Expert: Ernest Tufft - 2/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: Ernest,

 Going to be in San Diego in mid March for first time. Have purchased Go San Diego card for seven days. Here is a list of places my wife and I would like to visit from March 12 toMarch 18:Zoo, full bay tour, Midway,whale watch, Wild Animal Park, Petco Park tour,Coronado,wine country tour, Fleet Science Center and Birch Aquarium. What would be a good itinerary to follow? Will have a rental car and staying at Old Town Inn. Will have second week time to see Torrey Pines, Cabrillo,LaJolla and Anzo-Borrego.

         Thanks,

         Rich


ANSWER: Hi Rich,

You have a great list of things to do, and since you are staying in centrally located Old Town, I don't really see much concern about itinerary.  Downtown Gas Lamp District, the San Diego Zoo, the Presidio, Mission Hills and the off beat urbane uptown community of Hillcrest, north of Balboa Park are all within 5-10 minutes from your hotel.  Coronado, La Jolla, and even the Wild Animal Park in Vista are within 15-30 minutes.  Anza Borrego, and Tijuana are further away.  I do recommend that you use the light rail trolley whenever possible, particularly for a trip to Tijuana.  Traffic can be a real hassle in San Diego, and there are a number of places that are easy to access by the trolley.  Crossing the border by car into Tijuana is a particular hassle, whereas the trolley runs direct from Old Town to the pedestrian border crossing (where taxi's on the other side are relatively cheap).  I believe that all American citizens need for border crossing is their driver's license.  After visiting the Presidio, just up the hill from your hotel, consider taking a trip out to the oldest of California's Missions which has been well preserved.  You won't find much in terms of "wine country" even at Temecula, unless you like cheap fruity and sweet style wines.  A better agricultural trip would be an avocado farm or other crop that grows well in San Diego County.  The Gas Lamp district is best after dark and is also easy to reach by trolley.  Don't expect much beach action in March, but a walk along the beach at La Jolla Cove, where the sea lions beach themselves, is well worth the time.

Have Fun..Ernest

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:



What two things could I do in one day? One in AM and second in PM. Any possible combinations?

         Thanks,
         Rich  

Answer
Rich

Well, considering your hotel location many of these can be combined.  I personally divide my travel day into 3--AM, PM, and evening.  I would cluster activities geographically.  Wild   Animal Park and SD Zoo can't be done in the same day, for example.  Also, do you planning for the zoos, recognizing they are really too big to be seen in one visit.  Pace yourself so you won't be too exhausted to enjoy the fine dining available in SD.