# I'm going to San Diego - What should I do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 8, 2012, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063 "2012-09-08T02:01:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/1 "2012-09-08T02:01:15Z")
That’s the gist. I’m going to be in San Diego for about a week taking a course. I have one more or less free day before the course starts. I’m doubtful that the surfing will be good on that particular day, so I’m not even going to try. I’ve only been to San Diego a few times before, and always on a particular mission that allowed no significant exploration (the times I had time I went to Swami’s or Black’s). I’m staying near the UCSD Medical Center, so walking distance to Balboa Park and the Zoo. I won’t have a car. What do you suggest? Where should I eat? Where’s the must-try microbrewery? What should I see? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/2 "2012-09-08T02:51:26Z")
Foodwise - have a burger at In-n-Out, a fish taco at Rubio’s, and a plate of carne asada fries at any madre-y-padre taco shop. I wasn’t a drinker when I lived in San Diego, but if you like Imperial IPA i’m told the style was invented there. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/3 "2012-09-08T17:04:57Z")
> **[Jackin' It In San Diego - South Park | South Park Studios US](https://southpark.cc.com/video-clips/9chnax/south-park-jackin-it-in-san-diego)** > > Stan breaks down and heads to San Diego to let off some steam. Fun, but apparently illegal in real life. ---
**Author:** ![tapu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@tapu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tapu)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/4 "2012-09-08T18:12:00Z")
Ucsd alum here. From med ctr you can take free shuttle to campus. Lots of cool stuff to see ther, and youre right over blacks. Climb down, strip, swim, and then lie on your back and watch the hang gliders come off the cliffs above you. ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/5 "2012-09-09T00:03:26Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > [http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/412210/jackin-it-in-san-diego](http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/412210/jackin-it-in-san-diego) I was about to post that 😃 It’ll be funny if more people seize the opportunity in San Diego’s beautiful streets. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/6 "2012-09-09T00:39:39Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > [http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/412210/jackin-it-in-san-diego](http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/412210/jackin-it-in-san-diego) > > Fun, but apparently illegal in real life. I’d be too concerned that they’d identify me as Canadian by my Ike-like head and intern me. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/7 "2012-09-09T01:20:48Z")
The bridge/combat ops tour on the USS midway is interesting. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/8 "2012-09-09T02:03:50Z")
Make sure you check out Green Flash Brewing Co. They make a West Coast IPA that is outstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/9 "2012-09-09T02:26:05Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > The bridge/combat ops tour on the USS midway is interesting. And the [Star of India](http://www.sdmaritime.org/star-of-india/) is also lovely. I’m trying to think of restaurants in Hillcrest – there are dozens of 'em, many really, really good! – but damme if I can come up with a one! ---
**Author:** ![D-bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@D-bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D-bear)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/10 "2012-09-09T02:31:00Z")
Go to Pacific Beach, walk out onto the pier at dusk and watch the sun disappear on the western horizon. Last time I did, I got to see some dolphins jumping in the water. I make it a point to always go to Pacific Beach whenever I’m in San Diego… ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/11 "2012-09-09T03:21:49Z")
The Midway carrier is a great museum to explore, and I always hit the oyster bar at the Oceanaire in the Gaslight ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/12 "2012-09-10T00:44:53Z")
Since you don’t have a car, three cool places I can think of to eat nearby the medical center are Lucha Libre Taco Shop Hash House A Go Go Bread & Cie Lucha Libre and Hash House are pretty popular and might have lines out the door. Lucha Libre has good Mexican food. Hash House serves gigantic portions. Bread & Cie is a nice, relaxing cafe. Are you pretty much limited to Hillcrest? ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/13 "2012-09-10T15:34:39Z")
> [@zbuzz](#): > > Since you don’t have a car, three cool places I can think of to eat nearby the medical center are > Lucha Libre Taco Shop > Hash House A Go Go > Bread & Cie > > Lucha Libre and Hash House are pretty popular and might have lines out the door. Lucha Libre has good Mexican food. Hash House serves gigantic portions. Bread & Cie is a nice, relaxing cafe. > > Are you pretty much limited to Hillcrest? I can go anywhere, but I’d have to cab or public transport it. I’m willing to do that for cool stuff. I prefer to explore on foot, and can walk for a long time, although I tend to amble, mosey or meander than stride. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/14 "2012-09-10T16:22:09Z")
My husband and I were just there to see the USS Midway and get our Hard Rock Cafe glasses. If you’re ever down by the ball field, there is a restaurant on a corner a few blocks up called “The Olde Spagetti Factory.” We had dinner there and it was freakin’ delicious. There was so much food we needed doggy bags and it came out to a little less than $40 US for the both of us. Plus I got a souvenir glass! Highly recommend it. It’s in a cool old historic building. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/15 "2012-09-11T23:36:46Z")
Hillcrest/NorthPark area is full of all sorts of stuff. Tell us your hobbies/interests when you’re at home and we’ll have an easier time of pointing you in the right direction for your visit. Also critical: WHEN are you going to be there? Helpful: Cross Streets nearest your lodging. —Grestarian (the Wanderer) ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/16 "2012-09-12T05:54:37Z")
San Diego isn’t exactly famous for its museums. But if you are at all interested in European Old Master paintings you could check out the Timken Gallery in Balboa Park, probably the best small art museum you never heard of. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/17 "2012-09-13T19:47:34Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > …I have one more or less free day … I’m staying near the UCSD Medical Center, so walking distance to Balboa Park and the Zoo. I won’t have a car. You’ll be roughly around 6th Street, Washington, University Avenue… Some ideas not mentioned above: What do you suggest? The Crypt?:rolleyes: Cruising El Cajon Boulevard?:rolleyes: See if you can find the ancient headstones-sans-graves.😕 Where should I eat? Breakfast at Hob Nob Hill (Bankers’ Hill/Southwest Balboa Park) Corvette Diner is very close. [COLOR=Navy]Plus there’s a bunch of small eateries and bars in the area. [/COLOR][COLOR=Navy]They’re also becoming rather international. Yoshino’s is down Washington. If you’re heading down the hill toward the Airport, try The Blue Fin Plus there are several places in Little Italy and the Gaslamp caters to business lunchers and weekday work-break diners. I understand the weekend nightlife is grand in the Gaslamp, but I just considered it a zoo when I was working downtown. I was probably just too old for the scene. [/COLOR] Where’s the must-try microbrewery? Gordon Bierscht (sp?) down in Mission Valley. You could take a bus or cab. What should I see? [ul] [li]What kinds of things do you like to see?[/li][li]Balboa Park is beautiful in many ways. Built for a World Expo with a lot of Spanish tributed architecture. The permanent buildings now house a lot of museums. [/li] [li]The San Diego Zoo is deservedly world-famous. It’s at the north end of Balboa Park.[/li] [li]The Gaslamp is nice in many ways, though you’d probably want to take a bus or cab.[/li][li]Mrs. Grant’s house is on Sixth Street; I think it was where she lived after the President died. In contrast, the US Grant hotel is down in the Gaslamp, but I think it’s named _for_ him, not a place he built or that kind of thing. [/li][li]Football at the Stadium, Baseball at the Park, Concerts or such at the Sports Arena, concerts at Copley Symphony Hall; all better reached via cab or bus (provided there’s something scheduled). [/li][li]Plays at the Old Globe in Balboa Park.[/li][li]I think there’s a couple comedy venues off India and Kettner.[/li] [li]The Ken theatre in Kensington has artsy movies – then again, so does the Hillcrest Cinema which will be much closer to you.[/li] [li]Abnormal Heights is, well…call it street performance(?)[/li][li]Seaport Village is a nice tourist trap at the southern end of 6th Street, next to the Convention Center. [/li] [li]For major shopping, though, Horton Plaza is southward on 4th Street while Mission Valley and Fashion Valley malls are northward (take a bus).[/li][/ul] That’s off the top of my head for what’s relatively close to the UCSD Medical Center. –G! Whoa, San Diego! My beautiful city by the sea . --Colleen Suwara . _Whoa, San Diego_ ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/18 "2012-09-13T22:05:39Z")
Legoland! ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2012, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/19 "2012-09-14T05:44:25Z")
Thanks for all the help. I leave tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2012, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063/20 "2012-09-15T04:47:48Z")
> [@Grestarian](#): > > Corvette Diner is very close. Corvette Diner moved out of Hillcrest about 3 years ago. It is now at Liberty Station in Point Loma. They left a lot of the charm in Hillcrest, but it’s still hard to beat a Rory burger. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-going-to-san-diego-what-should-i-do/634063.md?page=2)