What to do in San Diego?

My DH and I are thinking about going to San Diego in Feb - neither of us have been - What would you suggest?

TIA

Re: What to do in San Diego?

DH grew up in Southern California and his family still lives there. We try to take at least a day-trip to San Diego every year. We love it there!

Balboa Park - a complex of 14 museums in a really pretty setting, with Spanish architecture and little "villages" of craftsmen, people playing music, carts selling tamales... you could spend half a day here, easy, even if you only go to one museum.

There are good restaurants and nightlife in the Gaslamp Quarter - and a Ghirardelli ice cream shop! Yum.

Old Town is a small area that's made to look like a Mexican village. DH used to go here with his family for dinner, so it's more a nostalgic thing for him, but there are lots of Mexican restaurants around a plaza and you can sit and eat outside; it's pretty nice. Oh, and there's a lady selling fresh-made hot tortillas with butter while you're waiting for a table. SO GOOD!

Take the very short trip over to Coronado, and wander through the Hotel Del - it's a famous, gorgeous building on a beautiful beach. The little town around it has some okay places to browse and snack, but the hotel is the main attraction.

La Jolla is supposed to be so beautiful, but we've never been.

Of course there's the zoo and Sea World too... I'm not a huge fan of either but I guess you can't go to San Diego without going.

Re: What to do in San Diego?

Thank you so much!!!!

Re: What to do in San Diego?

We went to SD last fall. Here is a review of our trip.

CA Review

Re: What to do in San Diego?

Re: What to do in San Diego?

In addition to everything that has been mentioned DH and I, did a Hollywood day tour, rented a car and went to La Jolla (kayaked in the caves there - sooo coool!!) went hot air ballooning, took a day trip to Temecula Wine country, sea world (wasn't impressed ) and of course the san diego zoo (pandas!) oh and of course the gas lamp district for dinner...

if you need a hotel recommendation, we stayed at the sophia hotel. the location was excellent and everything was perfect!!!

I have pics if you want

Re: What to do in San Diego?

We used to live in SD (La Jolla) -there are a few ladies here that live there now. FYI - February is "rainy" season and it's not warm - maybe 60's.


Dava Day covered a lot. I would add La Jolla, Mt Soledad (can't beat the views) and Pacific Beach. Swimming on Silver Strand beach (just south of Coronado), north to Del Mar for some fantastic restaurants, hot air balloon, and we also took some surfing lessons just northof that in Cardiff, which was great for beginners.

It seems like Tijuana is out these days - which is too bad. The touristy part is away from downtown Tijuana and used to be a great afternoon, but maybe some of the current So Cal girls have better info.

Old Town Mexican Cafe has the women making tortilas in the window and a great experience. Great experience and great margaritas.

Re: What to do in San Diego?

Re: What to do in San Diego?

Check out the zoo. It might sound lame but DH and I went (before DS) and had a great time.

Re: What to do in San Diego?

DH and I went last March and LOVED it!
Like others mentioned, we hung out in Balboa Park a lot. Beautiful grounds with lots of little museums. GREAT for taking pictures, having picnics, etc.
San Diego Zoo was a lot of fun too, it's attached to Balboa Park.
Every night we'd go out to dinner at the Gaslamp District, basically a couple of blocks filled with restaurants, bars, etc. There was outdoor seating at most of the restaurants so we'd sit outside, eat, and people watch. Afterwards we'd walk around, stop at Heavenly Cupcake and get red velvet cupcakes
La Jolla was absolutely gorgeous. We'd go there and watch the sunset at night. It's a beautiful little town with fancy restaurants, nice shops, etc.
Mission Beach was a beautiful beach. It was a little too cold to go in the water but we walked around the town, did sightseeing, etc.
You can take a drive over to Coronado Island, we didn't have time for this but I've heard it's really nice.
You can tour the USS Midway. We got there too late and missed the last tour unfortunately.
There was a pier downtown by the Grand Hyatt that was nice to walk around/bike in. There were lots of cute little gift/souveneir shops, restaurants, etc.

San Diego was beautiful....DH and I were so depressed about leaving! I'm sure you'll have a great time! Have fun!!