10-16-2021, 03:04 PM | #1 |
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Things to do in San Diego
We're planning a short 5 night trip to San Diego in December and are looking for advice on where to stay and things to do.
We've been to San Diego once before - nearly 3 years ago. And we all got sick. Some sort of crazy GI bug which really put a damper on that trip. So hoping round 2 will be a lot better *fingers crossed* Where to stay: Last time we got a super sweet suite at the Intercontinental. It was a corner suite with amazing bay views. Unfortunately, the price for that suite has literally tripled. (like literally, I'm not sure how, but we got that suite for ~$245/night. It's now listed at $745/night.) Anyone have suggestions on a place to stay? Hoping to keep it under $300/night but willing to splurge a little if it's an incredible property. Also hoping to stay in Mission Beach area, but also open to Harbor View or Coronado. But if there's other areas we should be considering I'm all ears Things to do: Here's a list of things we sort of were able to do in the few moments we weren't puking: Toured Old Town Market - This was pretty cool, wouldn't mind checking this out again USS Midway Museum - Another pretty cool experience but probably won't do it again Went to La Jolla - This was pretty fun, might go back Balboa Park - Loved this place, definitely will be going back San Diego Zoo - The animals were mostly in hiding for whatever reason (maybe time of year/day?). Unsure if we want to revisit, but might be willing to give it another try. Anything I'm missing/any other suggestions?
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10-16-2021, 03:25 PM | #2 |
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The Star of India ship right on the waterfront is very cool. Tom Ham's Lighthouse restaurant at one end of Harbor Island is a great brunch place. At the other end of the island you have two good restaurants, C Level and Coasterra, the food is good at both of them and the views of downtown are hard to beat. Lots of hotels on Harbor and Shelter island as well as Hotel Circle off the 8 freeway. I think you'll pay more for downtown on the water. If you don't mind driving about 40 minutes north on the 5 freeway, in the city of Oceanside they just built two large hotels right on the beach next to the pier downtown. The Mission Pacific Hotel and the Seabird Resort. Downtown Oceanside is now full of some very good restaurants and its pier views are hard to beat. Good luck.
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10-16-2021, 04:12 PM | #3 |
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I had stayed at the Best Western Plus Bayside Inn close to the water line, had a garage parking lot and breakfast included at that booking.
Point Loma was worth a visit, as well as La Jolla beach, arriving early enough offers some free parking space not too far from the main beach line. Coronado Island and a visit of the Hotel del Coronado for a tasty cocktail.
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10-16-2021, 04:27 PM | #4 |
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Curryosity is a great Indian restaurant. I'm Indian so my standards are very high and this place measures up.
Puesto La Jolla has great guac and tacos. Expensive but worth it Sunset Cliffs are pretty unique to SD. They are in Point Loma area. Coronado has some nice properties and view points. Little Italy is a neighborhood by downtown which is worth spending some time in. I've only done the Zoo once but thought it was great. 5 nights is quite some time for SD though. In my book it's more of a weekend trip town.
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10-16-2021, 04:42 PM | #5 | |
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I guess if we end up with some extra time we could do a day trip to LA.
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10-16-2021, 04:48 PM | #6 |
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Not much to add other than the stuff you already mentioned. The Zoo is huge and probably take up most of a day, so is Balboa Park especially if you do all the museums.
I second visiting Hotel del Coronado it's awesome. You might want to look into prices there also. Looked pricey, but who knows. The property looked amazing though. We went in our RV so we actually stayed out in the "boonies" east of the city in an area called Jamul I believe. I actually liked it over there, nice a quiet. I think it might be Indian land or something, but I'm sure you can find cheap hotels out that way. There was also a large decent casino over there if you are into that. We would go there just to use their wifi as we had nothing at the RV park we stayed at. |
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10-16-2021, 04:55 PM | #7 | |
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10-16-2021, 07:53 PM | #8 | |
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10-17-2021, 10:40 AM | #10 |
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Head north to check out Torrey Pines glider park. Go in the afternoon to watch the hang gliders and paragliders fly along the cliff. There is a nice beach below there.
Del Mar is a nice area with some good shopping and restaurants. Good hiking around there, too. |
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10-18-2021, 11:35 AM | #11 |
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December Nights in Balboa Park if you're in town the weekend of December 4.
Liberty Station in Midway District. San Diego's little version of Seattle's Pikes Peak. Walk around Seaport Village. Old Point Loma Lighthouse. Not sure if it's open again to the public at the moment. Walk the Orange Ave. strip in Coronado. Drive along the San Diego coast and check out beaches along the way. Start at Mission Bay, La Jolla, Torrey Pines, Solana Beach, Del Mar, San Elijo, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Oceanside. |
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10-18-2021, 12:38 PM | #12 |
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Awesome recommendations everyone! Thanks for all the help.... will definitely incorporate a lot of the suggestions into our itinerary.
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10-18-2021, 01:12 PM | #13 |
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Did you say you are bringing a toddler? IF so, stop reading
Head up the 15, and visit one of the casinos! Last time I was actually downtown for a conference, took the wife, and we went for the following weekend to Viejas casino. Small, middle of nowhere, quaint, but we really enjoyed it!. |
10-18-2021, 01:23 PM | #14 | |
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10-19-2021, 09:44 AM | #17 |
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I had just come across the zoo safari park! Would you recommend it? Sounds super interesting.
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10-27-2021, 07:25 AM | #18 |
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Finally booked my tickets and hotel! We'll be staying in the mission bay area. Thanks all for the recommendations so far!
So far I think the things we find intriguing to do are: Balboa Park San Diego Zoo Safari Park Liberty Station Old Point Loma Lighthouse Coronado Island Restaurants: Curryosity Puesto Meze Any other recommendations for things to do or places to eat?
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10-27-2021, 12:24 PM | #20 |
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+1 for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, I really enjoyed that!
+1 for Puesto for great contemporary Mexican food and cocktails. Another great place for tacos is Salud in Barrio Logan - it's much more casual than Puesto. The Barrio Logan neighbourhood itself is worth a quick stop for a wander. For desserts, a local recommended Extraordinary Desserts to me. I also like Salt & Straw for an ice cream fix, but they have stores in multiple cities on the west coast so if you don't make it in San Diego, there is always the option to try it in Portland, LA or San Francisco. If you feel like some healthy food, Cafe Gratitude is amazing. In the supermarkets, look out for Chuao chocolate blocks - interesting flavours (such as churros) and a local company based in Carlsbad. A recommendation from the local friend I stayed with. If you intend to venture a little further north: my friend took me to the Meditation Gardens in Encinitas and the Leucadia Farmers' Market. |
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10-28-2021, 12:52 AM | #22 |
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I’ve been to about 30 countries and almost every state and without a single doubt, San Diego is my favorite place on earth.
Cafe gratitude is amazing! Coronado island is worth your time Sunset cliffs are really pretty There’s a theater on the roof of a skyscraper by sassafras street which is pretty awesome Literally anything you do will be nice haha |
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