San Diego Trip Planning Guide

[cornishfrogboy]

This is fantastic information and I will digest it slowly in the coming days. Thankyou.

We are out there April 6 to 11 and staying in an Airbnb on Mission Brach, armed with GoSanDiego 5 tickets.
Our itinary includes SeaWorld, USS Midway, Whale watching trip, Topgun bar, San Diego Zoo, Airspace and Horse ride at Ponyland. We are then doing Legoland on the way back up to LAX.

My first question is this.. other than Ponyland, would we be able to do all the rest on hire bicycles? I see lots of cycle tracks and would guess that it’s mostly flat for our itinary. I have asked these questions of a cyclehire company in the Mission Beach area, but had no reply.
Also, are there bike parking points?
You may well say that it would be simpler to drive, but if so, how busy is it?

[Eeyorefanuk]

Assume no whale watching in October?

[Aims]

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

My first question is this.. other than Ponyland, would we be able to do all the rest on hire bicycles? I see lots of cycle tracks and would guess that it’s mostly flat for our itinary. I have asked these questions of a cyclehire company in the Mission Beach area, but had no reply.
Also, are there bike parking points?
You may well say that it would be simpler to drive, but if so, how busy is it?

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Hi cornishfrogboy There are a lot of cycling paths around San Diego and the terrain is mostly flat in the city, but I honestly don't think there's an easy and direct way to get around to all the sights you mentioned on bicycle alone. They are spread a bit widely apart with lots of big freeways in-between. A car is really the easiest way to get around San Diego. The driving is busiest during the rush hour times- early morning and late afternoon into early evening on weekdays. Otherwise, while there are a lot of cars on the roads here, it never gets to Los Angeles traffic level busy. I find it pretty quick and easy to get around. It looks like you will be here around Easter and spring break time, so crowds will be a little busier than usual at the bigger attractions like the Zoo and Sea World, as well as at the beaches. Have a sat nav with you and you should find the driving pretty straightforward.

Originally Posted by Eeyorefanuk

Assume no whale watching in October?

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It's not the biggest migration season like the winter and spring months are, but there are some whales that come through in the fall...I think blue whales are one of them, plus there are always other things to spot, such as dolphins. We do have a couple of whale tour companies in San Diego that do year round tours...San Diego Whale Watch sdwhalewatch, or if you're feeling a little adventurous, there is the Adventure RIB Rides company adventureribrides

[Eeyorefanuk]

Oooooo thank you 😊 xxx

[cornishfrogboy]

Thankyou Amy, re the cycling. I am going to have to have a think!

[Aims]

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

Thankyou Amy, re the cycling. I am going to have to have a think!

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I hate to discourage you on the cycling, because maybe there's a way to get to everything on a bike from Mission Beach...I just don't know enough to tell you with certainty that you can do it. I just can't picture it myself because San Diego is fairly large, there would be some big distances. I encourage you to do more research before giving up the idea, if this is something you really want to do.

If you just don't like the idea of driving when you're here, there is always the option of using Uber. Lyft is also a similar service that is popular here, too.

[cornishfrogboy]

Thanks Amy.
Not really worried about the driving other than the inconvenience of finding parking. (And paying).
Are there decent car parks at most attractions?

[Aims]

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

Thanks Amy.
Not really worried about the driving other than the inconvenience of finding parking. (And paying).
Are there decent car parks at most attractions?

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Yes, most of the big attractions will have their own car parks. I took a look again at the list of what you are planning to do here.

Sea World has it's own car park and it's paid parking- $20 when I was there recently, and you can pay a few dollars extra for preferred parking, if you wish.

USS Midway has a decent size public parking lot alongside it on Navy Pier. It's $10 and you can stay parked there for up to 12 hours. It's one of the best deals downtown, because all the car parks downtown are paid parking and some go by the hour, so it can get expensive. You could leave your car in the USS Midway lot, and after you've toured the ship, you could walk to other sights along the waterfront. You could check out Seaport Village, the Maritime Museum that has the Star of India historic sailing ship, or take a harbor cruise. You mentioned the Top Gun bar...that is the Kansas City BBQ restaurant. It doesn't have it's own car park, but you can walk there in a few blocks from the USS Midway. Be advised though that if there are any special events going on downtown on the day you go, such as a baseball game or it's a major holiday, parking prices will be higher on that day at most car parks, including Midway's.

The San Diego Zoo has it's own car park, and it's free.

You said Airspace...I'm guessing you mean the Air & Space Museum? If so, it's in Balboa Park (where the zoo is also located). Besides the zoo's lot, there are several smaller parking lots around Balboa Park. All the parking is free in Balboa Park, but spaces are limited and gets filled early in the day. An early start anywhere is important, especially when you're visiting over a busy season like Easter.

Legoland has it's own car park and it's paid parking- $20, a bit extra if you want preferred (closer up) parking.

[cornishfrogboy]

That is truly awesome advice. I will take it! Thankyou very much, Amy.
We will walk to SeaWorld and drive the rest.

[Aims]

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

That is truly awesome advice. I will take it! Thankyou very much, Amy.
We will walk to SeaWorld and drive the rest.

See more...

You're welcome! Glad to have helped

Here is a map of Balboa Park, including the locations of the parking lots. I believe this map can be printed out, too. balboapark/plan/parking

If you can't find parking at any of the lots, there is another car park across the road from Balboa Park called Inspiration Point. You can pick up the free Balboa Park tram there that will take you into the center of Balboa Park. In fact, the Air & Space Museum is in the section of the park that's right across the road from Inspiration Point.