Going to San Diego for Memorial Day - suggestions where to stay/what to do?

[SaltyNuts]

First, sorry to my followers for my absence for the last day or so, things got busy at work. But I'll get back to my other threads soon.

So, title pretty much says it all. I went many, many years ago. I think I remember a part of town close to the water where there is tons of restaurants and bars and you can just walk around? Something like that would be ideal. But I definitely want to explore other places while I'm there - any suggestions? Also, if there is some hotel with an swim-up bar that would be awesome. Love those.

And, the million dollar question - is it safe to go to Tijauna? I very much want to go, but don't want to lose my head (literally or figuratively haha).

Thanks!

 

[zerocool84]

TJ is a border town. You'll be fine. Plush you'll get awesome food much cheaper pluses the liquor issue crazy cheep there too.

 

[BoomerD]

If you go to TJ, be sure to wear your Trump shirts and MAGA hat. You MUST show those people who's the boss.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I wouldn't go to TJ. I live in San Diego and I haven't been down there in probably 2 decades. Absolutely no attraction there for me.

Stay downtown near the Gaslamp district. The Manchester Grand Hyatt is really nice. My wife and I did a staycation there a couple years ago and had a corner suite with a view of the bay. Nice place, very comfortable and central to the seaport village and Gaslamp. Go tour the Midway if you've never been on an aircraft carrier. It is pretty cool. The Maritime museum is next to it as well. Lots of great restaurants.

 

[Pens1566]

Yep, gaslamp. Ride the ferry over to Coronado and walk around. Hit the Hotel Del for lunch. La Jolla is also nice if you can drive.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Thanks a ton guys!

JulesMaximus, would you not go to TJ just because it does not appeal to you, or because you've also heard its dangerous?

zerocool84, were you serious when you said I'd be fine if I went to TJ? Good news if so! Yea, used to love going to Mexico to get the awesome food and drink at half the price or less. Wish it wasn't such a dangerous shiat hole now!

Thanks!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Thanks a ton guys!

JulesMaximus, would you not go to TJ just because it does not appeal to you, or because you've also heard its dangerous?

zerocool84, were you serious when you said I'd be fine if I went to TJ? Good news if so! Yea, used to love going to Mexico to get the awesome food and drink at half the price or less. Wish it wasn't such a dangerous shiat hole now!

Thanks!

Both. There isn't anything there you can't get in San Diego and the border wait is sometimes 2+ hours long. Just no reason for me to ever go there quite frankly.

I've lived in San Diego for almost 20 years now and I haven't been to TJ since I moved here.

 

[Xstatic1]

The two places I know where there are restaurants & bars close to water is Gaslamp Quarter or Pacific Beach. Gaslamp (in downtown) is more classy, where Pacific Beach is where you'll find college students/dressed-down crowd.

Places I suggest visiting (although you would need a car):
- Sunset Cliffs (in Point Loma)
- La Jolla Cove
- La Jolla Tide Pools
- Mount Soledad (in La Jolla)
- Centennial Park in Coronado (gorgeous views of downtown at night)

Food:
- In-N-Out Burgers
- Rubio's (for their fish tacos)
- Extraordinary Desserts (if you're a dessertie)

Based on my experience, going to Tijuana ("TJ") is safe. Ideally, someone else will be accompanying you. If you don't wanna drive, take the trolley and walk across the border. You do have a passport card or passport, right? In the last few years, they've gotten more stricter at border crossings (when you enter the U.S.), and only having a driver's license may not cut it to get back in (in other words, they'll detain you and ask a whole bunch of questions before letting you back in).

 

[JulesMaximus]

The two places I know where there are restaurants & bars close to water is Gaslamp Quarter or Pacific Beach. Gaslamp (in downtown) is more classy, where Pacific Beach is where you'll find college students/dressed-down crowd.

Places I suggest visiting (although you would need a car):
- Sunset Cliffs (in Point Loma)
- La Jolla Cove
- La Jolla Tide Pools
- Mount Soledad (in La Jolla)
- Centennial Park in Coronado (gorgeous views of downtown at night)

Food:
- In-N-Out Burgers
- Rubio's (for their fish tacos)
- Extraordinary Desserts (if you're a dessertie)

Based on my experience, going to Tijuana ("TJ") is safe. Ideally, someone else will be accompanying you. If you don't wanna drive, take the trolley and walk across the border. You do have a passport card or passport, right? In the last few years, they've gotten more stricter at border crossings (when you enter the U.S.), and only having a driver's license may not cut it to get back in.

I'd skip Rubio's personally. Check out the Brigantine if you like fish tacos, they are way better than Rubio's. They are part of their bar menu and they're really good. There is one in Del Mar on coast highway overlooking the harness track.

 

[zinfamous]

And, the million dollar question - is it safe to go to Tijauna? I very much want to go, but don't want to lose my head (literally or figuratively haha).

Thanks!

Donkey show

 

[zinfamous]

I'd skip Rubio's personally. Check out the Brigantine if you like fish tacos, they are way better than Rubio's. They are part of their bar menu and they're really good. There is one in Del Mar on coast highway overlooking the harness track.

Is Rubios in SD the same as Rubios in the rest of CA? because...yeah, don't go there. Average chain food, ime. Has to be some proper local joints in SD for that (though Rubios is SD original, right?)

 

[Xstatic1]

I'd skip Rubio's personally. Check out the Brigantine if you like fish tacos, they are way better than Rubio's. They are part of their bar menu and they're really good. There is one in Del Mar on coast highway overlooking the harness track.

Cool, thanks for the recommendation! Brigantine, here we come (hubby and I will be visiting SD either next year or 2019)!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Is Rubios in SD the same as Rubios in the rest of CA? because...yeah, don't go there. Average chain food, ime. Has to be some proper local joints in SD for that (though Rubios is SD original, right?)

Yes, it is the same place. For fast food it's not bad, plus they serve beer, and it is a San Diego original but there are better local joints. The Brigantine has fantastic fish tacos and they have a few restaurants in the San Diego area.

http://www.brigantine.com/

 

[JulesMaximus]

Cool, thanks for the recommendation! Brigantine, here we come (hubby and I will be visiting SD either next year or 2019)!

If you like seafood and want a really nice place for dinner I recommend Oceanaire in the Gaslamp. Island Prime is near the airport and also really good (they have excellent steaks too). They will both be fairly pricey but the food is excellent. Make reservations in advance.

 

[BoomerD]

Yeah, Rubio's definitely ain't what it was 25-30 years ago. It really got mediocre when Ralph sold out to the big corporate interests.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Donkey show

 

[Xstatic1]

If you like seafood and want a really nice place for dinner I recommend Oceanaire in the Gaslamp. Island Prime is near the airport and also really good. They will both be fairly pricey but the food is excellent.

Added Oceanaire and Island Prime to my list. Thanks!

 

[Xstatic1]

Yeah, Rubio's definitely ain't what it was 25-30 years ago. It really got mediocre when Ralph sold out to the big corporate interests.

I really think location has something to do with it.

The last handful of times I ate at Rubio's:
2011 - San Diego (2 different locations) - both locations were yummmm!
2011 - Vegas - food court inside a hotel/resort-- nasty!
2014 - Vegas - yummm!
2015 - somewhere in Colorado (can't recall the actual city, I flew into Denver, then drove there) - meh-tasting!

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Unsure your age, but Pacific Beach might be more fun than the GasLamp district. We're beach/chill people so much prefer PB & MB for the mix of bars, surf and sand.

We'll be in SD next weekend and our last visit was 2-weeks over XMAS.

If you love beer, then you need to spend some time at the breweries.
Ballast Point - Great selection of specialty beers and amazing food
Green Flash/Alpine - so much beer!
Monkey Paw Brewery/Bar - great fries!
Border X Brewery in Barrio Logan - live music nights are fantastic and the art work is superb. Blood Saison is superb.
Societe - great beer
Intergalactic - Everything Star Wars
Mike Hess - Just damn good beer!
Coronado - spend some time at the amazing beach, grab a berr from the brewery, have a nice lunch. Be warned, its very touristy.

Hillcrest neighborhood - totally gay and fabulous. I recommend Welfare Wednesday at Flicks for the $2 wells.

Sunset cliffs for Sunset views -

Blacks Beach for balls out naked tanning -

La Jolla for epic views and a visit to the barking sea lions

Padres game at Petco if they are playing at home

Tijuana is perfectly safe provided you stay in the tourist areas. I would advise you to not go alone, stay with your group, and do some reading. Aside from prostitution and cheap pharmaceuticals there really is no reason to go there aside from the cheap dental work. You do not need a passport, carry your ID and they will let you back over at the pedestrian gate. Don't get hammered, stick to bottle beers, and get out before its dark.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Thank you everyone for the help! I think we are going to stay in or close to the Gaslamp District. Any suggestions for a hotel in/around that area? I was hoping for one with a swim-up bar but apparently there is not one in San Diego. Some place with a decent pool at least would be preferable. Thanks again!

 

[glenn1]

IMHO no reason to go to TJ, plenty to do in the SD area. Unfortunately you'll miss one of the best SD area attractions coming on Memorial Day,

 

[SaltyNuts]

Thanks glenn1!

 

[SaltyNuts]

Still not sure about TJ. I might go if for no other reason just to say I've been. Someone mentioned a 2-hour wait - surely that was to drive across, not walk across?

 

[SaltyNuts]

Anyone have any thoughts on the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego? Sounds like its on the edge of the Gaslamp area, and they have a rooftop pool and bar.

 

[cbrunny]

I know what you're doing.....