Town Trolley Tour, a hop on-hop off tour completely unrelated to the San Diego Trolley, which does go to most of the places you might want to visit.

The Zoo is in Balboa Park. The rest of the Park is great too, and there are a number of museums which you may find interesting. There's also a very good restaurant in the Park, the Prado.

Old Town has lots of history, but not as many fun restaurants as it had. The first California mission, Mission San Diego de Alcala is worth a visit. The Trolley goes there. Another great place to visit, but you would need a car, I think, is the Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma. More history and fantastic views.

On the Embarcadero, visit the Maritime Museum with the Star Of India. Close by is the USS Midway which is now a museum.

What kind of budget would you have for a hotel if you didn't stay at NAS?

I would think less than 100 per night.
your ideas are great. thanks

Hi..
I think Barbara has summed it up exactly as to where you would have fun if your husband is a history buff..
July isn't really hot about 75-80 degrees but weather is changing and you never know..You need to rent a car..
If you weren't to stay at the Naval station, I would stay in the Mission Valley area just for the savings and central location because it gets real expensive in the summer months all over SD..
I love the Whaley House in Old Town and go to lunch across the street at the famous Old Town Mexican Cafe...
Have a wonderful time while you are here!!