Comments on: Is Los Angeles too much trouble? Try San Diego!

By: gloccamorra

gloccamorra — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:01:38 +0000

There are plenty of little motels right next to the beach. Craig won’t like the accommodations, but his kids will get an education in SoCal “beach culture”. Their classmates in Ohio will be in awe of their knowledge and vocabulary when they get back home.

The big question is where will the millionaire buyers live? John Moores spends his time in Houston, but won’t let go of the condo overlooking Petco. Larry Lucchino is now in Boston, but is still holding onto his La Jolla house too. Adrian Gonzalez’ mansion might still be up for sale, though.

By: kylepinion

kylepinion — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:03:02 +0000

And yea, I do know it’s sold out for this year (got my tickets and hotel already, don’t make fun of me).

By: kylepinion

kylepinion — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:02:20 +0000

Going to San Diego and not doing Comic-Con? You gotta go at least once in your life Craig, the kids would love it, at least for a day.

By: cleverbob

cleverbob — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:25:51 +0000

Los Angeles is awful. Never been to San Diego, but I assume it’s better than awful. Go there instead.

By: micker716

micker716 — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:37:11 +0000

The biggest reason is the Business Traveler and the International Traveler. They’re paying top dollar with less regard to pricing. There are lot more BT’s and IT’s flying into LAX. Also, nobody connects out of SAN (unless your flying one of those weird 5-stop Southwest Airline routes). It’s almost purely a leisure travel (OK 85%) destination. Leisure Travelers, with families in tow, tend to shop for the cheapest rates months in advance.

By: washstnative

washstnative — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:28:25 +0000

In the mood for a dive bar after the kids go to sleep? Try this place it rocks: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/places/joe-n-andys-hole-wall/

or maybe in SD for some tunes:
http://www.casbahmusic.com/

Too bad you can’t have beer on the beach in PB? Or does it really matter
Need cheap food? http://gotburritos.com
God, I miss that city!!!!!

By: canofcorn66

canofcorn66 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 23:35:03 +0000

Is New York too much trouble? Try Baltimore!

By: schlom

schlom — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:25:04 +0000

Still there and still amazing. In fact Rocky’s is too good – it’s hard to find room inside during busy times.

By: pisano

pisano — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:08:53 +0000

Years ago I was on a business trip and stopped at a gas station in Arizona, and I saw the best and most descriptive words on the shit house wall, it said: LEVEL LA, I think that says it all. If your smart you’ll avoid LA completely and go straight to San Diego, their motto is: “America’s finest city”

By: sasquash20

sasquash20 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:47:09 +0000

Look up this little bar called Rocky’s. Greatest burger I ever had in my life. I have not been back to SD in about 4 years so I hope it is still open.

By: 1943mrmojorisin1971

1943mrmojorisin1971 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:17:13 +0000

Legoland.

By: brentfrazier

brentfrazier — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:15:34 +0000

Right in the middle of downtown too…about 2 blocks from PETCO. Great place.

By: kevinbnyc

kevinbnyc — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:14:39 +0000

Craig: the Hotel Solamar was fantastic. Rooftop pool, nice rooms, and I think we’re similarly thrifty. Check it out.

By: brentfrazier

brentfrazier — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:10:41 +0000

Craig, check out the Catamaran on Mission Bay. It backs up to the bay and is right across the street from the beach. You’re just north of Belmont Park, about a 5-10 minute drive to Sea World and have easy access to plenty of places to eat. You will also not be far from the freeway so getting to downtown, Old Town, Balboa Park or Coronado Island will not be that difficult.

By: dad2twins

dad2twins — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:09:55 +0000

I would imagine a Disney World vacation would be an order of magnitude more expensive than heading to San Diego.

Things to see: The Zoo (and Safari Park up north) and Balboa Park
Lots of Navy stuff up close along the harbor or from up top at Point Loma
Seaworld
Baseball!
Legoland
Torrey Pines Golf Course and Torrey Pines State Reserve have amazing views of the Pacific from the bluffs.

Depending on what attractions you want to head for, you can save some coin getting a multi-park pass:
http://www.mousesavers.com/socalpasses.html has good info on that and all of the other options.

There are beaches readily accessible all up and down the coast in San Diego county. There are wonderful little coves which are a nice contrast to the big stretch of sand beaches.

Anaheim, home of Disneyland, is about 90 minutes north (of course, depends on traffic) from San Diego by car. Note that you should not try to see “all” of Disneyland (let alone both it and California Adventure next door) in one day. That way lies insanity, especially during Spring Break season when both parks are even more insanely crowded.

Since Craig has expressed a fear of driving in Socal: Amtrak runs trains from San Diego and LA (all the way to Santa Barbara actually), so you have that option as well for a day trip. LA’s regional rail (Metrolink) operates out of Oceanside and San Diego County has the Coaster train that links up with Metrolink in Oceanside. But these rail services tend to only run during commuter times, but are a little cheaper than Amtrak (but Amtrak sells beer on board). Trains will not save you time vs driving, but will definitely save you sanity vs being stuck in traffic. San Diego also has a small trolley system to run you from the downtown area to points little further north.

By: Craig Calcaterra

Craig Calcaterra — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:06:15 +0000

Certainly what I would do if it were just me, but a 6 and an 8 year old want a beach, a pool, palm trees and all of that stuff.

But yes: San Francisco is my favorite city in America.

By: pipkin42

pipkin42 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:57:03 +0000

I think you’re missing the obvious solution here. San Francisco.

By: iranuke

iranuke — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:32:25 +0000

Go to Balboa Park and catch the zoo. Lots of neat stuff at Balboa Park, and all kids love the zoo.

By: cosanostra71

cosanostra71 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:31:10 +0000

If you want to go to LA, flying into Long Beach Airport is cheaper than LAX many times.

By: mrfloydpink

mrfloydpink — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:24:50 +0000

Not sure exactly what inspired a thumbs down, but SDG is notoriously small. They’ve been arguing for years about a bigger airport, but each of the possible locations is problematic in some way.

Of course, it is not the smallness, in and of itself, that makes flights to SDG expensive. It is the smallness compared to the size of the city. Lots of demand for terminal space, and not enough supply.

By: Craig Calcaterra

Craig Calcaterra — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:24:15 +0000

APBA: I heard that’s nice. But that’s on the bay side, right? Is it close/walking to the ocean side, or is that too far away? With the kids easy beach access is going to be important.

By: davidpom50

davidpom50 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:17:42 +0000

I’ve had great success in San Diego using Priceline. Kinda depends on where you want to stay, though.

By: APBA Guy

APBA Guy — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:15:30 +0000

San Diego will be great. Here’s a hidden gem I use when I’m down there:

http://www.loewshotels.com/Coronado-Bay-Resort

You know all the kid stuff to do when you’re in SD, but you can also walk from the hotel to the Pacific and see the guys from the Amphib Base running in the morning. Nothing like having a bunch of 20 somethings in combat boots blow by you to remind you how old you’re getting to be. And some of them are SEALs. So there’s that.

Anyway, beautiful spot. Have fun.

By: cambodianbreastmilk

cambodianbreastmilk — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:10:13 +0000

My hometown as I now reside in Las Vegas. Took my girlfriend for her first time a year or so ago for a week. Stayed at the Hard Rock, spent a day at Sea World, a day at the Zoo, a day showing her Balboa Park/Old Town then saw my Padres play the Marlins, watched UFC fight that was originally supposed to take place in SLC but was relocated, and spent a full day on the beach and roaming around Gaslamp. Food everywhere down there is amazing and I don’t know of a better place in country with nicer weather. Without a doubt, one of the best trips back home I’ve ever had.

By: skerney

skerney — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:06:53 +0000

Sicilian Thing Pizza on 30th has IPA on tap and Paul will put any game on the TV for you. Less than 10 minute drive to the Gaslamp.

By: greymares

greymares — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:03:36 +0000

I would like to go to San Diego just to eat in Old’e Town.

By: SOBEIT

SOBEIT — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:50:49 +0000

LA or San Diego are great…I just hope you are not going there to check out a guys hose and report it.

By: icanspeel

icanspeel — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:20:58 +0000

It’d be nice if the Padres finally get an owner committed to the team. For all the good Moores did for the city and organization.. the bad is what is left right now.

By: ezthinking

ezthinking — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:14:38 +0000

Flying out of Colorado Springs is usually much cheaper than Denver even though you connect through Denver. Pre-911, you could jump on/get off at Denver, but not now.

By: Craig Calcaterra

Craig Calcaterra — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:04:30 +0000

Kind of surprised myself, but flying out of Columbus, Ohio is like going into Wonderland. It’s so counterintuitive.