We will be in SD in May, taking our adult sons with us. This is their first time. One afternoon or evening, is like to go to Old Town (Fiesta de Reyes). I’d like isit the museums, shops, food and entertainment! There entertainment in the afternoon and the evening. I’m trying to figure our what would be the most fun. The museums close at 5 or 6, so we definitely would go before closing.
For those who have been, do you think the entertainment and general fun is better at night. (Perhaps going at 4, seeing a few museums before they close), then shop, eat, watch entertainment in the evening.
Or is this place better to just have an afternoon of it all, then tease the evening for something else? We are staying in Pacific Beach, so will be ubering.
Also, is Ocean Street fair on Wednesday’s worth an Uber trip? We are only there 5 days. We are definitely going to the North Park Festival of Arts.
We were just in SD a couple of months ago. I was surprised that the old town was almost all just bars and restaurants. We went at lunch time/early dinner and missed the bar entertainment. Don’t know about Ocean Street fair.
I would plan on seeing the USS Midway during your visit. My son and I got to spend the night on it when he was a Boy Scout. It is definitely worth a tour but be prepared to climb a ladder to get to the bridge— or not. The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park is also worthwhile. Without getting too political, I would encourage you to skip Sea World.
Not a big fan of Old Town. I would suggest eating in Little Italy or the Gaslamp District. For a special treat but not ridiculously pricey, have dinner at Ambrogio 15. It is in the vicinity of where you are staying.
@jshain , I have USS Midway on my list, also Balboa Park/Zoo. Also will be eating in Little Italy. I’m trying to put one event each day. 5 days, but the first day is arrival. We will just be staying in Pacific Beach. So I guess really 4 days. Don’t know if anything can be combined, or a to-do next time. I’m strongly considering skipping Old Town based on both of your views. We are ubering everywhere. Evenings are another list,
These are the things I have written down, but something has to give. Not enough time. The boys will want downtime.
USS Midway
Balboa Park/Zoo
North Park Festival of the Arts. (A must do I’ve read)
La Jolla
Old Town and Fiesta de Reyes
Cabrillo Monument
Ocean Beach Street Fair (Wednesday’s 4-8)
We live in San Diego and do go to Old Town occasionally usually to eat at Old Town Mexican Cafe. If I were you I would do Old Town in the afternoon and go somewhere else for the evening. Go to Liberty Station after and eat at the Public Market or Buona Forchetta if you like Italian or even Stone Brewing there.
I agree that the Midway is a great way to spend a few hours and the zoo is fabulous. If you all like craft breweries I will put in a plug for one of our favorites called Eppiq which is on the water in Point Loma.
@conmama - I don’t know when you will be in San Diego in May, but do be aware that we get a lot of “May gray” along the coast during the month. It’s not always the best beach time if you are planning to swim and sit on the sand. I always suggest coming in September or October if you love the beach and want good weather and fewer crowds.
@conmama If the weather is nice and you’re feeling adventurous, several companies launch kayak tours just north of La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. It’s a fun excursion. www.lajollakayak.com
We have been to SD twice, in September and early October. I do realize that is a wonderful time for weather, much more so than May. But we confided to May. I have prepared everyone we will not be in a Florida, but more springtime weather. Of course, we’re all a little bummer, but there is just so much to do. But thanks for letting me know anyway.
Old Town can be fun; DS always likes to go to Fiesta de Reyes for dinner his first night visiting because he says it makes him feel like he’s in San Diego. There are always crowds watching the singers and dancers. It’s popular with tourists for a reason, although I agree it’s not the best Mexican food. Nice Margaritas though! My favorite shop in Old Town is the outdoor chime and pottery shop. In fact, I was just there last week to get a pot for our patio. It’s not bars and restaurants, but rather a historic park.
But I would put the zoo and Balboa Park way ahead of Old Town on a short visit.
The Ocean Beach farmers market is what you’re talking about. It’s not a street fair although there is usually a band
performing. It’s fun to see though, about 1/3 produce stands,1/3 prepared food stands, and 1/3 other products for sale. For a first time short visit, I would put La Jolla way ahead. If you want to see a farmers market, you can also try Saturday in Little Italy or Sunday in Hillcrest. These are probably the top three farmers markets.
Cabrillo National Monument has my favorite views in all of San Diego. I agree the USS Midway is a must see even if you’re not interested in naval history. Excellent choices.
Since you’ll be in PB, try to get to Baked Bear for made to order ice cream sandwiches.
IMHO, Old Town is a thing you do once if you’ve never been.
Definitely Balboa, the Zoo and Midway.
LaJolla is beautiful…kayaking is fun…but as showmom said, it could be cold and gray. Torrey Pines is great golf course…
If the Padres are in town, they have a marvelous stadium right down town. There are some fun rooftop bars to peek at the game as well.
I love the downtown area as one can walk to so many areas. We’ve walked from Petco to Gaslamp (lots of restaurants) to Seaport Village to Midway to Little Italy in a day.
If staying in Pacific Beach, a must-try place is the Baked Bear. Their ice cream sandwiches are the best. You pick the type of delicious homemade cookie you want (or brownie!), the type of ice cream, and the topping. So good! There will be a line, but it moves pretty quickly.
Two Baked Bear recommendations, it’s going on my list!! You know, I think we will do Old Town if there is time, it does sound like an enjoyable way to spend a couple fun hours. But the other things first.
The morning we go to the USS midway, is it waking distance to Gaslamp? Ocean Beach sounds nice enough, but we might skip it. Thanks for the info on that.
Next to Baked Bear is Board and Brew which is a great place to grab a sandwich.
Have you hiked to Torrey Pines before? The cooler weather in May is a great time to do this and the ocean views are gorgeous. My D is moving to Ocean Beach next month which is a fun, eclectic neighborhood. If you do go I recommend OB Noodle House although the wait can be long.
Not sure it’s worth going all the way to Gaslamp during the day; there’s not really anything to see per se. It’s popular for bars and restaurants, not sightseeing. You might consider walking down to Seaport Village, a cute scenic touristy area. Or take the ferry over to Coronado for the fun of it if the weather’s nice. Keep in mind your legs might be tired after climbing all the steps and ladders on the Midway!
There is also a farmer’s market in La Jolla on Sunday mornings (at La Jolla Elementary). Ocean Beach is the funkiest, though…
I would plan to spend a full day in Balboa Park – there are several art museums, a botanical garden, the Zoo, of course, and the Old Globe Theatre is one of the top regional theaters in the country. Depending on when in May you go, there will be a Ken Ludwig comedy (“The Gods of Comedy”) that looks like it will be quite funny – spoofing classics professors at an Ivey League school.
Old Town is worth visiting for a couple of hours, but it’s very touristy and the food own is mediocre at best (often with long lines). I would definitely get a drink (or dinner) at the Prado in Balboa Park (They have happy hour Tues-Friday from 4-6 on the interior patio and in the bar area, where they are tables…If you really want to eat Mexican food in Old Town, the only place I’d recommend is El Agave Tequilaría.
Old Town is worth a visit if you haven’t been. Definitely better in the daylight when you can enjoy the old west feel and see the exhibits. It’s more of a living history place than formal museums. Food has never been good unless you drink a strong Margarita first. Some nice shops with Mexican goods.
If possible, check the tide charts and visit Cabrillo monument at low tide. You can park down by the tide pools before or after visiting the museum and see lots of marine life. Definitely visit the lighthouse and get a closeup look at the beautiful Fresnel lens. The craftsmanship is remarkable. If you have a National Parks Pass bring it along, it will get you into Cabrillo and you can bypass the line of cars waiting to pay.
Balboa Park has a small United Nations gift shop with high quality unique handcrafted items. Also, the Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park has shops for different art guilds (wood, glass etc).