San Diego offers tourists such a diverse wealth of activities and attractions that it can be hard to make decisions about what exactly to do and where to stay.
The internet today is packed full of tourist websites offering reviews of hotels.
Before you book, check these out so that you're not disappointed with your booking. While most accommodation in the area is of a high standard, there are some establishments that have been known to exaggerate the comfort, services and facilities they offer.
Beware of the many tourist traps in San Diego. The most compalined about one is the Gaslamp District which can offer great nightlife, especially if you go to such clubs as L5 and Cafe Lulu. However, parking is very difficult to find and expensive when you do. The prices of drinks and cover charges are also unnecessarily high.
Seaworld has been criticized for not having enough animals that are visible. There are also lots of extra hidden costs that you wouldn't expect, such as the fact that you have to pay to play games inside the aqaurium over and above what you are charged for entry. To avoid the expensive parking, take the Number 9 bus to Seaworld.
Legoland is overhyped and expensive. Children over 5 are said to get bored easily by it and there is little of interest for adults.
The flower fields nearby where you can pick strawberries is a better bet. The Wild Animal Park and San Diego Zoo are far better options for kids, with lots of activities and lots to see.
Things to do in San Diego
Although it is a beautiful building, some feel that Horton Plaza adds an unnecessary extra $20 or $30 to everything it sells, from souvenirs to food. However, the restaurant Sammy's Woodfire Pizza comes highly recommended, so check that out. You can however enjoy free parking at Horton Plaza for 2 hours, which is a real rarity in San Diego. Take advantage of weekdays after 6 pm and all day Sunday, when you can park in yellow curb loading zones for absolutely free.
The Timkin Museum is preferred to the San Diego Museum of Art which seems not to have all that much art exhibited inside it, which is a bit of a let-down for whoever pays the rather large admission fee.
Be careful about certain so-called parks such as Cabrillo Point where a fee is charged just to park and see a view which you could easily see for free elsewhere up the road.
