Thinking of flying in to LAX or SAN.

Definitely want to see the San Diego zoo and safari park. Looking at doing some snorkeling out of Laguna Beach. Probably sticking around the LA - San Diego corridor. Don’t mind day trips if the drive isn’t too long (anything within a couple hours).

Looking for advice on activities (emphasis on outdoors and “ecotourism” type stuff) as well as the best town to stay in if not LA or San Diego.

Time is of the essence.

Thanks!

-Rob

My favorite swimming holes were La Jolla Cove and Coronado. Snorkeling is worthwhile at the Cove, not so much at Coronado.

You have to have lunch at Pt. Loma Seafood.

Don’t forget the Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park near the zoo. USS Midway is fascinating for many.

I avoided LA every chance I got... just sayin.

The Autry museum of the west, the Peterson car museum, the Getty museum

I'd do San Dog every day over LA, no question.

Gas lamp is good (or was good) for finer dining and I always enjoyed bumming around Coronado & the beaches there.

I'd go to SD over LA.

If you feel like splurging I'd check out staying at the Hotel Del Coronado. If not, at least check it out and spend some time on the beach there- it's one of the most beautiful beaches I've been to. And the drive over the bridge is cool.

The Zoo is very well worth seeing.

The Fish Market restaurant is one of my favorites. The gas lamp district is cool to explore- more good places to eat there as well.

If you're looking to hike around the LA-area, you're gonna have to go east of Pasadena and get into the Mt Baldy area outside of Upland. There's plenty of people that like hiking around the Santa Monica mtn area, either around Malibu or, Topanga-area, I just find it overrun with fitness nuts and d-bags. The LA-region for all intents, is vehicle necessary, ergo, much of the attractions are man-made and fit some of the stereotypes of SoCal.

San Diego for sure, with that you can split it between spending time in SD itself or, spending time up the North County.

If down in SD, Balboa Park has a number of museums and places to walk where you can spend a lot of time. The Zoo of course is very popular however the other attractions like Air & Space, Museum of Man, Automotive, Natural History and Botanical Gardens to be as interesting.

USS Midway aircraft carrier is an attraction near downtown. I also like to go to Cabrillo National Monument, it's a high point right at the entrance to the Bay, you go through Ft Rosecrans Cementary and base to reach it. You're high enough to see most of North Island NAS, and parts of the submarine base below. There's a visitor center with a number of exhibits, along with a number of trails to hike around, there's some tide pools on the Pacific side. Bring a lunch and enjoy a few hours up there. The former Naval Training Center is now called Liberty Station, the buildings and streets have remained the same however inside is a wide range of eateries, and shops. Liberty Public Market is a sizable food hall and next door, Stone Brewery has their downtown location.

Gaslamp district gets a lot of out-of-towner's, it has a lot of theme bars and restaurants, along with plenty of places to spend your money but, the best neighborhood is Little Italy. They've made the area much more pedestrian friendly and many of the best eateries in SD are located there. Great spot for a pleasant evening to relax, spend some time and most importantly, get away from the douche bags in Gaslamp.

If you go North, much of your time will likely be exploring the coastal communities and beaches. I like to stay up near Carlsbad at either Carlsbad Inn or, Cape Rey (use Hilton points). Both are across the street from the beach, so if you're into grabbing some morning coffee and a morning stroll along the beach, both will fit the bill. Carlsbad Inn is adjacent to downtown Carlsbad which has a handful of solid places to eat and grab a drink. Encinitas is very popular and has a couple miles of downtown you can stroll along, Leucadia is the smaller sleepier sister which right now has the most popular seafood spot, Fish 101. Solano Beach and Cardiff are smaller beach communities with a sizable retired population. Del Mar you can call an affluent suburb of LaJolla, it's where the big racetrack is and the popular Powerhouse Park.

You should stop in Fountain Valley and see Dave Truong.

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
My favorite swimming holes were La Jolla Cove and Coronado. Snorkeling is worthwhile at the Cove, not so much at Coronado.

You have to have lunch at Pt. Loma Seafood.

Don’t forget the Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park near the zoo. USS Midway is fascinating for many.

I avoided LA every chance I got... just sayin.

This man knows of what he speaks. All good options. I love San Diego, but wouldn't go to LA on a bet.

Also, if you go to SD, look up Hodad's for an excellent burger.

San Diego FTW! Laguna beach is really nice, I can see driving up there and snorkeling then getting some fish tacos and margaritas. I wouldn't go into LA though...

Drive across the San Diego-Coronado bridge to Coronado (unless you have acrophobia). It's a beautiful bridge.
The original bridge did not have the lights on poles--the lights were horizontal along the guard rail and there was nothing more than 3' above the roadway. When driving over it there was nothing above your car at all.

flashguy

This message has been edited. Last edited by: flashguy,

quote:

Originally posted by vinnybass:

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
My favorite swimming holes were La Jolla Cove and Coronado. Snorkeling is worthwhile at the Cove, not so much at Coronado.

You have to have lunch at Pt. Loma Seafood.

Don’t forget the Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park near the zoo. USS Midway is fascinating for many.

I avoided LA every chance I got... just sayin.

This man knows of what he speaks. All good options. I love San Diego, but wouldn't go to LA on a bet.

Also, if you go to SD, look up Hodad's for an excellent burger.

Well, I did live there for 45 years! San Diego, that is.

Alfonso's moved to North County.

A drive up to see Dave Truong can be very worthwhile. To make the trip complete stop off at Plaza Cutlery Plaza Cutlery carries a wide variety of high quality knives, then have Prime Rib at Gullivers.

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
My favorite swimming holes were La Jolla Cove and Coronado. Snorkeling is worthwhile at the Cove, not so much at Coronado.

You have to have lunch at Pt. Loma Seafood.

Don’t forget the Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park near the zoo. USS Midway is fascinating for many.

I avoided LA every chance I got... just sayin.

100% agree. I lived in San Diego for 5 years and second everything JAllen mentioned. San Diego Zoo is terrific as is the Wild Animal Park (if you can’t do both, my preference would be the Wild Animal Park).

Have lunch at the Hotel Del Coronado and walk on the beach in front.

I also loved Shelter Island. Great place to just hang out - especially if they have a concert playing at Humphreys.

Oh, I also agree: you can skip LA unless, you like sitting in traffic. Their rush hour starts about 5am and lasts for about 20 hours.

We used to have to go to LA for customer meetings. We’d take the train instead of driving up there.

When we have guests, I encourage them to take the Old Town Trolley tour first, you can hop on and off, goes through downtown, gas light district, Coronado, and Balboa Park. Also Little Italy which is a good stop for lunch. After that you’ll have a better idea where you want to spend your time.

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
My favorite swimming holes were La Jolla Cove and Coronado. Snorkeling is worthwhile at the Cove, not so much at Coronado.

Plus, when you swim at La Jolla Cove, you may also get the chance to observe Great White sharks feeding.

If you are in Balboa Park at 1400 on any Sunday, the Spreckles Organ gives a free concert. It is the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world, and worth going to see and hear.

flashguy

There are so many places and things to see and do in Sandy Eggo. One of my top favorites is Mount Soledad, a memorial to Veterans. I visit every time I'm in the area. To me it's a very special place. Mount Soledad.

I'll be in Palm Springs next week, but no San Diego visit this time.

Have fun, enjoy.

We enjoyed a ferry trip to Catalina Island for an afternoon. Coming back after dark was really cool. Caught the ferry in the vicinity of the Queen Mary.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Collins:
We enjoyed a ferry trip to Catalina Island for an afternoon. Coming back after dark was really cool. Caught the ferry in the vicinity of the Queen Mary.

That is loads of fun, very amusing.

https://www.catalinaexpress.com/schedule-fares.html