San Diego

[habernac]

avoid staying at the Holiday Inn near Seaworld. The Seaworld fireworks are right outside the hotel and will keep your kids awake (though it was cool the first time).

[Cali Panthers Fan]

The "Old Town"/"Gas Town" (whatever it's called) in the downtown is a nice little area. My wife and I just strolled around there stopping in some of the bars after a very nice dinner.

Everyone else already said all the good touristy stuff, but I just need to add that I love the vibe of that city. Very laid back yet still quite fun. The locals are great too.

Have Fun!

[Spuds_Buckley]

Hash House A Go Go for an epic breakfast! Everything is over-the-top portioned, but very tasty. One entree easily feeds two people.

[Boo Radley]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

The "Old Town"/"Gas Town" (whatever it's called) in the downtown is a nice little area.

Good suggestion.

The downtown area you mentioned is called the Gas Lamp. During the day it is a nice place to walk around with a family. A lot of places to eat/shop. It is close (walking) to Petco Park (Padres), sea port village and the USS Midway.

Old Town is an area closer to the airport just off the 5. This is also a nice historic place to walk around. There are some tourist shops including a candy store.

[Flacker]

Tacos el Gordo

689 H St
(between Del Rey Blvd & Kernel Pl)
Chula Vista, CA 91910

If these are half as good as the real deal in Tijuana, you will be impressed.

Apparently somebody set up an "imposter" stand at Pacific Beach, don't go there, not good.

I see they now have a location in Vegas, as well, that will be amazing after a drunken night! Can't wait!

[The Goon]

Old Town and Rocky Balboa Park can be covered in a couple of hours - great places for photos.

If you need to go shopping, Fashion Valley Mall is a good place to sit and watch people in velour tracksuits walk by.

Drive up PCH to Del Mar, Oceanside area. Great drive, stop often.

[Nufy]

Whats the average temp there in december.

I am heading down with my wife and a 10 and 13 year old on Boxing day. Surprise xmas gift.

Staying near the airport at the Sheraton. There is a pool, just wondering if we will be outed as the crazy Canadians who are swimming in December.

[Boo Radley]

In December you can expect the day temperature to be 15-20oC. At night the temperature will drop down to 5-10oC. Our rainy period starts in November and runs until April. The bulk of rain comes in January and later. In December we can have days of clear blue sky and 18-20 oC.
Keep in mind that the closer you are to the coast the cooler it is.

As for the hotel pool it might be heated.

[Coys1882]

Went to San Diego a couple of years ago - went to some Padre games, hung out in the gas lamp area. What a cool city - not sure what it's like to live there but I think I'd move there if I could find work.

[Flamesfan74]

If you plan on doing lots of attractions I would reccommend getting a Go San Diego pass. It'll save you some money and having to wait in line at some attractions.

[Derek Sutton]

Take a day trip to the happiest place on earth.....Tijuana.

cannot find the proper link

[BOSSY]

Awesome advise... Much appreciated!

We are staying right across the street from Petco Park...

[badnarik]

Lots of craft beer places. Pizza port in ocean beach (near sea world ) is a good place for family where you can drink some good beer.

[MRCboicgy]

Oh, totally forgot.
So I was walking around the gay-ish district with some friends and we headed off to a place called Huapangos a few blocks away (Hillcrest neighbourhood). It was worth it just for the queso dip they bring with the complementary chips and salsa.

[GrrlGoalie33]

Originally Posted by BOSSY

Awesome advise... Much appreciated!

We are staying right across the street from Petco Park...

Not the Hard Rock?

[Beefcake]

I think everything that's a "must do" has already been mentioned in this thread. We just got back from San Diego a couple of weeks ago, but our trip would have been a little different given that our kids are only 3 & 6.

You can find some not-too-bad priced passes online that would give you unlimited access to Sea World, the Zoo and the Safari Park for 7 days. Good for all ages. As per many of the other posts, I recommend the USS Midway. Legoland was great for my kids, but i think kids at 8 and 12 would get bored quickly (it seems geared for 3-7 year olds). Seaworld just opened a water park which is supposed to be good, but we didn't go given that my kids are too small to go on most of the slides.

Originally Posted by Boo Radley

People have already mentioned the obvious
- Zoo/Balboa Park
- Sea World
- Sea Port village
- Safari Park (A little bit of a drive from downtown San Diego)
- Coronado
- La Jolla Shores Beach. Great beach to take your family to.
- Children's pool in La Jolla. Large seal population has made the beach their home.
- Birch Aquarium. It is a small aquarium near UCSD.
- Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma. If it is clear there are great views of down town San Diego and Coronado (including the Naval base)
- Harbour cruise. There are several that you can take and have a tour of the harbour.

For food:
- Rubio's is a popular fast food 'mexican' restaurant. Fish tacos are a popular menu item. Roberto's is okay.
- IN-N-Out. Check out the 'secret' menu online.
- Mama Testa Taqueira. This is a great mexican restaurant.

Where are you planning on staying?

[dubc80]

San Diego is friggin' sweet. One of my favorite US cities. I was there this January and we stayed in Carlsbad (North of San Diego), so that we could do day trips to LA as well.

I liked the Zoo 10x more than Sea World. And from what I remember, admission was a steal. I think it was like $40 for a regular priced day pass at the gate, and I'm sure you can get discounts off that price if you buy those attractions cards.

I have nothing else to add as everything has pretty much been mentioned. Have a great time!

[Northendzone]

go to the outlet mall near the us border - the more you shop, the more you save. when done shopping take a look at the giant retaining wall, and be thankful you live in a free society.......

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by BOSSY

Awesome advise... Much appreciated!

We are staying right across the street from Petco Park...

Perfect location. Make sure you spend a lot of time in Gaslamp Quarter. Great bars and restaurants all over there.

[Deelow]

No one has mentioned a Tijuana Donkey Show yet?...it really is a great city. One of the best in the US. If you're looking for an interesting dining experience, there's a restaurant called "Kansas City BBQ" not far from Petco. They filmed part of Top Gun in there. It was pretty cool and not your typical California dining experience.