San Diego Advice?
I’m going to San Diego on Friday and will have a whole day to shop around on Saturday while my best friend Liz is stuck going to a wedding that starts at 11 a.m. I want to do something besides the zoo or Sea World. Do you know of any shopping destinations I can’t miss while I’m there? Architecture I should see? I’m a fan of thrifting and flea markets as well as checking out how the other half lives. Thanks!
April 10th, 2007 at 2:46 am
It seems everyone is heading to SD this month! I’ll be there next Wednesday, so I’m seeking the same tips. Anyone? Our anxious eyes await!
April 10th, 2007 at 8:14 am
I live in San Diego and there are SO many more things you can do than just the zoo and Sea World. If you are downtown, Horton Plaza is the outdoor city mall that is fun to go around, but Balboa Park is a must. There are great playgrounds for kids, fountains, museums, food stands, everything you need to just hang out around and spend some quality time soaking up the sun. Have so much fun!
April 11th, 2007 at 5:29 am
I suggest the store “MidCentury” it is on Park Blvd. Near the Zoo and Seaworld. The intersection is Park and University. This is the first Modern Store I ever knew of. It open in the mid-late 90s. There is lots of shopping and great 20th century architecture.
You must eat the fantastic SD mexican food. Got to any taco shop with ‘bertos in the name. Most highly recommended is Roberto’s. Be sure to try rolled tacos with guacamole, as San Diego specialty.
I live in Oakland, CA now but I miss SD much of the time. I was born and raised there.
April 11th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Cassandra and Missy, thanks so much for the advice!!! Cassandra, you are making me so hungry right now, I can’t wait to chow down on some Mexican food!
Franki, all I know is we just reserved a car at Alamo on Priceline today for $21/day. Not bad!
Becky
April 13th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Balboa Park is a must - especially ‘cos the Annie Liebowitz exhibition is still on at the Museum of Art there. If art’s your thing, check out the new Museum of Contemporary Art in Downtown/Little Italy.
For the most sublime meal you’ll ever have, start with the crabcakes at Oceanaire in the Gaslamp, and go anywhere on the menu from there.
You love design, so head to Tower 23 hotel in Pacific Beach for sundowners.
Horton Plaza is distinctive for its architecture, but the stores are pretty generic shopping mall. You’re better off on University Ave from Hillcrest all the way through to North Park, and on Grand in Pacific Beach (PB). For artsy stores, try Cedros in Solana Beach. And be sure to check out the gardens at the Buddhist Center while you’re there.
The weather should be great as it’s been blowing for the last day and a half. Have fun.
April 13th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
I’m with Lance, you should definitly checkout Cedros.
http://www.cedrosdesigndistrict.net/
I live in Carlsbad and go down there regulary. Great shops.
April 17th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Such good advice, everyone! Becky, thanks for the Alamo tip. We did pretty well ourselves as an add-on via expedia.
So thanks to your lovely readers we will be enjoying tacos, crabcakes, Balboa Park and Cedros.
We leave tomorrow, so your help to becky was perfect advice for me as well. I’m taking my camera…
April 17th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Thank you all so much - I did not realize we would be driving straight to Temecula but at least enjoyed Balboa Park from the window and knew to go there next trip! I am totally jealous of everyone who lives in S.D. and cannot wait to go back and AT LEAST visit the amazing architecural salvage shops we passed in the Alamo van - they alone looked like they were worth the 4 hour middle seat coach hell ride!
Becky
April 24th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Lance, if you’re reading this…Oceanaire was sublime. We started at the crabcakes and headed straight for the sea bass topped with crab. heaven on a plate.
Thank you, Becky, for asking the pros for help! After San Diego we headed up the coastline dining at great places along the way. If you go back, I recommend Jacks and Clay’s in La Jolla. The view from Clay’s was well worth the cost of the (again, lovely sea bass) meal!