DLR and San Diego without a car?

[scldir]

I'm worried about driving in Southern California - maybe for no good reason, I'm not sure. So, question #1 - how bad is is the traffic, if we try to avoid rush hour? Is it really hard to get around without getting lost, or do most rentals come with really good GPS's? Question #2 - it looks like we could take Amtrack from Anaheim to San Diego. But, is it really possible to visit the Zoo, Sea World and maybe La Jolla without a car? I haven't picked out a hotel for SD yet, if that makes a difference. I'm worrying way too much about this! Thanks - Pam

 

[eroilersgal]

We are headed to San Diego Halloween weekend and do not want to drive in Southern California. Looking for a decent hotel either with shuttle or near public transportation for the airport, zoo, Sea World, and Amtrak. Would love suggestions as I am driving myself crazy with this part of our trip.

I am looking at taking Amtrak from SD to Disneyland.

Still looking for a fairly simple, cheap way to get to Legoland from SD without a car. HELP!!!!!

 

[bateman]

Still looking for a fairly simple, cheap way to get to Legoland from SD without a car. HELP!!!!!

http://www.anaheimgardenwalk.com/entertainment/index.php?gid=6&rid=174

Maybe give these guys a call... They have ticket and bus too and from your hotel packages (For Anaheim hotels). Maybe they know somewhere to do that in SD....

BTW Used them for Universal Studios Front of line pass and cost $5 less, including bus too and from Universal Studios, than buying the front of line pass from Universal itself.

Hope this helps

 

[JaxsonsMom]

San Diego has pretty poor public transportation....

Ideas: Old Town trolley tours can get you from the downtown area to the zoo.

Some hotels offer shuttles to Sea World, but Sea World in not in in the down town area which makes it hard.

The zoo, sea world, la jolla, legoland... all these things are fairly far apart (up to an hour)

I would say the best (for your money) way to get around is having a car. It allows you to come and go as you please and not pay for a lot of shuttles. I know that the traffic can be a little crazy but you don't have to depend on all these different things.

The trains are nice, but just remember about getting to and from all the stations. This might include more shuttles, buses, and so on.

 

[HydroGuy]

San Diego has pretty poor public transportation....

Ideas: Old Town trolley tours can get you from the downtown area to the zoo.

Some hotels offer shuttles to Sea World, but Sea World in not in in the down town area which makes it hard.

The zoo, sea world, la jolla, legoland... all these things are fairly far apart (up to an hour)

I would say the best (for your money) way to get around is having a car. It allows you to come and go as you please and not pay for a lot of shuttles. I know that the traffic can be a little crazy but you don't have to depend on all these different things.

The trains are nice, but just remember about getting to and from all the stations. This might include more shuttles, buses, and so on.

I tend to agree with this. However, as a frequent international traveller I know I go places and just do not want to drive (for example in the UK on the opposite side of the road ).

So if I went to DLR and SD and did not want to drive, I would:

1. Take the Amtrak train from DLR to SD or I would take a Grey Line bus.

2. I would stay as close as possible to my destinations and use hotel shuttles (if available) or taxis to get to SW, SD zoo etc.

3. I would take a taxi to La Jolla

In the end probably more expensive than a car, but it would work.



3.

 

[FoodLover]

3. I would take a taxi to La Jolla

From central San Diego, this would cost a fortune, and I have my doubts you could even find a taxi driver willing to do it. It's about 13 miles each way from downtown SD. Getting a cab back... wow, not easy. You'd definitely have to call for one.

Without a car, there really is no affordable way to travel between San Diego and La Jolla. The cheapest option would be to go from San Diego to the La Jolla Town Square shopping center by a combination of trolley and city bus, then take a cab ride to La Jolla cove from there, but I'm not sure how plentiful cabs will be at the shopping center. Plus you'll have the same issue of finding a cab back. And this will take forever.

If you just want to visit a beach, another option would be to take the Coaster (commuter train) from San Diego to Solana Beach.

Realistically, it's very hard to cover multiple destinations within San Diego County without a car. (I say this as someone who lived there for 10 years.)

Without a car, traveling between major tourist attractions such as Disneyland and San Diego Zoo is most easily accomplished by using a Gray Line tour.

Mary

 

[HydroGuy]

From central San Diego, this would cost a fortune, and I have my doubts you could even find a taxi driver willing to do it. It's about 13 miles each way from downtown SD. Getting a cab back... wow, not easy. You'd definitely have to call for one.

Without a car, there really is no affordable way to travel between San Diego and La Jolla. The cheapest option would be to go from San Diego to the La Jolla Town Square shopping center by a combination of trolley and city bus, then take a cab ride to La Jolla cove from there, but I'm not sure how plentiful cabs will be at the shopping center. Plus you'll have the same issue of finding a cab back. And this will take forever.

If you just want to visit a beach, another option would be to take the Coaster (commuter train) from San Diego to Solana Beach.

Realistically, it's very hard to cover multiple destinations within San Diego County without a car. (I say this as someone who lived there for 10 years.)

Without a car, traveling between major tourist attractions such as Disneyland and San Diego Zoo is most easily accomplished by using a Gray Line tour.

Mary

I agree it is hard, but I do not agree you would have a hard time finding a taxi. That is what taxi drivers do. Would it be expensive? Well, probably. The OP could decide if it was worth it or not.

If the OP was an American who could drive, I would say get a car. But if they were international or just unable to drive, then I do believe there are alternatives like taking taxis.

From another post by the OP it appears he/she may have decided to abandon plans to visit SD on this trip anyways.

 

[cbastedo@sympatico.c]

I would recommend to rent a car. The traffic from DLR to SD on 5 is not bad and you have great scenery driving down the coast. Trains and taxis will cost almost double and every car rental will offer GPS