I am going to San Diego in April for a Convention. Is it necessary to rent a car to see the sites? Balboa Park, Zoo, La Jolla, Beach area, etc., or is there public transport that is safe to use to reach major points of interest?

Also, what should I see? What is not to be missed? Where should I eat? What is the best of the best in San Diego?

Thanks!

I stayed in downtown SD without a car a couple months ago and made it to the zoo (which is in Balboa Park) and Sea World via public transit.

I also made it to and from the airport via bus.

Although it was pretty easy, there were some drawbacks, aside from the people who thought I was insane when I said I wasn't getting a car.

The system has multi-day visitor passes, but you can't get them at the airport- you have to pay a fare into downtown to buy them or order them online.

There's a transit info center on Broadway downtown, but it's closed evenings and weekends.

When I checked the transit website to find out how to get to Sea World, it couldn't tell me. Even though I found 2 buses that go there from the Old Town Trolley Station, the trip planner wasn't able to tell me about them.

We just came back from a few days in San Diego. Our hotel was on Shelter Island. We rented a small car from Enterprise fairly inexpensively; I knew in advance that we would be driving up the coast. Still, it made our lives much easier having it.

Where will you be staying?

Anthony's Fish Grotto was good, as was their Fishette, where you can get food to go or or eat in their very casual dining area on the water.

We also had a great Mexican dinner at Miguel's, very near Shelter Island. (At least, I think it was great, but I was still reeling from a powerful afternoon Margarita consumed in Tiajuana.)

You don't say where you will be staying, but as you're coming to town for a convention I'll guess you're staying downtown.

Your hotel will probably run a shuttle from the airport, which is very close to downtown. Your hotel may also supple transportation to Sea World.

The Zoo and Balboa Park are also just on the outskirts of downtown, so are easy to reach by cab.

La Jolla, the beach areas and Sea World are easier to get to by car - much easier.

Old Town and areas in Mission Valley, including Fashion Valley shopping mall and Mission San Diego de Alcala can be reached by the Trolley from downtown.

We'll be staying at the Omni. Just didn't know if with the parking charges whether a car rental would be justified for just mainly evening outings.

Would like recommendations for some outstanding eateries in the city.

Hi..
My take on this is San Diego does not have the best transit system like other cities and even though the trolley is at the base of your hotel,the trolley really only goes to TJ/Qualcomm Stadium and East County so unless you are going to those destinations then you have to take the bus and that will take forever to get to your destination...either taxi or rent a a car for a day or so..
Gaslamp is within walking distance of alot of great restaurants and clubs but if you are going to La Jolla/Del Mar, I would not be taking the bus!
Prado Restaurant at Balboa Park
Georges at the Cove in La Jolla
Chive Downtown
Have a great time!

Gaslamp.org