Short, daily drives to little-known places (San Diego, Encinitas: rent, houses, school)

[nmguy]

A little over two months ago, I moved to the Eastlake area from northern New Mexico and am finally settled in. I'd like to see what the San Diego area is like and take an occasional drive to see local places that make this area so special. I'm looking for little-known places --holes in the wall, unique shops, little-known gardens, one-of-a kind houses-- that aren't necessarily mentioned in tourist brochures.

A couple of places to eat that I recently visited and liked are Menudería don Vicente in National City, and TJ Oyster Bar in Bonita. I also enjoyed walking through the cactus garden in Balboa Park. I'm interested in music and am interested in free summer concerts.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Fran66]

I'm sure people will come up with places and things. But here are some books you might want to look at -- I think I'm going to get some of them (if not all of them).

Recommended Books About San Diego - TourGuideTim Reveals San Diego!

[echo42]

Take a drive out Otay Lakes Rd and Highway 94.

Start on Otay Lakes Rd in Eastlake and head eastbound.

-Take the first right turn possible after Eastlake, onto Wueste Rd and you will drive by the Olympic training center, keep driving on Wueste and you will end up at a park next to Otay dam.

-Continue on Otay Lakes rd eastbound and you will pass the skydiving jump school. Just about anytime timne of day on the weekend you will see jumpers coming down.

-Continue on Otay Lakes rd eastbound and you will pass the Pio Pico campground. Continue to Highway 94


Upon arriving at Highway 94 and Otay Lakes rd intersection, take a right turn and head eastbound on Highway 94.

-Drive through Dulzura

-Stop at the Barrett Cafe. This is a WWII quonset hut that has been a diner and cafe for generations in the east county. Have lunch and take a look at the funky old stuff they have in there.

Keep driving eastbound on 94.

-Take a right turn on Highway 188 to go to Tecate US/Mex. Oner of the few border towns were the south side is nicer.

-Keep driving on hwy 94 into Potrero and Campo.

-stop at the railroad museum in Campo

-keep driving eastbound on 94 past the railroad high trellis.

-pass the town of boulevard. Don;t blink or you'll miss it.

-stop at the candy Cottage

-don't stop at Gringo's Brewhouse

Highway 94 actually turns into Old Highway 80 at this point

-continue eastbound and drive into the town of jacumba.

-check out the spa

keep driving eastbound until Old Highway 80 crosses under Interstate 8 and make a right turn to go to the Desert Overlook Tower.

You will be at the edge of San Diego County, you could now turn back and head home on Interstate 8 westbound. Maybe stop at Viejas Casino on the way back and pull a slot machine handle or catch the buffet.

[Fran66]

Go to Big Bear. Do it in the fall. School will be back in session, and fall is before ski season. Do not go in the winter. A 60-90 minute drive can take 3-3.5 hours. Up AND back.

[cruitr]

Sunrise Hwy is a nice drive:
Sunrise Highway Motorcycle Trip Description

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Palomar Mountain State Park, and Julian.

[daneonethebeach]

The Botanical Gardens near Encinitas and breakfast/lunch at Swamis.

Old Town in downtown is fun also.

Julian is a beautiful little town. I think the place called Moms (cant remember) had the best pies.

Hiking in Hellhole Canyon, if you are into that, just NOT in the summer.

Highly recommend San Clemente (Del Mar st) and downtown Laguna Beach.

Joshua Tree (again not in summer)

Big Bear is farther but it is prob the closest you will get to feeling like youre alone in the woods/mountains. Hanna Flats campground #5 was perfection, with a great 8ish mile hike (round trip) right behind it. Big Bear is overrun in the summer on weekends though, but weekdays are okay. Winters are fun there if theres any snow in sight

Be prepared for traffic going anywhere on weekends on major freeways.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Idylwild in the San Jacinto Mts--I'd pick that over Big Bear any fall day.
Pine Valley in our own mountains, just off I-8; a great hike up (I think it is called) the Noble Trail, starting in a pine grove outside of town. If you want an experience that doesn't feel like SoCal at all, go there on a rainy/snowy day. There is also a big cottonwood grove in Pine Valley that turns all yellow and shimmering in October. It's on private property, but you can enjoy the sight from the road going through PV.

But that's for fall. On a nice summer's day, go have lunch at the Sportsmen's Cafe on West Mission Bay Drive by the little pier, and have their shrimp tacos. Informal, funky place with plastic utensils, good beer and lots of ambiance. Indoor as well as patio seating. Sea lions swim among the boats, pelicans and seagulls aplenty, and you can rent a variety of boats and water scooters, whatever they're called. Sunset dinners are great, too, and you can bring your dog on the patio if you have one. If you don't, maybe you should get a dog... And explore the dog beaches!

[socketz]

For the most part, CA is full of amazing places you can reach during a short drive.

I think that's one of the advantages we have over other states (I've lived in several others).

In most states, the further you drive, the more in the middle of nowhere you end up....

Not here...unless of course you find yourself on the 5 or 99 going through the central valley!