Top Travel Tips in San Diego From Our Readers
Over 150 Lifehacker readers left tips on how to come or live in San Diego this week. Even locals who don’t like the city chipped in for some good advice. That’s how cold San Diegan is. We’ve included all the best comments in the Staff tab below the original post, and have rounded up a few highlights below.
- “You don’t have to have a dog to go to Dog Beach” – Quesadilla de los Muertos.
- “The summer is packed with desert visitors (Arizona residents in particular) because Mission Beach is where Interstate 8 ends,” said my friend’s dad and Arizona native. Prices are rising, and highways and roads near beaches are clogged. “- BringYourSunscreen
- “If possible, go in January. The weather is slightly cooler than in summer, but still suitable for flip flops and T-shirts. It’s off-season now, so everything is cheaper and less crowded. Spring and early summer are often rainy and cloudy. I heard the locals call it June gloom, ”- Bobdasaved.
- “If you only have time to do one thing, skip the zoo and visit the safari park instead. Usually less crowded and more unique experience, IMHO ”- apocryphal.
- “The safari park seems less ‘touristic’ [than the main zoo] and has some really great exhibits, not to mention this vast ‘safari’ section of the park where many animals roam freely together.” – Muxter
- “There’s a great hidden restaurant inside the small sandwich shop The Neighborhood.” – girlsgonekyle [ FIX : Reader Amy Gordon explains that The Neighborhood is a gastropub, not a sandwich shop.]
- “Craft and Commerce is a great bar with really great cocktails. There is also a hidden tiki bar inside this place, which you need to visit in advance. ” – Rdizza
- “You will probably read in many guidebooks that Lucha Libra in North Park is a taco store worth checking out. This is wrong and absolutely a tourist trap. Most locals don’t eat there because it is expensive and useless. Instead, check out one of the hundreds of other cheap taco shops in town. One of my favorites is the Mauricio restaurant in Normal Heights / North Park “- cosmicslop54
- “If you want to avoid waiting for OG Hodad’s roughly four hours, there is another place in the city center. I’ve never seen it in full. They have a bus that you can take in this place too. ” – THRILLHO
- “Julian is a quaint little mountain town founded by post-war Confederate soldiers who thought they were mining for gold and turned into apple orchards after all the money ran out. Julian Apple Pie Co. is the only reason really worth coming. They have two stores, one in their own Julian and the other down in the mountains in Santa Isabela. ” – ItsFrenchforPeter
- “If you really have time and transportation and are into more out of the ordinary, head east into the Anza Borrego Desert and visit Desert View Tower, Salton Sea / Bombay Beach and Salvation Mountain / East Jesus / Slab City.” Sandroidiego
- “Some language shibblets: San Diegans often initialize something. “PB gets TJed in full. I was the STRAW in the parking lot, so I go out to the BFE. ”- This is a perfectly juicy sentence if dated slang.) Garnet Ave. pronounced Gar-NET , not GAR-net like a gem. Obviously, you should already know that La Jolla is pronounced La Hoya and not La JAWL-uh, but other place names are not necessarily English-Spanish approximations. Jamacha is a HAM-i-show . The Zones are assholes tourists from Arizona, but that goes for all foolish tourists as well. ”- lurkerbynature
- “Drive your car down B Street and climb a really steep hill. Once I really caught air in the car, and when I was cycling down the street, I could catch air. ” – Leviathan in the aquarium.
- “On the edge of Shelter Island is Bali Hai, home to one of the best all-alcoholic Mai Tai drinks I’ve ever tasted. They only allow you to order two, they are so good (strong). ”- Michael from SoCal
- “If you’re here in the summer, be sure to go to the SD County Fair. It is the largest in the United States and has a lot to see and do. I especially enjoy looking at kids and cows. “- justmepassingby
- “One of the greatest hidden gems and best ‘luck’ in town is the Maritime Museum of San Diego, especially if you have kids. Inexpensive, and you can ride two 1960s submarines (one American, one Russian), three stunning multi-masted sailboats, an old 1900 racing yacht and a ferry with an amazing history. ” – talltaleradio
- “On your way to Encinitas, a quiet place with incredible views, visit the Self-Realization Meditation Gardens. Small alcoves and seating areas with views will give you the opportunity to find peace and quiet. It is surrounded by tropical plants, junipers, old pine trees and koi ponds. This is a meditation garden, so respect the peace and quiet. ” – TravelinCaliGal
- “Since California legalized marijuana last year, several good outlets have opened in San Diego. I recommend Mankind on Miramar Road, followed by Torrey Holistics. Both are on the north side of the city and both work, ”- Jekketskal.
- “The best Mexican food is closest to the border” – bridge619
See more tips in our Monday post and post your own below. Come back next week when we travel to Central America.