STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Jahni · Dooney & Bourke

San Diego Bound

jettie · Kate Spade

I've been to SD lots of times for work (and will most likely be moving out there soon) so I have a few suggestions...

Since you are staying downtown, maybe do a dinner one night in Little Italy. Take a trip up to La Jolla and drive around the coast, its really beautiful up there. I can recommend a good steakhouse up there (Donavan's) but others may have better suggestions for meals. Go to the San Diego zoo if you have a free day or afternoon. Also, there are lots of fun bars in Pacific Beach. Fashion Valley is the big mall but most of the stores you could find in any metro area. Around that area (Mission Valley) there is a nordstrom rack, loehmann's, and off 5th.

NCshopper · Hermes

I'm from San Diego!

I'd recomment going to Coronado, La Jolla, Old Town, and Del Mar. All four of those places are really scenic, historic, and there's some fun shopping to do.

To be honest, I wouldn't recommend going to Tijuana. There's really nothing appealing about it at all. It's dirty, sad, and dangerous. There are a lot of small children that will chase after you and beg you to buy candy, there are pickpockets, and the risk that if something happens to you, you don't really have the same legal protection that you'd have in the U.S. That's just my opinion. If you do decide to go to TJ, then park on the U.S. side of the border and take the trolley. And of course, don't drink the water or have any drinks with ice.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

NCshopper wrote:

I'm from San Diego!

I'd recomment going to Coronado, La Jolla, Old Town, and Del Mar. All four of those places are really scenic, historic, and there's some fun shopping to do.

To be honest, I wouldn't recommend going to Tijuana. There's really nothing appealing about it at all. It's dirty, sad, and dangerous. There are a lot of small children that will chase after you and beg you to buy candy, there are pickpockets, and the risk that if something happens to you, you don't really have the same legal protection that you'd have in the U.S. That's just my opinion. If you do decide to go to TJ, then park on the U.S. side of the border and take the trolley. And of course, don't drink the water or have any drinks with ice.

I agree with NCShopper. I went in 2002 for a 5 day vacation and my mom and I hit up all those spots and they were beautiful and very interesting/fun. The zoo is a must if you have the time esp with the baby panda there. We thought about Tijuana and opted for Los Angeles instead because we had heard exactly what NCS was saying and didn't want to chance it. My bf use to go to mexico in college (different part but a border town also) and he said he would never have gone if he was a girl and he doesn't like the idea of bringing me anywhere in Mexico (I know not all areas are unsafe and so does he but I have no real interest in going there).

jah · Dooney & Bourke

I live in downtown San Diego (five blocks west of the Gaslamp in what we refer to as the Marina district). Anyway, the Bristol is in walking distance of the Gaslamp District, which is basically a district of small shops, bars and restaurants. The gaslamp is overrated IMO, but it is fun for a few drinks or a quick bite to eat. Another touristy area close to downtown is Seaport Village. You can dine at a restaurant on the harbor and watch the boats/water. A common favorite near Seaport Village is the Fish Market. They don't take reservations, so I wouldn't recommend going during a busy time, but it is a good fresh fish joint.

One block north of the Hyatt (which is right next to Seaport Village) is Kansas City BBQ. This is the restaurant where they shot the piano scene and a few others in the movie Top Gun. Definitely DO NOT EAT THERE... as an original Kansas Citian, let me assure you that the BBQ is terrible (plus the place is filthy), but bring something with your state/name on it and staple it to the wall and have a drink at the bar.

I would recommend having brunch at the Parkhouse Eatery. It is a bit northeast of downtown - by University Heights/North Park. It is 10 minutes by car from your hotel and the brunch is divine (my fav is the smoked salmon, cream cheese and scallion scramble - SO GOOD). Anyway, this is by far my fav brunch spot in San Diego...and I eat a lot of brunch!! If you want a spa trip, there is also a great spa directly across the street which I recommend. If you can't make it to PE, then check out cafe 222 in downtown - very yummy.

In terms of a bar by the beach - if you are looking for a dressy affair (by SD standards), you can get a cocktail at Tower 23. This is in Pacific Beach. If you want a nice bar in downtown, go to the J Bar in the Hotel Salomar.

Regarding restaurants, I would recommend Old Town for Mexican, La Jolla for high end (Georges) and Del Mar for a beautiful view and nice meal (Pacifica). I also agree that you should take a jaunt to Coronado. It is a beautiful island. Run through the Hotel Del while you are there and then take a stroll on the beach out front.

In terms of shopping, they have cute boutiques in La Jolla and a few scattered in the Gaslamp district. Outlet shopping is in Carlsbad or at the last exit before the border. Neither outlet mall is that great IMO, but they do have a nice J Crew at the one near the border.

TJ is not great, but if you really want to go to Mexico, take the trolley from downtown to TJ. I wouldn't recommend TJ at night.

Also, if you are interested in doing something adventurous, you can take surfing lessons one day at Surf Diva, you can kayak the coves at La Jolla or you can go paragliding at Glider Port. I've done all of them and highly recommend.

If you have a car, you can also make the 1 hour jaunt to Temecula and explore southern California wine country.

As you can see, there is SO much to do in San Diego and the surrounding areas. I am sure I am missing a ton of things, but if you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

Have fun!

*Edited to add - Also recommend the Wild Animal Park. I actually like this better than the zoo as it is more natural, but they are both really good facilities. The zoo is in Balboa Park, which is also something you should take some time to check out. Gorgeous museums, beautiful gardens, a cute artists village and a really nice restaurant that is a great lunch place (The Prado). The owners of the Prado also own one of my top restaurants in the Gaslamp (Blue Point Coastal Cuisine).

-- Edited by jah at 21:46, 2006-09-17