San Diego and Disneyland questions

Momtomouselover

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jun 10, 2009
We are going to San Diego in a little over a week and are staying for 5 nights/4 full days with flying out the afternoon of the fifth day. We are thinking of doing a zoo day, a Seaworld day, a visit the beach and/or cove day, and I'm now considering a Disneyland/California Adventure day. Do you think that would be too much? Are there things we can combine into one day? We are a fairly active family but I don't want to overplan either. I'm hoping to explore the Gaslamp area at night (mostly restaurants and a walk about) too.

Disneyland questions - I have never been but have been to Disneyworld many, many times. Can you visit both parks in one day? Should we move hotels one night or is it reasonable to drive up from San Diego. Is it insanely crowded right now? My husband is not a fan of crowds :/

San Diego questions - Any advice on where to stay? We are a family of 3 (2 adults, 1 child). I'm looking at the Indigo, Salomar, or the U.S. Grant right now. Are any of those stand outs for they are kinda expensive. Would we be better off staying at the beach maybe around the Palomar area?

Thanks for any advice/help! I know I asked a lot of questions. :)
 
We are going to San Diego in a little over a week and are staying for 5 nights/4 full days with flying out the afternoon of the fifth day. We are thinking of doing a zoo day, a Seaworld day, a visit the beach and/or cove day, and I'm now considering a Disneyland/California Adventure day. Do you think that would be too much? Are there things we can combine into one day? We are a fairly active family but I don't want to overplan either. I'm hoping to explore the Gaslamp area at night (mostly restaurants and a walk about) too.

Disneyland questions - I have never been but have been to Disneyworld many, many times. Can you visit both parks in one day? Should we move hotels one night or is it reasonable to drive up from San Diego. Is it insanely crowded right now? My husband is not a fan of crowds :/

San Diego questions - Any advice on where to stay? We are a family of 3 (2 adults, 1 child). I'm looking at the Indigo, Salomar, or the U.S. Grant right now. Are any of those stand outs for they are kinda expensive. Would we be better off staying at the beach maybe around the Palomar area?

Thanks for any advice/help! I know I asked a lot of questions. :)

To be honest, Disneyland/California Adventure require 3 days at the very, very minimum. It's about a 1 and 1/2 to 2 hour drive to Disneyland from San Diego. I obviously love Disneyland or I wouldn't be a member on these boards but it's an experience that I would hate for you to rush so I'm almost inclined to tell you to skip it entirely if you don't have enough time to do it right. It would be like you going to WDW for a single day. What kind of impression would it leave you about the park overall? Disneyland/DCA have almost the same number of rides and attractions as all four parks at WDW combined. Many people make the mistake of thinking it's smaller because it's geographically smaller, but there's still a comparable amount of things to see.

U.S. Grant has a stellar reputation but as you know, also quite the price tag. All of the attractions you want to see are in San Diego proper, so I'd stay away from Palomar. That's a crappy drive. Downtown will be more expensive accommodations. If you want something more affordable look into Mission Beach area or Hotel Circle.
 
Question - you said you're coming in a week?

Comic Con is next week and every room in this city is most probably booked. I'd look into that ASAP.

That said - Grant is a bit stuffy but lovely location, Might also want to try the Bristol, Sofia, W Hotel, Embassy Suites, Bayfront Hilton, and The Pearl. I would do my best to stay away from Hotel Circle. If you are coming next week, Palomar might be as close you can get to San Diego... Good luck.

You can do DL/DCA in 2 days if you plan well and keep moving. As mentioned it's a bit of a drive. Hard to do both in one day.

Locals would tell you to avoid the Gaslamp but it does appeal to tourists. All the food seems to come from the same kitchen despite every step is a new restaurant. And it's crowded, X10 if you're here next week during Comic Con.
 
We are going to San Diego in a little over a week and are staying for 5 nights/4 full days with flying out the afternoon of the fifth day. We are thinking of doing a zoo day, a Seaworld day, a visit the beach and/or cove day, and I'm now considering a Disneyland/California Adventure day. Do you think that would be too much? Are there things we can combine into one day? We are a fairly active family but I don't want to overplan either. I'm hoping to explore the Gaslamp area at night (mostly restaurants and a walk about) too.

Disneyland questions - I have never been but have been to Disneyworld many, many times. Can you visit both parks in one day? Should we move hotels one night or is it reasonable to drive up from San Diego. Is it insanely crowded right now? My husband is not a fan of crowds :/

San Diego questions - Any advice on where to stay? We are a family of 3 (2 adults, 1 child). I'm looking at the Indigo, Salomar, or the U.S. Grant right now. Are any of those stand outs for they are kinda expensive. Would we be better off staying at the beach maybe around the Palomar area?

Thanks for any advice/help! I know I asked a lot of questions. :)

The drive is simple. Probably 1.5 hours and car pool lane makes it easy once you get passed the traffic in san clemente area. I would skip Disneyland and just do California Adventures since you go to Disneyworld and have seen MK. 1 day is all you need for CA Adventures. If you do a late night drive back, its very relaxing (9pm). Cars tend to go pretty fast down the 5 so you make quick time.
 


Question - you said you're coming in a week?

Comic Con is next week and every room in this city is most probably booked. I'd look into that ASAP.

That said - Grant is a bit stuffy but lovely location, Might also want to try the Bristol, Sofia, W Hotel, Embassy Suites, Bayfront Hilton, and The Pearl. I would do my best to stay away from Hotel Circle. If you are coming next week, Palomar might be as close you can get to San Diego... Good luck.

You can do DL/DCA in 2 days if you plan well and keep moving. As mentioned it's a bit of a drive. Hard to do both in one day.

Locals would tell you to avoid the Gaslamp but it does appeal to tourists. All the food seems to come from the same kitchen despite every step is a new restaurant. And it's crowded, X10 if you're here next week during Comic Con.
Wow good catch!! Yikes yes please find accommodations ASAP.
 
Thanks guys for advice. I didn't have a clue about comic con but thankfully (since we arent attending) we arrive 2 days after it ends. Could have made for some interesting people watching though! I bet my son would enjoy it but the crowds..not so much. We went ahead and booked rooms at the U.S. Grant. They were pricey though. I might look around a bit more but since we are getting so close we will probably stick with them.

Hmm, I might skip Disneyland altogether this trip then. I'm a big fan but hubby is not. I can't imagine he would enjoy me running him to death to see as much as possible in a day. Plus I'm not the kind of person that likes to rush about. It makes me nervous! We might still go to CA and see Cars land though. My son would really enjoy it but I kinda think it would be torture to be right next to Disneyland and not go in! Plus I just added up ticket prices for everything and with DL/DCA in the mix it really goes sky high! Ok, you can see how undecided I am :lmao:


We need to stay longer :)

Any advice on where to eat in San Diego? Has to be vegetarian friendly.
 
This town is extremely veggie friendly but unfortunately I'm an omnivore so I'm no help, just know that you'll have no problem finding good veggie dishes. I just had dinner tonight at Yard House which is right near your hotel and they had and entire section devoted to it. I'm not recommending them necessarily just saying that lots of places here have many veggie options.
 


US Grant is just off the trolley line - might be worth looking into taking the train for a day to Anaheim for DL/DCA. Very easy and doable.

Where to eat - will you have a car? San Diego is very large and spread out. Public transportation is limited and taxis are expensive.

Some suggestions close to you including a few of the stand outs in the Gaslamp.

Tender Greens
Avo's Mediterranean Food
Pokez (all vegetarian/vegan Mexican food). Run by snooty straight edge punks. They don't bother me, your mileage might vary.
Burger Lounge (has the best veggie burger in town).
Cafe Chloe (wonderful french bistro, can accommodate vegetarians)
Kabob House
Underbelly (ramen and beer in the Little Italy area)
PrepKitchen (Modern American, Little Italy)
Basic (pizza and beer just outside of Gaslamp district)
Cucian Urbana (modern Italian, hip, will require a reservation and perhaps a short taxi ride. Walk to is uphill, walk back is downhill)
Grant Grill (excellent cocktails, in your hotel)
Barrio Star (higher end, alta cocina style Mexican)
Blind Burro (also higher end Mexican, excellent).

All these are within walking distance for an active family and my regular haunts. I work across the street from the US Grant for reference.
 
US Grant is just off the trolley line - might be worth looking into taking the train for a day to Anaheim for DL/DCA. Very easy and doable.

Where to eat - will you have a car? San Diego is very large and spread out. Public transportation is limited and taxis are expensive.

Some suggestions close to you including a few of the stand outs in the Gaslamp.

Tender Greens
Avo's Mediterranean Food
Pokez (all vegetarian/vegan Mexican food). Run by snooty straight edge punks. They don't bother me, your mileage might vary.
Burger Lounge (has the best veggie burger in town).
Cafe Chloe (wonderful french bistro, can accommodate vegetarians)
Kabob House
Underbelly (ramen and beer in the Little Italy area)
PrepKitchen (Modern American, Little Italy)
Basic (pizza and beer just outside of Gaslamp district)
Cucian Urbana (modern Italian, hip, will require a reservation and perhaps a short taxi ride. Walk to is uphill, walk back is downhill)
Grant Grill (excellent cocktails, in your hotel)
Barrio Star (higher end, alta cocina style Mexican)
Blind Burro (also higher end Mexican, excellent).

All these are within walking distance for an active family and my regular haunts. I work across the street from the US Grant for reference.

Thank you for all the suggestions! We will have a car so probably will do some in walking distance and then drive when needed or to visit places worth the extra trip. :)

Still haven't made a decision for sure on DCA and might just make it spur of the moment. If we find ourselves with a free day then we might go for it but the cost of one day tickets is pretty frightening.
 
This town is extremely veggie friendly but unfortunately I'm an omnivore so I'm no help, just know that you'll have no problem finding good veggie dishes. I just had dinner tonight at Yard House which is right near your hotel and they had and entire section devoted to it. I'm not recommending them necessarily just saying that lots of places here have many veggie options.

Thanks! :)
 
Thank you for all the suggestions! We will have a car so probably will do some in walking distance and then drive when needed or to visit places worth the extra trip. :)

Still haven't made a decision for sure on DCA and might just make it spur of the moment. If we find ourselves with a free day then we might go for it but the cost of one day tickets is pretty frightening.

With a car you have some great options still close by:

In North Park (30th and University)

Veg N Out - veggie "fast food" totally vegetarian
Casa de Luz - veggie and vegan
Sipz - Asian, the entire 20 page menu is vegetarian and vegan)
Rancho's - mexican, decent but not authentic. Anything can be made vegan or vegetarian
Urban Solace - American comfort food, great veg selections. One of out hotter places to eat these days)

Casa de Luz, Sipz and Ranchos are all within 20 yards of one another.

Mama's Lebanese Kitchen - extensive vegetarian food

Also see Hillcrest which has lots options.

North Park and Hillcrest should be looked at for zoo/Balboa Park days.
 
Awesome! I have lots of dining options now. :). Now, I just need to decide where we wish to visit or risk paying full price if we decide spur of the moment. Oh my, we leave in just a couple days!
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top