What to do in San Diego ?
 

We are going to San Diego in October, staying at the Welk Resort, which is about 40 miles north of San Diego. I'm not a water person, so I need to know what we can do for a week. I love to go to little quaint areas for shopping, love wineries, and great restaurants. We'll probably see the main tourist attractions, but would like to find some out of the way places. We will have a car. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Barb

We are just finishing up subletting a place in San Diego and we are at the beach, but if that isn't your thing then I would suggest Temecula for the winery there. It is East on the road towards the desert cities.

I am not much of a shopper so others can probably help more there. For restaurants, we have enjoyed The Fishery in Pacific Beach and Cafe Chloe downtown. I am sure there are lots of others that some of the locals can add, but this will get the ball rolling at least.

By the way, it is pouring rain here at the moment-part of the big storm hitting the area-so unusual for this area-luckily the sun is due back by Monday :)

Wild Animal Park is close by you, Temecula wineries are as well. A day trip downtown San Diego, seeing the Midway, shopping at Horton Plaza... Sea Port Village.

Both Temecula and Escondido are nearby and both have cute downtown areas with good places to dine. Safari Park (formerly Wild Animal Park) should not be missed - nor should the Zoo.

Orfilia Winery - on the way to Safari Park - is also quite good with nice tours.

There are other threads in here on what else to do in SD - and come back with more particular Q's.

The old mining town - Julian - up in the "mountains" is also fun - with nice winery nearby - and the artist colony of Idyllwyld is also a fun visit.

We thought this site was very helpful on our first trip to SD.

http://www.localwally.com/

Lajolla and Coronado Island are both on the water but are both very quaint and charming with great restaurants and boutique shops and within driving distance.

Oh Tom... It will always be the Wild Animal park to me..and the Del Mar Fair :-))

Me too, mom! (and I live here)

Balboa Park is lovely when you make it into San Diego proper. The Spanish Village is a colony of local artists.

Go to Del Mar or Solana Beach to poke around in some fun little shops.

As tom mentioned, Escondido has a few quirky little shops and galleries. While your in Escondido, if you appreciate art then stop by Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden. It's an art installation by the artist Nikki de St Phalle it's located in Kit Carson Park, it's a nice place for a picnic lunch. Not a major attraction but nice all the same. I've taken visitors there for something a little different. Some were indifferent, while others really enjoyed it and have gone back.

The area that the Welk Resort is in, is lovely and a part of San Diego that most visitors don't see.

You may want to plan a day to get out to the desert areas.

Also in Escondido is the Stone Brewery/Bistro gardens/restaurant - which I have not been to but friends of mine love it.

Temecula also has an old town area that is nice - and both are relatively close to the LW resort.

The villages of Carlsbad, Del Mar and La Jolla are also fun to stroll around-explore.

Wow. You are all great to give me suggestions. And exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks a bunch.
Barb.

It's kind of fun to read someone who is interested in something different in San Diego :)

Not sure if it is still there, maybe Tom knows, but about 6 years ago when we were in the area we visited a place just north of the Welk Resort called Deer Park (I think). It had some wines but they also had a great collection of antique cars.

DebitNM
Thanks for the suggestion of http://www.localwally.com/. Found some great info

jaime - have never been to the Deer Park auto collection - which is in Escondido, but it looks great.

Also - in Balboa Park - where the Zoo is located - is an antique car museum, air and space, model railroad, rueben e fleet science, natural history museum, rose garden, arboreteum and on and on. :)

Went there for a conference and ate twice at Seersucker which is in the gaslight district. Amazing food and cocktails.