Making San Diego plans...I need help from the experts!

[rsleleux]

We are going to San Diego in a couple of weeks (May 12-16)and I am getting very excited! I have a couple of questions and I appreciate the help! We are arriving in San Diego on a Saturday around noon. We are considering driving to Cabrillo Monument and then we have dinner reservations on Coronado Island. We plan to spend some time at the beach there too. Is it a good idea to go to the monument or is it back tracking a bit? Should we spend some time at Balboa Park since the next day we will be at the zoo but will dedicate most of that day to enjoying the zoo, rather than rushing through it!
Our plans are to visit Coronado Island on the first day, the next we are spending the day at the Zoo, the next heading to Legoland, then Seaworld and on our last day spending it in LaJolla where we are staying until leaving for Anaheim. We cant do Legoland on the way out to Anaheim because it will be closed, I know that would make more sense but unfortunately it wont work out while we are there. So back to my original question, should we go to Balboa Park from the Airport or the monument? Should we check out the monument on another day like after Seaworld? Do we need lots of time in Coronado Island or is a few hours enough? I have never been to San Diego so what I may be thinking may not even be possible? Thanks for all help!

 

[sonnyjane]

Everything sounds pretty good. I'm not sure where I would stick the Cabrillo stuff. It's not "near" Coronado but it's not too far either. I'd say it will take you 30 minutes from one to the other as long as there isn't traffic. If you're going in a Saturday that should be lighter than a weekday.

As far as driving distance and travel routes, it is easier to go from the airport to Balboa to Coronado rather than going to Cabrillo on Point Loma.

 

[rsleleux]

Thanks SonnyJane! Do you think I could go to Point Loma after our Seaworld day? Do we need alot of time at Coronado Island? Our reservation are not until 7pm and I figured we had time to see something before heading to Coronado. Originally, I had planned to check out Balboa park after the zoo but based on your recommendations, I realized there was way too much to see at the zoo to leave early! I had heard parking was difficult on a weekend at Balboa Park? We plan to be at the Zoo when it opens on Sunday but we would not be able to get there any earlier than afternoon on the day we arrive!

 

[skiingfast]

Parking is a bit of a pain everywhere on the weekend.

From Sea World to Point Loma would make sense but you probably won't leave Sea World early enough, that will take a full day into night.

You may want to go from the airport strait up the hill to Balboa Park, then to Cornado for dinner. On Cornado you can go tothe beach of look around the Del Cornado. One can be done at night of course.

 

[rsleleux]

Seaworld closes at 6pm on the day we will be there. Does Point Loma/ Cabrillo close before then?

 

[rsleleux]

Another question, I did notice that Seaworld actually stays open until 7:30 if we switch our Seaworld day that was planned for tues(closes at 6) to the Sunday (closes at7:30). So that means going to the Zoo on Tuesday instead of Sunday. That Sunday will be Mother's Day. Does that make more sense to have more time at Seaworld? That gives us more time to see attractions but I'm thinking its a trade off since there would probably be a bigger crowd on the weekend?

 

[skiingfast]

Seaworld closes at 6pm on the day we will be there. Does Point Loma/ Cabrillo close before then?

It may work. I'm guessing it closes around sunset.

 

[skiingfast]

Another question, I did notice that Seaworld actually stays open until 7:30 if we switch our Seaworld day that was planned for tues(closes at 6) to the Sunday (closes at7:30). So that means going to the Zoo on Tuesday instead of Sunday. That Sunday will be Mother's Day. Does that make more sense to have more time at Seaworld? That gives us more time to see attractions but I'm thinking its a trade off since there would probably be a bigger crowd on the weekend?

I would switch them. SeaWorld can take a lot of time because of the animal shows. The rides lines can take considerable time at well. The other attractions are walk through exibits which take little time.

The zoo on the other hand has a couple rides, the bus tour and gondola, a couple shows, see the one with the birds, and many walk through exhibits.

 

[sonnyjane]

I believe Cabrillo does close at sunset, so I'm not sure when you can fit it in. I be honest, I personally don't think it's *worth* fitting in if you don't have an empty day, so don't feel bad if you miss it. It's a pretty view but... Ehh?

As far as parking, you can park in the zoo parking lot for all of Balboa Park if there is room. Coronado I think is fine for a few hours. Don't worry about making it a full day.

 

[rsleleux]

Thanks! Those are the things I meed to hear to make decisions...A great view that is great but Ehh? will not make the cut! I just didn't realized that there is so much to see and do in San Diego, when I tacked on Disneyland to the tail end of our trip! If I would have realized it, I would've planned the whole week in San Diego and go to Disneyland next year since we will miss out on Carsland and want to go back anyway, Guess I'll just have to tack on a couple more days and go back to San Diego! LOL I want to see it all but I don't want to be so exhausted that we can't enjoy it! So I truly appreciate hearing "I wouldn't be upset if you missed it" from someone that knows!