San Diego.
Average year round temperature 71 deg – Median home price over $5000,000.
Downtown hotel prices are among the highest but as well as the beach area there is ‘Hotel Circle’ for less expensive rooms. It runs parallel (either side) of the 8 freeway which is the main East-West road into town, through Mission Valley. The Sports Arena is also just off the 8. There are some hotels/motels close to the arena in the Point Loma area. It is a holiday weekend though, so the rates will all be up. The arena parking lot is smaller than it was. Most of the front has been taken up by a gas station, Crispy Cream Donuts and a Chillies, so at least you won’t have to go all the way to Target for a pee like the last tour.
If you are coming in early or staying a few days there is plenty to do. In town is The World Famous San Diego Zoo, Old Town, Balboa Park and Sea World (staring ‘Shamu The Mysterious Whale’). For shopping there is downtown, 2 large malls in Mission Valley or if your pockets go a bit deeper head up to La Jolla or Del Mar, where the surf meets the turf. Nude sunbathing and hang gliding? That’s in La Jolla too. Nude hang gliding? Um, not sure about that. If you are into golf there are over 90 courses to choose from. Disneyland is less than an hour and a half north, then Hollywood and Universal Studios are about 20 minutes further up the 5 to the 101. To the north-east, Temecula with its balloon rides & vineyards. Drive past it for a couple of hours and you can ski or snowboard. East is desert and a few casinos. To the south is the Mexican border and Tijuana. To the west water, tons of it. Beach, surfing, jet skis and all things boats. (It will still be whale watching season). Las Vegas is about a 5 hour drive or an hour 15 minute flight for around 100-150 bucks (return). And somewhere, within a few hours drive, is ‘The’ Joshua Tree, or at least the remains of it.
As far as a meeting place goes I recommend ‘The Shakespeare Pub & Grille’ at 3701 India Street, which is continually voted the best pub in San Diego. It is about 10 minutes from the airport, downtown, the arena and Hotel Circle. A well stocked bar with a great selection of draught beers (yes they have Guinness) and the fish & chips are as good as the best chippies in England. It has a cool deck with a nice view of downtown. If you are traveling from outside of the US they show (real) football. For local food there is a Mexican restaurant next door which has been around for ever and is rated as one of the best in San Diego. Along the same strip are an Ice-cream/coffee shop and 3 other restaurants. Thai, Mediterranean & fresh seafood.
Enjoy San Diego and if I see you at the pub, mines a Boddies.
