San Diego this Weekend-Need input
Aug 10th, 2010, 09:31 AM
#1
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San Diego this Weekend-Need input
I am going to be in San Diego from Friday-Sunday (Aug 13-15) and definitely want to get out and about for sightseeing. I need tips/ideas for a solo traveler. I'm a happily married, early 30's woman but spending the weekend alone because I'm in town for business. I'm aware of Balboa Park and will probably spend some time there but I'm looking for insider tips from locals on places I can go or things I can see without sticking out like a sore thumb because I'm alone... I have toured the USS Midway, parts of Balboa Park, the Zoo, and I've done the Harbor tour on a previous visits so looking for something different.
Aug 10th, 2010, 09:53 AM
#4
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Its easiest to drive to La Jolla. Then park and walk around. I love the drive from Del Mar down thru La Jolla, stopping along the way at various points, like La Jolla Cove, Torrey Pines, the Hang-gliding location near there.
Im in SD quite a bit alone and never feel like I stick out. Granted I really don't care if I do. With the amount of business travellers / convention guests, there are a lot of people alone in SD. I always bring a book (now I bring my Nook - easy conversation starter) with me to restaurants / sit at the bar. Generally people at the bar are willing to talk. SD is a very friendly city and I have never had a problem. Just spent 8 days there.
You could take the ferry to Coronado and then walk / bike around.
I did the Stone Brewery tour last week and really enjoyed it. Being alone helped me get on to the tour I wanted as there was 1 spot left.
Where are you staying?
Im in SD quite a bit alone and never feel like I stick out. Granted I really don't care if I do. With the amount of business travellers / convention guests, there are a lot of people alone in SD. I always bring a book (now I bring my Nook - easy conversation starter) with me to restaurants / sit at the bar. Generally people at the bar are willing to talk. SD is a very friendly city and I have never had a problem. Just spent 8 days there.
You could take the ferry to Coronado and then walk / bike around.
I did the Stone Brewery tour last week and really enjoyed it. Being alone helped me get on to the tour I wanted as there was 1 spot left.
Where are you staying?
Aug 10th, 2010, 10:03 AM
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I'm staying at the Hilton Mission Valley.. wanted to stay a little closer to the bay/airport, but no rooms available at the hotels I was interested in..
If I were going to drive to La Jolla... is there a specific "destination" I could program to the GPS that would take me along the path you're describing? I am also very interested in taking the ferry to Coronado, is there parking near where it picks up?
If I were going to drive to La Jolla... is there a specific "destination" I could program to the GPS that would take me along the path you're describing? I am also very interested in taking the ferry to Coronado, is there parking near where it picks up?
Aug 10th, 2010, 11:02 AM
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Trolley doesn't go into La Jolla.
Did you try the Hilton Bayfront? Got a great rate on it for last week.
Here is what I gave a friend of mine and it worked. For La Jolla Cove, that should be an attraction on your GPS (based on mine).
Drive up to Del Mar then follow the coast home. Along the way, stop in La Jolla Cove (Children's Cove) There is a bunch of seals living here. Quite a sight. There are a lot of funky restaurants / shops in La Jolla to walk around. In Del Mar, stop at Torrey Pines Golf Course…Just to see it was great. Need to zoom in on the Map.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie...7,0.07699&z=14
I would start near North Bluff Preserve and head south on Camino Del Mar. Keep heading south on it until it splits into Genesee Ave and N Torrey Pines Road. Pull in where it says CA84 - watch people Paragliding off of the cliffs.
Keep heading south on N Torrey Pines Rd then take the right on la Jolla Shores Dr and then Torrey Pines Road and Coast Blvd. (just keep hugging the coast). This will bring you to La Jolla Cove and all of the shops. There are signs highlighting Scenic Drive. Keep your eyes on these. I know I usually take side roads rather than La Jolla Blvd leaving the Children's Pool to see all of the houses. Phenomenal Houses. This is one of the richest areas in the country. Makes me sick…
Once you get back on La Jolla Blvd, stay on Mission Blvd, it will bring you to Mission Beach and eventually Pacific Beach. Lots of fun beaches / wooden roller coaster. From here, take Mission bay dr back to SD. Been to a lot of bars in Mission Beach. This drive could take almost a day if you keep stopping / walking around.
The Coronado Ferry boards right where the Harbor Tours do so its metered parking or a pay lot across the street (Believe it was $10 for the day)
Did you try the Hilton Bayfront? Got a great rate on it for last week.
Here is what I gave a friend of mine and it worked. For La Jolla Cove, that should be an attraction on your GPS (based on mine).
Drive up to Del Mar then follow the coast home. Along the way, stop in La Jolla Cove (Children's Cove) There is a bunch of seals living here. Quite a sight. There are a lot of funky restaurants / shops in La Jolla to walk around. In Del Mar, stop at Torrey Pines Golf Course…Just to see it was great. Need to zoom in on the Map.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie...7,0.07699&z=14
I would start near North Bluff Preserve and head south on Camino Del Mar. Keep heading south on it until it splits into Genesee Ave and N Torrey Pines Road. Pull in where it says CA84 - watch people Paragliding off of the cliffs.
Keep heading south on N Torrey Pines Rd then take the right on la Jolla Shores Dr and then Torrey Pines Road and Coast Blvd. (just keep hugging the coast). This will bring you to La Jolla Cove and all of the shops. There are signs highlighting Scenic Drive. Keep your eyes on these. I know I usually take side roads rather than La Jolla Blvd leaving the Children's Pool to see all of the houses. Phenomenal Houses. This is one of the richest areas in the country. Makes me sick…
Once you get back on La Jolla Blvd, stay on Mission Blvd, it will bring you to Mission Beach and eventually Pacific Beach. Lots of fun beaches / wooden roller coaster. From here, take Mission bay dr back to SD. Been to a lot of bars in Mission Beach. This drive could take almost a day if you keep stopping / walking around.
The Coronado Ferry boards right where the Harbor Tours do so its metered parking or a pay lot across the street (Believe it was $10 for the day)
Aug 10th, 2010, 11:45 AM
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Thats too bad. Its a gorgeous hotel. I just checked too and saw that. Doesn't hurt to keep trying and see what pops up. Hilton Gaslamp is available and is a better location than Mission Valley, but rate jumps. No matter what, you should enjoy it.
Aug 11th, 2010, 10:41 AM
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Yes, I've taken it and found it useful and enjoyable. It is hop on-hop off. However, you've been to some of the places on its route, so you may want to consider that. Here's their web page.
http://www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/
http://www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/
Aug 11th, 2010, 02:24 PM
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Thanks dbdurand, good point about having already seen some of the stops.. but I think that's probably a good thing.. Sometimes I feel like I don't have enough time to get off on each stop when I'm on those tours anyway..
tchoiniere, thanks for all the feedback/input. I did look at the Bay Club and it had a few rooms but it was about $120 more per night than my current reservation at Hilton and for what I'm doing, I just don't think it's worth the difference. Next time hopefully I'll be able to plan farther in advance and all the hotels won't be sold out..
tchoiniere, thanks for all the feedback/input. I did look at the Bay Club and it had a few rooms but it was about $120 more per night than my current reservation at Hilton and for what I'm doing, I just don't think it's worth the difference. Next time hopefully I'll be able to plan farther in advance and all the hotels won't be sold out..
Aug 12th, 2010, 08:10 AM
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I recommend you visit the San Diego Mission. It's the FIRST of the 21 missions built in California to solidify Spain's colonization of this vast area. All 4th graders study the missions as part of their standard curriculum, and visit one if possible. Often the schools include a nearby mission as a field trip. Here's the web site. You'll note that it is not far from your hotel.
http://www.missionsandiego.com/
First go to the gift shop and see if they still offer the self guiding audio tape. If so, by all means rent it.
Before you go, read something about the California missions here. It's a long article, so maybe just read the first part to get the drift of the whole mission thing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Missions
http://www.missionsandiego.com/
First go to the gift shop and see if they still offer the self guiding audio tape. If so, by all means rent it.
Before you go, read something about the California missions here. It's a long article, so maybe just read the first part to get the drift of the whole mission thing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Missions
Aug 12th, 2010, 09:23 AM
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The Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in La Jolla is well worth a visit. You will learn more there in an hour or two than in a week at Sea World. And it's fun, not boringly academic. There's a small cafe there, and an ocean view to boot.
http://www.aquarium.ucsd.edu/Plan_a_Visit/
http://www.aquarium.ucsd.edu/Plan_a_Visit/
Aug 12th, 2010, 09:47 AM
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Visit the Cabrillo National Monument, now run by the National Park Service.
http://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/index.htm
http://www.nps.gov/cabr/planyourvisit/index.htm
Aug 12th, 2010, 10:41 AM
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And then there's the "San Diego Zoo Safari Park", formerly known as the Wild Animal Park. This recent name change is explained on their web site.
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/park/
It's located just outside of Escondido, about 30 miles north of San Diego. An easy commute.
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/park/
It's located just outside of Escondido, about 30 miles north of San Diego. An easy commute.
Aug 12th, 2010, 01:09 PM
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Ok.. so here's a tentative itinerary... still iffy about whether or not to get the Go San Diego card..
Friday - get up early and drive out to Del Mar and take the coastal drive tchoiniere recommended including a visit to the Birch Aquarium recommended by dbdurand and possibly stopping to snorkel at La Jolla Cove (could rent snorkel gear from San Diego Bike and Kayak rental). If I have time and am still up to it by the late afternoon, I will head over to Sea World and watch the night shows and fireworks.. they are open til 11pm.
Saturday - Old Town Trolley tour, getting off at the Seaport village stop, Coronado, Gaslamp Quarter, and Balboa Park (not necessarily in that order). Any advice here on which stops I should expect to spend the most time or "not to be missed" places, is welcome. Depending on time availability (and whether or not I get the Go San Diego card) I may go to the Zoo as well (even thought I've been before) because they are open until 9p.
Sunday - No clue yet.. just going to sleep in, take it easy, and revisit any places discovered Friday/Saturday that deserved more time. Maybe just find a good beach to lay out and read a book. Will try out the San Diego Mission if it's open on Sunday for visitors..
Any thoughts on my plan?? Thanks so much for the input thus far..
Friday - get up early and drive out to Del Mar and take the coastal drive tchoiniere recommended including a visit to the Birch Aquarium recommended by dbdurand and possibly stopping to snorkel at La Jolla Cove (could rent snorkel gear from San Diego Bike and Kayak rental). If I have time and am still up to it by the late afternoon, I will head over to Sea World and watch the night shows and fireworks.. they are open til 11pm.
Saturday - Old Town Trolley tour, getting off at the Seaport village stop, Coronado, Gaslamp Quarter, and Balboa Park (not necessarily in that order). Any advice here on which stops I should expect to spend the most time or "not to be missed" places, is welcome. Depending on time availability (and whether or not I get the Go San Diego card) I may go to the Zoo as well (even thought I've been before) because they are open until 9p.
Sunday - No clue yet.. just going to sleep in, take it easy, and revisit any places discovered Friday/Saturday that deserved more time. Maybe just find a good beach to lay out and read a book. Will try out the San Diego Mission if it's open on Sunday for visitors..
Any thoughts on my plan?? Thanks so much for the input thus far..
