As the coronavirus pandemic continues we urge our readers to only travel when it is safe to do so. This article is meant to provide ideas and plan for when it is safe to travel again.
So why San Diego? For a Northeast couples like us, it’s an opportunity to have a great experience on the West Coast, especially if it’s your first time. You can walk through various neighborhoods that have their own characteristics. There’s plenty to do for everyone without the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles or San Francisco. You can also cross the border to Tijuana, Mexico for a day trip.
San Diego is the perfect city to visit if this is your first time on the West Coast.
About San Diego
San Diego, “America’s Finest City” is California’s second-largest city and with a population of over 1.5 million people, it is the 8th largest city in the United States. There are 70 miles of beaches and many things to do for families, couples, and even solo travelers. As a visitor, you really don’t need to rent a car. You can get an Uber or Lyft to take you around. Better yet, put on your comfortable walking shoes because it is time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful perfect San Deigo weather. The temperatures averages in the low 70s. According to Weather.com August is pretty warm with an average high of 77, but it has climbed into the 100s before. December is the coolest with an average high of 65.
We felt like we stayed in the epicenter of it all. The Marriott Vacation Club Pulse in downtown San Diego is adjacent to a hot spot of San Diego, the Gaslamp District.
When you walk into the building that houses the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, you will not see the usual check-in desk. That’s because the reception is on the 12th floor. Once the elevator doors open on the 12th floor, you will see the reception desk, a little area to buy sundries (including items needed for a midnight snack), and a concierge desk to assist you with finding attractions to visit and make reservations to some of the best restaurants in San Diego!
Things To Do
If you are flying from the East Coast you may want to catch an early flight to get the most out of your day. There is a 3 hour difference between the Eastern and Pacific time zones. Here is where planning ahead can be beneficial. You don’t want to waste a day sitting around waiting for your room to be ready. Make a plan to drop your bags off at the lobby, grab a late breakfast (or early lunch), and start sightseeing. When your room is ready, you can catch some quick Zs then.
Petco Park - Home of the San Diego Padres
After your nap, you may still want to head out. If you are lucky enough to come in the spring and there is a home game, how about catching a baseball game? The San Diego Padres play at Petco Park. It is walking distance from the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse on the opposite side of the Gaslamp district. On my visit to San Diego, my husband and I watched the Padres play the LA Dodgers. The fans were nice (can’t say that for all baseball parks) and the weather, of course, was fabulous for a baseball game.
Now that you have completed your first day in San Diego and are well-rested, there are so many other things to do.
Here are our suggestions:
Cabrillo National Monument
Imagine what it must have been like to discover the West Coast. Take a step back in history where the first European stepped foot on the West Coast of the United States. In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo led a European expedition to the San Diego Bay and anchored his ship near what is now know as Cabrillo National Monument.
San Diego Zoo
Polar bears, lions, snakes, turtles, and more at the San Diego Zoo. This Zoo is huge! We definitely got our work out in. Though you can take an Uber or Lyft to the zoo from the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, we decided to walk there. I enjoyed learning about the different species and watching how the staff interacted with the animals.
Segway Tour
Feel the breeze against your face as you cruise down the Embarcadero on a Segway PT. The tour company Another Side of San Diego offers several different types of tours but in my opinion, a Segway tour is the most more fun due to its uniqueness. Their numerous Segway tours range from 90 minutes to 3 hours. Dennis and I really enjoyed the Coronado Segway tour which visits the downtown area, the Embarcadero, and includes a ferry ride to the Coronado peninsula.
Coronado Peninsula
USS Midway Museum and the Kissing Statue
When you come back across the Bay to downtown San Diego, you can take a stroll along the waterfront. The USS Midway Museum gives you an opportunity to check out a historic aircraft carrier. From there head south to the Unconditional Surrender Statue also known as the Kissing Statue. This is a 25 foot replica of a picture of a salior kissing a dental assistant taken in New York City on August 14, 1945.
Shopping at Seaport Village
Ready to do a little dining and shopping? Seaport Village is a unique place with 54 boutique type shops and 17 restaurants.
Tummy full and your wallet not as much anymore? You can head back to the hotel, by walking along the convention center and then take 5th Avenue through the Gaslamp District back to the Marriott Vacation Club.
Gaslamp District
Places We Dined and Recommend
Do you want to see some BIG A** delicious donuts!!! Right across the street from the hotel is the Donut Bar. It is so popular the line is usually out the door! Get a donut before hitting the sights! You will need to work off those calories!