travelerfromtx

I'm trying to decide between San Diego Harbor excursions and Hornblower cruises for a whale watching tour in March. I would appreciate any comments that would help with the decision. Thanks!

nanabee

you might also check out the Birch Aquarium's tours:

http://www.aquarium.ucsd.edu/Educati...hale_Watching/

ksucat

Done both and are they are great!
Hornblower you will be able to get a bloody mary and it will be a little more upscale but I am always promoting SDHE on this website for its myriad of different choices on the bay.
LJ Kayak has some tours that are incredible too.
lots of whales this year.

www.sdhe.com
www.lajollakayak.com

travelerfromtx

Thank you both for your replies.

The kayak tours look great! We would absolutely love to do this also, but I wonder how cool the weather would be. I guess they still go out and you just dress in warm clothes??

ksucat

They have wetsuit rentals for a nomial fee and March can be gorgeous and in the 70's..just never know.
Go to the Birch Aquarium for after lunch and kayaking.
Go have lunch at Piatti's in the LJ Shores or The Shores restaurant which is oceanfront..George's at the Cove on the terrace is my fave!
It's one of the best things to do and its an underwater park and preserve so no jet ski's and boats going wildly by.
Report Back!

www.georgesatthecove.com

travelerfromtx

Thank you ksucat for your wonderful tips! I am really looking forward to our trip.

Would the restaurants you mention be places a 12 year old girl would enjoy? She's not picky at all but I wouldn't want to go somewhere romantic and very upscale. It will be just the two of us on a mother-daughter trip.

dolphoto

The Birch trips use San Diego Harbor Excursions. The Hornblower trips have naturalists from the Museum of Natural History.

ksucat

She would love George's at the Cove on the terrace and totally acceptable for a 12 year old and if she likes cheeseburgers, there is a classic place that all the kids go to and so do we is Jeff's Burgers across the street from the LJ Kayak..if no burger lovers then get one of the best deli sandwiches next door at The Cheese Shop..turkey/cheese/avo.
George's is always voted in the top restaurants in the US.
Have fun!

travelerfromtx

Thanks again. I've been doing more trip research and George's on the Cove on the terrace is definitely on our list. I've read reservations are recommended. Would this still apply to a weeknight in mid-March? I think we would go early so we could catch the sunset. I'm guessing they probably wouldn't be necessary but thought I would ask.

ksucat

I would do reservations and get there half hour before sunset and tell the hostess that you read about George's on a travel website (Fodor's) and your going to report back!
George loves hearing and reading good things about his wonderful place.
Fish tacos are excellent and so is the signature soup.
They make great virgin strawberry daiquris that 12 year olds love..take your camera too.

travelerfromtx

Okay...was hoping to not have to plan ahead which evening to go there but I guess I shouldn't leave it to chance.

How about Albert's at the zoo? How far in advance should I make reservations for a weekday?

Sorry for all the questions!

travelerfromtx

Oh, and I will be sure to write a trip report.

d_claude_bear

In my experience, you do not need to reserve in advance at Albert's.