USA - Los Angeles, San Diego

Los Angeles - To Do
Los Angeles  - To Eat

USA - Los Angeles, San Diego
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To stay while in San Diego

KINGS INN Motel

Dated decoration. Air-con ran on a really old system which when we stayed, couldn't be adjusted via the thermostat. Either cold or warm air really. Else its a great location, not too far from attraction, great eateries or city center and easy excess via the freeway located beside it.

At approximately USD50 a night, for its location, free WI-fi and on location eateries, it was pretty reasonable. Available are a waffle place and Mexican food attached to the lodging.1333 Hotel Cir S, San Diego, California 92108, United States

ABBA tip: Go with a friend and take the car pool lane. Driving down from LA Hollywood to San Diego would take about 2hr30mins. The return leg, if going to the airport would take you approximately 1/1/2hrs on the coastal freeway.

- Buy Southern California Citypasses if you are definetley going for many of the attractions while in Los Angeles. It saves you about 30% and more. Click here for ABBA details to Citypass

MUST Do in San Diego

USS Midway Aircraft Carrier

Definitely worth every buck that you pay! The grand awe of the Midway, restored beauty of the aircrafts, informative tours and best of all, talks with retired veterans who had served on board, makes the entire visit worth while.

Almost the entire ship is accessable and you get a great view of the active naval base across the shore and of the city side.

A comfortable 4 - 5 hours would be sufficient for the visit.

ABBA tips: speaking to retired veterans and tours conducted by some of them are the most rewarding and eye opening. They're eager to share with whoever is willing to listen to them.
910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA, United States
Click here for ABBA details on the Midway

San Diego Zoo

A beautiful zoo with a great variety of enclosures and exhibits on display. A full day from opening to closing times would just be about sufficient for exploration.

Although great in variety, the convoluted routes in the park are non comprehensive and often lead you in a either or route with no real flow. After a while, variety through variants seem a little repetitive and the bars and gates between you and animals hinder awesome photo ops.

Lastly, the lack of close animal encounters "production" shows results in a somewhat monotone experience at the Zoo.

ABBA Tip: - Arriving early, is often when the animals are getting their meals for the day and are most active.
- Staying on to watch animals interacting can bring you that special moment of photo op or fun interactions, as I did in the gorilla and hippo enclosures.
Click here for ABBA details to San Diego Zoo

San Diego Sea World

The park has an even mix of rides, shows and sea life. Their large animal exhibits like the Orca, polar bear and penguins enclosure deserve special mention and are mesmerizingly beautiful.
Also catch a leisurely round trip ride on the cable car to catch a view of the park.

Of all the shows, Shamu show is the show to catch, though speculating the shows have been tweaked with less human Orca interaction due to an incident years back.

Stick around to watch the Orca's behaviour on how they try to 'fish' for Birds with the fish they get. On an occasion, they were successful during a live show at San Diego Seaworld. Look at time 1:54

ABBA Tip - Splash zones are called for a reason. By splash, I mean totally soaked. Come prepared. It's all great fun.
Click here for ABBA details on San Diego Seaworld

Las Americas

Located about 20miles via freeway from the Zoo and just a mile from the Mexican boarder of Tijuana, this is a highly accessible outlet shopping. Closing late (check operating hours) and with free parking, this place offers good deals at reasonable prices with a multitude of brands to choose from. Also lots of eateries choices located on-site.Las Americas Premium Outlets, San Diego, CA 92173, USA
Click here for ABBA details on Las Americas

Can Do in San Diego

Westville Horton Shopping Center

Supposedly the heart of San Diego shopping, this place seemed pretty quiet. Your usual fanfare of branded good and food eateries on the upper floors.

Special mention of a two story collectables, t-shirt, music store which offered interesting finds.

All in all this wouldn't be the top of my list to go places, and would have rather traveled to Las Americas to do some shopping.
ABBA Details on Westville Shopping Center

To Eat while in San Diego

TGI Friday

The first time at TGIF was pretty good. Look out for the great deals available and the specials for the day. Reasonable pricing and good all American cuisine. Plus its pretty near KingsInn hotel where we were put up.

*pictured from left, Signature Shrimp, ultimate salad, (C) Pork Chop, Steak (R) Red Velvet Cake*

Ordered 2 entrees a dessert set and +1 appetizer at USD20 + USD4.55upgrade. The pork chop had great charring. Steak for a 6 to 10oz(upgraded +4.55) was a good cut but a little dry to the bite. Red Valvet Cake with Serve of vanilla ice-cream. Sweet sweet decadence.
Extra order: Ultimate Salad. Decent and fresh. Not overly dressed.
Total:USD40
*special mention are the mash potatoes* creamy and full flavor. They say they mix cheddar cheese into the mash to give its great flavor.
Click here for ABBA details on TGIF

Cowboy Star

A butchery and semi fine dining restaurant. This place offers great cuts, well aged, full flavoured, great food, albeit at a price.
Ambience is a little under lit but some might call that romantic. Parking is available along road side or across in the public parking lot.
Bill USD80640 Tenth Ave., San Diego, CA, United States
Click here for ABBA details on Cowboy Star

Red Lobster

Sample 4D3N Itinerary
from LA California -San Diego - LA

Day 1
Drive from Travellodge Hollywood
Check-in at KingsInn
USS Midway
Westville Horton Shopping Center
Dinner @ TGIF

Day 2
San Diego Zoo Las Americas Shopping
Dinner at IHOP

Day3
San Diego Sea World
ComicKaze
Cowboy Star

Day4
Drive back to LAX
Lunch @ Red Lobster in LA
1300hrs LAX Airport Check-In