What would you do if you had a free weekend in Southern California?  manget12008-07-29 21:05:57

I'm a So Cal boy for 40 years and and lifetime Californian.  Currently stuck in Japan they (Japan Airlines) canceled my connection to my United Airlines flight home and the next time I can get out is this Sunday.  Otherwise I would take you out and show you what can be done.

 

Cannot do that so here is a list of things people that come and visit seem to like to do.

 

Not in any order just listed:

Universal Studios –  www.universalstudios.com/

Disneyland – www.disneyland.disney.go.com 

Knott’s Berry Farm - www.knotts.com    Good choice because there will be less people than Universal or Disneyland and a little cheaper.  There are lots of stores to shop in at the front of the Park (one of my wife’s favorite pastimes). Great place to eat a chicken dinner (must do this if you decide to visit the park just do it before or after what most people call lunch time).  Good show and OK rides some thrill rides some tame rides. 

 

San Diego Wild Animal Park -  www.sandiegozoo.org/     The link will take you to the San Diego Zoo.  I believe that a ticket to one will get you into both which is a full two days easy.  If you are not up to the sun go to the Wild Animal Park about 3-4PM the crowds start to thin out about that time.  I would pay for the extra special parking it is close to the gate and is worth the money when you come out and just want to get into your car.   Going in later will not let you see the animal shows as the last one starts about 3PM.  Do take the trip inside the “Journey Into Africa” tour.   Best time is about an hour before dark.  The animals start to come out and move around.  They do not like the heat.  When the sun is just above the hill tops be in line for the trip.  Get in the front middle car on the right side if you can. You can stand up when the car stops.  You cannot take food onboard but you can take water.  Great tour. 

 

San Diego Zoo – Rated as one of the Best if not the Best in the world. Again early in the morning until Noon or after 3 are the best times.  The Zoo has a night time show.  It is normally pretty good I have not seen this years show yet.

 

Sea World –  www.seaworld.com/sandiego/      It can be said that it takes more than one day to see it all if you are going to try start early.

 

Lesser Know attractions but fun:

USS Midway -   www.midway.org Down town San Diego waterfront.  There is a Tall Ship, Aircraft Carrier, and shopping or eating at Sea Port Village.  Best part of it is it is on the bay and will be the coolest place in Southern California on any given day.

 

Do not go into Mexico unless you really want to shop.  It is not because it is unsafe or anything.  You are ok unless you are drunk and stupid.  It is it is so hard to get in and out of.  If you do go take the trolley.  Drive down to one of the south bay cities like Chula Vista, H street off ramp cross the trolley tracks and part in the station parking lot.  It is free.  Ride the trolley down to the end and follow the crowd into Mexico.  They will lead you into the shopping district it starts as soon as you cross the boarder and ends on revolution Avenue about 1 mile into Mexico.   The problem is the long line normally required to come back into the US. It most likely will take you 1 hour it could take you 3 hours.  It is the one place I personally will not take people.  I tell them how to do it and let them go.  Of course there is the back gate (second crossing mostly used by commercial traffic) but it is 3 miles or more from the shopping district and even most San Diego residents do know how to get to the shopping areas.  I use it when I pick people up from the TJ Airport.

 

25 things to do in San Diego -  www.SanDiego.org This is a site that will give you some more.

 

By the way there is a BASS Pro Shop –   www.basspro.com/.../CFPage?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&appID=94&storeID=52  Most likely will not get her into this one.

 

Things to do in Ontario -    www.wegoplaces.com/CAOntario_Region_351_Cat_Activities.aspx Try this link for some local help.

 

Los Vegas -  www.viator.com/las-vegas  and  www.las-vegas.cc  Take an Airplane it is quicker and every place you will go will be within walking distance anyway.  Parking is a bear. 

 

There is more but!  By the way I have been I Japan for two weeks and have been through 4 earth quakes.  One was a 6.8 20 miles away.  Boy was that interesting.  That one lasted about 120 seconds.  

Tb2k82CE2008-07-30 02:03:32

Tb2K82CE has a hard act to follow but I got a few ideas for you. I was born in California and now live in Washington. Do you like Baseball? Check out the 3 choices you have. Aaron19762008-07-30 12:05:21

I know Ontario well and not much to do there. I used to go there three times a week.
If you feel like it drive to San Diego, it's a neat place to visit...and if you really want to be different drive into Mexico...you will be glad to get back to the good old USA

Drive to San Diego, check out Balboa Park (just off I-5) then go down town and see the waterfront. Have dinner in the Gaslight District downtown. Beautiful area. After dinner drive up the coast Hwy and see the sunset from one of the beach parks. If you like music check out Humphry's, live music 7 nights a week, its on the marina in San Diego, also great food. San Diego is a little bit of a drive but well worth it. 2cd best city in Ca, Ok I grew up in SF.

I grew up is the Bay Area also and San Diego is the best city SF is a close second but the current administration has let it become a lot worse off than it was 40 years even 30 years ago.

 

Gas Lamp District  www.gaslamp.org and Humphreys  http://www.humphreysconcerts.com/ not bad additions to my list.  My oldest daughter was married at Humphreys.

 

You do have to get out of Ontario because there is really not much going on.  You have to go to the coast and south to get much.  San Diego is only two hours South.  Have your company pick up the hotel bill in San Diego not Ontario.  A hotel is a hotel.  If you need some suggestions let me know. I will be leaving Japan Sunday Morning that is Saturday  back in the state by the way.

The Balboa Park area of SD is great.  The auto and aerospace museums are worth a visit.  People watching is GREAT also.  The drive out to the point (I forget the name of it) is fantastic 'cause you get a view of the whole SD harbor and if you're lucky can see some of the fleet moving in and out.

Point Loma Light house www.nps.gov/cabr/lighthouse.html .  You are correct that there are a lot of great almost free things to do in San Diego.  Plus the beach is great.

 

If you want to go to the beaches and want fewer people go to the Silver Strand Park. It is on the ocean side of the bay.  It will cost you something but that keeps the crowds down to a manageable level.

 

Also there is the Hotel Del Coranodo www.historichotels.org/hotel/Hotel_del_Coronado  on the way there is a free tour Self guided through the basement/foundation stores. 

I thought I would update everyone on our weekend.  I guess we kept it pretty tame.

  Sounds like a great weekend to me