Frommer's Complete GuidesAmerica's #1 bestselling travel seriesMore full-color guides than ever beforeFoldout maps in annual guidesOutspoken opinions, exact prices, and insider tips
List of Maps vi
1 THE BEST OF SAN DIEGO 1
The Most Unforgettable San Diego Experiences 2
The Best Food & Drink Experiences 2
The Best Family Experiences 3
The Best Free & Dirt Cheap San Diego 4
The Best Outdoor Activities 5
The Best Historic Experiences 5
The Best San Diego Museums 6
The Best Ways to See San Diego Like a Local 7
San Diego Today 9
The Making of San Diego 10
San Diego in Pop Culture 15
Eating & Drinking in San Diego 18
When to Go 19
SAN DIEGO CALENDAR OF EVENTS 21
Responsible Tourism in San Diego 26
IT’S EASY BEING GREEN 27
3 SAN DIEGO NEIGHBORHOODS & SUGGESTED ITINERARIES 28
City Layout 28
NEIGHBORHOODS IN BRIEF 30
THE BEST OF SAN DIEGO IN 1 DAY 31
OFF THE BEATEN PATH: NORTH PARK & BEYOND 32
THE BEST OF SAN DIEGO IN 2 DAYS 34
THE BEST OF SAN DIEGO IN 3 DAYS 35
4 EXPLORING SAN DIEGO 37
San Diego’s Top 15 Sites & Attractions 37
The Three Major Animal Parks 37
San Diego’s Beaches 42
Attractions in Balboa Park 46
ALL ABOUT BALBOA PARK GUIDED TOURS 49
More Attractions 54
Free of Charge & Full of Fun 66
Especially for Kids 68
Special-Interest Sightseeing 70
Organized Tours 73
Outdoor Activities 77
PADDLING WITH THE FISHES 86
THE BEST OF SAN DIEGO ONLINE 88
Sights & Attractions by Theme Index 89
5 STROLLING AROUND SAN DIEGO 91
WALKING TOUR 1: THE GASLAMP QUARTER 91
WALKING TOUR 2: THE EMBARCADERO 98
WALKING TOUR 3: OLD TOWN 103
WALKING TOUR 4: BALBOA PARK 107
WALKING TOUR 5: LA JOLLA 114
6 WHERE TO EAT 119
Best Bets 119
PRICE CATEGORIES 119
FUN FOR FOODIES IN SAN DIEGO 120
Downtown, Gaslamp Quarter & Little Italy 121
ATTACK OF THE KILLER BURGERS 126
Hillcrest & Uptown 127
Old Town & Mission Valley 131
Mission Bay & the Beaches 133
BAJA FISH TACOS 134
La Jolla 138
MEAL WITH A VIEW 142
Coronado 143
Bites Off the (Tourist) Beaten Path 145
Practical Matters: The Restaurant Scene 146
Restaurants by Cuisine 147
7 SHOPPING 151
Shopping by Area 151 Shopping A to Z 159
8 ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE 167
The Performing Arts 168
The Club & Music Scene 170
SUDS CITY: GRAB A GREAT BREW IN S.D. 176
Gay & Lesbian Nightlife 177
Alternative Entertainment 178
FISHY FUN: THE GRUNION RUN 180
Spectator Sports 180
9 WHERE TO STAY 184
Best Bets 184
PRICE CATEGORIES 184
WHAT YOU’LL REALLY PAY 185
Downtown, Gaslamp Quarter & Little Italy 186
Hillcrest & Uptown 196
Old Town & Mission Valley 199
Mission Bay & the Beaches 201
La Jolla 206
THE ROAD TO WELLNESS: HEALTHFUL HAVENS 212
Coronado 213
THE INDELIBLE HOTEL DEL 214
Practical Information 217
10 SIDE TRIPS FROM SAN DIEGO 220
North County Beach Towns 220
THE HAPPIEST SIDE TRIP ON EARTH 236
North County Inland 237
GRAPE ESCAPE: TEMECULA WINERIES 241
Julian: Gold, Fires, Apples & More 242
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park 248
Tijuana: Going South of the Border 253
STAYING SAFE IN TIJUANA 254
11 PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO SAN DIEGO 270
Getting There 270
TRAVELING WITH PETS 274
Special-Interest Trips & Tours 275
Getting Around 276
FAST FACTS: SAN DIEGO 284
Index 299
Accommodations Index 308 Restaurant Index 309
LIST OF MAPS
Suggested Itineraries 29
San Diego Attractions 39
Balboa Park Attractions 47
Downtown & Beyond Attractions 55
Old Town & Mission Valley Attractions 59
La Jolla Attractions 63
Walking Tour 1: The Gaslamp Quarter 93
Walking Tour 2: The Embarcadero 99
Walking Tour 3: Old Town 105
Walking Tour 4: Balboa Park 109
Walking Tour 5: La Jolla 117
Downtown San Diego Restaurants 123
Hillcrest & Uptown Restaurants 129
Old Town & Mission Valley Restaurants 133
Mission Bay & the Beaches Restaurants 135
La Jolla Restaurants 139
Coronado Restaurants 144
Downtown San Diego Shopping 153
Hillcrest & Uptown Shopping 155
La Jolla Shopping 157
Downtown San Diego Hotels 187
Hillcrest & Uptown Hotels 197
Old Town & Mission Valley Hotels 200
Mission Bay & the Beaches Hotels 203
La Jolla Hotels 207
Coronado Hotels 215
Northern San Diego County 222
Eastern San Diego County 243
Tijuana 255