San Diego Vacation?
Ok so my husband and I and another couple (our ages 22-27) are planning a trip to San Diego in July. We will be staying downtown San Diego, What is the best beach that is closest to downtown that is a safe, fun beach? Good Golf Courses close by? Good Spas? Fun things to do? Is old town san diego worth going? Nice romantic dinner places just any information would be GREAT! We are pretty much clueless so thanks!
I am from San Diego! 
There are quite a few beaches were you can go.
There is Ocean Beach, Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. All three are north of downtown and are basically next to each other. They are calm neighborhoods and have the tourism feel to them but hommie at the same time. In Mission Beach there is Belmont Park, which is a roller coaster next to the beach and the boardwalk, with other fun fair activities. Sea World is in the area as well. There is La Jolla, nice beaches, cute little shops and cafes, restaurants and real nice houses to look at.
If you want something more calm, the city of Imperial Beach is nice too. Calm, quiet and real nice. I grew up here. If you come at the end of July, there is the National San Castle competition, lasts from Friday to Sunday. I am not sure the dates this year, they vary, but you can always go to the city's website. http://www.ci.imperial-beach.ca.us/
Coronado Island, which is across the bridge from downtown, and north from Imperial Beach, is nice too. Hotel del Coronado is there (the one that came out on Baywatch, long time ago), and it has a great restaurant overlooking the ocean. There is a golf course in that area. I am pretty sure the area has the amendities you are looking for, like spas and good restaurants. At the end of the main street (Orange ave), you can enjoy a great view of the San Diego downtown skyline, very beautiful at night. There is a restaurant there called Peohes, it's a great seafood restaurant with the great view. There are other little restaurants like it next to it if you don't want seafood.
Old town is very romantic, you can see the bay from some of the restaurant since it is on a higher ground than downtown. If you choose a good weekend, they always have some sort of fun fill activies. If you change you mind and come in June, 2 weeks before 4th of July there is the San Diego Fair, on the Del mar Fair Grounds, about 15 min north of downtown. They have concerts and all the fair activities you can think of.
There is a lot you can do. There is the Wild Animal Park, which is inland, but very interesting to visit. There is Balboa Park, next to downtown which has museums and theather. It is part of the old Missions that San Diego has from centuries ago.
And my favorite thing to do, regardless of that you might want to do during the day, is to go to Point Loma. It's the peninsula that harbors the city and bay. There is whale watching and it has the most gorgeous sunsets I have ever seen, If I do say so myself.
Hope you have fun and enjoy your stay. If you really want details (he he, more than I have already given you) or like to know something in specific, please let me know. Have fun!
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4 comments
Nena on March 30, 2009 at 12:18 am
I am from San Diego!
There are quite a few beaches were you can go.
There is Ocean Beach, Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. All three are north of downtown and are basically next to each other. They are calm neighborhoods and have the tourism feel to them but hommie at the same time. In Mission Beach there is Belmont Park, which is a roller coaster next to the beach and the boardwalk, with other fun fair activities. Sea World is in the area as well. There is La Jolla, nice beaches, cute little shops and cafes, restaurants and real nice houses to look at.
If you want something more calm, the city of Imperial Beach is nice too. Calm, quiet and real nice. I grew up here. If you come at the end of July, there is the National San Castle competition, lasts from Friday to Sunday. I am not sure the dates this year, they vary, but you can always go to the city's website. http://www.ci.imperial-beach.ca.us/
Coronado Island, which is across the bridge from downtown, and north from Imperial Beach, is nice too. Hotel del Coronado is there (the one that came out on Baywatch, long time ago), and it has a great restaurant overlooking the ocean. There is a golf course in that area. I am pretty sure the area has the amendities you are looking for, like spas and good restaurants. At the end of the main street (Orange ave), you can enjoy a great view of the San Diego downtown skyline, very beautiful at night. There is a restaurant there called Peohes, it's a great seafood restaurant with the great view. There are other little restaurants like it next to it if you don't want seafood.
Old town is very romantic, you can see the bay from some of the restaurant since it is on a higher ground than downtown. If you choose a good weekend, they always have some sort of fun fill activies. If you change you mind and come in June, 2 weeks before 4th of July there is the San Diego Fair, on the Del mar Fair Grounds, about 15 min north of downtown. They have concerts and all the fair activities you can think of.
There is a lot you can do. There is the Wild Animal Park, which is inland, but very interesting to visit. There is Balboa Park, next to downtown which has museums and theather. It is part of the old Missions that San Diego has from centuries ago.
And my favorite thing to do, regardless of that you might want to do during the day, is to go to Point Loma. It's the peninsula that harbors the city and bay. There is whale watching and it has the most gorgeous sunsets I have ever seen, If I do say so myself.
Hope you have fun and enjoy your stay. If you really want details (he he, more than I have already given you) or like to know something in specific, please let me know. Have fun!
References :
mpasnick on March 30, 2009 at 1:02 am
Check out La Jolla and Del Mar. Great beaches and places to eat.
References :
Em on March 30, 2009 at 1:12 am
Well Nena gave you some good advice. And she's right, it sounds like everyhting you are looking for is in Coronado.But she forgot to mention, especially since you are staying downtown, that at the marina (blocks from you) there is a ferry that will take you across the bay to Coronado for like $2. Pretty convenient and scenic. I definitley recommend Old Town. Lots of shops, Mexican restaurants, great margaritas everywhere, not to mention a historical aspect all mixed in. Plenty of people your age there. I recommend taking the Old Town trolley tours ($30 a person). It lasts all day and takes you to several points of interest throughout the city-including Coronado. You can get off at every stop and spend as much time as you like there. A new trolley comes by every half hour. It is a great way to see the hot spots in one day, then you can revisit the ones you like the most.
And well, you guys are all ready in the heart of everyhting! Downtown is a great place to stay if you are visiting! Small enough to walk the whole area. Plus you have tons of great restaurants in every price range and tons of nightclubs/bars/lounges all within steps of each other. Downtown/Gaslamp is "the" place to be on the weekends. Club hopping anyone!
References :
Live here! Love it!
anu on March 30, 2009 at 1:51 am
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References :
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