San Diego Christmas

[NDdomer2]

Spending the week in San Diego (Vista) for Christmas.

Any locals on here that can give some must do's?

 

[irishog77]

Go to The Happiest Place on Earth-- Tijuana.

The Simpsons-Camp Krusty - YouTube

 

[Socaldomer4212]

I don't know about must see's but the view from the Mt. Soledad cross at the memorial is nice. Also the cliffs where the gliders take off from near the shores in La Jolla especially if you go on a nice day. Old town and Coronado are also two good places to check out. If you eat in old town I'd recommend Cafe Coyote or Old Town Mexican, both of those serve some great grub. If you want younger party scene Pacific Beach and Mission Beach are the places to be. If it's a family thing, we make a pretty good day out of going to the wild animal park or SD zoo. Hope that helps.

 

[Andy in Sactown]

You need to go have dinner at Miguel's Cocina. It's across the street (inland) from the famous Hotel del Coronado (pictured above), but most tourists would never know it. It's in the center of a circular shopping "complex" so you have to go down an inner alley to get there; almost hidden behind the boardwalk shops.

When you arrive at Miguel's, order a premium Margarita with 1942 Tequila. It's expensive (around $16-18 iirc), but they'll make it in front of you while you wait for your table from a couple fresh lemons, simple sugar, 1942 with a grand marnier topper. Best margarita you'll ever have. Food is pretty decent [read: amazing] too.

You'll also get a good look at whatever aircraft carrier is in port when you cross the Coronado Bay Bridge.

Spend a day at the beach. I recommend going down to Mission or Pacific Beach. Lots of nice boardwalk fare.

I highly recommend Filippi's Pizza Grotto. The one downtown in Little Italy has more ambiance, but sometimes may be a bit of a wait-- the one in National City has just as good (if not better) pies without the waiting, but the facility isn't that great; I'd order to go. Amaze-balls back at your hotel or host's once you are finally ready for leftovers.

Of course, the San Diego Zoo is one of the best in the country, if not the world and certainly worth a visit.

The Butcher Shop in National City is a great eat, but go for the, "holy shit am I going to get wacked" gangster atmosphere. Call ahead and see if they have live music. You'll get a 50-70 year old singing tunes to get shot by. Closest thing to being in a mobster movie I've ever experienced. They have different locations, but this was my experience in National City.

Old town is pretty cool for an afternoon of walking and being fairly touristy, then having a great meal. There's a place that sells yards of beer. Yes, I said yards.

Go get drunk in the gas lamp district of downtown! Plenty of bars and dinning back to back to back to back to... tired of walking.. let's take this carriage or rickshaw back to the hotel.. wait.. wait.. that bar looks awesome!

Stay near the ocean. It gets real hot (and shitty) real quick as you move inland.

Lots else to do. Leave your handguns if you want to go down to TJ, or else you're going to get an extended stay in Mexico if you know what I mean.

In that spirit, don't go to Mexico. Seriously. If you want to go down there you'd have to drive at least 1.5-2 hours into Mexico to get to Rosarito for a decent stay. Better tacos from local cocinas anyway. When I lived off 44th Street near SDSU I had to walk approx. 0.25 mi to get un taco authentico. No texmex coño taco. Carne asada y solantro estafadores cebollas en una torilla de maíz. Salsa fresca. Fuck yeah.

There's more, but those are the basics. Feel free to ask.. and as always,

Salude!
Andy

 

[Irishnuke]

Andy is right. Miguel's is the shit.

SD Zoo
Gaslamp District (bars)
Pacific Beach (bars for early 20s)
Point Loma Seafoods
Whale watching out of H&M landing. It's currently gray whale season. Good odds of seeing one
Fashion Valley is the best mall
La Jolla cove. If you've never seen a seal, those fuckers are everywhere

 

[PANDFAN]

my mom lived there for many years and as Andy pointed out...she took me to most of those places as cool things to see.....gas lamp district was the shit!!!!

 

[BobD]

If you're there today you could catch the Chargers vs Raiders game or next week the KS Chiefs are in San Diego. Also the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 30th ASU vs Tex tech.

 

[calvegas04]

Gas lamp district is so much fun. Lots of bars and restaurants and check out petco park one of the nicest stadiums around.

Oldtown San Diego is great as well. Guadalajara Mexican restaurant is the best in SD Imo. Great food salsa and drinks. Freds has awesome happy hour as well.

SD zoo best in world.

Harbor tour if your into getting up close and personal with the US navy Pacific fleet.

La Jolla is a very nice beach town.

And last cornado island is amazing as well.

San Diego is one of the best cities in the US

 

[woolybug25]

San Diego (Spanish for whale's vagina) is a pretty fun town. Great train system too. Can get around really easy.

Go surfing.

 

[NDdomer2]

i should have mentioned I am from here originally but moved out during my childhood. i have made a visit every year since i was 14. Love the zoo, wild animal park, harbor cruises, and coranado island.

thanks for all the suggestions. def am planning to do la jolla visit (how could you not) and am taking the rest of the suggestions down to family to see what sticks!

as to my IE bretheren....Thank You and Merry Christmas fellas!

 

[Son of Kenmare]

Spending the week in San Diego (Vista) for Christmas.

Any locals on here that can give some must do's?

Since you're up in Vista which is very north San Diego, you are actually as close to Orange County as you are to downtown San Diego. Which makes it a good central location:

If you have kids or are a kid at heart.

10 Minutes Away
1. San Diego Wild Animai park is off the 15 freeway and close to you.
2. Lego Land in Carlsbad.

30 Minutes Away
1. San Diego Zoo

While Oceanside is closest seaside town, it isn't the safest or nicest so I recommend going a little farther south. You can go to Oceanside and take the train north to San Juan Capistrano/Irvine/Anaheim or south to Carlsbad/Leucadia/Solana Beach/Old Town/San Diego.

Dining
On the Cheap

Solana Beach - Pretty much just a couple of places to eat but home to Las Olas awesome little hole in the wall with great food and view of the water. I recommend for lunch.

La Jolla - Jeff's Burger is located down on La Jolla Shores area. Awesome burgers.

Taking the wife out to dinner and willing to spend some money.

La Jolla
Marine Room: This restaurant is built into the lower part of the cliffs at La Jolla Shores. If you can get a table on the window, you are literally right on the water. Very pricey but very good.

George's On the Cove: Again, right on the water. This restaurant looks down into the cove and has a great view of La Jolla Shores with all of the Kayaks and caves. I recommend going to the 3rd floor and eating along the rail, great view day or night. The 3rd floor isn't as expensive so you'll get a great view and save money. Second floor dining area is equal in expense to La Jolla Shores.

Want to go golfing, San Diego is offers world class golfing so you can't go wrong. I really recommend going to Torrey Pines. This will be slightly expensive however the course is phenomenal. If you are a single or double, you can check in with the club house as early as possible without a tee time. You'll get on however sometimes there may be a bit of a wait. The clubhouse offers great food. Torrey Pines is right on the ocean with ocean views on pretty much every hole. Great experience.

It's been cold out here this year, especially at night. Temperature drops as much as 50 degrees day to night so pack for mid 30s to mid 80s. It's been as low as 38 here at night.

Enjoy your stay.

 

[ACamp1900]

Greatest city in the world for my money...

Top of your list, truly...? San Diego Carne Asada Burrito.

No better meal


Gas Lamp District has tons to do... Historic spots like Old Town and the Whaley House are good for first timers...

 

[ACamp1900]

Seriously though, if you don't research the best burrito spot near you and get a Carne Asada burrito you do yourself a massive disservice... They are the food gem of So Cal and SD has the best of them...

 

[ACamp1900]

Oh and fish tacos....


Can you tell I'm ruled by my stomach?

 

[BGIF]

i should have mentioned I am from here originally but moved out during my childhood. i have made a visit every year since i was 14. Love the zoo, wild animal park, harbor cruises, and coranado island.

thanks for all the suggestions. def am planning to do la jolla visit (how could you not) and am taking the rest of the suggestions down to family to see what sticks!

as to my IE bretheren....Thank You and Merry Christmas fellas!

Every year since you were 14. Shouldn't you be telling us?


I'm in ACamp's camp. Great city to visit! When I was traveling extensively I used to hit SD 10-12 times a year. I planned my trips so I could spend weekends there.

At 25 (I looked at your profile) your interests may vary considerably from ours. You mentioned family but no ages. Are mom and dad taking you? Are you taking wife and little ones?

I was at the Zoo so often, I took out a membership. If you're with mom and dad (or wife) I'd take them to George's On The Cove in La Jolla. Kids love Sea World. I like Balboa Park.

If you're watching $$$ go the Del Coronado around sunset, sit on the terrace, have coffee and dessert, and soak in the view.

Have you been to the Star of India?

The lighthouse at Pt Loma?

Enjoy!

 

[NDTampa]

Black's Beach in La Jolla

 

[NDdomer2]

bgif, i usually just spend my time at my grandmas lavish house. ive def. been to some of these places. i was looking more for xmas specific things like balboa park's Christmas, etc. i should have known all you fat fuckers would give me places to eat

i bring my girlfriend of 7 years with me. but my grandma, dad and his new wife, uncle wife and two kids (all from Indiana but kids) all live here so my visits are usually spent cooking and being around each other so while I've been to la jolla, coranado, old town, the amusement parks i haven't got to do the real seeking out finer things like most of you are mentioning.

to me this is what makes ie what it is. thanks for all suggestions fellas ill provide pictures and updates. don't be offended if i didn't try your suggestion!

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Balboa Park is also amazing. Lots of great stuff to do and there are tons of great restaurants in the Hillcrest area. However, Hillcrest is a large gay community so if you have kids, you might have to have a little chat with them in that neighborhood depending on how much their experience is with that sort of area.

Also, as others have pointed out, Vista is very north and east of San Diego. You could also head out east on Hwy 78 and hit the casinos in the Temecula area, wine country in Temecula, or keep going and go have apple pie and BBQ in Julian. Julian is a lot of fun especially around Christmas.

If you do make it down to the Hotel Del Coronado, if you time it right, you can watch the Navy Seal train doing landing craft exercises right by the hotel. Miramar airstation is also fun for kids to go watch F-14s take off and land.

The Del Mar racetrack has an AMAZING Christmas light display. You actually drive through it and it is pretty cool. Christmas at the Wild Animal park is fun too. The Festival Of Lights is a great time.

For my money though, Solana Beach is home to some of the best restaurants and bars in the area. It is much closer to Vista as well.

Have a great trip.

 

[Irishnuke]

Didn't notice you were in Vista. The SD Zoo Safari Park, formerly the Wild Animal Park, is very cool. The animals are more active when it's cooler. We have annual passes.

 

[cody1smith]

San Diego (Spanish for whale's vagina) is a pretty fun town. Great train system too. Can get around really easy.

Go surfing.

Founded in 1842 by the Russians

 

[calvegas04]

How did the trip end up?

 

[ACamp1900]

If he got a burrito, trip of a lifetime... If he didnt, complete waste of time.

 

[NDdomer2]

Hey guys old school bump but just wanted to say thanks for all the recommends

 

[BobbyMac]

I'll be performing at the Belching Beaver & Mother Earth in Vista this weekend.

I'll be doing Phantom Bride and Swerve City at BB and Sin Tax at ME.

Come on out and support me.

 

[NDdomer2]

Totally would but we leave early Saturday morning man!

 

[ACamp1900]

I'll be performing oral in the alley behind the Belching Beaver & Mother Earth in Vista this weekend.

Come on out and support me.