San Diego Day Trip Suggestions :)

[echo42]

Mass transit in San Diego is not that great. I would suggest that you stay in the downtown San Diego area:

Gasmlamp
Seaport Village
San Diego Bay

it is all very walkable.

I second the Coronado Ferry idea or even a bay cruise.

[jwblue]

1> Seaport Village during the day.
2> Gaslamp district at night.
3> Old town
4> Balboa park.

SV and Gaslamp are near each other.

Yeah, SV is a tourist trap, but I like tourist traps personally. Just how I am.

SV is right next to the harbor. Good views of the Coronado Bridge.

A lot of restaurants with good views.

[oddstray]

Originally Posted by Chatteress

Thanks for clearing up my misunderstanding. I'm going to stick with the downtown area and vicinity so I'll just take photos near the bay as it is more accessible. Would I be able to get some good photos at the Seaport Village or would it be a total waste of time? What other locations would work?

Seaport Village for photographing the bay and the Coronado Bay Bridge would be a good opportunity. Gaslamp still has a few "painted ladies" (ornate, old buildings). The farmers market in Little Italy would offer some good photo ops. Walking along harbor drive between Seaport Village and the airport would, as well.

[Chatteress]

Awesome suggestions folks and I will look into Little Italy

[kettlepot]

You might get your best photos while taking the Coronado Ferry or a Harbor Cruise. Once you're in the bay, you could take photos looking east at the city and its skyline, looking south towards the Coronado Bridge, as well as looking west towards Coronado, Point Loma and the Lighthouse. And looking north you might get an interesting photograph or two of a plane landing at the airport.

[tonyinsd]

Originally Posted by Chatteress

Thanks for clearing up my misunderstanding. I'm going to stick with the downtown area and vicinity so I'll just take photos near the bay as it is more accessible. Would I be able to get some good photos at the Seaport Village or would it be a total waste of time? What other locations would work?

Walk down to the Embarcadero. If the marine layer cooperates and you time it right, you can get a nice sunset.

You also may want to take the bus to Cabrillo. That's a really cool place.

And if you go eat in the Gaslamp, please, please, please do not go to a chain. We've got hundreds of locally owned restaurants that you can't find at home. Go to one of those. I'm always amazed when tourists want to find out where Friday's or Hooter's is. Come on, people. Come on!

[Chatteress]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

You might get your best photos while taking the Coronado Ferry or a Harbor Cruise. Once you're in the bay, you could take photos looking east at the city and its skyline, looking south towards the Coronado Bridge, as well as looking west towards Coronado, Point Loma and the Lighthouse. And looking north you might get an interesting photograph or two of a plane landing at the airport.

Great suggestions ... Thanks

Originally Posted by tonyinsd

Walk down to the Embarcadero. If the marine layer cooperates and you time it right, you can get a nice sunset.

You also may want to take the bus to Cabrillo. That's a really cool place.

And if you go eat in the Gaslamp, please, please, please do not go to a chain. We've got hundreds of locally owned restaurants that you can't find at home. Go to one of those. I'm always amazed when tourists want to find out where Friday's or Hooter's is. Come on, people. Come on!

I totally agree with you about not eating at a chain ... I want to dine somewhere I cannot go at home and prefer ethnic eateries

[Chatteress]

Thank you again everyone for your tips, feedback and suggestions. I had a nice day in San Diego yesterday and managed to squeeze in the following:

Old Town
Coronado Island (took great photos of the skyline from Coronado)
Gaslamp District
Seaport Village (some of my best photos came from there)

I did not do Balboa Park as I had limited time and will save that for my Zoo outing