San Diego trip - 1 month

Hey guys. So our plans to San Diego are on! We figure that the fires are staying away from the city centre, and downtown seems fine. Plus I hear so many amazing things about San Diego, I%26#39;d hate to miss it. We%26#39;re going to arrive on saturday evening, and stay at Mission Bay. I have a couple questions if you don%26#39;t mind.

On the sunday, my friend really wants to go to Tijuana. I realize that most of you suggest skipping it. However, he%26#39;s never been to Mexico, and it%26#39;s not every day a Canadian can hop across the border. I think we%26#39;ll go first thing in the morning, walk around for a couple hours, and go back. We%26#39;ll have a car. Is the best thing to drive to the border and walk across? How safe is it in Tijuana? I%26#39;m ok with spanish, and I%26#39;ve travelled a ton, so I%26#39;m not too worried.

Also, once we get back, we want to spend some time in Balboa Park. And from what I%26#39;ve heard, gastown is a good place to spend the evening. Is there anything else we should definately get to while there? Is a harbour cruise worth it?

And our flight leaves at 12:30pm on monday. We need to return a car rental as well. What time should we leave the hotel. I understand the airport is close to downtown, but we need to give ourselves time to get the car back. And what is San Diego airport like?

San Diego trip - 1 month

Yes best to walk across th e border. You can park on th e USA sideOR drive to the Old Town transit depot in San Diego,park there and take our lightrail trolley to the border. You will be safe during th e day BUT coming back across the border can take a lot of time because it is busy so be prepared. If it were my trip I%26#39;d go to Balboa Park on Sunday because there is extra outdoor entertainment/music etc. You really don%26#39;t have much time here in town and Tijuana will take at least half a day between getting there etc. The gasLAMP district is where you should go on Saturday night. I would only say skip Tijuana because you have so little time here.

The airport is small compared to most major cities.

The car rental places are ALL off airport with shuttles(but close by) so you have to leave time for that. IF you have luggage to check then I would drop the car off by 10:30 otherwise 11ish would be fine.

San Diego trip - 1 month

Ok great. I%26#39;m not sure when we will be leaving LA on the saturday, but we will be visiting Santa Monica, San Clemente, and Encinitas on our way to San Diego.

However, if we get into San Diego at a decent hour on saturday, maybe we should head to the gaslamp area that night instead. Plus that will give us more time to do other things on the sunday.

Tijuana usually doesn%26#39;t ';open'; until later in the morning on Sundays, so if you%26#39;re planning to do it first thing in the morning, there won%26#39;t be much to see or do. I%26#39;d wait until noon-ish.

Oh, ok! Maybe we should do some sightseeing in San Diego before going to Tijuana.

I think a harbour tour would be nice.

I%26#39;d recommend a Harbour tour. It%26#39;s a great way to see the skyline of SD. For the day cruises, there%26#39;s the option of a 1 or 2 hour cruise. The one hour just takes you to see the Bay and the sea lions OR to see Coronado and the ships. If you get a 2 hour cruise ($5 more), you see it all. The sea lions are always the highlight. The ship pulls up next to some floating docks were the sea lions like to sun bathe and play around. You actually get a very close look at them. Make sure you take something warm to wear, it may be a little chilly on the water. You don%26#39;t necessarily have to book in advance. That way, you can decide that morning if you want to go or if the weather is ok.

There are 2 vendors for cruises. I only have experience with Hornblower. http://www.hornblower.com/sealion/

Hi Rob

Have to say that if you are going to San Diego for such a short stay, there is so much to see, that as an ex-San Diegan, I have to say, SKIP Tijuana! Its dirty and poor and falling to pieces and fairly sad to see - expecially all of the gigantic hoardings to prevent the nice people of Mexico getting into the US.

Go spend a nice day at Coronado - its beautiful and you can enjoy the beach from the Hotel Del, Point Loma/Sunset Cliffs La Jolla, and up the coast to Oceanside. Very nice drive all the way up the coast.

Gas Lamp is good for a Saturday night - loads of restaurants and bars - if you like to shop, pop into Horton Plaza - pretty cool layout for a Mall!

Also, get up to the Manchester Hyatt hotel for cocktails and watch the sunset over the Bay. Class!

Cheers

Stoty

Thanks for the tips.

I was wondering about a good place to watch the sunset. I love the sunsets in Hawaii, so I figured San Diego must get some breathtaking sunsets as well.