AAA Destination Guide: San Diego

Take a vacation to #SanDiego, CA and see everything this wonderful city has to offer. Hop aboard the San Diego-Coronado Ferry for a scenic 15-minute ride toCoronado, the peninsula separating San Diego Bay from the PacificOcean. If you’d rather drive there, the San Diego-Coronado Bridgestretches more than 2 miles across the bay and soars 200 feet into theair, providing you with a wonderful vantage point from which to survey thecity, the bay and once in Coronado, drink a toast to Victorian opulence at the “Del,” thegrandCoronado Hotel del Coronado,Take in the spectacular views froma San Diego landmark since 1888. Beneath itsdistinctive red, peaked roof are almost a dozen restaurants, cafes andbars, making this historic beach resort a perfect spot for an elegantrepast or a beachside cocktail.
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San Diego San Diego CA Dr San Diego Phone Destination Guide San El Prado San Guide San Diego Park Prado San Diego Museum AAA
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San Diego San Diego CA Dr San Diego Phone Destination Guide San El Prado San Guide San Diego Park Prado San Diego Museum AAA
 
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AAA Destination Guide: Official AAA maps,  
travel information and top picks 
AAA Destination Guide: San Diego includes trip-planning information 
covering AAA recommended attractions and restaurants, exclusive 
member discounts, maps and more.  
San Diego calls itself â€œAmericaâ€™s Finest City,â€ a difficult slogan to live up 
to, but one youâ€™ll likely agree with if for no other reason than the cityâ€™s 
marvelous weather. This is sunny Southern California at its best; the 
region centered about downtown very rarely sees temperatures above 80 
in summer and below 40 in winterâ€”courtesy of prevailing Pacific Ocean 
breezesâ€”and only about 10 inches of annual rainfall. 
But while catching some rays on one of San 
Diegoâ€™s postcard-beautiful beaches is 
mandatory, itâ€™s certainly not the only way to 
enjoy your stay. You could spend an entire 
day just wandering through Balboa Park even 
if you didnâ€™t step inside a single one of its 15 
museums; their ornate Spanish-style exteriors are worth a look just by 
themselves. And then thereâ€™s the parkâ€™s outstanding San Diego Zoo with 
its lovely, leafy habitats designed to appeal to both animal residents and 
human visitors alike.  
Hiking along Point Lomaâ€™s bluffs in Cabrillo National Monument will make 
your heart beat faster either due to the exercise or the stunning vistas; 
take your pick. And you wonâ€™t have to shun the sun just to go shopping 
either: Such locales as Seaport Village, Horton Plaza and the Gaslamp 
Quarter let you savor San Diegoâ€™s balmy climate while souvenir hunting 
in an eye-pleasing, alfresco setting.  
Essentials 
Hop aboard the San Diego-Coronado Ferry for a scenic 15-minute ride to 
Coronado, the peninsula separating San Diego Bay from the Pacific 
Ocean. If youâ€™d rather drive there, the San Diego-Coronado Bridge 
stretches more than 2 miles across the bay and soars 200 feet into the 
air, providing you with a wonderful vantage point from which to survey the 
city, the bay and 
Once in Coronado, drink a toast to Victorian opulence at the â€œDel,â€ the 
grand 
Coronado. 
Hotel del Coronado,
Take in the spectacular views from 
 a San Diego landmark since 1888. Beneath its 
distinctive red, peaked roof are almost a dozen restaurants, cafes and 
bars, making this historic beach resort a perfect spot for an elegant 
repast or a beachside cocktail. 
Cabrillo National Monument on Point 
Loma. The monument commemorating Juan Rodriguez Cabrilloâ€™s 1543 
exploration of the area is an interesting historical backdrop to the 
panoramic views of San Diego that are the real draw. Gray whales 
migrating offshore lure crowds of watchers to the monument and nearby 
Sunset Cliffs
Peer into tidal pools at La Jolla Cove where crabs, snails and other sea 
creatures dwell. A sand beach nestles between picturesque sandstone 
cliffs, and the coveâ€™s clear water is famous among snorkelers and divers. 
 in winter. 
Wander along the Embarcadero, downtown San Diegoâ€™s waterfront, a 
celebration of all things quaint and nautical and home to many of the 
cityâ€™s best seafood restaurants. Just an oyster shellâ€™s throw away is 
Seaport Village, a shopping center disguised as a 19th-century California 
harbor town. 
Destination Guide: San Diego 
 
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Essentials Map 
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Rest up for an evening on the town in the historic Gaslamp Quarter, hub 
of San Diegoâ€™s nightlife scene. Crowded with restaurants, cafes, 
nightclubs and boutiques, this 16-block vintage business district adjoins 
eye-catching Westfield Horton Plaza,
Essentials Details - Get additional information on 
 the 5-story shopping and 
entertainment complex you canâ€™t miss thanks to its eye-catching jumble 
of balconies, stairs and walkways painted a spectrum of festive colors. 
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1. San Diego-Coronado 
Ferry  
1050 N. Harbor Dr  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 234-4111 
 
2. Seaport Village  
849 W. Harbor Dr  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 235-4014 
 
3. Westfield Horton 
Plaza  
324 Horton Plaza  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 238-8180 
4. Old Town San Diego 
State Historic Park   
4002 Wallace St  
San Diego, CA 92110  
Phone: (619) 220-5422 
 
 
5. Balboa Park  
El Prado & Pan 
American Rd  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 239-0512 
 
 
6. San Diego Museum 
of Art  
1450 El Prado  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 232-7931 
 
7. The San Diego 
Museum of Man  
1350 El Prado  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 239-2001 
 
 
8. Mingei International 
Museum  
1439 El Prado  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 239-0003 
 
9. San Diego Zoo   
2920 Zoo Dr  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (888) 697-2632 
 
 
 
Climb aboard the San Diego Trolleyâ€™s Blue Line and head for the border 
at San Ysidro where youâ€™re just a short walk and a taxi ride away from 
duty free shopping along Tijuanaâ€™s
For a taste of Mexico closer at hand, stop by 
 Avenida RevoluciÃ³n. Whether youâ€™re 
searching for cheap souvenirs or imported goods from around the globe, 
youâ€™ll find them here and possibly at bargain prices. Added bonus: the 
vast majority of stores here accept U.S. dollars. 
Old Town San Diego State 
Historic Park, a collection of structuresâ€”including seven original 
adobesâ€”at the site of Californiaâ€™s first permanent settlement. The flavor 
is decidedly Spanish and Mexican here, and a handful of Mexican-
themed restaurants and shops will satisfy your craving for south-of-the-
border cuisine, art objects and handicrafts. 
Destination Guide: San Diego 
 
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Essentials Map 
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Explore Balboa Park, the site near downtown where San Diego hosted 
two international expositions in the early 20th century. Balboa Park is like 
a theme park only the theme is Spanish Colonial Revival-style 
architecture characterized by colonnades, red-tile roofs and elaborate 
plaster details adorning soaring entryways and towers. Within these 
lovely stucco buildings are more than a dozen museums, including the 
San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Museum of Man and the 
 
Mingei International Museum. 
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10. Coronado 
Visitor Center 
1100 Orange Ave 
Coronado, CA 92118 
Phone: (619) 437-8788 
 
11. Hotel del Coronado 
 
1500 Orange Ave  
Coronado, CA  
Phone: (619) 435-6611 
 
 
12. Cabrillo National 
Monument   
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr  
San Diego, CA 92106  
Phone: (619) 557-5450 
 
 
13. Sunset Cliffs  
Sunset Cliffs Blvd & Adair St  
San Diego, CA 92107 
14. Tijuana, Baja California 
 
 
Talk to the animals at the San Diego Zoo
San Diego in 3 Days 
â€”if you are so inclinedâ€”but be 
forewarned that your vocal cords are in for a real workout. More than 
4,000 animals crawl, gallop, slither, fly and swing from limb to limb at this 
world-class Balboa Park facility. Ride the double decker bus for a 40-
minute zoo overview or, for a different kind of overview, ascend above 
the treetops aboard the Skyfari Aerial Tram. 
 
Three days is barely enough time to get to know any major destination. 
But AAA travel editors suggest these activities to make the most of your 
time in San Diego.  
Day 1: Morning 
You canâ€™t go wrong beginning your San Diego sojourn at the world-
renowned San Diego Zoo, in urban San Diegoâ€™s picturesque cultural hub, 
Balboa Park. If youâ€™ve missed breakfast, stop by the Flamingo CafÃ© just 
inside the zoo entrance where youâ€™ll have a perfect view of the Flamingo 
Lagoon while you fortify yourself for the dayâ€™s activities with eggs and 
toast. 
Destination Guide: San Diego 
 
4 
 
San Diego in 3 Days â€“ Day 1 Map 
 
 
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For a quick orientation, take the guided bus tour (included in the zooâ€™s 
Best Value ticket) aboard a double-decker bus departing from Flamingo 
Plaza. Youâ€™ll survey about three-fourths of the animal park during the 40-
minute trip. Other buses displaying green signs offer express 
transportation to five stops throughout the park, something to keep in 
mind should you poop out on the zooâ€™s far side. The Skyfari Aerial Tram 
offers another way to get around, and the birdâ€™s-eye view canâ€™t be beat. 
The aerial tram drops you off near the Polar Bear Plunge, a highlight on 
the opposite side of the zoo from the entrance. An underwater window 
reveals that the bears are surprisingly graceful swimmers. The Monkey  
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Trails and Forest Tales habitat, one of the parkâ€™s newest attractions, 
beautifully re-creates the rainforest home of several rare species of 
monkeys including colorful mandrills youâ€™ll identify by their bright red and 
blue snouts. Next door is Gorilla Tropicsâ€” another garden paradiseâ€”this 
one home to colobus monkeys, bonobos and, of course, gorillas. The 
Scripps Aviary continues the tropical theme with waterfalls and lush 
foliage providing a habitat for more than 100 colorful African birds. 
Afternoon 
If thereâ€™s more growling going on inside your stomach than in your 
surroundings, order lunch at the Treehouse complex adjacent to Gorilla 
Tropics and the Scripps Aviary. You have a choice of two restaurants 
1. San Diego Zoo   
2920 Zoo Dr  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (888) 697-2632 
 
 
 
2. Balboa Park   
El Prado & Pan  
American Rd  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 239-0512 
 
 
3. The San Diego 
Museum of Man  
1350 El Prado  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 239-2001 
 
4. Mingei International 
Museum  
1439 El Prado  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 239-0003 
 
 
5. San Diego Art 
Institute  
1439 El Prado  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 236-0011 
 
6. Timken Museum 
of Art  
1500 El Prado  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 239-5548 
 
 
7. Museum of 
Photographic Arts  
1649 El Prado  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 238-7559 
 
 
8. Museum of San 
Diego History & 
Research Library   
1649 El Prado  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 232-6203 
 
 
9. Botanical Building  
1550 El Prado  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 239-0512 
 
Destination Guide: San Diego 
 
5 
here, and both make the most of their leafy surroundings. The Treehouse 
CafÃ© is casual and sells salads, sandwiches and a few hot entrees, but 
what makes this eatery so popular is the view: the outdoor dining area 
occupies decks built out over a forested canyon. Adjacent to the cafÃ© is 
Albertâ€™s, which also boasts an open-air deck only this one faces a pretty 
waterfall. This full-service restaurant offers a more diverse menu 
complete with appetizers, pasta, steak and fish as well as beer and wine. 
Exhibits you should try to visit: the Absolutely Apes enclosure 
(orangutans and siamangs), the Ituri Forest (hippos, okapis and otters), 
Tiger River (tigers, tapirs and freshwater crocodiles) and the Giant Panda 
Research Station. If you have kids, then the Childrenâ€™s Zoo near the 
entrance is a must, and the entertaining Sea Lion show is next door at 
the Wegeforth Bowl.  
As difficult as it might be, try not to linger too long among the zooâ€™s 
exhibits because youâ€™ll want to see a bit of surrounding Balboa Park, an 
expansive jewel within sprawling San Diego just a few minutes from 
downtown. This all-purpose city park houses not only the zoo but most of 
San Diegoâ€™s big museums, as well as theaters, hiking and biking trails, 
sports facilities and formal gardens. 
After having walked along paths bordered by dense walls of vegetation, 
you might find it hard to believe that the area was once dry scrubland. 
Transforming a windswept mesa into a landscaped showplace and 
cultural focal point didnâ€™t happen overnight. The park got its start more 
than a century ago and only approached its current character after 
serving as the site of two worldâ€™s fairs: the 1915 Panama-California 
Exposition and the 1935-36 California Pacific International Exposition. 
Balboa Parkâ€™s signature buildingsâ€”its ornate Spanish Colonial Revival 
facades, its colorful, tile-inlaid fountains and charming arcadesâ€”were 
built for these events, and although many of them were temporary plaster 
and wood structures, San Dieganâ€™s found them too beautiful to simply 
tear down after the exposition crowds had departed. Many were rebuilt of 
more durable materials as the park was developed.  
The California Building, housing the San Diego Museum of Man, is the 
parkâ€™s chief landmark by virtue of its elaborate 200-foot-tall tower and 
multihued tile dome. When visitors describe the setting as â€œromantic,â€ this 
is the image they usually have in mind. Stroll along El Prado, the main 
east-west thoroughfare of the 1915 Exposition, from the graceful arches 
of the Cabrillo Bridge at the parkâ€™s western entrance through the grand 
gateway formed by one wing of the California Building and past the 
Alcazar Garden; House of Charm (containing the Mingei International 
Museum and San Diego Art Institute); Plaza de Panama with its statue of 
the Spanish hero, El Cid; House of Hospitality (a visitors center); Timken 
Museum of Art; Casa de Balboa (Museum of Photographic Arts and 
Museum of San Diego History & Research Library); Casa del Prado 
(containing a theater); and the Botanical Building
Evening 
Although itâ€™s a bit pricey, eating at The Prado inside the House of 
Hospitality is worth it. The location is not only convenient but beautiful, 
with outdoor patios overlooking manicured gardens. The cuisine is a 
blend of Spanish and Italian and each dish brings together all sorts of 
subtle flavors. Entrees include center cut pork prime rib, rack of lamb and 
New York steak, and the desserts range from vanilla bean cream cheese 
flan to ultra-rich Belgian chocolate soufflÃ©. Because itâ€™s such a desirable 
dining locale, try to make reservations. As you approach the entrance, 
notice the fountain sculpture of a seated woman pouring water from a jug. 
Designed in 1935, â€œWoman of Tehuantepecâ€ has become a park icon 
youâ€™re likely to see repeated on publications and postcards. 
 with its photogenic 
reflecting pool. Youâ€™ll end up giving your shutter button a workout as 
every few steps seems to yield a new vista begging to be preserved in a 
snapshot.  
Day 2: Morning 
It might not have the whimsical buildings and lush gardens of Balboa 
Park, but downtown San Diego, far from being just a workaday central 
business district, has a lot to offer out-of-towners, too. Here youâ€™ll find the 
San Diego Convention Center, PETCO Park (home of the Padres), the 
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) Downtown,
 
 the 
historic Gaslamp Quarter, shopping centers, restaurants and the boat- 
and ship-crowded waterfront known as the Embarcadero, home to two of 
San Diegoâ€™s best museums. 
Destination Guide: San Diego 
 
6 
San Diego in 3 Days â€“ Day 2 Map 
 
 
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The Maritime Museum of San Diego is a diverse collection of historic 
ships beautifully restored and maintained. The largest is the Berkeley, a 
more than 100-year-old steam ferry that in its heyday carried survivors of 
the 1906 San Francisco earthquake to safety. Glass cases filled with 
sundry nautical antiques and photos recount different eras of San Diegoâ€™s 
maritime history. Did you know that San Diego was once one of the 
largest tuna fishing ports in the world and that itâ€™s the largest U.S. naval 
port on the Pacific? You will after checking out the exhibits here.  
 
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1. Museum of Contemporary Art 
San Diego (MCASD) Downtown  
1001 Kettner Blvd.  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (858) 454-3541 
 
 
2. Maritime Museum of San Diego   
1492 N. Harbor Dr  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 234-9153 
 
 
 
3. The USS Midway Museum   
910 N. Harbor Dr  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 544-9600 
 
 
4. The Fish Market & Top 
of  the Market  
 
750 N Harbor Dr  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 232-3474 
 
5. Seaport Village  
849 W. Harbor Dr  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 235-4014 
6. Westfield Horton Plaza  
324 Horton Plaza  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 238-8180 
 
7. Coronado 
Visitor Center 
1100 Orange Ave 
Coronado, CA 92118 
Phone: (619) 437-8788 
 
8. San Diego-Coronado Ferry  
1050 N. Harbor Dr  
San Diego, CA 92101  
Phone: (619) 234-4111 
 
9. Hotel del Coronado  
  
1500 Orange Ave  
Coronado, CA  
Phone: (619) 435-6611 
 
10. Sheerwater Restaurant 
  
1500 Orange Ave  
Coronado, CA 92118  
Phone: (619) 522-8866 
 
Destination Guide: San Diego 
 
7 
The prettiest ship in the collection is the Star of India, a sailing ship 
launched from the Isle of Man in the British Isles in 1863. Exhibits and 
hands-on displays on board give you an idea of what it was like to work 
on a wind-powered vessel back when the Star of Indiaâ€™s iron hull was 
cutting-edge technology. Among the other sundry ships in the museumâ€™s 
collection: a 1904 luxury steam yacht and the H.M.S. Surprise, a Royal 
Navy frigate replica you might have seen in the Russell Crowe movie, 
â€œMaster and Commander.â€ For an additional fee, you can cruise the 
harbor aboard a 1914 pilot boat or take turns manning the helm during a 
harbor excursion on the tall ship Californian, a replica of an 1847 
schooner. 
Dwarfing all of the maritime museumâ€™s vessels combined and bigger 
even than the cruise ships docking at the nearby terminal, the USS 
Midway, a few blocks south of the maritime museum, was the largest ship 
in the world when it was built in 1945. After serving her country for nearly 
50 years, this behemoth is now The USS Midway Museum
Afternoon 
For lunch, walk over to 
 and you can 
spend hours exploring its decks with the help of an audio tour guide. 
Youâ€™ll see a couple dozen restored aircraft and all sorts of exhibits about 
naval aviation as well. 
The Fish Market & Top of the Market
Spend the rest of the afternoon shopping and enjoying the scenery at 
 next to the 
USS Midway. This local landmark has a prime location on the bay with 
great views, especially from Top of the Market, which is the full-service 
restaurant on the second floor. Downstairs is The Fish Market, the 
casualcounterpart to the restaurant upstairs, and like the name suggests, 
the fish is market fresh. Although particulars on the menu change 
according to whatâ€™s in season, you can expect an extensive selection of 
raw shellfish, seafood cocktails, sashimi and sushi as well as smoked 
and mesquite-grilled fish. The sushi and the fish and chips are done 
especially well. 
Seaport Village
If Seaport Village only whets your appetite for more shopping, walk just a 
few blocks east to 
 right next door to the Fish Market. The theme here is 
â€œquaint seaside villageâ€ with many shops imitating ramshackle bait shops 
and lighthouses. Some might find Seaport Village tries a little too hard to 
be cute, but mixed in among the souvenir vendors catering to tourists are 
some interesting little specialty shops selling everything from hot sauces 
to imported Scandinavian sweaters and jewelry. There are more than 50 
stores in all along with several eateries and cafes, and Seaport Village 
makes the most of its waterfront location with fountains, trees and a 
walkway along the bay offering splendid views of Coronado and the 
Coronado Bay Bridge. Thereâ€™s also a Looff carousel, horse-drawn 
carriage rides, and on the weekends, street performers.  
Westfield Horton Plaza,
Since youâ€™re in the neighborhood, check out San Diegoâ€™s Gaslamp 
Quarter, bordering Westfield Horton Plaza on the east. Signs arching 
over the street proclaim this district to be the â€œHistoric Heart of San 
Diego.â€ Beautifully restored Victorian-era commercial buildings, brick 
sidewalks and and streets lined by old-fashioned,wrought-iron lamp posts 
with white globe lights give you a taste of what life was like here in the 
19th century. Youâ€™ll find several shops and restaurants in the district, but 
this place really starts hopping after dark when all the bars and nightclubs 
open for business. 
 a multilevel, open-air mall 
thatâ€™s one part traditional shopping center and one part carnival 
funhouse. A maze of walkways and terraces here connects a jumble of 
stores (more than 100), with stairs and escalators leading up and down to 
the various floors. Unwary shoppers tend to get lost, but if you approach 
it with the right frame of mind, wandering through its network of corridors 
can be fun. Head to the top floor for a great view of the whimsical 
complex and the rest of downtown. 
Evening 
Follow the setting sun to Coronado, an exclusive island enclave (actually 
itâ€™s virtually an island but technically a peninsula). You have two options 
to get there: the San Diego-Coronado Ferry departs from the dock at 
Broadway and Harbor Drive near the USS Midway; crossing takes about 
15 minutes and youâ€™ll have a nice perspective of the city. But if you want 
a truly breathtaking panorama of San Diego and its surroundings, take 
the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, a graceful ribbon of concrete that 
soars 200 feet above the bay allowing huge U.S. Navy ships to pass 
underneath and providing stunning views to drivers.  
Destination Guide: San Diego 
 
8 
Coronado is home to two naval bases, a few high-end resorts and some 
very well-heeled homeowners, so the atmosphere here is generally 
upscale. Itâ€™s the inviting beaches that first attracted visitors here, and with 
visitors came hotels and, in 1888, the grande dame of Coronado, the 
Hotel del Coronado.
Cap off this day of sightseeing with dinner at the Delâ€™s 
 This rambling Victorian masterpiece, with its iconic 
towers, whitewashed walls and high-pitched red roofs, set the standard 
for luxury in San Diego and continues to do so today. From the swaying 
palms and lush landscaping to the rich dark wood interiors, â€œThe Del,â€ as 
it is fondly called by locals, is a landmark you shouldnâ€™t miss. And if you 
time it right, sipping a cocktail overlooking the beach at sunset will be a 
highlight of your trip.  
Sheerwater 
Restaurant,
Day 3: Morning 
Drive out to 
 which offers indoor seating as well as a large outdoor terrace 
with ocean views. Evenings in San Diego can get chilly, but donâ€™t let that 
dissuade you from dining al fresco; the Sheerwater has plenty of 
fireplaces and strategically placed heaters to take the nip out of the air. 
The fare is California Coastal, appropriately enough, with seasonal 
seafood dishes including house specialties cioppino, a fish stew made 
with tomatoes, and fish and chips. Youâ€™ll also find steaks, burgers and 
pasta on the menu.  
Cabrillo National Monument
A 14-foot sandstone statue near the parking lot honors Portuguese 
explorer Juan RodrÃguez Cabrillo, who was the first European to step 
onto what would eventually become the West Coast of the United States. 
Paved pathways lead to overlooks, a lighthouse, a military exhibit and a 
visitors center with displays about Cabrillo as well as general park 
information. The Bayside Trail on the parkâ€™s east side meanders through 
native coastal scrub, and a road branching off near the main parking lot 
leads down to a rocky shore with tide pools on the parkâ€™s Pacific side.  
 on Point Loma, the spit of land 
separating San Diego Bay from the Pacific. The views from the point are 
spectacular, encompassing the city and the entire harbor as well as a 
sweeping expanse of the Pacific that includes migration routes used by 
Pacific gray whales in winter. Make sure your camera battery is charged 
because this is one of San Diegoâ€™s most scenic views.  
Afternoon 
For lunch visit Humphreyâ€™s
Continue north through the towns of Ocean Beach, Mission Beach and 
Pacific Beach to the tony seaside community of 
 on Shelter Island, about a 5-mile drive north of 
Point Loma along the coast of San Diego Bay. Youâ€™ll have great views of 
a sailboat-crowded marina and the fine houses on Point Loma, and the 
dishes are beautifully presented and combine a variety of carefully 
chosen flavors to excellent effect. If you happen to be passing through on 
a Sunday, try Humphreyâ€™s Sunday brunch, which is so popular that you 
might not get in without having made reservations first. And if you do 
have brunch there, one word of advice: you might want to watch how 
much of the unlimited champagne you consume.  
La Jolla.
Enjoy the rest of the afternoon wandering among the marine exhibits at 
the 
 Palm fronds 
swaying in the sea breeze above red-tile roofs and gorgeous ocean views 
characterize La Jolla, and downtown is known for its beach resorts, fine 
dining and upscale boutiques as well as lovely little La Jolla Cove with its 
steep rock bluffs and sandy beach.  
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, north of 
downtown on the University of California, San Diego campus. There are 
more than 60 habitats represented here. Donâ€™t miss the huge Kelp Tank 
filled with schools of fish swimming among a swaying kelp tendrils or the  
Destination Guide: San Diego 
 
9 
San Diego in 3 Days â€“ Day 3 Map 
 
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Tropical Seas Gallery with its colorful live coral. The Shark Reef exhibit, 
home to an array of shark varieties, is equally fascinating, and the Tide-
Pool Plaza acquaints visitors with this habitat common to Californiaâ€™s 
coastline. You can even touch some of the marine critters that live in tide 
pools. An added bonus: The picture spot outside the aquarium from 
which you can see La Jolla Cove, Scripps Institute pier and the cliffs near 
the university campus.  
Evening 
Celebrate your third evening in San Diego with a sumptuous dinner in an 
equally sumptuous setting at Georgeâ€™s California Modern,
Day 3 Details - Get additional information on 
 part of 
Georgeâ€™s at the Cove, which is tucked in among the boutiques and art 
galleries of downtown La Jolla. Youâ€™ll have an amazing ocean view and  
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1. Cabrillo National Monument   
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr  
San Diego, CA 92106  
Phone: (619) 557-5450 
 
 
2. Humphrey's  
 
2241 Shelter Island Dr  
San Diego, CA 92106  
Phone: (619) 224-3577 
 
3. La Jolla 
 
4. Birch Aquarium at Scripps 
Institution of Oceanography   
2300 Expedition Way  
La Jolla, CA 92037  
Phone: (858) 534-3474 
 
 
 
5. George's California Modern 
  
1250 Prospect St  
La Jolla, CA 92037  
Phone: (858) 454-4244 
 
the sleek, elegant dÃ©cor and carefully designed lighting creates an aura 
of luxury youâ€™ll really enjoy. The menu changes daily, but be assured that 
the California cuisine is as sophisticated as the ambience. Youâ€™ll need 
reservations, and should a table not be available, consider the rooftop 
Ocean Terrace upstairs. Itâ€™s less pricey, more casual, the view is 
incredible and your chances of getting in without a reservation are better. 
Georgeâ€™s Bar, the third dining room at Georgeâ€™s at the Cove, serves from 
the same menu as the Ocean Terrace and has a balcony that also takes 
advantage of the buildingâ€™s primo location.  
Destination Guide: San Diego 
 
10 
Restaurants 
Our favorites include some of this destinationâ€™s best restaurantsâ€”from 
fine dining to simple fare.  
Although most of San Diegoâ€™s major 
attractions lie outside the downtown area, the 
city center lures visitors with its trendy 
shopping areas, vibrant nightlife, sports and 
convention venues, dozens of hotels and 
many of San Diegoâ€™s top restaurants. 
Epicenter of all the colorful goings-on is the 
historic Gaslamp Quarter, which extends 
several blocks along 4th and 5th avenues. 
Among the Quarterâ€™s carefully restored 19th-
century buildings youâ€™ll find Monsoon,
As youâ€™d expect from the decor, Monsoon serves authentic Indian 
cuisineâ€”Northern Indian to be preciseâ€”with the chefâ€™s specialty being 
malai kofta, vegetarian meatballs in a creamy sauce. There are entrees 
to please both vegetarian and meat-lovers alike. If you favor spicy food, 
try the jahl frezi, a dish seasoned with cumin seeds, ginger, onion and 
garlic. (Be sure to specify that you want your curry mild or medium if 
youâ€™re not used to spice.) Monsoon is a great place for families, and the 
patio area will give you a front-row seat for the Gaslamp Quarterâ€™s 
happenings. 
 which welcomes guests to its 
spacious dining area with a bubbling fountain, subdued lighting and 
paintings of India. 
Just a few blocks south on 4th Avenue youâ€™ll come to J Street and 
Oceanaire,
Another block south in the Gaslamp Quarter, on K Street within walking 
distance of San Diegoâ€™s Convention Center and PETCO Park, is 
 where the dark, rich interiors and nautical details evoke a 
1930s ocean liner. Guests navigate a grand, winding staircase to the 
sprawling dining room filled with plush booths and tables. The oyster bar 
is very popular during the week thanks to its half-price oysters and shrimp 
cocktail, and traditional caviar service also is available. Seasonal 
specialties may include jumbo lump crab cakes, Alaskan halibut â€œT-
Bone,â€ Gulf of Mexico red snapper and, of course, Maine lobster. 
Portions are generous so you may want to share a side dishâ€”asparagus, 
green beans amandine or the sour cream and onion mashed potatoes. 
Be sure to save room for dessert like the classic 95-cent root beer float. 
Flemingâ€™s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar,
Just around the corner on 3rd Avenue, 
 where cuts ranging from the 8-
ounce filet mignon to the 20-ounce bone-in New York strip steak are 
served a la carte. And what meal at Flemingâ€™s would be complete without 
one of the fit-for-sharing side dishes such as sautÃ©ed spinach or creamy 
jalapeno-cheese potatoes? Not a steak lover? Flemingâ€™s also offers 
seafood, and the extensive wine list boasts more than 100 varieties by 
the glass. Whatâ€™s more, the dining roomâ€™s dark, rich woods and soft 
amber lighting create a relaxing setting in which to enjoy the food. 
Candelas
Although businesses along the nearby Embarcaderoâ€”downtownâ€™s 
waterfront district between Market and Grape streetsâ€”tend to cater to 
out-of-towners, both locals and tourists alike enjoy 
 offers an inviting 
Mexican hacienda-style atmosphere. The chef prepares dishes with 
Mexican ingredients utilizing French cooking techniques. His specialty is 
langosta baezaâ€”lobster stuffed with mushrooms, chiles, onions and 
bacon accented with a hint of aged tequila. The menu also includes 
entrees featuring beef, fowl or seafood with select vegetables and spices. 
The wine list is modest and includes products of several Mexican 
vineyards. 
The Fish Market & 
Top of the Market.
Two other seafood restaurants share the same address about a half mile 
farther north on the Embarcadero. Thereâ€™s 
 The downstairs market offers fresh fish takeout, while 
in the dining room upstairs an enormous menu printed daily lists more 
than a dozen fresh catches, all grilled over mesquite. Selections may 
include ahi, grouper, mako and mahi mahi. The oyster bar at the heart of 
the restaurant offers such favorites as bay shrimp and Dungeness crab 
cocktail and baked clams, as well as a sampler of their smoked fish. 
Anthonyâ€™s Fish Grotto, part of