LOCAL WALLY SAYSYOU CAN DO IT ALL IN 7 DAYS!
LOCAL WALLY SAYS
Let's for fun pretend you are sitting on the beach with your loved one - - and your cell phone rings. Do you:
If you picked "C", then this is your type of vacation planner! Here's where Local Wally shows you how to cram the BEST of SAN DIEGO into 7 jammed packed days.
Of course, this schedule is not recommended for those of you dreaming of a nice, relaxing trip to the beach. This is for the traveler who checks voicemails on vacation, brings a cell phone into the dentist, or uses a PDA for the weekends. For this "Type A" personality, this is your ticket! So boot up your laptop and let's start scheduling. You're off to Paradise!
Day 1: Arrive in San Diego!
| Welcome to San Diego!
As you drive away from the rental car area, look for the "thing" pictured to your left. What the hell is that? No, it's not a bunch of leftover parts that fell off the back of a truck. That's ART, by a real artiste! Sweeeet. I'm just glad they're spending our tax dollars wisely :-) |
Stay to the right at the, um, "piece of ship", and you're on Harbor Drive. Once you see the big mast sailing ships in the distance, park anywhere and walk towards the ships. You'll find Anthony's Fishette, a local restaurant that serves up some of the best Fish and Shrimp (and Chips) in town. Look, I know that Anthony's isn't upscale haute cuisine, but man, you just gotta believe me when I tell you it's worth the wait to get a paper plate or two of these tasty morsels. Beer and wine (wow, "private label" Anthony's wine!) to wash it all down.
Now that you're no longer dieing of hunger, take a walk up and down the street and check out the ships. You can buy tickets to tour all the ships, including the beautiful Star of India, which they actually still sail now and again. In fact, if you want to sail you might want to check out the rates and times for the Californian, a ship that can take you on a half or full day sailing adventure. There's even tours you can take where two ships will have cannon battles, sort of like Pirates of the Carribean - only with REAL ships and REAL cannons!
As you probably know, San Diego is a Navy Town - you know, Top Gun, Blue Angels - and if military stuff is your thing, then head over to the gigantic USS Midway, an aircraft carrier that the public can tour. Check out the fighter planes on the deck, or the flight simulators inside. Even if yu don't go inside, walk up to it just to see how huge these floating cities are. Hey, how DO they float, anyway?
Wow Wally, that's a ton of stuff for one afteroon...I LIKE IT!
After you've checked into and checked out your great hotel (hope you trusted Wally and booked in one of my favorites listed in the Best Hotel Guide), it's time for dinner. My top pick for your first night is The Fish Market, a consistant winner when it comes to Best anf Freshest Seafood. Located right next to the USS Midway, the downstairs restaurant is casual (paper placemats) but the view is worth a million bucks. And the food - it's prepared simply over a mesquite grill and ultra tasty. Sushi and oysters as well make this a great first night dinner. Try to get a window seat, and one on the outside patio area if it's a nice day. If you want a fancier dinner, just go upstairs and the Fish Market becomes The Top of the Market, a dressed up sort of place with tablecloths. The same tasty fish from downstairs gets a sauce ot two, and the fries get removed as an option for your sides. It's quite delicious in either, so go fancy or not, your choice.
After dinner I would head over to Seaport Village. I'm not going to fool you - this is a serious Tourist Trap, but not one without some redeeming value. The Merry Go Round has real wooden horses (cool), the shops are fun and unusual, and it is darn quaint - in a Disneyland sort of way. Excellent bay views make it a nice place to take some sunset pics. And now is the time I would buy those T-shirts and the gift for the neighbor you left in charge of your cat. Do it now, versus wasting your last day frantically trying to find something to bring home. Seaport Village is not the type of place I would recommend you spend a full day at, but a couple of hours after dinner? Perfect.
Day 2: Get your toes in the water!
Today is your first visit to the ocean, and Local Wally suggests you make it the one that some people consider the most beautiful place on Earth. Put on some sunblock - you're going to La Jolla! But before you jump into the car, you're going to want to check out the tide report, which has some great info on tidepools in the area. You'll also want to know when low tide is if you plan to go walk along the tidepools searching for little sea creatures trapped in the tidepools.
If you are an early riser, one of the best places for breakfast is Brockton Villa. Located in an old beach house, you not only can get a killer breakfast but will be treated to a killer view. Look for whales and dolphins (not in the restaurant, in the ocean), not uncommon to see them right swimming just beyond the breakers. After breakfast, head over to the Cave Store (1325 Coast Blvd) and take the walk down the stairs into one of the famous La Jolla Caves. OK, is it worth $4 to walk down the stairs? Hmmm, maybe not - so hey, just walk around the bluffs and you'll see the caves from a different angle. Take a walk along the bluffs behind the store, stopping to watch the kayaks maneuver in and around the seven caves.
LOCAL WALLY HOT KAYAK TIP: Yes, you can actually rent your own kayak to paddle out in the cove yourself to explore the various sea caves. If you're a novice kayaker, or just don't want to miss any of the good spots, then book ahead and get
Discount Kayak Tour Tickets - don't wait until you get there or you'll pay full price.
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After hiking the short dirt trail, turn around and head towards the Children's Pool,
the wonderful protected beach favored by local seals. That's right, seals make up the bulk of the visitors on this beach. But don't think you can walk right up to them and pet one. Not only are they protected, but they also bite - and don't forget about their fish breath! So watch from a distance, and look for baby seals - so cute,
But don't walk too fast or you'll miss half the fun. The walk along the cemented path at the top of the bluffs offers some stunning views. Don't resist the temptation to go out on some of the rocks to explore, or to take off those expensive shoes and feel the cool water splash up on your legs. If you planned this out right and it's low tide, take a walk to the tidepools and check it out. You find tiny sea animals like crabs or small fish trapped in various tidepools, sort of like the way you were trapped in your tiny cubicle at work just a day before! Go ahead - put your finger in a sea anemone. You da Boss, as they say! Just don't hurt them, and no trying to take them back to the hotel with you. Think of it as an HR violation. |
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Come on Wally, let's get going! Time is money, and I have lots of money to spend on vacation!
Now that you're done exploring nature, it's time to explore the shops. You'll find lots of upscale boutique stores and art museums in La Jolla - enough to keep most women satisfied (and men frustrated) for hours! There is, however, one shop that should leave both sexes happy. No, I am not talking about Victoria's Secret (though that's not a bad stop either), but Morrison Hotel, a unique gallery filled with photographs of great rock and roll bands of the 60's and 70's. If you love the CSNY song "Deja Vu", then this gallery is right up your alley. It's the sort of place where you will find autographed original photos of Paul McCartney that you can actually buy. By the way, there's also a Hard Rock Cafe down the street if you want even more rock memorabilia.
Now that it's lunchtime, there is one place and only one that you must dine at, and that's Georges at the Cove's Ocean Terrace Bistro. If you've done your homework, and I know you have, you'll know that George's main restaurant is considered by some to have the best food in all of San Diego. On their rooftop is a less expensive "bistro" which offers great food at moderate prices. You'll find fish tacos, some excellent pastas, and their signature smoked chicken soup (awesome), but the real attraction is the view. Perched above La Jolla Cove, you'll dine while watching the people below kayak or snorkel in the crystal clear waters below. It's one of the quintessential Southern California lunch experiences, so don't miss it. If it's too busy on the patio, most tourists don't know you can walk down one flight of stairs and dine from the same menu in the bar. The bar has the same view, and it's open air so you can sit right up the the short glass wall and get nearly the same experience. It's also shaded, so those adverse to sunshine might like it better there anyway. (But hey, this is San Diego so you'd better get used to it!).
Done with lunch? Good, because now Wally wants you to head up the coast a bit and check out the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. High on a hill overlooking La Jolla, the views are incredible. Spend an hour checking out the fish and learning more about the coastline. Great for kids as well.
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Right around the same area is the Torrey Pines Glider Port. If you've never seen people strap on wings and jump off the cliffs to soar with the birds on a hangglider, then take the short road out to the bluffs to check it out. It's an amazing site, and you can even partcipate by signing up for a Hanggliding for Two adventure where you fly with a qualified pilot. Man, you can't do that back home! |
Later that same day.... After all that walking, shopping, and flying, you might be thinking it's time to kick back and do nothing this evening. But that wouldn't be any fun, would it? No, you're off for one last adventure as you head over to Old Town for dinner and a bit more sightseeing. Old Town is the place to go for some good quality Mexican food, and The Old Town Mexican Cafe is one of the best. You'll know it instantly by the long lines of people trying to get in, standing in front of the windows where the women are making homemade tortillas. They have all the standard combo plates, but the real attraction here are the Carnitas, which is slow cooked pork that is fork tender. Wrap that up in a fresh soft tortilla, splash some hot salsa on it, top it with avocado, onion, cilantro, and a splash of lime and you're set to go. If you're a pork fan, and let's face it, who isn't, then you have to give this place a shot. Long lines at dine time, so get there as early as possible and just be patient - it's worth the wait. Do some emails to pass the time, or do what Wally does - get a margarita instead!
After dinner, head over to the main section of Old Town and you'll find plenty of shops with an "Old West meets Mexico" theme. Sure, some of the shops are pretty cheesy and touristy, but that's why you're only here at night for a few hours. See, Wally knows what he's doing.
LOCAL WALLY HOT OLD TOWN UPDATE: Where's the Bazaar Del Mundo? Where did Casa de Bandini go? Hey, where's my favorite Casa de Pico restaurant with all the colorful umbrellas? Here's a sad but true story. San Diegans watched in disbelief as the the now ex-Gov Gray Davis (we kicked his booty out) sold the rights to Bazaar Del Mundo, one of the most popular stops in San Diego, to a New York concession company. Diane Powers, the local San Diegan who took a rundown area of Old Town and turned it into the wonderful (and wonderfully profitable) Bazaar Del Mundo was kicked out, the new company came in to fix what wasn't broken, and in 2005 poor Old Town took a turn for the worst. Thankfully, they only have messed everything up yet, and hopefully the new shops and restaurants will live up to their predecessors reputations. The good news is that if you have never been to Old Town, you probably won't even realize that things have changed. Still worth a visit.
Day 3: Hippos, Zebras, Pandas!
The World Famous San Diego Zoo is everything you could possibly imagine, from the beautiful lush landscaping to the incredible exhibits. Sure, you've been to a zoo, but you've never seen a zoo like this one. Hippos in aquariums! Baby Panda Bears! Komodo Dragons! You won't believe how large and beautiful the zoo is. Escalators take you up and down the major hills, and the Skyfari is a great way to get from one end of the park to the other. The charming Children's Zoo is included with your admission, and is great fun, even if you don't have kids. You'll want to spend an entire day here. Take the bus if you are lazy or short of time, otherwise put on on your Nikes and get ready to walk and be tired when you get back to your hotel. Go early to get in line for the Pandas - the lines can be painfully long during mid-day.
LOCAL WALLY HOT ZOO TIP: Don't forget that the Zoo is open evenings during the summer. Running around the zoo at night is a ton of fun and a great alternative if you want to try something different.
Visit the Zoo and the Gaslamp District and see all of our wildlife in one day!
That evening, let's get back to our primal roots and go hunt for our dinner - the Local Wally way! We'll head over to Gaslamp District, which can be described as our version of tamer New Orleans. Filled with clubs, shops, and restaurants, let your nose and the right side of your brain (it's still there even though you don't use it) decide where you want to eat that night by walking up and down the street until you find something that strikes your fancy. Nearly every restaurant is excellent in Gaslamp - the bad ones don't last long. If you see lines, it's most likely good. If you are too anal to go somewhere without a plan, then consider some of Wally's favorite dining options in Gaslamp - Rei Do Gado is a Brazillian "all you can eat" BBQ place that serves up a large assortment of wonderfully tasty meats (steak fillets wrapped in bacon, tender bbq'd pork, ribs, zesty sausages). Scarey place for vegetarians, but the proverbial BOMB if you love animals. Croce's is a Gaslamp standard and an excellent choice for a nice dinner. Run by Ingrid, the wife of the late great Jim Croce ("Bad, Bad Leroy Brown"), Croce's serves up everything from pasta to seafood to steaks, all done exceptionally well. Don't expect 70's nostalgia - their jazz club is hip and trendy. Good Chinese food can be found in Horton Plaza Shopping Mall (check it out - it's unlike any mall you have ever seen) at Panda Inn, and Fleming's Steakhouse is one of Wally's favorite places to get a top quality steak (a la Ruth's Chris).
For the more adventurous, skip Gaslamp that grab a ride on the Coronado Ferry boat and head across the bay to Peohe's for a fusion of Asian and Hawaiian food. Peohe's is located right at the Ferry Landing. Food is decent enough in a vacation sort of way, but the experience of taking a boat across the bay is what vacation adventures are all about. If you're traveling with kids, this might be the thing they remember most about the trip.
LOCAL WALLY HOT MULTI-TASKING TIP: So now you know the zoo is open in the evenings, right? If you really want to jam more into one day, then go to Balboa Park during the day and see the zoo at night.
Day 4: It's a Beachin' Day!
What will your friends say when you return from your vacation without a suntan? Today's the day to fix that, because today you're going to the beach. San Diego has a lot of different beaches, all with different personalities. The "quintessential" beach - and one of the most popular - is La Jolla Shores. If you want that big sand, big beach, big boobs sort of beach, then the Shores is for you. But if you want to do something a bit different, head over to Coronado and park at the Hotel del Coronado. The Del fronts one of the nicest family beaches. It doesn't have the killer surfing waves, but it also doesn't have the scarey rip currents either. What's nice about Coronado is that after you hang out on the beach, you can cruise the hotel. I bet you can find a nice spot in the sun to sip on a cool and crazy martini (the chocolate martini is pretty tasty) and mooch their complementary bowl of nuts and olives. If you want a bit more of an "action packed" beach, then go to Mission Beach and ride the Big Dipper Roller Coaster a few times for the best view in town. Mission Beach can get a bit "urban", so if do wop is more your scene than hip hop, think twice. Pacific Beach and Torry Pines are also great choices (parking is easiest at Torrey Pines). Whatever beach you head to, remember that no alcohol and no glass permitted.
Sitting on the beach is tiring stuff, so that evening it's time to dine in a relaxing, cozy, and nonpretentious environment. Close your eyes and imagine an inviting courtyard with a giant tree in the middle. The branches form a canopy over the tables, which are surrounded by the warmth of the heat lamps and the sound of the water fountains on the stone walls. Subtle candles light the tables, casting a warm glow on your date. Now inhale.... a hint of smoke from the woodfired stove, a touch of garlic, the scent of roasting chicken and fresh seafood. You are at Piatti's La Jolla, one of the great neighborhood eateries that caters as much to locals as it does tourists. Featuring authentic Italian food, Piatti's will make you feel instantly at home and will soon become one of your favorite restaurants...your restaurant. Romantic setting, but casual enough that the kids can dine there as well. Don't miss the Frito Misto (lightly fried calamari, rock shrimp, and vegetables) as an appetizer. Pastas are exellent, and the rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes is Comfort Food like they used to make it.
Day 5: SeaWorld!
Local Wally loves SeaWorld. There, I said it. I know that SeaWorld is touristy, but it's also one of the more awesome attractions as well. As corny as it sounds, this is great family entertainment that's fun, exciting, and even educational. The Shamu show lives up to it's reputation - whatever you do, do NOT sit in the front rows unless you want to be drenched like a wet cat for the rest of the day! Additionally, SeaWorld now offers "up close and personal" attractions that let you get in with the Penguins, or swim with the dolphins. Oh yeah, it's expensive so don't tell the kids about these unless you have the big bucks, but if you can swing it you should. New thrill rides fill out the day, but pay attention to the show schedules if you want to see it all as you basically run from one show to the next - hey, this is sort of like juggling conference calls and meetings at work, only lots more fun.
March with Penguins, Swim with Dolphins, Dine with Shamu!
That evening, you have a few choices. If you did not go to Coronado yet, then go straight to the Hotel Del and dine at Sheerwaters, the outside hotel restaurant. The food is very good, albeit a bit pricey, but it's all about the adventure of seeing the Del and Coronado. If you already did the Del and just want a killer place to eat, you can't beat Roy's in the La Jolla area. Roy's doesn't have that killer view, but the Hawaiian based restaurant offers up a fixed price menu that gives you an appetizer, entree of fish or excellent braised short ribs, and their famous molten chocolate lava souffle cake that has my mouth watering right now - all for under $35 per person. Of course, you can also get real adventourous and can catch a ballgame at Petco Park, or see a live play at The Old Globe or a live concert in the outdoor venue on the bay, Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay. If you decide to do a Humphrey's show, buy the dinner package as you get a fine meal and first 5 rows seats.
Day 6: Let's get Local and Cruise Old Highway 101!
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Your adventure starts at Torrey Pines State Park where you can hike along the coastline. These are amazing little hikes because one moment you are in a foresty area, the next you're overlooking th Pacific. Don't miss stopping in at the Ranger station, the original old lodge that has some of old memorabillia on display including a menu that boasts lobster dinners for two bucks. Continue north to the towns of Del Mar, Solana Beach, and Cardiff. Lots of local shops - and local beaches. Stop in at Cardiff Beach to watch the surfers and be on the lookout for some classic woodies cruising the highway. As you reach Encinitas, you'll want to see the fantastic Hawaiian gardens with their koi ponds and waterfalls at the Self Realization Fellowship, located at Swami's Beach. Amazing - in fact, this is where George Harrison of the Beatles used to hang out. You'll want to park and walk around the downtown area of Encinitas, filled with lots of local shops. On weekends, stop by Keilani's on D Street, a Hawaiian plate lunch restaurant. Local ukulele players usually gather outside the restaurant to stum along to favorite Hawaiian and beach songs, led by Uncle George of Keilani's. You'll also want to cruise the residential streets until you find the boat houses, two boats built on dry land that are actually houses. Weird, and totally San Diego. Stop in at Moonlight Beach and get a Popcycle from the snack bar to cool you down as you watch the volleyball players or take a walk on the beach.
Fresh Strawberries, Fresh Tamales, Fresh Flowers!
You know you're in local territory when you can buy flats of just picked locally grown strawberries, and you won't find any better than the ones you'll get at the fruit stand on La Costa Blvd and Saxony Drive. Get a bag of just made tamales along with some chips and homemade salsa and bring them to the beach for an impromptu picnic. Wow, is this a great vacation or what??! And don't forget that Encinitas is the town that invented the popular red leafed ponsettia plant that you see everywhere at Christmastime.
Keep heading up north and you'll be in Leucadia, a funky down home beach town that wants to stay that way. Best stop is Lou's Records, a local record store with great selection of obscure and local discs. You'll find plenty of hard to find discs, so if you love rock music, you must stop at Lou's.
You'll end up in Carlsbad, a nice beach town that's become a favorite tourist stop itself. Worth a stop to walk along the old downtown area, visit some antique stores, or simply to take a stroll on an uncrowded beach. Give yourself time to kick back and relax in Carlsbad. A margarita at Fidels Mexican Restaurant with a basket of chips and salsa will do the trick. Sit on the outside patio. Ahhhh, nice.
Since you are up in North County already, stick around and dine at any number of the local restaurants. The majority of the restaurants are located between Cardiff "restaurant row" (The Beach House, The Chart House, Las Olas Mexican, Charlies by the Sea) and Encinitas (Trattoria I Trulli, Vigalucci's, El Callejon Mexican). If you want ocean view sunset dining, stick with restaurant row. If you want to eat where the locals do, stick with Encinitas. You can't go wrong either way, it just depends on your mood.
Day 7: Lots of Options for your Last Day in Paradise!
| Balboa Park. If you haven't seen it yet, spend your final day there checking out the museums and various exhibits. Look, I know what you're thinking - a boring park for the final day? But wait - Balboa Park features some of the coolest architecture, some of the lushest landscaping, and the largest variety of museums anywhere. Like Electric Trains? Got it. Old Automobiles? Got it. How about an Aerospace Museum? Got it. Mummys? History of Man? Art and sculpture? Got it, of course. You'll have a hard time deciding what museums to see, so a bit of preplanning is in order by going to Balboa Park's Official Site. But let's say you've already done Balboa Park. If I were you, and you were me, we'd be at the beach or bay the final day. That's right, the beach. A lot of people forget that San Diego is all about the water. Go jetskiing in Mission Bay, or sail a boat. Take a surfing lesson, or snorkel in La Jolla Cove. Dive with Sharks, or just go diving in the sunken ships in the protected Scripps area. Bodysurf in Pacific Beach, or boogie board at Mission. Or - just get a good book and some sunblock and kick back at your favorite beach and R-E-L-A-X. Turn off the Blackberry and watch the sunset. Ahhh, you've finally arrived at Vacation Nirvana. |
Now here's the icing on the cake. On your final day, take a hot air balloon ride over Del Mar! Hold on tight and give that person next to you a kiss as your balloon takes off over the coast and you ride the winds over paradise. It's exhilerating, and wow, what a great exclamation point way to cap off a great week. After you land, if you want to do a last grande finale meal, I would recommend The Marine Room in La Jolla, one of the ultimate dining experiences. Great sunset views, of course, and waves so close that they sometimes splash on the windows. Or perhaps something more casual like The Poseidon in Del Mar, one of the few restaurants that actually sits on the beach. An outside patio seat facing the ocean seems just about right, doesn't it. Make a toast to Local Wally and wipe that tear from your eye. This really has been a good vacation, hasn't it?
Day 8: Home Again, Naturally
Whatever you do, make sure you come back to LOCAL WALLY'S GUIDE TO SAN DIEGO and input your thoughts into Local Wally's Message Board. Post your own restaurant, attraction and hotel reviews. This helps other future visitors figure out what's good, and what's not. Also, a bit of feedback to your pal Local Wally would be great. Keep me up to date and honest. If you thought something stunk that I recommended, I want to hear about it. And if you liked my suggestions, cool, let me know as well.
So thanks for trusting me with your trip! Have a great time, and get back to me once you return!
LOCAL WALLY'S WORDS OF WISDOM:
The best time to relax is when
you don't have time to. Enjoy San Diego.... Don't stress out over vacation. Give yourself
time to people watch on the beach, to spot a dolphin in the waves, and to savor a sunset.
Then you have experienced the real San Diego.
Agenda Addendum for Cruise Ship Visitors
"Hey Wally, I'm coming in for one day on a cruise ship - what should I do?" I get that one a lot, and it's a tough one to answer because one day is just not enough time to see San Diego. But if I only had a day, I would pick one item from the following list:
Pick whichever one interests you the most. Do not do the obvious Old Town or Seaport Village as your adventure - there's not enough at either place to keep you busy for over a few hours. At the end of the day, head over to The Top of the Market at the Fish Market for dinner - right next to the cruise ship termimal. Have yourself a great sunset dinner and wish you could stay a few more days!
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