San Diego's Distractions

Because this was a business trip, I didn't do a lot of what the area offers. I did take in the San Diego Zoo one day with friends in town on vacation from Milwaukee. Evening drives along the Pacific Ocean on Highway 101 are very relaxing. I enjoyed the sunset on the beach at Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Del Mar also has a very nice public-access beach. We arrived around 5pm and spent a couple of late afternoon hours there splashing around in the cold Pacific Ocean.

While in San Diego, you must spend an evening at the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego (across from the convention center). There are numerous restaurants and pubs for all different interests and tastes.

Quick Tips:

If you are going to do the San Diego Zoo, look for coupons on the Internet. There was an Internet ticket sale ( off) on the zoo site itself and a -off printable coupon if you wish to buy your tickets at the zoo when you go.

All of the hotels and resorts have the San Diego tourist magazine that has current information on activities in the area for the week of your visit. Be sure to pick up a copy when you arrive. It will help you to plan out your activities while in San Diego.

Best Way To Get Around:

While I rented a car, I believe the area is rather accessible via the public transportation. The "coaster" (rail) is located blocks from the Sand Pebbles Resort in Solana Beach and makes the downtown area of San Diego very accessible.

Once in San Diego, you can also use the bus system, trolley, or bicycle taxis.

I would suggest you arrive early in order to get the most out of your zoo visit. The animals eat early and then seem to want to sleep in the afternoon. Also, if you've never been to the San Diego Zoo, take the zoo bus tour (which is included in the ticket prices quoted here). It takes about 30 to 45 minutes and highlights the entire park. This will help you to decide what you want to do and see first.

Another tip: Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes AND socks! There is not only a lot of walking, but also a lot of steep walkways up AND down. The escalator down to the cat canyon was closed, so it was especially hard on the feet, ankles, and knees. I'm unsure how those in wheelchairs access the area, but there should be something.

If you want to cut down on your hiking in the park, consider the bus that provides transportation to five main areas or the Skytram that goes back and forth from the front entrance area of the park and the back of the park, near the polar bear exhibit.

The gift shops throughout the park are fairly reasonably priced. I paid $15 for an adult San Diego Zoo T-shirt.

Dining alone while traveling on business can be a bit of a drag, but this restaurant was very friendly and welcoming. I felt very comfortable during my dining experience with them. As you enter, you walk by the kitchen’s cooking area, which you can see through glass windows. Mmmmmmm… skewered shrimp!!!

Once seated, I was immediately served warm bread fresh from the oven and a tall glass of water. For dinner, I ordered salmon grilled over the mesquite grill. Salad is an á la carte item if you desire one. The fish was prepared perfectly and served with coleslaw and a choice of potato. Full from the salad and meal, I passed on dessert (although they did look wonderful!).

While I felt the menu was a bit pricey to be affordable for families, there were a lot of families with older children (10 to 18) dining that evening (a Monday night). A couple of nights later, I went back with my friend and her two kids (ages 11 and 13). There was a kids' menu that featured a child-size portion of an entrée, soft drink, or milk and ice cream for $6.95, which was very reasonable. For the four of us, the total check came to $65 (including tax), plus tip. While I responded that the price range for a meal here is in the $20 to $30 range, please note that this is for the basic fish dishes. Steaks were priced at over $40 and crab or lobster over $30, plus then there’s the á la carte appetizer or salad and dessert (if that's your thing).

During my week long trip to San Diego, I was able to take in several local establishments, from San Diego north to Cardiff. This review is a summary of the highlights a couple of the places Susi and I had the pleasure of experiencing.

The Field Authentic Irish Pub & Restaurant
544 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA
(619) 232-9850

We had a big group get together for dinner and adult beverages during our conference in San Diego. This restaurant did a wonderful job of accommodating our group and providing outstanding service, food and drink! I had an Irish stew (of course) that seemed to be from an authentic recipe direct from Ireland. The meat and vegetables were tender and delicious! This restaurant is located in the Gaslamp Quarter and is about four or five blocks from the San Diego Convention Center.

Lou & Mickey's
224 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 237-4900

Located at the entrance to the Gaslamp Quarter on Fifth Street is Lou and Mickey's. While they are primarily known as an outstanding seafood and steak restaurant, we stopped in to sample their "exotic" cocktails. I had the "Horny Monkey": a blend of vodka, coconut, banana, and pineapple juice that they advertise "will have you swinging from the trees." My friend Susi had the "Witch Doctor": "a devilish twist of banana, fruit juices, and a blend of four island rums."

Attached to this review is a photo of us enjoying the libations. Don't we look like we're having fun? Check out Lou and Mickey's at www.louandmickeys.com.

Cardiff Beach House
2530 S. Hwy. 101
Cardiff, CA
(760) 753-1321

Driving up the Pacific Coast, I settled in on this restaurant located right on the beach. Patrons have the option of dining in or out on the patio with the sea breeze whipping your hair. The waves rolled and added atmosphere as they crashed on the shore.

As I watched the dinners of others pass my table, I found myself very intrigued by the preparation and presentation of each meal. I selected the Pacific Prawns, a jumbo shrimp stuffed with lobster and crab and broiled to perfection. The meal was accompanied by steamed mixed veggies and a potato casserole that was simply wonderful! Salad was à la carte here, so expect to add a few bucks if you enjoy a good salad before your meal.

I would venture to guess that this would be an outstanding restaurant for the special romantic dinner for two. Unfortunately, I was traveling solo, so no candles and romance for me on this night.

NOTE: Because of very limited parking, they do utilize valet parking, which also adds $3 (plus tip) for your dining experience.

Best Things Nearby:
The beach is about 2 blocks away. (But be prepared, as you have to walk down dozens of stairs from the top of the Solana bluff to get to the oceanfront.) There are many beautiful seaside communities along Highway 101, including Del Mar, La Jolla, and Cardiff by the Sea. Golfers must take in the world-famous Torrey Pines golf course.

San Diego is a short 20-minute drive, which makes this resort just about perfect.

The San Diego County Fairgrounds are less than a mile away, which had a fair happening during my trip. Unfortunately, I was too busy with other activities to take it in, but I hear it was the third largest county fair in the USA. There is also a horse track in the same area as the fairgrounds if that is your type of entertainment.

The San Diego attraction list includes SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, and the Wild Animal Park.

Heading north, there is Legoland, Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland (the original), and Universal Studios.

Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills are about 2 hours away. The resort offers a day-trip bus tour weekly up to these areas.

Best Things About the Resort:
The best was the fact that there is so much to do and see in and around San Diego. The resort is rather small and serves as a good starting point for day trips throughout the area. There is an activity center on the property that is primarily for kids and teens, as well as a nice (but rather small) swimming pool.

Because I own at another resort managed by the management company that handles this resort, I was able to obtain a week directly through the resort for significantly less than what a San Diego hotel would have cost me.

Resort Experience:
The resort is small (about 45 or 50 units), but that really is fine if you are looking for good accommodations that are central to Southern California attractions.

My one-bedroom unit was clean and nicely appointed. Well equipped, it was 100 times better than staying in a small, dank hotel down in San Diego.

If you stay here, do not be concerned about the fact that there is no A/C in the units. I found that it was very comfortable with the breeze through the opened windows. The units do have fans in the event that you need some help to cool down your unit. At night, even in June, it became so cool that I had to close my windows before going to bed.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Very Good