San Diego California

[buzybee]

Thinking of taking next family holiday in California and San Diego looks good!

Has anybody has any experiences being there? Is it good for young kids? I know it has the Zoo, but are the beaches safe..??

[sitges]

Yes the beaches are safe. Besides the zoo, you have the Wild Animal Park in Escondido, about 30 miles north and you have Lego Land about the same distance north on Interstate 5. You also have Sea World in San Diego. The Park by the zoo has a lot of interesting things to see also. Its a great place to take children. Enjoy.

[Clanad]

San Diego is, hands down, my favorite city of its size and I live in the U.S. My family and I go as often as possible.

San Diego has the best weather, over all, of any continental city in the U.S. Temperatures always seem to average about 75 degrees F, with a light wind blowing off the ocean.

May I suggest that when you consider places to stay, look at any of the hotels on Harbor Island. It's a man made islan immediately across North Harbor Drive form Lindbergh Field, your airport of arrival. There are four very nice hotels on the island from less expensive to the Hilton.

At the southwest end of Harbor Island Drive is Tom Ham's Lighthouse. It's an actual lighthouse, but has the absolute best Margarita's anywhere. Excellent restaurant as well. (Seen here: http://www.tomhamslighthouse.com/ )
There's also a marina on the island with an exceptional seafood restaurant, named The Boathouse: http://www.boathouserestaurant.com/index.htm

Not far from Harbor Island is the USS Midway Museum... an actual WWII aircraft carrier. And, if nautically minded don't miss the Star of India an iron clad Clipper Ship

Contd.

[Clanad]

Contd.

The San Diego Zoo at Balboa Park is one of the world's finest zoos. It takes us most of the day just to tour the reptile houses. Balboa Park is a great place to take a picnic lunch.

One can continue on down Harbor Drive and go out to Point Loma for an awesome view of the Pacific. Just beyond is Cabrillio National Monument.

Caution... No matter how much you think you should do not go to Tijuana. It's a rancid palce anyway and the drug gangs have all but taken over there (and most of Mexico). San Diego itself is very safe, however... especially considering it's the home of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and a large Marine Corps Training Base.

As mentioned above, the original Sea World is nearby and still very entertaining.

If you have time and are so inclined see the San Diego Air and Space Museum which is also at Balboa Park http://www.aerospacemuseum.org/index.php ...

If you like American baseball, the San Diego Padres have a pretty decent major league team... check out their schedule...

Here's a list of beaches... Mission Beach or Coronado are our favorites...
http://www.sandiego.org/article_set/Visitors/5

Welcome to the U.S.!

[janbee]

A terrific place. You'll love it. LOADS to do.

[Fish the Mod]

I did a tour of the West Coast and I was told not to expect much in San Diego but was really surprised. Its very calming and just normal and really nice. I did the day trip to Mexico ( bit like us going to France for the day) that is must do and the beaches along the coast are just out of this World. A few British / Irish bar are good also