Planning a Side Trip to San Diego?

[Tink33]

A few people have expressed interest in things to do while visiting San Diego. I will compile a list of things to do and places to visit. Check back as new ideas are added.

<font color=blue><font size=4>THEME PARKS</font>

<font color=red>Legoland</font> Carlsbad
www.legolandca.com

<img width = "500" SRC = "http://www.io.com/~rueger/lego/misc/carlsbad/Images/parkgate.jpg">


<font color=blue><font size=4>ANIMAL/SEA LIFE ADVENTURES</font>

<font color=green>The San Diego Zoo</font> San Diego
www.sandiegozoo.org

<font color=green>The San Diego Wild Animal Park</font> Escondido
www.sandiegozoo.org

<font color=green>Sea World</font> Mission Bay
www.seaworld.org

<font color=green>Birch Aquarium at Scripps</font> La Jolla
www.aquarium.ucsd.edu

<img width = "500" SRC = "http://www.aquarium.ucsd.edu/images/header.gif">


<font color=blue><font size=4>WATER PARKS</font>

<font color=royal blue>Knotts Soak City USA</font> Chula Vista
www.knotts.com/soakcity/sd/index.shtml

<font color=royal blue>The Wave</font> Vista
www.wave-waterpark.com/

<font color=blue><font size=4>MUSEUMS</font>

<font color=orange>Balboa Park</font> San Diego
www.balboapark.org

<font color=orange>San Diego Children's Museum</font> Downtown
www.sdchildrensmuseum.org

<font color=orange>San Diego Maritime Museum</font> San Diego Harbor
www.sdmaritime.com

<font color=blue><font size=4>SAN DIEGO HISTORY</font>

<font color=purple>Mission San Diego De Alcala</font> Mission Valley
www.

<font color=purple>Mission San Luis Rey de Francia</font> Oceanside
www.sanluisrey.org/

<font color=purple>Old Town</font> San Diego
www.gothere.com/sandiego/oldtown

<font color=purple>Cabrillo National Monument</font> Point Loma
www.nps.gov/cabr/tide.html

<font color=blue><font size=4>SAN DIEGO FROM ABOVE</font>

<font color=ff69b4>Hot Air Balloon

<font color=ff69b4>Airplane
www.barnstorming.com

<font color=ff69b4>Hang Glide / Parasail</font> Torrey Pines
www.flytorrey.com

<font color=ff69b4>Mt Soledad</font> San Diego

<font color=ff69b4>Palomar Observatory</font>
www.astro.caltech.edu/palomarpublic/

<font color=blue><font size=4>SAN DIEGO MILITARY</font>

<font color=white>Navy Ships' Open House
www.airpac.navy.mil/tours/index.html

Call 619-532-1430 for availability


<font color=blue><font size=4>BEACHES</font>

www.sannet.gov/lifeguards/beaches/

<font color=blue><font size=4>NIGHTLIFE</font>

<font color=94000D3>The Gaslamp</font>
http://www.gaslamp.com/

<font color=blue><font size=4>SHOPPING EXPERIENCE</font>

<font color=ee00ee>Horton Plaza</font> Downtown
http://gothere.com/sandiego/horton/index.htm

<font color=ee00ee>Seaport Village</font> San Diego Harbor
www.spvillage.com

<font color=ee00ee>Carlsbad Company Stores</font> Carlsbad
www.carlsbadcompanystores.com

[This message was edited by Tink33 on 04-13-01 at 10:29 AM.]

 

[JenniferWooster]

Thanks for the great ideas!

Jenn

 

[FairyGodfriend]

Wow! Balboa Park is incredible! Thanks for all this great info, it was exactly what I needed to know. Half the fun is in the planning!

 

[snoopylovertoo]

I think another great place is the Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma. It has a beautiful view of the city and ocean and was one of my favorite places to take visitors when I lived there.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Point Loma is really neat. Great place to check out. The only downside is that you cross government military to get to it. They close the park early because of this. (5 or 6 pm I think)
We are hitting the Wildlife Park, by-passing the zoo this trip.
But in San Diego, we always eat at least one meal at Miguel's! Mmmm..... Good and very reasonably priced, multiple locations.
For shoppers, there is a wonderful, large outlet shopping center just around the corner from Legoland.

CSR: 01/01
DL- off site: 05/01
WDW - on site: 01/0

 

[ceejay13]

We also love going over to Coronado, and we always go down to the Children's Pool in La Jolla. It is a protected cove and there are always seals and sea lions up on the beach sunning themselves.

 

[TnRobin]

We stopped at Capistrano on the way to San Diego. If you are into historical things it was great.

Disney Vacation Club Board Co-Moderator
DVC and Cruise Chat Hostess
Cruise Board List Mistress

<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=#6600CC>We've only had a taste of Balboa Park; almost went there yesterday, but time was getting short & we had to get home. San Diego has a lot to offer.

Thanks, Tink33!

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=#FF0066>Mary Jo

Disneyland & Techie Boards Co-Moderator

My DL Site
My Sequoia/Yosemite Trip

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[Michelle]

This is GREAT, Tink, thanks so much for taking the time to put this together!

Michelle
Assistant Webmaster
Cruise & Inspiration Board Co-Host
Disneyland Board Co-Host

 

[C]

Thanks, Tink, for your effort in compiling the information! We have just completed booking our Anaheim and San Diego trip for this October, and it gives us some great ideas.

I have a question for you. Do you know anything about the Solana Beach Courtyard by Marriott? And can you describe Solana Beach for us. We're anxious to know because we've booked 3 nights there.

 

[Tink33]

<center>Solana Beach</center>

Here is a link to the hotel. www.pacificahost.com/hotels/sandiego/marriott/index.html

Here is a site that describes the history and location of Solana Beach. http://www.stockteam.com/solana.html

In case you decide that you don't want to leave: www.hribar.com/commsolana.htm

There is an amtrack station in Solana Beach if you want to explore San Diego by rail. And right next door is the most affluent area of San Diego - Rancho Santa Fe (or The Ranch as locals call it).
If you want to see how the rich and famous live, make sure to visit The Ranch.

[This message was edited by Tink33 on 04-13-01 at 10:58 AM.]

 

[teri]

Hey, this deserves a bump.

 

[Tink33]

Beaches, Waterparks and Nightlife added

 

[Cara]

Thanks, Tink!!! Would any of you SD experts be willing to rate the top three things to see/do for a family with one 7.5 year-old DD? I can't wait until our Anaheim/San Diego trip this fall!

Cara

 

[sbrownell]

I live in San Diego (actually North County Carlsbad/Encinitas). I have two kids ages 9 & 10. Would love to give you any input on things to do. Can you give me an idea of what you like (beaches, amusement parks, theatre, etc.) I love the wild animal park in San Diego, and the zoo is the worlds best zoo. However with that said, not sure if these are things your are into. The beaches here are pretty amazing too. Please email me with specifics.

 

[Cara]

We love theme parks, and my daughter loves "going and doing." We are considering Legoland for part of a day and a full day at San Diego Zoo. We are interested in something "nature related" for our first afternoon. I would love to walk on a beach and see the Sea Lions I hear so much about. Any tips would be appreciated. I am thinking we may not do Sea World, since we will probably visit the one in Orlando in a couple of years.

Thanks.
Cara

 

[Tink33]

The sea lions are at the Children's Pool in La Jolla.
Sea Lions

 

[Planogirl]

Wow, this is a great list! I'm making lists like crazy.

I plan to try to see the Whaley House while we're there. Is anyone familiar with it?

 

[Tink33]

Here is some information I found:

Whaley House

Whaley House Photos

Official Site - Whaley House

 

[Planogirl]

Wow, what cool websites! Yes, I am definitely going there too. Thanks!!!