What should I visit in San Diego?

Question

My friends and I are in college and we are going to San Diego, CA for spring break. We don't do the party scene or bar scene. We love to travel and see everything we can. I was just wondering if there are certain places that we should go when we are in San Diego. Please keep in mind we don't have a ton of money to work with. And if you could give an suggestions as to how we could save money, I would really appreciate. Thanks!!

Answer 1

There are so many things to do in SD on the cheap that don't involve bars. Firstly I have to tell you that there is a chance it will be a bit overcast during Spring Break. We never seem to have that great a weather during that time. We're having a strange winter, though, so it may be perfect...but just know that there is a chance you might not end up with beach weather.

So, firstly you must rent a car. Our cabs are expensive and the public transport sucks.

If you're saving money, don't go to the Zoo, Sea World or Wild Animal Park. Save those for after graduation (when you can afford it). They are expensive and there are plenty of other things to do, such as:

Coronado: Take a drive across the bridge to Coronado. Park some place on the street near the Hotel del Coronado and have a look around not only the hotel, but also the shops in the area.

Julian: Take a drive east and venture into the back-country. Julian used to be a mining town and is now known for it's apple pies. It's a really cure little "western" town with lots of little shops.

Borrego Springs: Further east of Julian is Borrego Springs, which is a little desert community. Look for the Interpretive Center where they explain all the plants and wildlife and take a hite to the Plam Canyon.

Ocean Beach: is a part of town there it's still the 60's. Great lunch tip is HoDads...biggerst burgers you've ever seen. Lots of antique shops too and take a walk in the Pier.

Balboa Park: Supposedly it's bigger than Central Park in NYC. There are lots of museums and some really cool architecture. It's fun to just walk around even without going into any museums.

Old Town: Isn't as fun as it used to be, but if you've never been it might still be worth a trip over there.

La Jolla (Cove or Downtown) is a really upscale part of town and the water. The scenery is awesome. While you're there, drive up to Mt. Soledad - you can see the whole city from up there.

Belmont Park: There is an old wooden roller coaster in Mission Beach. It doesn't cost very much to ride and it's a lot of fun.

Aircraft Carrier: There is a huge Navy Aircraft Carrier that's been turned into a museum that you can visit.

Palomar Mtn: If you are into astronomy at all, there is a large observatory in Mt. Palomar

Tide Pools: You'd have to check the tidal calendar but we have some nice tide pools in Pt. Loma. Just follow the signs to the Cabirillo Lighthouse and visit both the lighthouse and the tide pools while you're there.

My number one cost saving tip is to pack a lunch or get at least 2 of your meals a day from the grocery store rather than a restaurant. Also, sometimes it's worth it to find a hotel room with a kitchenette so you can cook as much as possible and refrigerate your food. Also, if I don't have a kitchenette, I've actually taken stuff out of the mini bar to keep my stuff cold over night and then just put it back the next day when I left the room before the maid came.


Also - the previous poster meant ***** Last Resort...not Nasty Dick's

Answer 2

There are plenty of passions to pursue in San Diego and this hotelbye is the spot to begin discovers what San Diego must offer. In the San Diego holiday you'll step external of your rut and you will explore new activities while you're here and you might just realize that exploring a new search is definitely an experience in itself. Among the places should see from San Diego is Balboa Park. This park has around a 1400 acre and here you will find historic buildings, numerous museums, gardens, and natural space. The park was created for the Panama California Exhibition of 1915-1916. The commonplace architecture is Spanish-Mexican model, low level buildings that blend in with the normal surroundings. Among the highlights of the park would be the Botanical Gardens and lily lake, the Museum of Man, the Museum of Natural History, the San Diego Museum of Art, and the famous San Diego Zoo. Even if you never go into a building the park is merely a beautiful place.

Answer 3

Take the bridge from downtown and go into Coronado. It's the best beach in San Diego in my opinion.

Take a hike in Torrey Pines.

Go to the La Jolla Cove. Restaurants, shopping and wonderful scenery. This is a great place to see the sea lions bathing out in the sun, but they may not be there during the Spring. The new pups were born in the winter.

Visit Mount Soledad in La Jolla. You'll see all of San Diego from up there and there is a very touching Memorial for Veterans and active military men and women.

Balboa Park is wonderful for it's history, garden, and museums. Go on a Sunday. Their "International Houses" are open from 10am-4pm. There are different houses set up unique to different countries. There is a Swedish one that sometimes serves yummy swedish pancakes :).

Del Mar horse races should be starting up soon if you are interested in that.

You don't need a lot of money to enjoy any of these suggestions.

Sea World is a $55 admission I believe. San Diego Zoo will be about $30. Military persons get in for free for both of them. Both parks are great. Do at least one of them if you can afford it.

If you want to go shopping, the Fashion Valley Mall and the Horton Plaza.

Seaport Village is a quaint shopping and restaurant area right on the bay. It's right next to USS Midway which is a naval aircraft carrier turned into a museum. I really enjoyed that if you are interested in history and military life. It cost $22 to get in.

Have fun!!!!

Answer 4

Hi, I hope the weather is good for you. If it is, try going to the beach. Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, the beach in Coronado (visit the Hotel del Coronado while there, its beautiful, its huge, its historic, "Some Like It Hot" was filmed there). You could walk around the cliffs of La Jolla, you could visit Balboa Park, Shelter Island and Harbor Island. The zoo is great and so is the Wild Animal Park but if money is an issue that could be a problem. I guess you have to have a passport to go to Tijuana now, that has its plusses but minusses as well. Ocean water ought to be high 60's by then, it takes getting used to but that would be my vote. Rent a surfboard or a boogie board. Ride a bike or skateboard on the Mission Beach boardwalk. Tons of fun things to do. Have a good time!!

(if you do go to the beach stay away from rip tides, don't go out if the waves are really big, don't swim in surfing areas or surf in swimming areas, shuffle your feet on the bottom to scare away rays. Another thing to do, get a dive mask and dive at the La Jolla Cove, the under sea life is wonderful)

Answer 5

The Zoo is pretty famous, as is Sea World, but they also cost money. If that isn't a problem, consider the weather. If it's hot, you might want to go to Sea World. If it's cooler, go to the Zoo. The animals get lazy and tired if it's hot. If you're looking for something inexpensive, visit the Gaslamp district in Downtown and maybe sample some restaurants. My pick, however, is Balboa Park, as there are lots of great museums to go to--some days out of the month, they're free admission, too! Old Town is also a fun choice, and it hosts good sights, good food, and good shopping. You can also go to Point Loma and visit the Cabrillo Monument, which is close to the water (and cliffs, and is really pretty), so you can visit tidepools at the same location.

Answer 6

I had been in San Diego for 2 months last year. I had bought 2 maps before going there but it was both incomplete. I bought a 3rd one which is more complete but so small that you need the help of a magnifying lens. It is so widespread that people who lives there for almost 20 years doesnt also know the place too well.

The best way to go around San Diego is to ride the trolley. See the website first on how you can save ! It is only then that I appreciated San Diego. You can go down from 1 place to another. There are bus stations in most trolley stations. It is only then that I appreciated the totality of San Diego.

Go to the last American exit in San Ysidro. There is an outlet store which I think is the better than the malls because it is bigger and you have a lot of options to choose from.

Find out the web if they have discounts on the themeparks. I think when you go to 3 parks, you will avail of this. I am not that sure anyway. I had been to San Diego Zoo and Sea World. If you dont go here, it is like not going to San Diego. Go as early as you can especially during the spring breaks. Sea World has a scheduled shows. Get it at the entrance. Buy bottomless drinks which you can refill for the whole day. It can serve as souvenir too.

Schedule your trip as to save time and money. Get hold of a map. I suggest that you visit yahoo travel, under travel guides, see San Diego. At the bottom of the page, there are suggested top 10 attractions to see in San Diego with their websites, locations and schedules. Be sure to alot 1 whole day in San Diego Zoo and another day in Sea World. There is also a slideshow of places to see in San Diego.

See Balboa Park which is one of the best in the world. Dont forget to visit its website so that you know what to expect before going there.

Another theme park is the Wild Animal Park but I just preferred the other 2 . It is already expensive going in the 3. But if you are interested , I think they have a special offer if you go to the 3 parks.

Dont forget to see the Coronado Bridge. Dont you know that it is one of the tallest in the world ? It had already won an award due to its structure. It is one of the most spectacular views I had seen from a bridge. You also see this view when you ride the cable car in Sea World or San Diego Zoo, I forgot which of the 2. Go and visit the Hotel Coronado, it is one of the most beautiful hotels not only in the USA but also in the world.

A word of caution! If you going to park your car be sure that you park in a safe place. My friend parked his car at Ralphs in National City and was shocked to come back with his windows broken. Be careful also with your things, a couple that I know had just been doing their laundry and the bag of the wife was stolen by a Mexican. The husband wasnt able to do anything because everything was so fast.

You will enjoy San Diego. Be sure to always wear a jacket. It gets cold during those months especially when you are there in the theme parks.

If you have more time and a little more money left then go over at Carlsbad. They have Legoland over there. There are strawberry plantations there where you can go picking strawberries. It depends on the season. I dont know if it is year round.

You can just drive over to Oceanside or Harbor view to enjoy the view. It is relaxing.

I was able to go to LA through Greyhound and Amtrak.

Answer 7

I would avoid SeaWorld, very expensive ($60) and not worth the price. There are a lot of great spots to go in SD for nice views and stuff. Check out Cabrillo National Monument, excellent view of Downtown and Coronado. Torrey Pines State Reserve is great for hiking and the beach. The Cliffs near UCSD in La Jolla off of La Jolla Shores Dr and La Jolla Farms Rd is a really popular lookout. Also the UCSD Gliderport just up the road is a great place to visit. You can drive to the top of Mt. Soledad in La Jolla or check out Mission Trails Regional Park. Try walking around Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and Ocean Beach. Cabrillo and Torrey Pines cost $5 per car and the rest are free to visit.

Answer 8

The San Diego zoo is fabulous and not super expensive, if you walk all thru it i guarantee you will have tired legs at the end of the day. Sea World is also worth seeing. The beach along the silver strand is nice, although the water is really too cold to swim in even in July. There are alot of nice restaurants, there is the spaghetti factory in old town for instance, also Anthony's seafood grotto. Hope this helps you :).

Answer 9

I used to eat breakfast at The Mission on Mission Blvd. Delishous fare in a comfortable setting.

There's a fish restaurant complex just south of the aircraft carrier Midway. Go there to eat or just check out the old time fishing photos. If you have a fisherman in your group it's a msut see. I liked the sushi there and there's also a place where you can sit at a counter and watch your meal prepared. A friend of mine enjoyed a tour of the Midway while waiting for me to show.

Another entertaining place was named something like Nasty Dick's. I had fun there.

Answer 10

Check out the San Diego Zoo you can spend days there its HUGE!