Friday, March 23, 2012

12 things to do in San Diego when you're not at the ACS convention

For my readers who will be in America's Finest City this next week:
  1. Turn your radio on at midnight and listen to the strains of the Mexican national anthem, on multiple radio stations.
  2. The Dumpling Inn on Convoy is amazing; bit of a hike, if you don't have a rental car. 
  3. If you want to take a walk through a really confusing mall, Horton Square (downtown) will work. It's the same darn stores as everywhere else, just in a completely befuddling arrangement. 
  4. Grab a burger at Jeff's Burger in La Jolla Shores and take a walk down to the beach. (Parking can be a bear.) 
  5. There's a 99 Ranch in San Diego. If you've never experienced the smell of a Chinese grocery expanded to supermarket size, it might be worth the drive. 
  6. The San Diego Trolley will go all the way down to the border (San Ysidro, which is on the US side.) You can see the monster Mexican flag in TJ. 
  7. For those who've never had it, Hawaiian BBQ (aka plate lunch) is a revelation. L&L is passable, but the smaller joints are better. This is the best San Diego food blog (biased towards ethnic), in my humble opinion. 
  8. The drive between TSRI and Encinitas Del Mar is really lovely, if you've never had the chance. 
  9. So Seaport Village is pretty lame, but the USS Midway is absolutely worth a trip. (Also, it looks like Company G will be graduating next Friday at MCRD San Diego. A neat ceremony.) 
  10. The Torrey Pines Gliderport is beautiful and a really nice place to have a wrap for lunch, see people learning to paraglide and watch teeny tiny naked figures down on Black's Beach. 
  11. Go visit the Xenobe Research Institute. 
  12. So there is a small zoo there. Taxi from downtown not too expensive, as I recall. 
Readers, I'm probably a terrible tourist guide. What would you do, if you were in San Diego? Things to do in the downtown area (which I tended to not go to) would probably be nice. 

19 comments:

  1. Re 7: I'm not a huge fan of Hawaiian, but my friends like Kealani's in Encinitas.

    Re 8: The drive up PCH gets a bit tricky around Del Mar, might be easier to start in Solana Beach and drive up (though once you hit Solana Beach you may decide you don't need to go anywhere else)

    Re 10: Most of the naked people are old men.

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  2. Number 11 is definitely worth a visit; and the Tacos aren't bad either!

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  3. Fish or fried oyster tacos at South Beach in OB.
    UCSD sculpture walk
    Check out the lighthouse at Point Loma Cabrillo Monument and see if you recognize anything from TopGun.
    Check out the view from Mt Soledad
    Grab a take-out fish burrito, or anything really, and eat it at one of the turnouts on Sunset Cliffs.

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  4. It's been years since I was there, but Extraordinary Desserts was a good spot for those with a sweet tooth.

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    Replies
    1. I agree. The smaller place is better than the larger one.

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  5. Thanks CJ this brought back lots of memories for me

    Re #12: SD Zoo is great but always liked the Wild Animal Park (although the old monorail seemed to provide a better overall experience even though not as close to animals in current vehicle drive through the exhibits).

    Torrey Pines State Park is a great walk/has wonderful views and although SD does not really have seasons the desert flowers bloom about this time of year don't they?

    Old Town a bit Touristry but can be nice on warm day and good Mexican places to eat in the area (although ones directly in the square found so so)

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  6. Is number 12 a joke? It's one of the best in the country (also don't take a cab, take bus #7 from downtown and buy a day pass for $5). The Wild Animal Park is good (it's kind of like a Zoo with larger animal exhibits and large animals, the normal zoo has more species of animals). There is also Sea World. If in La Jolla stop by the cove and if you get lucky the seals will be there. Downtown has a wide variety of food choices.

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    1. Yes, #12 is facetious. Never took the bus, had to take a cab once.

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    2. Love the seals! How are they doing in court? Is the 'lucky' comment due to individual people or government action?

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    3. I haven't followed the latest with the seals, it seems like it goes back and forth about what action can and can't be taken with the seals (rope barriers and access for humans). As far as I know the seals are still there, what I meant about lucky was that sometimes they swim away and aren't present when you show up. Also with the bus, I meant this only as an option there is nothing wrong with taking a cab.

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  7. I forgot to add...walk through Balboa Park and see all the old style buildings, they are interesting and Balboa Park is right next door to the Zoo.

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  8. Beer is EVERYWHERE. SD is now the microbrew capital of the US, check out some breweries!

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  9. I got a tip today from a faculty member that Miguel's Cocina near Hotel Del Coronado is awesome Mexican food.

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  10. Thanks for this post, CJ. I am excited to try the Dumpling Inn...and Extraordinary Desserts---thanks Beth!)

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    1. No problem, dude. XLB is key: http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2011/01/dumpling-inn.html

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  11. I would go to La Jolla and check out some of the fine restaurants and oceanside mansions..

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  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  13. San Diego is beautiful city which is located on the coast of Pacific Ocean. San Diego is full of fun and romantic city. Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, La Jolla beach,San Diego Aerospace Museum etc you must visit. That all are awesome. Thanks for this post.
    http://thingstodoinsandiego.info/

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looks like Blogger doesn't work with anonymous comments from Chrome browsers at the moment - works in Microsoft Edge, or from Chrome with a Blogger account - sorry! CJ 3/21/20