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GoNOMAD Mini Guide: San Diego, America's Finest City By Christine
Soskins
Athletic Ways to Explore the City San Diego's
perfect weather means exploring it actively is ideal. San Diego Bay teems
with life and surprises. Aqua Adventures offers moonlight paddles, which,
during the summer, close with watching Sea World's fireworks from the
water. You can also rent a kayak hourly to explore on your own, or join
them for social paddles for $10. While more expensive than a traditional tour, exploring San Diego County by llama is a distinctive experience worth investigating. Leelin Llama Treks leads tours of wineries, gold mines and mountains. It's a treat to have the llamas carry your pack for the day. In addition, they are social and thoughtful animals, and it's easy to bond quickly with them. San Diego Museums Some San
Diegans consider Balboa Park the Smithsonian of the If Balboa Park is the Smithsonian, then Old Town is Williamsburg. Old Town consists of more than 20 buildings recreated to resemble the settlement around 1872. Be sure to attend one of the two free daily walking tours led by docents in period garb. Their enthusiasm is contagious. Demonstrations of adobe brick making and blacksmith techniques are also given. North of the city itself, in Oceanside, is the California Surf Museum. Surfboards and profiles of famous surfers present the sport in a unique light. There is something surreal in combining education with what is considered the ultimate beach bum sport. California's first mission was established in San Diego in 1769. Mission San Diego de Alcala's varied history includes periods as a fort and a school. Today, the mission serves as an active church and a museum. It's a nice respite from the crowded touristy attractions. The Wild Animal Park is about a half hour outside of San Diego but worth the trip. Try to arrive early and jump on the first train ride around the park, while the animals are more in their element. During the summer, a "Roar and Snore" package is available, which includes camping in the park. San Diego Neighborhoods One of the best ways to gain a sense of San Diego is to roam its neighborhoods. Pacific Beach is surfer central. The main drags of Mission, Grand and Garnet are packed with surf shops, original restaurants and tons of bars. Many weekends, local surfing competitions are held. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Parking near the beach can be a hassle, so try to park a few blocks in. Little Italy lies just north of downtown, but is a world of its own. A large arch spans India Street, welcoming visitors. The Our Lady of the Rosary church is stunning. The lattice work with grapes outside of homes reminds visitors of the legacy of prohibition. In October, the Chalk La Strada occurs, in which chalk street drawings take over a few blocks. La Jolla, once the home of Theodore Geisel, aka "Dr. Seuss" is north of San Diego itself. It is upscale, but laid-back. Lavish boutiques are adjacent to casual shops. At Children's Pool, dozens of seals sunbathe on rocks and sand. Snorkeling at La Jolla Cove, which is the La Jolla Underwater Park, is a refreshing activity as well. The cliffs and wide view of the Pacific is breathtaking. Other neighborhoods worth wandering about include Coronado, with its famous Hotel del Coronado, a National Historic Landmark, and the famous Gaslamp Quarter, in downtown. Urban Safaris offers guided walking tours of a number of neighborhoods. Dining Out While San Diego isn't known for its cuisine, there are a number of reasonable places to eat that are an experience in their own right. After working up an appetite wandering through Mission Beach, Luigi's is the perfect place to satisfy hunger. It's a small joint, but the pizza slices are more than a foot long. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the food is inexpensive. For an excellent tapas bar, try Café Sevilla in the Gaslamp quarter. A knight bearing the Spanish flag guards the door. After dinner, at 8 pm on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights, head downstairs to their club. For $5 cover, you get an hour of dancing lessons, Salsa or Samba, followed by a live band. A visit to San Diego would be incomplete without sampling authentic Mexican food. Casa Guadalajara in Old Town recalls the haciendas of Mexico. Birds bathe in the fountain on the patio, and singing musicians stroll between tables playing guitars. Portions are generous. Be sure to try the pollo mole poblano. If sweets are your passion, Café Zucchero in Little Italy is the place to go. The patio recreates an Italian alley, with laundry strung overhead. Complementing a comprehensive Italian menu is an extensive dessert case. Islands is a regional chain that typifies southern California. The fare doesn't extend much beyond burgers, fries and salads, but it's all delicious. Surfing videos complement the wait-staff in Hawaiian shirts.
Where to Stay There are
a few hostels in San Diego itself. The location at 5th and Market is conveniently
located in the Gaslamp Quarter and public transportation is easily accessible
($18-$25/night). The hostel on Point Loma is a little cheaper ($15-$18/night),
but less centrally located. Be sure to check out their website for specials
and organized events. If you're planning on staying longer, the Vantaggio Suites has weekly rates (minimum of three weeks) starting at $215 for private rooms. It's close to downtown, but nestled in Little Italy. The Hotel del Coronado is the place to stay if money isn't a concern. Room rates begin at $210 and go up to $500. The hotel has hosted celebrities and is rumored to be haunted. Service is excellent and rooms are well-appointed. Money Saving Tips To save money on the traditional tourist attractions, request a vacation planning kit from the San Diego Convention and Tourist Bureau online. Included is an extensive coupon book. Turn around time is slow, so request it a month or so before your trip. In San Diego, pick up a copy of the Reader, available at most grocery stores. Not only does it list the week's events, but it has a number of coupons in the dining section. The online version also has printable coupons. If you like
theater, check out the San Diego Performing Arts League's site while you
are in town. A day or two before the show, tickets are sold for up to
50% off. Other
Good Sites for San Diego Information: Restaurants: Lodging: Neighborhoods: Websites
for San Diego Activities:
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San Diego romantic getaway & things to do with reviews and ratings from over 1000+ sites across the web |
West. While its collection of museums is not as impressive, it is very
instructive and entertaining. The zoo is the gem of the park. Leave plenty
of time to wander among the rare animals. A peacock might even strut down
the path with you. The Fleet Science Center is also very informative.
Other museums focus on natural history, sports, photography and art. Each
museum is free one Tuesday a month. 
PB
Thai Café is in Pacific Beach. It carries reasonable lunch specials
and is easily accessible from the beach.
