Howdy,

I’ll be in San Diego for the ESRI GIS Conference July 10-22.

I have read about the obvious tourist attractions, so am looking for recommendations to specific restaurants like an Irish pub, Thai, Greek, etc. Information about any interesting local events during this time. My employer will be covering per diem the 3-17, however I’ll be staying few days for myself, so any tips for cost efficient boarding will be vastly appreciated!

Thanks & Gig ‘Em

You should post this on the General Board EGGirl. You'll get alot of helpful tips/suggestions. Seriously. I'm a native San Diegan, but haven't been home in awhile. One restaurant I ALWAYS go to when I go back is Old Town Cafe. Great mexican with homemade tortillas. As far as Irish Pubs and trendy restaurants, can't help. Again, GB'rs are seasoned S.D. travelers. Post your query there. Have a good time, you'll love it.

i am also going to be out there in late august...staying in a rental home either in Pacific Beach or Cardiff By The Sea for 4 nights...probaly Pacific Beach. looking for cool sites to see and tourist stuff besides Sea World and San Diego Zoo. I wonder if Tijuana is safe during the day? best surf spots would be good to know too

Pusher,
I'd go with Cardiff. Gorgeous. PB is okay, but Cardiff would be better. One thing I used to like to do was go to Torrey Pines and watch the hang-gliders. Didn't venture into TJ. La Jolla and Coronado are both really beautiful beaches. Point Loma has Ft. Rosecrans cemetary and the light house. Also very beautiful.

cool thanks. I think we're gonna book this little rent-by-owner house in PB. mainly b/c of its proximity to La Jolla beach and some other stuff. it was also cheaper than most of the similar properties in cardiff for some reason. maybe we will make it out there though. thanks for the info

just got back about a week ago... didn't get to see as much of downtown SD as I would have liked, but we tried to squeeze in a lot of family time, going to the beach, and of course, Disneyland. we did go down to Coronado the last day I was there, and it was really beautiful! go check out the Hotel Del Coronado if nothing else.

My wife and a few of her kinfolk took a trolley tour around town after I left, and really enjoyed it...you could get off and explore for a while, then hop back on the next one.

There's Old Towne, La Jolla (great restaurants, shopping, and views off the cliffs), Coronado Island (An absolute must. Hotel Del Coronado is one of the most historic hotel in the entire United States. Grab a bottle of wine and watch the sunset on the beach).

If there's a San Diego Padres game, there is a hotel that has a roof top bar where you can go have drinks and watch the game from the roof of the hotel. I believe it is a Marriott).

The Gaslamp district (S.D.'s downtown area) is unmatched. Just get there and start walking. You will find more bada** bars and restaurants than you will find time to go to).

Obviously the S.D. Zoo is fun. It will take you 5 hours to see everything.

Good luck. I went w/my g/f in November and it is now my favorite city in the U.S.

quote:

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Obviously the S.D. Zoo is fun.

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Absolutely. I believe the S.D. Zoo is one of the best in the U.S. And if you go to the zoo, Balboa Park/Museums is a DEFINITE MUST! The Space Theatre and the Botanical Gardens ALONE are worth it.

yeah, the zoo is pretty amazing...went as a kid. went to the coronado beach and i remember the water being more brown for some reason, but still a nice beach. a bunch of pyrite flakes in the sand and we collected some...then when we got home filtered the sand out and were left with several jars of shiny fools gold flakes. gives the sand a shiny look.



definitely plan on checking out this beach and windansea in La Jolla as well...maybe cardiff too. catching a padress game from the rooftop bar sounds pretty badass as well.

I'm stationed at Pendleton. DO NOT TRY T.J. AT ALL PERIOD T.J. offers nothing you can't get around Imperial Beach or anything just north of the border. Pacific beach will have the best night life during the summer. Ocean Beach is my favorite and usually slightly less crowded. The gas lamp district in the heart of downtown is always booming. Be prepared to deal with drunk Marines every where you go.

La Jolla is very fun during the day. Seal beach is enjoyable. If you haven't been and have the better part of a day, go see the zoo. You will not be disappointed. If you're a baseball fan the Padres should be in town PetCo Park is brand new and VERY nice. Tickets are cheap because they suck.

Most importantly: You HAVE to go to a hole in the wall burrito shop in north county. Drive thru only! Get the California burrito or carne asada burrito and enjoy. It is well beyond worth the 30 minute drive.

Hope this helps!

[This message has been edited by FightnFarmerUSMC (edited 7/20/2009 2:16p).]

awesome...thanks