Tips for Visiting San Diego
 

I am taking my pregnant wife to San Diego at the end of February for a long weekend. It is a surprise to her and our last trip before the baby (august). We want to relax, but also enjoy San Diego. Please recommend good restaurants, good views, good beaches, must do's, etc.... THANK YOU

If you want to give her something memorable, go to the Hotel del Coronado.

Relax by the pool, relax on one of the best beaches in SoCal, beautiful sunsets, great reataurants at the hotel, or across the bridge in San Diego.

This will be a trip you will always remember, especially if this is your first child, and the Del is a place for a memorable trip.

The weather in San Diego is supposed to be in the 60's in February. Forget about the beach.

Take her to Jake's in Del Mar for lunch. It's a waterfront grill with great views. Their calamari appetizer is one of the best I've ever had. ((b))

Wish instead of changing colors Fodors would get their postings correct.

What I read is duplicate postings.

And now Fodors has eliminated the double postings - oh well, ask and you shall receive! LOL.

LoveItaly, did you mean to post this on a different thread? Doesn't look like it belongs here. ((b))

I also agree that the Hotel Del is worth a look. Their Sunday brunch is wonderful and so is the dining room where it is held. There is a dining terrace also that is nice. BUT, this place is usually over run with guests, visitors, tourists, etc etc. It is not exactly a relaxing atmosphere. I would suggest going up the coast a bit. LaJolla has some great dining and there are small places further up the coast. You might also want to see the gardens at Balboa Park for a relaxing afternoon.

There are scores of very helpful prior threads that will answer nearly all your questions.
Be prepared to "layer" in February.
M

Mike is right about layering. This weekend it rained all day Saturday and Sunday morning. We are getting a break today and then it's going to rain Tuesday and again on Thurs and Fri. I would like to think that the rain will be over by the end of February but it just keeps coming. Even if it's not raining, it will not be all that warm. If there is some sun, you might be able to sit out on a terrace with heaters but you'll have to check the weather before you arrive.

If the weather is iffy, Hotel Del shouldn't be as crowded but the Sunday Brunch is popular. I agree with Babs about going to La Jolla. George's at the Cove has beautiful views and for something less formal or for breakfast go to Brockton Villa in La Jolla.

Even if the weather is cool you can still stroll the beach as long as isn't raining. The beaches in Coronado or at Pacific Beach are good for long walks.

Another vote for the Hotel Del - even if you don't stay there, it's a great place to hang out and people watch. There is a spa there as well. I had a massage and it was terrific. Coronado Island is just a nice place to wander around anyway.

For some terrific views, head out to Point Loma.

Seaport Village is fun to stroll around and have a meal with a view. Shelter Island has "Humphrey's" or "The Bay Club," both have nice hotels and restaurants with great views. You can get a package price including dinner and breakfast if you contact the hotels. Lovely bay views at the restaurants.

Does your wife know you're taking her on a trip? She will still be in the morning sickness stage of her pregnancy, honestly I wouldn't like any surprises carrying a baby.

pregnant wife? probably don't want to be walking around a lot so i would say no to balboa park. hotel del is nice. they also have a boat ride around the bay, i think called hornblower cruises. never been on it but looks nice.

Must do's:
1) San Diego Zoo
2) Point Loma
3) Eat at Old Town

Must not do:
1) Visit Tijuana

Another thought would be to home base in Little Italy. It is a quite charming neighborhood. I know that there's the La Pensione Hotel right in Little Italy. I confess that I haven't stayed there (I work about 2 blocks down the street so I pass it nearly every day) but I would love to find a cute place like that when I travel. I checked out tripadvisor and the reviews looked favorable, although it certainly isn't luxury like the Del. There are some other chains nearby. Nothing that looks too exciting.

Anyway, back to Little Italy. It is home to my absolute favorite restaurant in San Diego, Trattoria Fantastica. I love pretty much any of their pasta dishes and my husband loves any seafood dishes they prepare. There are also a number of coffee houses on India street as well (not all Starbucks although there is one up the street now).

For a stunning view of the ocean (waves often hitting the windows), and a nice restaurant, go to the Marine Room.

Oops - hit reply before instead of edit...oh well, I'll forge on...

Yes! to the Marine Room. Fantastic!

Any trip to San Diego should include the Zoo (imho) and you can always take the bus if you're not up to walking. La Jolla is fun - I second George's - and I would also visit the Midway if your any kind of history buff. There are a lot of great museums in Balboa Park as well, personal fav is the Museum of Photographic Arts.

I'm leaving out beach trips since you're coming in Feb. Chances are you might have some rain, but even if it's dry it will still be too cold to really enjoy the beach.

I keep thinking of more things. San Diego really has something for everyone. You've gotten a lot of great suggestions above. You ought to have fun no matter what you choose to do!

Thank you for the info. I am even more excited about going now (although I thought the weather in San Diego was always nice... I guess I'll bring an umbrella too). And yes, she knows we're going on a trip and she is currently feeling great!!!!
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH

I stayed at the new Omni Hotel over New Year's and loved it. It's attached to the new ballpark and only steps from Gastown so there are lots of restaurants and shops nearby. We got a great rate using AAA. The rooms are really lovely and the staff was excellent--I came down with the flu while we were there and they had an on-call doctor who came right to my room. I like the Del Coronado too but it's best when the weather is good. In February, I'd prefer to be downtown at the Omni.

Ms T, it's the Gaslamp.

Thank you, Barbara. My mistake (Gastown would be Vancouver). Clearly I'm no San Diego expert, I was just in town visiting friends for the holiday. I did like the Omni though. :)

San Diego is one of the best cities in the world for Sunday champagne brunch buffets. As a hobby, I statrted my personal site to assist visitors and locals. Please take a look and comment. Thanks, Jim

http://www.sandiegosundaybrunchmaster.com/

If you want an amazing breakfast with fantastic views, I STRONGLY suggest wwww.brocktonvilla.com. Be sure to order the "Coast Toast" and they take reservations, it's a great breakfast and won't break the bank! It's in La Jolla cove and overlooks the water...really quaint!

colorado17- thanks for the tip on Brocktonvilla- just made reservations for Easter - reservations were already taken until 1:30 - it looks beautiful-
and a happening place