San Diego, am I missing something?

Hey all, we're halfway thru a week in SD and I have to say I'm thoroughly underwhelmed by it all.

I've been to most of the main sights (zoo, balboa park, hill crest, gas lamp) and can't say that it's been too memorable except the zoo which was good. The mission bay beach we are staying at is nice. We're biking up to La Jolla tomorrow.

I feel like I'm searching for a soul to the place and finding very little. I really enjoyed Seattle earlier in the trip, but SD doesn't seem to have the same 'warm fuzzy' feeling of feeling comfortable and happy.

Does anyone else feel this way and if anyone has any tips on making the most of our time here that'd be great?

[preiffer]

I feel that way. I get it - it's a nice place. But I *don't* quite get the rave reviews of SD. Maybe I'm just wired differently, but in comparison to somewhere like SF, it's a flop for me...

Yup, been there twice and yes it's nice for a day or two but there's no wow to it. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

I'd go along with that - visited a few years back and also felt I must be missing something blindingly obvious!

I have always fancied SD and was planning a wee trip out there which I think will now be a couple of days instead of a week. Looks like I will have to drive up the coast for the rest of the time

Thanks for the heads up ^)

I'd go along with that - visited a few years back and also felt I must be missing something blindingly obvious!

Ditto.

Though I have to say my son spent a month there with his mates and loved it to bits.

I spent a week and a half there last year and I really enjoyed it. Admittedly Comic Con was on for four of the days but even after that finished I still found plenty to do with all the galleries and theatres and the like. Also the very relaxed atmosphere in the city suits my temperament which is probably a big factor too.

Yes, I am the same, thought it was just ok, probably wouldn't rush to go back.

Depends on what you want I guess !

I have been to SD 6 times and I love it . I find it quite chilled out and has lots of options. Mission beach is great, take a trip to Coronado - see the Del Ray and the beach is equally as good. Midway is worth a visit - you can be in Mexico in 1/2 hour, take in a ball game at Petco Park and enjoy the gaslamp.

Seaport Village used to be good for a walk around, that said I haven't been for about 4 years ! Then there is sea world... Try Torrey Pines for Golf ?

Not sure what they are called, but you can get an orange bus / tram with unlimited stops for around $25 that takes you around all the sights and gives you the tour - well worth it as you learn a lot more and it's cheaper than a cab - that said, don;t be tempted with the "old Town" we went and it transpired it was an olde world theme park affair !

FC

I have always fancied SD and was planning a wee trip out there which I think will now be a couple of days instead of a week. Looks like I will have to drive up the coast for the rest of the time

Thanks for the heads up ^)

It's good to do a circular route from LA though ... down the coast to SD then the inland route via Temecula and Palm Springs for mountains and desert .

Hang gliding out of the Torrey Pines gliderport (with an instructor!) heading straight off the top of the cliffs and over the ocean is one thing I'll NEVER forget!

Peter
PS - Look at the UCSD student accommodation right on the top of the cliff with their views - makes you want to be a student again!

My brother works at the Salk Institute in Torrey Pines so after a nose around there we walked over to where all the nutters (!) were launching themselves off of the cliffs... maybe one day I'll give it a go because it did look like a lot of fun!

Been to mission and pacific beaches and although the sandy bits are nice, they seem to have very trashy shops and bars blaring out music all day/all evening.

PETCO park was nice for the ball game on Monday, and Coronado seemed like a nice place.

I don't loathe it here, I'm just struggling to like it.

Don't know if it's still there (I presume so as it's a bit of an institution) but if you can get in at Croce's the meatloaf is very good

WOW!!!!
I love that part of the world, perhaps not SD itself but the city and the surrounding cities are great. I have worked there for a month or so as well as been there on vacation a number of times.
I can't see what is not to like. Scenery is great, climate is great, 45 mins from Vegas in the air, my list can go on.
I guess we are all wired differently. I would move to that part of the world in a heartbeat.

La Jolla is beautiful!

We have been to San Diego three times but just like james we have always gone for comic con which takes up 5 days out of 7. The time we have spare we have been to the zoo, chilled out in the gaslamp district. Never been to sea world as we have done it in Orlando.

It has also been part of a multi centre trip including LA, Vegas and San Francisco

Sharon

SD is an awesome place! You must go to Coronado. Glad you're going to La Jolla.
I would agree it's only good for a few days but plenty to do and see if combined with another centre or two in that part of SoCal.
We combined with visit to SF in March - an unforgetable trip.

Interesting thread -- have never been to San Diego because it didn't sound like there was much to see there (for a culture vulture, at least). Have always wanted to see La Jolla, though.

SD is a great 2 night town for me, but not much more than that. Gaslamp is nice as you say, but you can be done with that in a night.

Just on our JetBlue flight to JFK now. Decided to leave a day early due to marine layer making it overcast yesterday and today.

In conclusion, a lot to like about SD including the food but I couldn't really find too much of a soul.