May 9, 2019, 10:19 am
Last edit by: StartinSanDiego
Things to Do:
Downtown San Diego
Little Italy - best seen on foot
https://www.littleitalysd.com/
https://www.sandiego.org/explore/downtown-urban/little-italy.aspx
The Gaslamp Quarter- best seen on foot
Events, info and calendar: https://www.gaslamp.org/
The Gaslamp Museum house: https://gaslampfoundation.org/
The Embarcado (near the airport)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embarcadero_(San_Diego)
https://www.portofsandiego.org/where-to-go/embarcadero
The Midway ship Maritime Museum https://www.midway.org/
Coronado Island
http://coronadovisitorcenter.com/
The Hotel Del Coronado https://hoteldel.com/
Tidelands Park
Historic homes self drive or walk: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1sXlhAap05VjQZwHNDaKGhkC-5rdcqjBg&ll=32.68854613632939%2C-117.17985125000001&z=15
Seaworld https://seaworld.com/san-diego/
Nightlife: Theatres, concerts, music
Spreckles Historic Theatre
House of Blues
Humphreys by the Bay
Beaches:
California Beaches website
Getting Around:
Parking is difficult but not impossible downtown. Most downtown hotels will charge a fee.
Trolleys
Trains
Airport
Dockless Scooters
Points of interest to the North:
La Jolla-
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Leucadia
Oceanside
LegoLand
Fallbrook
Safari Park (Wild Animal Park)
Carlsbad Outlet Mall
Points of interest to the East
Anza Borrego Park
Julian
Cuyamaca State Park
Points of Interest to the South
Borders State Park
Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Downtown San Diego
Little Italy - best seen on foot
https://www.littleitalysd.com/
https://www.sandiego.org/explore/downtown-urban/little-italy.aspx
The Gaslamp Quarter- best seen on foot
Events, info and calendar: https://www.gaslamp.org/
The Gaslamp Museum house: https://gaslampfoundation.org/
The Embarcado (near the airport)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embarcadero_(San_Diego)
https://www.portofsandiego.org/where-to-go/embarcadero
The Midway ship Maritime Museum https://www.midway.org/
Coronado Island
http://coronadovisitorcenter.com/
The Hotel Del Coronado https://hoteldel.com/
Tidelands Park
Historic homes self drive or walk: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1sXlhAap05VjQZwHNDaKGhkC-5rdcqjBg&ll=32.68854613632939%2C-117.17985125000001&z=15
Seaworld https://seaworld.com/san-diego/
Nightlife: Theatres, concerts, music
Spreckles Historic Theatre
House of Blues
Humphreys by the Bay
Beaches:
California Beaches website
Getting Around:
Parking is difficult but not impossible downtown. Most downtown hotels will charge a fee.
Trolleys
Trains
Airport
Dockless Scooters
Points of interest to the North:
La Jolla-
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Leucadia
Oceanside
LegoLand
Fallbrook
Safari Park (Wild Animal Park)
Carlsbad Outlet Mall
Points of interest to the East
Anza Borrego Park
Julian
Cuyamaca State Park
Points of Interest to the South
Borders State Park
Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Recommendations for a 2 day trip to San Diego?
Apr 10, 2019, 3:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Ontario, California
Programs: PC Plat, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt plat,...
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Recommendations for a 2 day trip to San Diego?
I am not sure if this is the best place but I wanted recommendations for a 2-day solo trip in san diego.
I was going to stay downtown (not sure where but have marriott/ihg/hyatt points to burn anyway).
I only been to san deigo once as a kid and it was just a day trip (I've lived in southern cali my whole life)
Anything I must see or do when I'm down there?
I was going to stay downtown (not sure where but have marriott/ihg/hyatt points to burn anyway).
I only been to san deigo once as a kid and it was just a day trip (I've lived in southern cali my whole life)
Anything I must see or do when I'm down there?
Apr 10, 2019, 7:09 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
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Some things I've liked doing in/near San Diego:
Balboa Park
Cabrillo National Monument
Torrey Pines State Reserve
What are your interests? Will you have a car?
Balboa Park
Cabrillo National Monument
Torrey Pines State Reserve
What are your interests? Will you have a car?
Apr 10, 2019, 11:26 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: NYC
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Posts: 356
What activities are you into? I second Balboa Park and Torrey Pines. I'd add Pacific Beach and La Jolla to the list also. If you like to kayak, kayaking to the La Jolla sea caves are nice.
As where to stay downtown, I recommend GH Manchester, nice property and location. It's a CAT-4, so only 15K points a night. The trolley is right outside of the hotel if you're not driving or choose not to drive. Other Hyatt propery in SD is Andaz and it's a nice hotel also. Right at Gaslamp district if you're planning to explore the nightlife. Lots of restaurants and bars.
As where to stay downtown, I recommend GH Manchester, nice property and location. It's a CAT-4, so only 15K points a night. The trolley is right outside of the hotel if you're not driving or choose not to drive. Other Hyatt propery in SD is Andaz and it's a nice hotel also. Right at Gaslamp district if you're planning to explore the nightlife. Lots of restaurants and bars.
Apr 11, 2019, 9:33 am
#4
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Location: Ontario, California
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Posts: 370
Apr 11, 2019, 9:46 am
#5
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I like the Manchester GH. It's on the water at the edge of downtown San Diego and of course has a lounge. However, at times it is filled with a big convention.
The U S Grant (Starwood LC, now Marriott of course) is nice in a very different way. It's a large boutique hotel in a historic building, also on the edge of downtown (called the Gas Lamp district with lots of restaurants and bars).
Both of these have expensive valet parking, probably about $50 per night plus tips. If you'll arrive by car, it might be nicer to stay along the coast or near La Jolla in a property with free parking since most of the stuff to do is not in downtown San Diego.
Don't forget the San Diego Zoo and the island with the iconic historic haunted hotel. I also like the coastal walk that starts in La Jolla village and hugs the cliffs. La Jolla has a good art museum, but it's not in the village.
The U S Grant (Starwood LC, now Marriott of course) is nice in a very different way. It's a large boutique hotel in a historic building, also on the edge of downtown (called the Gas Lamp district with lots of restaurants and bars).
Both of these have expensive valet parking, probably about $50 per night plus tips. If you'll arrive by car, it might be nicer to stay along the coast or near La Jolla in a property with free parking since most of the stuff to do is not in downtown San Diego.
Don't forget the San Diego Zoo and the island with the iconic historic haunted hotel. I also like the coastal walk that starts in La Jolla village and hugs the cliffs. La Jolla has a good art museum, but it's not in the village.
Apr 14, 2019, 9:26 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
We stayed in San Diego for a couple of nights at the end of a work trip (trade show in Anaheim). We stayed in the Gas Lamp district at the Kimpton Solamar (dropped off our rental car at the airport on our way in to town - we needed it in anaheim and Escondido but not in San Diego). Our favorite outing was the USS Midway - we spent an entire morning there (they open at 9?) After, we walked to Ironsides (in Little Italy) for a late lunch - I had a half dozen oysters and octopus a la plancha, possibly the best octopus I've ever had.....
(we started the trip with 2 nights in Laguna Beach, which is why we stayed right in San Diego - we weren't looking for the beach experience)
(we started the trip with 2 nights in Laguna Beach, which is why we stayed right in San Diego - we weren't looking for the beach experience)
Apr 18, 2019, 5:22 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Kirkcaldy, Fife
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Posts: 107
Use IHG points for Kimpton Solamar. Go to the zoo and Balboa park. Take the ferry over to Coronado and see the Del hotel. Take a tour of Midway. Go to La Jolla
Apr 22, 2019, 12:31 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2009
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Eat at Bay Park Seafood then have a cocktail next door at Luce!
Also, if you want local authentic Mexican go for Roberto's on the corner of Idaho and El Cajon Blvd. (it's near Balboa park)
Also, if you want local authentic Mexican go for Roberto's on the corner of Idaho and El Cajon Blvd. (it's near Balboa park)
Apr 24, 2019, 9:43 am
#10
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I could (and have) spend an entire day in Balboa Park 
Little known (perhaps little mentioned) fact, there are a bunch of museums there, in including museum of photography. And little one room places where different countries have a "museum" or presence. It took me five visits to find this place
And for me Coronado Island is a must do with the ferry the way to get there. Once on the island, I walk everywhere, it's not big
Little known (perhaps little mentioned) fact, there are a bunch of museums there, in including museum of photography. And little one room places where different countries have a "museum" or presence. It took me five visits to find this place
And for me Coronado Island is a must do with the ferry the way to get there. Once on the island, I walk everywhere, it's not big
Apr 25, 2019, 5:09 am
#11
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Complete agree but there is nothing special to eat on Coronado. Nicky Rottens has good burgers and the view isn't bad but it's not a meal worth traveling for. Coronado is perfect for a morning walk and breakfast/ coffee.
May 8, 2019, 9:11 am
#12
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,099
I love the Wild Animal Park. You need a car to get there, it's north of the city in Escondido. The Midway ship is right on the wharf near the airport, that's interesting if you like ships. Torrey Pines is a great hiking park and they've got a small educational center. We also like Sea World more than Legoland. There's a nice park near SeaWorld along the beach, which has a good walk or bike trail, also. Go early to any of these places to get an hour or two before it gets crowded. La Jolla (La HOY-yah) is an upscale area to walk and window shop. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps is there. The sea lions or seals hang out on the rock cliffs and you can get some nice sunset pictures there.
When you're based downtown,-There's great shows downtown, Spreckles Theatre, art galleries, live music, etc. You can grab one of the scooters on any street corner (swipe your credit card) and zoom around without a car. We generally eat at the Mexican food places, the smaller the better. Mexican food in San Diego is amazing. The Gaslamp district and Little Italy are fun to explore on foot.
In Coronado, I like walking around the Hotel del Coronado ("The Dell,"), which is free. It's a nice place to have a coffee or dessert. There's neat houses to drive by in that area, too.
North Park and Hillcrest are hip and trendy (gay) districts.
Every Tuesday there is at least one museum in Balboa Park that offers free admission to area residents and Military personnel. You can spend all day in Balboa Park, or several.
The historic Old Town Park is fun. Old Town San Diego SHP
There's a lot to do in our amazing town.
When you're based downtown,-There's great shows downtown, Spreckles Theatre, art galleries, live music, etc. You can grab one of the scooters on any street corner (swipe your credit card) and zoom around without a car. We generally eat at the Mexican food places, the smaller the better. Mexican food in San Diego is amazing. The Gaslamp district and Little Italy are fun to explore on foot.
In Coronado, I like walking around the Hotel del Coronado ("The Dell,"), which is free. It's a nice place to have a coffee or dessert. There's neat houses to drive by in that area, too.
North Park and Hillcrest are hip and trendy (gay) districts.
Every Tuesday there is at least one museum in Balboa Park that offers free admission to area residents and Military personnel. You can spend all day in Balboa Park, or several.
The historic Old Town Park is fun. Old Town San Diego SHP
There's a lot to do in our amazing town.
Last edited by StartinSanDiego; May 8, 2019 at 9:17 am
May 8, 2019, 2:24 pm
#13
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: SAN
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Posts: 23,306
I love the Wild Animal Park. You need a car to get there, it's north of the city in Escondido. The Midway ship is right on the wharf near the airport, that's interesting if you like ships. Torrey Pines is a great hiking park and they've got a small educational center. We also like Sea World more than Legoland. There's a nice park near SeaWorld along the beach, which has a good walk or bike trail, also. Go early to any of these places to get an hour or two before it gets crowded. La Jolla (La HOY-yah) is an upscale area to walk and window shop. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps is there. The sea lions or seals hang out on the rock cliffs and you can get some nice sunset pictures there.
When you're based downtown,-There's great shows downtown, Spreckles Theatre, art galleries, live music, etc. You can grab one of the scooters on any street corner (swipe your credit card) and zoom around without a car. We generally eat at the Mexican food places, the smaller the better. Mexican food in San Diego is amazing. The Gaslamp district and Little Italy are fun to explore on foot.
In Coronado, I like walking around the Hotel del Coronado ("The Dell,"), which is free. It's a nice place to have a coffee or dessert. There's neat houses to drive by in that area, too.
North Park and Hillcrest are hip and trendy (gay) districts.
Every Tuesday there is at least one museum in Balboa Park that offers free admission to area residents and Military personnel. You can spend all day in Balboa Park, or several.
The historic Old Town Park is fun. Old Town San Diego SHP
There's a lot to do in our amazing town.
When you're based downtown,-There's great shows downtown, Spreckles Theatre, art galleries, live music, etc. You can grab one of the scooters on any street corner (swipe your credit card) and zoom around without a car. We generally eat at the Mexican food places, the smaller the better. Mexican food in San Diego is amazing. The Gaslamp district and Little Italy are fun to explore on foot.
In Coronado, I like walking around the Hotel del Coronado ("The Dell,"), which is free. It's a nice place to have a coffee or dessert. There's neat houses to drive by in that area, too.
North Park and Hillcrest are hip and trendy (gay) districts.
Every Tuesday there is at least one museum in Balboa Park that offers free admission to area residents and Military personnel. You can spend all day in Balboa Park, or several.
The historic Old Town Park is fun. Old Town San Diego SHP
There's a lot to do in our amazing town.
will be there at Christmas so something to look forward to.
May 8, 2019, 5:03 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,171
May 9, 2019, 9:02 am
#15
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,099
Also it's worth mentioning that the Birch Aquarium is in the Bank of America "Museums on Us" program that offers free admission one weekend a month for BofA cardholders. I think it's the first weekend of every month. I consider the Birch Aquarium one of the finest, we just love it there, and swing by when it's free for a quick visit.