Should I visit San Diego? (Los Angeles, Escondido: hotel, home, live)

[anp83]

Hello,

I am coming to California on vacation this upcoming summer of 2010. I am torn between visiting LA for a second time or San Diego for the first time.

I am looking for a city that has something to offer that can't be done in NYC, which is my current home. Therefore, I am looking for something truly unique. So, something such as catching a padres/chargers game or going to a mall really won't interest. I have malls and pro sports here already.

From my research of San Diego, it seems like Balboa Park, beaches, and the two zoos are the main tousits attractions. I should point out that beaches in general do not interest me. Also, I have central park in NYC along with the Bronx Zoo ranking top 5 zoos in the U.S.

Please, if anyone has any info on San Diego for unique attractions let me know.

* I am not trying to put down San Diego at all. I just can't make up my mind if this is worth my money visiting. Trips are expensive.

[NYSD1995]

I would stick to LA. Basically San Diego is a nicer, scaled-down, tourist-centric version of LA. You can always do a day trip from LA to San Diego.

[cruitr]

I agree with Sass... stick with LA.

From LA you could do day trips to:
Catalina Island: The Official Catalina Island Website
Solvang: Solvang Visitors Bureau, Solvang California – Santa Barbara County

[keep on livin]

I vote for San Diego. I lived there for 5 years, after visiting for 1 day. Its a great town.

The Gaslamp area is fun, and catching a padres game is great. You can walk to the game from that area. Kind of like Wrigleyville in Chicago. Lots of nightlife, and all kinds of great restauraunts.

There are nice Beaches all along the coast, and great hiking if you like that. I always liked Del Mar, and the great hiking that they had around there. Easily accessible too.

Point Loma is a great spot to see the city, and the ships coming in and out of the Bay, because of its elevation, and you can see some of the marine life in the Tide Pools there. Good hiking there as well. It is a great place to see the ocean.
Con pane bakery in point loma is a great place to have lunch.

Shelter Island is a great place to have lunch and watch all of the boats come through the bay. Parking is easy, and it is a safe family oriented area.

The tourist spots can be fun the first time or so, but Balboa park always has something going on, and always seemed safe to me. You could have a picnic without complications. There are several museums there. You could spend a lot of time there and not see everything. It is not as big as Central Park, and walking it is easy.

The Zoo is great. I am not much of a zoo person, but we bought a membership for the whole time we were in San Diego. The membership covered the Wild Animal Park in Escondido, CA as well.
Seaport village has a lot of shops & tourist things to do. Downtown is very walkable. and you can always find the trolley, bus, or a cab, or Pedi-cab to get around if needed.

You can find restauraunts in all price ranges in the city. Great Seafood/steak to hot dogs.

The people of San Diego always seemed a little friendlier to me than other parts of the state. This may go a long way in your experience. The city makes sure their visitors are safe, because they have so many of them.

San Diego is not really like Los Angeles at all. I have lived both places. It would be like saying that Manhattan, New Jersey, and Long Island are similar. I Lived in NY,and NJ for a while, and know the difference.

Have fun

[sdurbanite]

Maybe you can throw us a bone and tell us what you enjoyed on your only visit to LA and maybe we can tell whether it's worth a visit to SD.

As Sassberto said, you can definitely do an overnight in San Diego just to get a glimpse of the city. I did the same thing on my only visit to Philly, where I based myself in NYC. Two days in Philly didn't disappoint.

Unfortunately, in order to see SD, you'll need a car.

[RobinsonCrusoe]

dude, there's only one time-tested way to find out it it's right for you. A big decision like where to make your home may warrant spending a bit of cash to see and feel for yourself.

[nickw252]

I also am considering a trip to either Los Angeles or San Diego and appreciate the suggestions of things to do, and the comparison of the cities.

[Archan]

I would drive up the Pacific Coast Highway. I moved to the East Coast and couldn't find anything like it.

[nickw252]

Originally Posted by sdurbanite

Unfortunately, in order to see SD, you'll need a car.

What about the trolley? Wouldn't it be much easier to leave the car at a hotel and use public transit to get around? I don't want to have to worry about finding parking and paying, etc.

[sskkc]

Are you a Christian? There is a Creation Museum in Santee that is a neat way to spend an hour or so.

Seaport Village is a tourist trap, but one we catch everytime we go out. I'm not a beach person either, but I enjoy looking out at the water, watching the waves roll in - especially if I don't have to stand in sand to see it! I love the art gallery there too - everytime we visit San Diego, I start wanting to move back. (I recover quickly though )

Legoland is in San Diego too - not something you'll find in LA or NY either, though it is overpriced.