HM advice: San Diego CA? (XP)

noodle_oo

So my DH and I are trying to plan a MUCH needed vacation (honeymoon I guess!) for late Sept and found a great deal to go to San Diego.  I've found the normal stuff to do (Seaworld, the Zoo, etc) but I was wondering if anyone who has been has advice on what to do?  We'll be renting a car so could drive a bit.  We're debating driving to LA.  Not sure if I'd like it (not a huge city person).  But we do enjoy a scenic drive.  Also could drive to Mexico since we have our passports.

Anyone been recently who can recommend some activities, places to stay or go? 

Appreciate any help!

shellydiane820

Del Mar is nice.

Let me know if you need a place to stay in San Diego, we rented a fantastic apartment, I'd be happy to give you the info.

FutureMrsTR

If you don't get seasick, the ferry to Catalina Island is a good trip.

shellydiane820

Oh yes, TR reminded me.  We went Whale Watching with the Natural History Museum.  That was tons of fun!

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_hm-advice-san-diego-ca-xp?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:81ea5d2d-4095-4d3a-b6f5-53438f0a2688Post:7e731201-6840-42c3-a42c-c180b520aebb">Re: HM advice: San Diego CA? (XP)</a>:
[QUOTE]If you don't get seasick, the ferry to Catalina Island is a good trip.
Posted by FutureMrsTR[/QUOTE]

I agree with that. Catalina is really cool.

The gaslamp district in San Diego is the big restaurant/bar area. There are also a lot of microbreweries in SD if you're into that thing. (Stone, Ballast Point, Firestone, Alesmith).

shellydiane820

I miss San Diego   I'm pretty sure I was meant to live there.

noodle_oo

Thanks guys!  I'll check out these recs.  What about LA?  Is it worth the drive or is there enough to do in the San Diego area?

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

It depends how long you're in San Diego. And exactly what you want to see in LA. Disneyland is about halfway between the two cities if you want to make a day of it there. I'd say if you're in SD for 5 days or so, you'll be fine. If you want to come up to LA, be my guest. I'll try to give you recs based on what you like. You can go to a show taping, Universal Studios, Rodeo drive, star tours, lots of shopping, more beach. (But SD is right on the beach. Downtown LA is not, but Santa Monica is.) You can also go out to Temecula, about 2 hours from SD, for wine tasting.

Also, check out Balboa Park. Not sure if anyone mentioned that, but there's a ton of museums and stuff.

MissIntentional

I love Solana Beach. It's a chill little beach town not too far from SD. September is usually when we go ride our bikes on the beach there, since the college kids are back in school.

mica178

I liked the Gaslamp district too.  If you want to go to Mexico, I'd drive a little farther down to Ensenada rather than go to Tijuana.  Yum fish tacos.  Of course, you can also get awesome fish tacos in San Diego, so maybe skip the nightmare drive back into the US.

SarahNicole80

Do not go to Mexico! I would avoid LA too. There is not a scenic drive to get there unless you want to spend an extra hour in the car to go up highway 1. Balboa Park is an awesome place to hang out. That is where the zoo officially is. The Gaslamp  Quarter in downtown is a great place to go out for dinner, drinks, or clubbing. Pacific Beach is a great place to go to hang out at some bars and walk along the boardwalk and pier. If you drive up the coast you can hit La Jolla ( go to the cove), Del Mar, Leucadia, etc- all great beach towns. I lived there for 8 years if you want any other details.

shellydiane820

Balboa Park is fantastic.  Be sure to check out the art guild shops!

annagtz82

I'd also avoid Mexico. Like pp said, there is alot of scary stuff going on down there. I have family there and they also say it's not good to go visit right now. My aunt got mugged and almost car jacked, but she threw her car keys and ran inside her house.

Kristin789

We HMed in SD and loved it.  Spent a whole day in Balboa Park, spent most of a day at Cabillo National Monument:  http://www.nps.gov/cabr/
spent a day in LaJolla.
No need to get into the traffic that IS LA,
and everyone in SD told us NOT to go to Mexico.  Not one person said it would be fun or a good idea or that the warnings were overblown...

SarahNicole80

Cabrillo is nice as well. Then make sure to head to Coronado and see the hotel Del.