Going to Sandy Eggo

[Bones]

My wife is taking me along to a conference in San Diego next month. Since I've never been to that fair city, I was wondering if the folks who live there could tell me what they would recommend I do while my wife is conferencing. Specifically, what's around the convention center that would help me kill a day and not be the same thing that I see around every other convention center in the country.

I love walking around and looking at real stuff, and I hate malls and all that artificial stuff that cities are now constructing to make tourists feel at home.

Anyway, if you were in San Diego, had never seen the place, and had a Saturday to kill, what would you do?

Thanks.

[treebeau]

Randomize.

Regards,
Tim B.

[GreatCarouser]

If you like museums go to Balboa Park. Plenty of room to walk about....many different museums and galleries, restaurants, The Globe theater and the 'World Famous San Diego Zoo'. If that's your cup of tea you could exhaust a days there and wonder where the time went and why there was still so much left to do.

Every Sunday at 2PM rain or shine there's a free concert at the organ pavillion in the park. Links to much of this stuff have most recently been posted on the 'Randomized' thread under 'Culture Connections'. If you like hiking and such there's plenty of places to go. A simple one is to go out to the beach, hike along and people watch from one end to the other. Point Loma has the National Cemetery, lighthouses as well as exhibits out at the very point.
This list only scratches the surface. I know the 'Tenors' have loads of experience and info on this 'tourist' stuff and Selma seems never to be at a loss for ideas once they (and others) reply you'll have more info than you bargained for. Also feel free to get in touch if moved to do so. I'm curious about the 'mad bio genius'

[piqaboo]

Nothing all that interesting is immediately outside the convention center, but none of it is all that far away either.

I second GC;s choice of activities as tops on the list.
Nearer the C.center is the maritime museum which consists of an old wooden sailing vessel (the star of india), an old sternwheeler (the Berkeley) and I think there's a third ship there now. There is also the new Aircraft carrier on display to the public. (the CC is on the waterfront).

If one is slightly nice, in passing, without much effort or thought given, to OT, he can often be persuaded to donate a scenic tour of the views from and of Mt Soledad. You'ld be sharing the car with the Altoid, so its not the most comfy seating for two adults.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

There are various things close to various conference sites - where is the conference held? You've already gotten lucky. San Diego is the greenest and prettiest I've ever seen it and the back country is even pretty and blooming. The desert blooms are at "gorgeous" and headed for "spectacular". Anza Borrego state park has good trails, rental car company or hotel can fix you up with a map.

We have seal pups at the Children's Pool in La Jolla, to the annoyance of some of the natives. Children have not been able to use that cove for several years now due to the harbor seals and the sea lions. The rest of the shoreline around La Jolla, with parks and whatnot, will soak up the rest of a day.

I like the Animal Park but that's an allday excursion and your wife would like to go along, I'm sure. The animals are separated by continents, more or less, and left as mixed populations in these huge enclosures (carnivores are separately caged.) There's an electric train that the people ride around to view them, with the result that the humans are caged and the other animals are running around loose. Very good breeding success, too - it's spring so you'll see babies.

Downtown has the Gaslamp Quarter, which is interesting but distinctly touristy. Lots of places to eat, listen to music. Balboa park is definitely worth roaming around - their link is Balboa Park and has a schedule and maps. The Reuben H. Fleet Space Museum (in Balboa Park) is good for half a day, all by itself. And has a kick-a$$ giftshop. With lots of science toys.

If you feel like roaming the backcountry, a map and a rental car with that GPS "neverlost" system is the way to go. Try the country around Julian. Or Alpine. That's about the best we can do for mountains and, if you've ever seen the Rockies, they're very modest hills. There may be a deer. Or a possum. Skunks are common. Palomar has the observatory, I don't know a thing about tours inside the thing but it's a good long scenic drive up and back.

How many weeks did you say that conference was? I think I've gotten carried away!

[piqaboo]

In spring, sometimes the San Diego Wild Animal Park has night hours, with tram rides. Then you might even see a baby being born (or glimpses thereof. They wont stop for the entire long process.)

Or your peak experience may be the enrapturement of a child at seeing a squirrel, despite his folks having paid the $$ entrance fee to see the exotics!

[OperaTenor]

Hi Bones,

Stick with me pal, you'll see it all.

We should most definitely Randomize. All of the things mentioned above will be most entertaining, and there is more to boot. How about the Palomar Observatory? The Mt. Soledad tour has spectacular views of the ocean, plus you get to see the abodes of the hideously rich.
Balboa Park
Sandy Eggo Zoo
Sandy Eggo Wild Animal Park
Anza Borrego
Point Loma/Cabrillo Nat'l Monument
USS Midway

There's much more. How many weeks are you here?

I say pick whatever you want to do, let me know when you'll be here, and I'd be more than happy to be your tour guide.

Oh yeah, you'll need to have some real Mexican food while you're here, and that's a whole nuther debate!

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

El Indio! Las Alazanes!!

[OperaTenor]

Tio Leo's! Casa de Loma! Casa de Bandini!

Oh heck, even Roberto's!

<small>[ 03-08-2005, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: OperaTenor ]</small>

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

We forgot Rubios!

[treebeau]

er, apparently not.

Regards,
Tim B.

[OperaTenor]

Now, don't get me wrong, because I really like Rubio's, but it's not really Mexican, is it?

Bones, I think you and the Missus really ought to add a week onto either side of this convention. We need the extra time so we can have a good time at your excuse.

Oh yeah, the newly rebuilt Fat Ivor's will be up and running by then - add beef ribs to the list!

:drool:

[piqaboo]

Rubios fish tacos are true Baja-mex. Can taste the inspiration in San Felipe. Two vendors. One makes em well, one poorly. Can never remember which is which, so I always buy one of each, eat all of one and buy more, eat one bite of the other and donate remainder to the local feral cats.

I had shrimp taco at the same place.

Its a 6 hour mountain drive to San Felipe, so its good to have the original Rubio's just down the hill from the house!

San Felipe road would be fun fun fun on bike. (Of course, this report is 15 years old. Back then, truck traffic was light, potholes infrequent.)

[Bones]

Geez... I had no idea that my request for suggestions on how to kill 5-6 hours would generate such a volume of replies!

I'm going to be there for 3 full days, not counting the two travel days. I've been to several of these conventions and, if history repeats itself, the wife will be occupied for an hour or so for two of those days and the better part of the third day. It's that third day I usually find something to do on my own. (If the convention town is New Orleans, that day usually involves smoking a cigar, listening to jazz, and considerable drinking).

If my calculations are right, it looks like Balboa Park is just a little over a mile's walk from the convention center, and the walk would go through some reasonably interesting territory.

In any event, I think it would be great to meet up with any or all of you. We just got back from a convention last week in San Antonio, so I have no overwhelming need for good Mexican food. (However, I'm always ready for more - is California-Mexican food different than Texas-Mexican food? Perhaps I need to investigate this).

At this point, all I know is that I'll be there on Sat-Mon, the 16-18). I don't know what day I'll have free and I don't what else I'm obligated to do. I thank all of you for your suggestions and offers to show me the sights. Once I know more, I'll let you know.

<small>[ 03-08-2005, 04:02 PM: Message edited by: Bones ]</small>

[treebeau]

Do Sandy Eggens "do" Old Town anymore?

Regards,
Tim B.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Did we ever? It's still there, if you're interested.

[OperaTenor]

Casa de Bandini is in Old Town. In spite of the heavy "Tourista" ambience, they still serve up a decent dinner.

Bones, how could you possibly have had good Mexican food in San Antonio?!!!

"RC, name your price! Just give me the damn thingNOW!!!"



As for the hike from the convention center to Balboa Park, that's an ambitious stroll, all uphill getting there.

<small>[ 03-08-2005, 04:57 PM: Message edited by: OperaTenor ]</small>

[barfle]

Originally posted by OperaTenor:
Bones, how could you possibly have had good Mexican food in San Antonio?!!!

The best Mexican food I had since moving from Southern California was in Lawrence, Kansas.

[OperaTenor]

Originally posted by barfle:
The best Mexican food I had since moving from Southern California was in Lawrence, Kansas.

IMNSHO, the eastern border for decent Mexican food is the New Mexico/Texas border.

Jim "no luck baiting the Texans yet" B.

[FlyingSorcery]

If you're into hiking/walking/ocean views, you MUST go up the coast to Torrey Pines State Reserve. (this will be a bit familiar to you, if you're into golf)
I believe Amtrak goes from the Convention Center to Torrey Pines and back, but I don't know where the stop is along there. But take a lunch - once you're there you'll want to spend the entire day.

Speaking of food, if you want a true California experience, grab a hamburger at In-N-Out. (that's what a hamburger is all about)