Why? We love this city. After traveling here over the years, we finally risked it all in the fall of 2011 and headed west in search of paradise. Jobless and mid-recession. While I don't recommend that move for everyone, I do suggest adding San Diego to your bucket list.
I have a traveler's perspective and I'm gaining a local one, too. I'll update this page as often as I can. Email me at starnesco@yahoo.com with questions.
To start: Here is a link for a vacation planning kit. It's fun to receive in the mail and something for kids to browse through.
To plan:
Check out this site for a comprehensive guide to San Diego beaches.
Take a look at this site.....to use my favorite resource for vacation planning prior to moving here.
If you think you may go to Disneyland, go here to order your free planning DVD. It applies to all parks and is a great souvenier. Our kids still watch ours!
To find discounts:
Just learned about the Go San Diego card. Perfect for the busy traveler. Pay one rate per day and get into dozens of popular attractions.
I have heard the City Pass is a good discount, depending on what you're interested in. Here is the link for that.
To do:
Seaport Village - Touristy district......see ships on the water, take a quick bay tour and shop. *Starnes version
Maritime Museum - Near Seaport Village........walk on ships, tour the bay.
*Starnes version
Old Town - "Old" San Diego......good Mexican restaurants, candle making, touristy shops, The Whaley House, ghost tours, and carriage rides.
San Diego Zoo - World class. While I love this zoo, I don't absolutely recommend it for single day travelers. It's very pricey and hard to appreciate with just one visit.
Disneyland - About 1.5 hours from the city of San Diego and absolutely worth the drive. It actually is the happiest place on earth. For a full account on what to do, visit my Disneyland website at www.disneylandcrush.blogspot.com
Coronado Island - Have a drink at the Hotel Del and enjoy the history.....play on the beautiful beaches, ride bikes or take a kayak tour. *Starnes version
Balboa Park - So very much to see and do. Museums, gardens, recreation galore.
Legoland - Unique and geared towards little ones.....fun for adults, too. They've recently added an aquarium and water park, neither of which we've been to. *Starnes version
Sea World - We are not huge Sea World fans, but it certainly provides a fun day.
La Jolla - Beautiful town where you can see the sea lions, snorkel and scuba, play on the beach, etc.
Tide Pools - Wake early, grab a cup of coffee and walk the beaches to see sea life "in real life". Watch the sun rise and the surfers start their day. *Starnes version
Wild Animal Park - Animals in their "natural" setting......never been, but Blake took the kids and enjoyed it.
Belmont Park - Beachfront amusement park in Mission Bay. Free parking and free admission.
*Starnes version
Point Loma - Lighthouse, tidepools and the Cabrillo National Monument.
*Starnes version
Kooky stuff to do:
Sunny Jim's Cave - plunge (well, walk) 145 slippery steps into the earth, ending finally at sea level with pretty views of La Jolla *Starnes version .
Guided Tour at the Whaley House - see one of the most haunted houses in the United States, according to the Travel Channel. (And, the only place I've encountered an actual ghost!) *Starnes version
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We traveled here twice from KC before making our move. If you want to bore yourself silly (but see just about EVERYTHING there is to do), check out these links. They will drop off at the bottom of the page, so click "older posts" and it will take you to more days on the trip. Fair warning......it's thorough, but incredibly boring for those other than us. :)
2009
2010
