California - Fun/unique SAN activities

I'm traveling with a group of 6-9 guys to SAN for a long weekend in mid-December to celebrate my friend's exit from bachelorhood. He did an amazing job planning my bachelor party in YUL. We had a ton of fun--white-water rafting, Cirque du Soleil, great food, etc.--and it cost my friends a very reasonable amount of money. I'd like to make his as much fun --and as good a value--as he made mine.

Most of us in our late 20s and live in NYC. We may be joined part of the time by a couple guys in their mid-50s (the bachelor's and my dads). We'll be there for 2-3 days and we're staying at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina.

I'm saving my foodie questions for chowhound, and posing my travel and activity queries here.

We're planning to go down to Tijuana for part of the time.
How should we get between the border and our hotel? We're looking for value and efficiency.
Trolley from downtown?
Rent a van and park it at the border?
Taxi or car service?
Is there a particular time of day when it's better to go to TJ? Any reason to choose Friday vs. Saturday? We want to grab a good meal (I've found great suggestions on chowhound) and go somewhere that they'll pull my friend on stage for some mild humiliation. We're not interested in anything involving animals or exposure to communicable diseases, and aren't particularly interested in hanging out with American kids visiting Mexico because they're too young to buy beer in the US.
Are there other things we should consider doing in TJ? It looks like there aren't any bullfights in December. Is there live jai alai anywhere? Anything else unique we wouldn't get in NYC?

For the rest of the weekend we're looking for good clean fun. Regarding potential activities:
Has anyone done the Cheetah Run Safari or VIP tours at the San Diego Wild Animal Park? Are they worthwhile? Will a group of mildly-childish 20-somethings find them interesting, or are they really better suited to little kids?
Is there anything at Seaworld our group would enjoy?
Does anybody know anything about deep sea fishing near San Diego? We would probably only be able to go for a half-day charter, but it has the potential to be fun if we can catch something without freezing to death. I'm posting this question on some fishing forums, too.
Recommmend any bars within walking distance of the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina? We'd prefer places that are relaxed/quiet enough that we can (1) sit and (2) have conversations without screaming into each other's ears. We're not interested in crowded, loud places or places with expensive cover charges.
Any other fun/unique things we should look into? We'll probably spend a fair amount of time eating (lots of foodies in this group) and just hanging out in our hotel suite, but I want to make sure I've got enough stuff to keep everyone entertained and to make the trip memorable.

Thanks in advance for your tips!

I can't comment on much of your post, but I comment on what I know.

For fishing, there are many charters in the Point Loma area, north of downtown. I would recommend the trolley from downtown to TJ, it is reasonably fast and you won't have to worry about parking at the border. The fare is about $2.75 each way per person.

I would skip Sea World, unless you are in the military and can get in free. It is interesting for about 2 hours then I had enough. Not worth the pricey admission IMHO.

Hope that helps.

Any other fun/unique things we should look into? We'll probably spend a fair amount of time eating (lots of foodies in this group) and just hanging out in our hotel suite, but I want to make sure I've got enough stuff to keep everyone entertained and to make the trip memorable.
How about the San Diego Zoo? It's located in Balboa Park.

Too bad that you won't be driving car to Tijuana because IMO Tijuana is crap. I'd drive about an hour south to Ensenada for that. Actually since you'll be going with bunch of younger crowds, go check out Rosarita which is about 15 to 20 mts south from Tijuana. Rosarita is a little party town and ou can take a taxi there from the border.

Rather than TJ (...vastly over-rated unless you are a sailor/marine looking to get laid in la zona rosa...), see if you can rent wheels that you can take south of the border, and head for Porto Nuevo. About 40 minutes south of the border by highway, it's a little fishing village known for it's lobster restaurants. Back in the dark-ages when I was an undergrad at UCSD, we'd head down there for all the lobster we could eat and all the margaritas we could drink for $10 US. Doubtless, the prices have gone up in the decades since, but they still should be quite reasonable. Remember a designated driver, as los federales have no humor on the subject of drunk driving.

You are staying in a great location...You can walk two blocks to the Gaslamp Qtr. where you will find virtually every type of restaurant and bar/club imaginable. Check out gaslamp.org (http://www.gaslamp.org/) for details.

You might be interested in touring the Midway (http://www.midway.org/site/pp.asp?c=coIMKTMCF&b=81432) aircraft carrier museum.

I would concur with the other posts about skipping TJ and going further south to Rosarita.

Here is a list of upcoming concerts that might fit your schedule:
DECEMBER
Guide Picks for the Month:
All-American Rejects (12/1) - iPayOne Center
Jerry Seinfeld (12/1-2) - Pechanga Casino
Aimee Mann (12/7) Belly Up
Ziggy Marley (12/7) - 4th and B
Gary Allan (12/8) - Pechaga Casiino
Big Bad Voodoo Dady (12/8) Sycuan Casino
Slightly Stoopid (12/8-9) - 4th and B
Panic at the Disco (12/9) - iPayOne Center
Venice (12/14) - Belly Up Tavern
Ozomatli (12/20) - House of Blues


And the best for last... How about everybody taking surfing lessons. There are several places that will provide all the gear and lessons. Nothing says San Diego quite like catching a good wave.

Thanks for all the responses so far.

Regarding the "skip TJ" comments, do any of the rental car companies let you drive into Mexico? I was under the impression most of them prohibited it. Also, what kind of insurance would we need?

And the best for last... How about everybody taking surfing lessons. There are several places that will provide all the gear and lessons. Nothing says San Diego quite like catching a good wave.

I'd thought of that, but had ruled it out because of the time of year. Is it actually possible to do it in December? If it's cold, maybe we'll just make the bachelor do it while the rest of us chill on the beach with some beer... ;)

Regarding the "skip TJ" comments, do any of the rental car companies let you drive into Mexico? I was under the impression most of them prohibited it. Also, what kind of insurance would we need?

Avis and Advantage both will allow their cars south of the border as long as you buy Mexican insurance at the rental counter. (...don't know how much they'll overcharge... But rental car insurance is always a rip-off...)


As for surfing, you couldn't get me in the water in Dec. w/o a wet suit...

But maybe the groom would *like* blue balls... ;) :D

Avis and Advantage both will allow their cars south of the border as long as you buy Mexican insurance at the rental counter. (...don't know how much they'll overcharge... But rental car insurance is always a rip-off...)


As for surfing, you couldn't get me in the water in Dec. w/o a wet suit...

But maybe the groom would *like* blue balls... ;) :D

Most of the Surf schools include wetsuits :eek: . I agree skip TJ and head down the coast in Mexico.

I agree Tijuana is to be avoided unless one is looking for $50 sex or cheap trinkets.

If you are in to Thai food, Rama is within walking distance of Marriott and very very good. Gives iDine miles too. :)

I would definitely schedule a visit to Coronado Island and see the Hotel Del. There is a water taxi from the Marriott to the Coronado Marriott and there you can rent 4 pax surreys and ride them around Coronado Island.

Regarding the "skip TJ" comments, do any of the rental car companies let you drive into Mexico? I was under the impression most of them prohibited it. Also, what kind of insurance would we need?
Thrifty will let you take their car to Mexico with the additional $25 Mexican insurance ^

Honestly, I didn't get any insurance the first time I drove down there. And we went all the way south to Ensenada too. But that was only half a day and we didn't think it was worth it. Few days later we spent a full day in Mexico and we took the insurance for that.

I'd do the rental car option instead of trolley / taxi if I was you. Just be careful with the Mexican cops. They'll milk you if you broke the law. (remember the speed limit sign is in km in Mexico)

Are there any fun group things to do in the desert east of San Diego?

Big group dune buggies or something like that, perhaps?

Are there any fun group things to do in the desert east of San Diego?

Big group dune buggies or something like that, perhaps?
Within 90 minutes you can be in the desert. I grew up in San Diego and there's great hiking out there, especially in the winter. Weekends are big off-roading times and I'm sure you can find a rental group to get an RV with a trailer for a few ATV's. Take a bunch of firewood and have some male bonding with the sidewinders :) Don't forget the desert gets COLD during the winter nights, even if it's warm during the day.

You might also consider some biking or hiking in the mountains (60 minutes from downtown). Sadly Cuyamaca (http://cuyamaca.us/)is still recoving from the fires. Many areas still look fine, and a hike to the fire station on Cuyamaca peak is fun (great view of the coast @6,500 ft), plus the Lagunas are still green (and even higher with a view of the desert)

We did the Photo Caravan safari at WAP last October ... it was absolutely fantastic! We took the longer (?2+ hours) tour ... got to feed a rhino and alot of giraffes ... the giraffes come right up to the truck and I had a baby nuzzle my hand. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it was our honeymoon! Once we did the Caravan we left the park ... we had seen the animals up close and it was great! The Zoo was okay ... but we went on an incredibly dry/warm day and became dehydrated, so we left after seeing the koalas, pandas, and polar bears! I've been to the Zoo before and it is a great experience ... except in October when kids get in free ... lots of kids!

oops, deleted.

I, too, think you should avoid Tijuana...it really is a bad representation of what Mexico has to offer.

And for a bachelor party, Rosarito is much more fun than Tijuana! Tijuana is really seedy in my opinion. Rosarito is cleaner than Tijuana, and has a beach where go horseback riding. Rosarito's clubs are newer, better, and located right on the beach--and I think the people partying there tend to be more attractive. Some clubs like Papas & Beer have beach cabanas on the sand, and a VIP booth.

You can park your car at the border (in San Diego), and take a bus to Rosarito. You can take a taxi from Rosarito to Puerto Nuevo for some of the cheapest and best lobster you'll ever eat, anywhere in the world. I highly recommend the restaurant Olas del Mar in Puerto Nuevo. It's usually $13-15 for 3 small lobsters with free margarita, soup, tortillas, beans, rice, guacamole and salsa.

Alternatively, you can park at the border, cross over to Mexico on foot, and take a taxi to Rosarito.

For a short trip, Tijuana really isn't worth the time, especially when Rosarito and Puerto Nuevo are just a short bus/taxi ride away.