San Diego is a remarkable city and very easily navigated without a car. It's amazing to me to observe all of the ways people get around this place. I should say that at night, while out and about, I felt very safe. The city is clean with lots of people out and about.
As I walked down the hill to meet a friend for dinner, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the mix of what appeared to be locals and tourists. Many of my ASAE cohorts were out and about, as noted by their "convention badges" worn proudly around their necks. Walking is a great way to get some exercise in a climate that almost creates the need to be outside!
But after a few days of walking the hard floors of the San Diego Convention Center, it is easy to want to find an easier way to do things, especially at the end of a long day of standing and walking. This review is written in honor of all of the vendors who bring fun alternative ways to getting around San Diego.
Perhaps the most unique that I saw was the group of segway riders. Looking more like a tour than a mode of transportation, it still looked like a great way to get around. Since all of America has probably seen the video of President Bush wiping out on a segway, I guess we are to assume it does take some amount of coordination to navigate on the stand-up two wheelers.
A more relaxing and even romantic way to see the city is by horse drawn carriage. Many cities offer this as a way to impress your lady or simply get from one place to another. I saw several carriages throughout the weekend, day and night.
Pedi-taxis are sorta like a rickshaw pulled by a bike peddler versus someone just pulling the cart along. After watching them for several days, I decided I would take one "up hill" to my hotel after an evening of dinner and adult beverages. The price was $15 for the seven block ride. While I felt very comfortable with my driver, I did see on cut across traffic resulting in horn blowing and brake jammin'. The most fun seen by travelers using this mode of transportation was this group of young women singing along with their dreadlocked peddler.
If you are down along the waterfront without a vehicle and interested in going over to Coronado, you really owe it to yourself to take the water taxi. At $6 each way for the seven minute ride, it really is a neat way to be on the water and getting to a change of scenery.
So much to see . . . so many ways to get there. No need to rent a car if you're planning a downtown visit.