My wife and I are going to San Diego 6/10-6/15. We are staying at the Hilton Resort on Mission. This will be our first time out there. I was wondering if there are any must do's. Will I be able to sit on the beach at night with a cigar and scotch-what are the laws out there? From what it sounds like on these boards I should bring a good stock of my own cigars-prices sound high out there.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Rick

Omaha

rlr68 at cox dot net

Old Town for sure...it's a good time at night.

For shopping and people watching:

-Old Town

-Seaport Village

-Balboa Park

-La Jolla

-Fashion Valley Mall(Mission Valley)

-Horton Plaza (downtown)

Closest Best beaches:

-Mission Beach

-Pacific Beach

Nightlife:

-Gaslamp District

-Pacific Beach

I did sales in SD for a couple years, and these are the places that many people flock to, and some that not many people know about. If you are a fan of Golf....Torrey Pines in La Jolla is something you will never forget. One of the most beautiful places, and golf courses I have ever seen or played.

North County has some amazing less-known places that are just as, if not more, beautiful than near the beaches and downtown.

-Solana Beach

-Del Mar

-Encinitas

-Cardiff

Have a great trip.

Dave

Yes, bring your own ceegars. I would hunt down a good cigar shop or two, just to look though. You never know if they have something that you like, for a better price than you thought.

Yes, bring your own ceegars. I would hunt down a good cigar shop or two, just to look though. You never know if they have something that you like, for a better price than you thought.

brainfart.....dreaming that I still lived down there

San Diego Zoo

Hotel del Coronado

Cabrillo Monument

Temecula wineries

Balboa Park

Oh yeah, don't forget Sea World. It's only 1.5 miles from your hotel. Tijuana is about 20 miles south and they have a LCDH. Again, it isn't cheap.

Welcome. San Diego Zoo is usually high on visitors' lists. But unless you have ALWAYS wanted to visit there (or see the pandas), may I suggest instead visiting the San Diego Wild Animal Park. It's in Escondido, about 25 miles north of San Diego on Interstate 15. It is run by the SD Zoological Society, same as the zoo. But the Wild Animal Park has a huge enclosure of hundreds of acres of animals living in the wild, with a tram ride that circles it. It's like being on an African Safari for 50 minutes, and there are plenty of other exhibits and shows that rival or exceed the zoo's. It's a great alternative to traditional zoos, and it is world-class.

Another nice beach alternative is Moonlight Beach, 20 miles north on Interstate 5 in Encinitas. Exit Encinitas Blvd and go west towards the ocean. It's smaller, and more quaint than the more commercial beach areas in the city.

If you would like to see some theater, but not particular about the shows, there is a 1/2 price ticket booth at the Horton Plaza shopping mall in the center of downtown...south of Broadway, between 1st & 4th Aves.

I live in Temecula, close to the wineries. You're welcome to join me at my friday night herf at Ye Olde Towne Smoke Shoppe 06/11/04 (i'll be out to sea this day, but we'll be back in the evening).

The Wild Animal Park blows the zoo away. Seaworld is highly over-rated. If you want to see a US Navy warship up close and personal, I may be able to arrange it if our schedule will allow.

swn69 at hotmail dot com

I almost forgot, the USS Midway Museum is open in downtown. If you don't take MACS(SW) up on his generous offer, the Midway should be a close second.

E-mail if you want some info on local shops. Be prepared to pay an arm and a leg though.

echo4alpha

at

homail

dot

com

E4A (Mike)

Balboa park on Sunday is *UNBELIEVABLE*!! Don't come with an agenda, just come to walk around. Lots of things going on. You will find lots of things to watch and do. My wife and I used to go down there with a picnic lunch. Spend all afternoon there and spend $0. Or you can pop into any of the museums (nat history, space, auto, art). The Timkin art gallery used to be free, think it still is.

I will be down at one of the art museums on Wednesday 9 to see the Vatican art exhibit. The first time this many objects have left the Vatican (or something like that!)

Oh, and the scotch on the beach prolly won't fly. Certainly no glass on the beach, and (I think) no alcohol on the beaches. Others may know better than I, so I defer to others who may be able to correct me. No cigars in Solana Beach, either.

Thanks for all the replies.

Macs(SW) thanks for your offer. I cannot commit to anything at this time. (I would love to see a navy warship.) I'll get the wifes opinion on this. Friday night won't work. Its our anniversary Friday and I don't think a herf is on my wife's agenda.

I do need to find a nice restaurant to go to though.

Thanks again.

Rick

Omaha

Old Town: Casa de Pico Mexican Resaurant. Best carne asada this side of the border and margaritas served in fishbowls. The line to get in stretches along the patio, out to the sidewalk, and down the street during peak hours.

Rick ... you'll want to bring cigars ... there won't be any "better than you thought" prices ... CA prices will be worse than your greatest fears ...

If I were you, I'd send X and e-Chick each a note and see if a little dinner/herf could be arranged ... they know the places that're cigar-friendly ... to me, that'd be the top San Diego event

And, if you ever make it up SF way, be sure to drop a note ...

SteveS:

Actually my wife and I are coming to SF in July for a week.

We're giving California another chance-We visited LA for the first time last year and thought it sucked and tried to figure why the he** anyone would live there.

Everyone told us not to judge California by LA. So off to San Diego and San Fran this year.

Thanks.

Rick

Omaha

which week ??

Rick ... I sent you an e-mail regarding your July visit

Northern Cal is a different state from souther Cal Rick. You will see that for yourself when up here.

Hey Steve, do I see you planning a mini herf???

Knof

Mike and I would love to meet up with you two at some point...or perhaps you'd like to come over to the house?

Dinner suggestions:

ITALIAN:

Via Italia Trattoria in Encinitas - excellent food and wine, white table clothes, nice but not stuffy. The owner Paolo is a great host!

565 S. Coast HWY 101 Encinitas, CA 92024

(760) 479-9757

Or Caffe Bella Italia in Pacific Beach. Guido is a wonderful guy and also the owner.

1525 Garnet Ave San Diego CA 92109

(858) 273-1224

MEXICAN/SPANISH:

Alfonso's in the heart of La Jolla is a fun, on the casual side and good food...good for people watching too. Nice stroll around La Jolla.

1251 Prospect St La Jolla Ca 92037

(858) 454-2232

Candela's in the Gaslamp Downtown is "Spanishy" and more upscale than Alfonso's. Food and service is superb.

416 3rd Ave San Diego CA 92101

(619) 702-4455

SEAFOOD:

Tutto Mare across from University Town Center shopping mall is outstanding and you can get all decked out for this place.

4365 Executive Dr San Diego CA 92121

(858) 597-1180

SUSHI:

Sushi on the Rock. The best sushi, sashimi, etc that I've found! Casual nice.

7734 Girard Ave La Jolla CA 92037

(858) 456-1138

Of course there are the local touristy spots, but these would be my suggestions for a more 'real' experience.

If you have any questions, feel free to call me at (760) 815-6215...

Also, I highly recommend a day in Temecula. Have a limo take you around to the different wineries for tastings...Thornton's Winery is supposed to have an excellent lunch and/or dinner....check out Temecula Calif on Google...

:)

Marla