Hotels Etc...

We are doing the California experience or at least what we want to experience, however our understanding of San Diego is minimal. We have three days or so to suck up some southern California sun and maybe hit sea world. I know we will hit the lamp district and of course my wife will want to see the Real World house, I know. What hotels do you guys suggest we stay. We will have a car. What other activities should we embark on as we enjoy our stay in San Diego?

Thanks

Hotels Etc...

Here is the address of you rReal World House,although there is nothing to seethere.

www.realworldhouses.com/realworld14.html

I am not sure what you mean by ';our understanding of SanDiego is minimal';. I am wondering why you are planning to come here? We do not know you so telling you what to do is difficult.

The GASlamp district is an area to visit at night for restaurants,bars,dance clubs, music venues etc.

IF you tell us about yourselves and your price range for hotels we can give you better advice.Also WHEN are you coming? Are you looking for outdoor activities like water sports,hiking,biking etc.? Are youlooking for historical/cultural sites? Are you just interested in theme parks? You tell us.

Hotels Etc...

We are making a trip from San Fran to San Diego stopping one day along the coast. We are coming to SD to get a feel for the city, its culture, food and beaches. It would be more of a sightseeing tour than anything else. We will be doing some night life, however we usually like to do that at the hotel after we have finished for the day. Outdoor cafes or bars along the coast is also something we really enjoy. My understanding of SD is minimal in the fact I have never been and do not truly have an idea of where to stay etc.. We would be getting in about June 22 and stayin three to four nights.

Thanks in Advance

*I guess what it is I am searching is if you were a tourist in your city for the day. What would you do and where would stay?

oK well still no price range BUT I';d start with Balboa Park where the zoo is located although I am not saying you must go to the zoo. See:www.balboapark.org there are many small museums of allkinds; gardens,including cactus,rose,orchid and dJapanese;I-max movies, and live theater. On Sundays there is international entertainment and

food.

The downtown is small and pretty facing the bay.There you can take a harbor cruise and visit ships like the USS Midway aircraft carrier.

Cabrillo Narional Monument(where SD was discovered by th ePortuguese in the 1500s)gives you great 180deg views,Calf history and tidepools to explore at low tide.

At LajollaCove you can use the small rock enclosed cove beaches,see seals on the sand of one of themshop,eat,snorkle,scuba,.Nearbya tLajollaShores you can rent sea kayaks and/or take surf lessons.

We also have TorreyPines gliderport where you can watch them taking off from the cliffs and go tandem with an instructor if you dare.

I think that should get you started.

As for WHERE to stay it really depends on your desire for walking distance to nightlife or not;price range; etc.

You sound fairly young so downtown with all it has to offer might be a good choice for you. Tell me a price range and an idea of when you are coming and I may be able to help more.

You are going at a really good time to visit the zoo because this is usually the week that ';Nightime Zoo'; starts. The zoo is opened extended hours and there is nighttime entertainment. The nighttime entertainment basically consists of musicians at the front plaza and sometimes down in the canyon. Last summer was sort of a Spanish carnival theme and the music was very nice. One of the bands was a Pervian flute band. Also, there is an interesting nighttime show which features arcrobatic performers. Hopefully the same theme and show is used this year. The theme seemed built upon conservation but also animal myths through the world. Screens were also used to show beautiful nature scenes fitting in with the theme. What I was most impressed with where the stilt walkers dressed in interesting native customes. They even hopped their way up the stairs and performing in front of the seats in the back of the (small) outdoor amphitheater. I would suggest, if Nighttime Zoo is on, spend the entire day there until closing (around 8:30, I think). The zoo has a nice full service restaurant with an outdoor deck looking over a waterfall, Albert%26#39;s.

I would recommend a separate day to take a stroll in Balboa Park. Take in a museum if you like, but just admiring the Spanish archetechiture and taking photos is very nice. The Prado restaurant is a good one there. One of the things I like to do in the park sometimes is get my future read. Sometimes you will see one or two people doing tarot readings. I think it%26#39;s kind of fun. Cost me $10 for a 7 card reading. I also like spending time in the biotanical garden.

Perhaps in the evening after going to Balboa Park, you could drive over to Coronado Island and have dinner or drinks at the Hotel Del Coronado. Watch the sunset, walk on the beach.

As mentioned, downtown has a lot of sightseeing to offer.

You may like staying on Shelter Island in the Half Moon Inn. This is pretty close to downtown if you have a car and the hotel has entertainment. Shelter Island is a strip of land that goes out into San Diego Bay. You may be able to get a room with a marina view.

Here are some websites for you. I鈥檓 sorry, I was wrong about the beginning Nighttime Zoo. Looking at their website I see they have regular hours through June 26th.

halfmooninn.com/san-diego-resort-accommodati鈥?/a>

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/index.html

http://www.balboapark.org/

http://www.sdmaritime.com/

www.midway.org/site/pp.asp鈥?/a>

http://www.gaslamp.org/

http://www.hoteldel.com/

If you have a car then you shouldn%26#39;t feel constricted on what area you stay in as our traffic here isn%26#39;t that bad at all conpared to L.A. or D.C.

If you look here on trip advosor under San Diego hotels the first 3 pages are some of the best places to stay in all price ranges and locations.

Note: the hotels in Downtown/Gaslamp area are generally the most expensive.

I want to thank you all for your time and comments. It is folks like yourselves that make traveling easier and enjoyable. Have a great day!