It's easy to experience the ideal vacation here and I'm sure you're due for some post-holiday partying. Interested in a little romp on the beach? Perhaps you'd rather a Chargers game, or some fine dining as you gape at the passersby while sipping a drink on a restaurant patio? Whether you're into the outdoors or crave the nightlife, this three-day trip to San Diego is sure to satisfy all.
Day 1: Copping a feel for the place
Finding your way around San Diego is not a big challenge. Whether you choose to stay at the pricey U.S. Grant Hotel for its opulence or the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego (our personal favorite) for its great bar and supreme location, you won't find yourself too far from the action. Adding to the convenience is the airport, which is only three miles from downtown.
After putting down your suitcase, a simple walk around the area will give you the feeling that you're in a foreign country. The Mediterranean-style buildings and widespread Mexican influences are what set San Diego apart from other harborfront cities on the West Coast.
mexican flava awaits
To get the true sense of the lively melting pot culture, head first to the Old Town, once the city's focal point and now a State Historic Park. Don't worry though, there aren't many history lessons here: The main reason to visit this plaza is for the abundance of margaritas and tantalizing Mexican dishes, both on your plate and strolling past you. Work off the spicy fare and strong alcohol with a walk through the village and its gardens, as mariachi bands play in the background.While the Old Town represents the San Diego of years past, Gaslamp Quarter is the pulse of the city. As the late afternoon sets in, this hotspot comes alive as people occupy its restaurants, bars, galleries, and sidewalk patios. A classic trolley can bring you to the Quarter from the Old Town in no time at all. In this bustling area, covering a 16-block radius of Victorian architecture, you'll find a palette of activities to fill a whole day and night.
gaslamp: it's a gas
Before the sun sets, get your bearings in the downtown core and scope out how this area developed from the seediest region in San Diego to the place to see and be seen. Back in the days of cowboys, Wyatt Earp ran three gambling halls here, but now the only crapshoot you're likely to take is choosing between dancing the night away and sampling the different pubs' happy hours.Do a little shopping in the Horton Plaza just west of Gaslamp and some sightseeing within the district before selecting one of the 100 restaurants that line the streets, and prepare for the party night ahead of you. If you have trouble choosing between Cajun and Creole, Greek and Italian (I'm talking about food, not beautiful ladies), may I suggest Blue Point Coastal Cuisine for a wicked oyster bar and great seafood? Or perhaps the Gaslamp Strip Club tickles your fancy, a 21-and-older restaurant and lounge that innocently offers grill-it-yourself strip steaks.
electric place, often compared to New Orleans' French Quarter as the coolest place to dine and party in the U.S. When the night is young and the gas lamps that stand on the sidewalk begin to glow, it's time to get your groove on. For live entertainment and a true San Diego nightclub experience, places like Onyx and the Blue Tattoo come through with flying colors. Club and bar hop if your wallet can handle it -- the nightspots all cater to different styles and stand out on their own.
Day 2: Ahh, the great outdoors
One of the refreshing things about San Diego is that it still boasts all the entertainment offered by L.A. but adds outdoor activities without the dense smog. Recover from a crazy night, eat a light breakfast and head out for a day of B&B: beaches and babes.Approximately 15 minutes from downtown San Diego, the city/suburb of La Jolla (pronounced la hoya and meaning "the jewel") is an upscale seaside getaway. The rugged coast that can be seen from the main roads may make you think twice about hitting the beach, but in fact, these cliffs merely guard the great sand and coves below. La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Shores and Del Mar Beach are the three main spots to sunbathe, snorkel and surf.
delight in the crowds
Normally, I would discourage you from visiting busy beaches, but these popular areas are teeming with women in scandalous bikinis, so I doubt you'll mind the crowds too much. Relax on the Pacific Coast for a few hours in the late morning or early afternoon, taking in the beautiful oceanfront view.When you feel like the sun is toasting you in an unhealthy fashion, seek refuge in the Stephen Birch Aquarium-Museum, which has the largest oceanographic display in the country. After cooling off, take a dip in the ocean and try your hand at surfing, or impress the ladies with some diving at low tide.
enjoy the sports or the seafront
Returning back to the city proper, many choices await you where nighttime entertainment is concerned. If you're a sports fan, perhaps you reserved tickets for a baseball or football game (Padres and Chargers, respectively). Maybe you just want to explore the city some more, now revitalized after chilling on the beach. Notable places include the Embarcadero -- the dockside just west of downtown -- where you can sit and watch free outdoor concerts at the Marina Park's open-air amphitheater during the summer.Day 3: More must-sees
One of San Diego's best-known landmarks is Balboa Park, often rated one of the best green spaces in America and the Best All-Around Outdoor Destination in San Diego. Among its attractions are museums and art houses, the famous San Diego Zoo, and several places to sit back and enjoy the weather.balboa ain't rocky
Museums of note include the interactive Rueben H. Fleet Space Theater & Science Center that features giant-screen movie productions, and the macho, bark-inducing San Diego Automotive Museum. The amount of information available at the multitude of museums in Balboa Park might not be appreciated if digested in one day, so pick your spots and only visit the ones that truly pique your interest.For those who think zoos are for hyperactive little children, think again. The San Diego Zoo is a world-renowned institution that preaches education about animals and endangered species, and doesn't put the animals on display simply for profit. Attempting to navigate your way through the zoo is difficult due to its immensity, but certainly worth it. With an incredible amount of exhibits and more than 3,000 animals, tourists often spend a whole day here.
relive the magic again
Take your time and be thorough in your sightseeing, but leave the night open for one last hurrah in San Diego. If you loved the Gaslamp on your first night, go back for some more dining, drinking, dancing, and delicious women. After some good eats, hit The Bitter End, located in the Quarter's oldest building, and a supreme bar/nightclub.With a 40-foot long mahogany bar, a 28-page drink menu, and live bands and DJs, this is the spot to end a solid three days of touring. Try the unique Black Martini, a house favorite, and remember to pick your jaw up off the floor after seeing all the hotties dancing right in front of you.
san diego is divine
Whatever type of entertainment suits you, San Diego has you covered. From a healthy dose of professional sports to spectacular beaches and a supreme nightlife, you'd be hard-pressed to find an American city with more to offer than this one. A standout in the U.S., people now flock from all over the world to visit California for a whole new reason.Resources:
http://www.allaboutsandiego.com/thebeaches.html
http://www.sandiegovisitorinfo.com/
http://www.gaslamp.org/index.html
http://www.theonyxroom.com/
http://www.thebitterend.com/
http://www.thebluetattoo.com/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/north_america/san_diego/
http://www.concierge.com/sandiego/resources/entertainment/
http://www.concierge.com/sandiego/resources/history/
San Diego Travel Guide
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