Going to San Diego next week ... looking for some suggestions

[purbeast0]

So my wife and I are traveling to cali next week to stay w/our friends who moved to San Diego. We are actually flying into LA however. and staying there the first night and have some plans to eat at Eva Longorias restaurant at night for my wife's birthday cause she likes her a lot. We're also going to check out hollywood and normal tourist shit.

We are going to check out Sea World, check out Orange County cause my friend is goign to be working there a few days, go sailing in the bay one day, and go to Coronado Island on the 4th of july.

I have also heard that La Jolla has some cool things to see. I was wondering if people have snorkeled there and if so how was it. I've only snorkeled in carribean waters, hawaii, aruba, and cancun (crystal clear places in general), so I don't know how it will be in San Diego. If anyone has done it can you comment on it?

So anyone else have any suggestions that they would recommend doing/seeing in SD for a first timer?

 

[chorb]

Los Angeles:
have fun doing touristy things in Hollywood
check out The Getty Center if you can.
check out some bars/lounges if thats your scene

Orange County:
Disneyland, Newport Beach, not much else that interesting to see

San Diego:
Water is pretty dam cold in La Jolla, not really much to see, not worth snorkeling IMO. Rent some kayaks instead.
SeaWorld is good
The bay is awesome, especially if you're on a boat.
The baseball park downtown is really nice, perfect time of year for a night game.
Eat some good mexican food in Old Town

Credentials: lived in SD until I was 18, Lived in OC the past 8 years, have good friends who live in LA

PM me if you want more info.

 

[purbeast0]

Cool man thanks for the tips.

I am actually really curious about snorkeling because if it is supposed to be good I was going to bring my own gear. But after googling some pictures, the water looks pretty cloudy and it looks like there is a lot of sea weed type plants on the ground and just overall murky water. I did see some cool shti though snorkeling with sharks...

We are staying at the Hilton in LA so I'm not sure what is around it exactly but we are only there for one night then heading back to SD.

My wifes friend was goign to take us to Newport beach in OC, and possibly Laguna Beach too I think. Disneyland we're gonna pass on cause we dont have kids heh.

Kayaks sounds like it may be cool to do there, I saw some pics of that too. My friend took sailing lessons and he's gonna rent a sail boat to cruise around the gay in. Definitely wanna check out some authentic mexican food cause I love that stuff!

Also I heard the zoo is really nice ... any opinions on it?

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Newport is bleh really. One evening should be good enough to see everything cool. The positive is the weather is fantastic right now so you can lounge around in shorts an a t shirt at night. Downtown SD is fantastic, definitely catch a night game if you can.

 

[Mathlete]

Now keep in mind that it was 12 yrs ago that I was in SD, but these were some of things by which I was amused:

SD Zoo
Gas Lamp Dist
Dick's Last Resort - The kind of place where the waiters are not nice to you but fun.
Good restaurant called Antonio's I believe, right on the bay

I also liked the drive out to Coronado Island

 

[rockyct]

The aquarium in La Jolla is pretty nice if you've never been to a good aquarium (Monterrey Bay Aquarium). The downtown area is great for couples though. From Seaport Village to the Gaslamp District to the ballpark area, it's all great.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Cool man thanks for the tips.

I am actually really curious about snorkeling because if it is supposed to be good I was going to bring my own gear. But after googling some pictures, the water looks pretty cloudy and it looks like there is a lot of sea weed type plants on the ground and just overall murky water. I did see some cool shti though snorkeling with sharks...

We are staying at the Hilton in LA so I'm not sure what is around it exactly but we are only there for one night then heading back to SD.

My wifes friend was goign to take us to Newport beach in OC, and possibly Laguna Beach too I think. Disneyland we're gonna pass on cause we dont have kids heh.

Kayaks sounds like it may be cool to do there, I saw some pics of that too. My friend took sailing lessons and he's gonna rent a sail boat to cruise around the gay in. Definitely wanna check out some authentic mexican food cause I love that stuff!

Also I heard the zoo is really nice ... any opinions on it?

It is hit or miss. The water will be chilly in early July most likely. I went surfing a few times last summer and froze my ass off in board shorts...should have brought a spring suit for sure.

Water can be clear on a nice sunny day but if it is overcast visibility will be poor. We get a pretty constant afternoon breeze too which will stir up the water along the beaches and if there's a swell forget it. I haven't snorkeled in La Jolla, there may be some spots that are fairly well protected against the current and the swells.

Sailing on San Diego bay is fantastic. I've done it a few times, it is incredible.

I'm not a huge fan of the San Diego zoo. The Wild Animal Park is much much better but it is a good 40 minutes out of downtown San Diego and it sounds like you already have way too much planned for your visit.

I've lived in North County San Diego for 13 years now and I can honestly say there is no place I'd rather live than here.

 

[anxi80]

I agree with Jules about going to the Wild Animal Park instead of the Zoo if you can find the time. It's pretty much a must-see activity in San Diego.

 

[purbeast0]

cool i'll look into that wild animal park as well. we are going to have a few days during the week where my friend is working in OC and we will be trying to do some stuff during the days.

also Jules thanks for the notes about the snorkeling. i did notice that most of the guided tours mentioned wetsuits, which i don't personally own, so yea you are probably right about the water being cold.

 

[Key West]

If you're into Asian food, specifically Korean, it doesn't get better than LA.

Why? LA has the biggest Koreatown in US. And this Koreatown trumps all minority towns all of US.

You will find some amazing amazing Korean dishes at awesome prices. You can also eat all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ for $16pp. In Boston (where I live), KBBQ is like $22.99 per SERVING. At the very least, skirt by the area and grab lunch.

I recommend Griffith Observatory for the LA skyline. Go during sunset. Amazing.

PM me for info if you want further info.

http://www.google.com/images?q=korean%20bbq&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_barbecue

 

[Bill Brasky]

Any recommendations for bars or night clubs in the downtown area? I've heard/ read good things about Altitude and Martini Ranch. Comments?

Also, I'll be going to the Chargers vs Titans game. How is the tailgating scene at Qualcomm stadium? Any ideas for a good pre-game?

 

[anxi80]

the yardhouse. taps galore in the middle of the place with a surrounding restaurant area. also hennessey's is a pretty popular spot. ive been to the ranch, which is in the same vein except it gets crowded in there but has an area for dancing. the yardhouse has a lounge/dance area downstairs if thats what you're looking for.

the tailgating scene is awesome at qualcomm. lots of space and always a lot going on. if you're hosting, get there early and try to find a spot close to a port-a-potty. if you're just attending, id probably advise you to get there at about 10:30-11 the latest. after that good luck, or just take the trolley in (the trolley stops right there in the parking lot, but it too will be nuts to butts in there).

edit: noticed you did mention night clubs. the ivy is a pretty popular spot, as is float at the hard rock (ive seen a few padres/chargers players here nights after games). rock bottom also has dining, bar and a small dance area.

 

[chorb]

the yardhouse. taps galore in the middle of the place with a surrounding restaurant area. also hennessey's is a pretty popular spot. ive been to the ranch, which is in the same vein except it gets crowded in there but has an area for dancing. the yardhouse has a lounge/dance area downstairs if thats what you're looking for.

the tailgating scene is awesome at qualcomm. lots of space and always a lot going on. if you're hosting, get there early and try to find a spot close to a port-a-potty. if you're just attending, id probably advise you to get there at about 10:30-11 the latest. after that good luck, or just take the trolley in (the trolley stops right there in the parking lot, but it too will be nuts to butts in there).

edit: noticed you did mention night clubs. the ivy is a pretty popular spot, as is float at the hard rock (ive seen a few padres/chargers players here nights after games). rock bottom also has dining, bar and a small dance area.

+1 for taking the trolley to the game. Only costs $5 round trip and saves the headache of traffic and $20 for stadium parking.