So what exactly is there to do in San Diego?

What can be said about a perpetually sunny destination – other than fabulous? San Diego is a departure point for many cruising to the Mexican Riveria ports of Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta.  With its abundance of good weather, many venture to San Diego for a plethora of reasons.  Not the least of which is the amount of things to see and do.  If you only have a day to spend, (like we did), choosing what to see and do can be tricky.
 
The San Diego Airport is a mere 10 minutes from downtown San Diego. The cruise port terminal is about the same distance.  This translates into about a $10-$15 cab ride to either destination.  Renting a car is fairly economical, but, (and you knew there would be one), gasoline is very expensive here.  San Diego gas prices are, on average, about 25% more than the average U.S. price.  Keep that fact in mind if you plan on driving up to Napa or Sonoma in California’s wine country.
 
If you want to stay in the heart of the action, look for hotels in the Gaslamp Quarter.  The area is 8 city blocks long and home to over 100 bars, coffee shops and restaurants.  Literally, something for everyone can be found here.  All the major hotel brands have hotels in the area. Staying here is not a cheap proposition, but if you want to be in the thick of things, this is it.  There’s also a convention center nearby, and rooms fill quite quickly when a convention heads this way.  So, book your hotel rooms early.
 
So, if you only have a little time to spend in San Diego, what should you see and do?
 
Well, the most obvious choice is to head to San Diego’s world renowned beaches.  Mission Beach with its boardwalk offers much more than sea and sand.  You can skateboard, rollerblade or bike, all with equipment you can rent nearby for the day or the hour. Or how about a ride on one of the last remaining wooden roller coaster?  If you just want to watch the scenery – people or sea – arrive early, parking spots fill up fast.
 
Then there’s the world famous San Diego Zoo. The Zoo is located right less than 5 miles from downtown San Diego.  Note to self – commit the entire day to this activity - you won’t regret it.  The Zoo covers one hundred acres of lushly landscaped exhibits, and is home to over 4,000 animals in mostly cageless exhibits.  Be sure to take in the polar bears swimming in their own viewable pool.  Check out the pandas which were a gift to the Zoo from China.  You can even check back on your newfound friends via live webcam when you return home.  Trams or gondolas will take you around the park when you get weary from walking, and you will. 

For young kids, there’s also Sea World close by as well.  We didn’t venture here, since we have been to the one in Florida, but we have heard good reports on this as well.  Don’t try to do both in one day, both are far too large, and it can’t be done.
 
And what about the sports fan?  There’s Petco Park, the home to the San Diego Padres baseball team.  Newly opened in 2004, the stadium is located within walking distance of the Gaslamp Quarter.  You have a full view of the field from the city street, which is a very unusual design.  It’s also in an up-and-coming residential area, home to million dollar condos which overlook the stadium. But, when the condos were built, someone apparently forgot about the flood lights in the stadium lighting up the overlooking apartments. File under:  Oops!
 
If shop ‘til you drop is more your style be sure to swing thru Horton Plaza.  It’s a multilevel mall representing all the major retailers. Guaranteed to satisfy your inner fashionista. 

And if that weren’t enough, how about visiting local wineries?  While Napa and Sonoma require a real commitment in time to just get there due to the traffic, Temecula, California doesn’t.  It’s about 60 miles from San Diego, and home to 22 wineries, most of which offer daily tours and tastings for a small fee. 

San Diego, lots to see, and lots to do - just not enough time.  But there’s always next year.