California Bound!

Message

silverscreenselect · #1 Post by **silverscreenselect** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:44 am

I'm going to be going to California next month, one of the few states I've never managed to visit in my life. It's also the first time my company ahs sent me anywhere other than downtown Atlanta for the day. My company is sending me to a conference in San Diego Sept. 21-23. I'm staying at the Manchester Grand Hyatt which is downtown.

Does anyone know anything about San Diego such as places to eat in the downtown area? We're having a banquet on the 23rd, but I'll be on my own for dinner the other two nights. The Jets are in San Diego the 22nd for Monday Night Football and I might go to that depending on how late the conference lets out Monday. How far is the stadium from the downtown area?

Also, on Tuesday, we are given a choice of three excursions to go to. We can either go to the Birch Aquarium, take a tour up the coast to La Jolla and Coronado, or take a city tour that involves going through the Gaslight Quarter, a cruise of the harbor and a visit to Balboa Park. Any ideas on which one to pick?

I'll probably do a crash brushup course on the city soon but I'd be curious to hear from any locals on the Bored.

Bob Juch · #2 Post by **Bob Juch** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:06 am

My Juch ancestors moved to San Diego in 1869. My parents were married in Balboa Park in 1942. It's changed a bit since then.

I've spent enough time there to know the geography though. The stadium in a long haul north from downtown. I don't know if they have special buses running to it from downtown.

You should have a great view from your room no matter what side you're on. You'll be at the foot of Market Street. Just walk up to the Gaslight Quarter and turn either right or left on 4th or 5th Streets and you'll find all sorts of good food. The Gaslight Quarter used to be the red-light district.

I'd take the harbor cruise or go to the Birch Aquarium.

sunflower · #3 Post by **sunflower** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:38 am

I just went there in March and yes the Gaslight District has tons of restaurants.

Old Town is also nice and that is accessible by the trolley/tram thing. I went to a phenomenal Mexican place there, I'll have to try to dig up the receipt to find the name.

I believe that same trolley thing also goes to Tijuana, should you be so inclined.

sunflower · #4 Post by **sunflower** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:40 am

And yes, a fish taco sounds nasty but it is honestly so good. You have to get one!

ne1410s · #5 Post by **ne1410s** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:28 pm

I was stationed in San Diego in 1967. We loved to go to a place called "Mickey Finn's". Point Loma was also a favorite. What an incredibly beautiful city it was. I hope it still is.

lilyvonschtupp26 · #6 Post by **lilyvonschtupp26** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:56 pm

SSS,
Just got back from San Diego. Literally, last night. I had a great time. I ate a great dinner at the Edgewater Diner at Seaport Village. not too pricey and not far from Petco Park. The area around Petco is chock full of nightlife and restaurants.

I ate at Fernando's in the old town area. Food was good. Margarita's enormous.

I love Balboa Park and the zoo. Weather was excellent. Family enjoyed Mission Beach and that area. Quite a few local characters there.

dodgersteve182 · #7 Post by **dodgersteve182** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:16 pm

The Best Italian Food in Southern California is at Felippi's San Diego in their Little Italy. Portions are splittable.
http://www.realcheesepizza.com/

silverscreenselect · #8 Post by **silverscreenselect** » Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:22 am

I'll have to keep these in mind when I go out there. Restaurant choice may not be mine; usually one of the department bigwigs makes the selection for where we all go to dinner.

Bad news is I won't get to see Bret Favre in person as we have workshops until 5:15 that day and kickoff is 5:30 local time.