Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego (Read 2 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Yahoo Message Number: 135591
We will be heading to San Diego january/february with out 1982 22' MP and young kids leaving Salt Lake City area. we'll have about 1-2 weeks with only 3 days committed to anything.

Any must see attractions?

Recommended RV parks in San Diego area?
 We'd like to hit the zoo and sea world, so any parks in that vicinity as well. We are usually the dry camping sort of RVers so wal-marts don't scare us at all:-) The less we have to spend at RV parks the more fun stuff we can do.

Any advice is appreciated! Jared

Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Reply #1
Yahoo Message Number: 135592
In a message dated 12/7/2012 6:03:28 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  writes:

Any  must see attractions?

San Diego Zoo,  Safari  Park,  Sea World and Lego Land.
Escondido John  2003 MB 26.5

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Reply #2
Yahoo Message Number: 135593
Quote
"Any must see attractions? We'd like to hit the zoo and sea world, so any parks in that vicinity as well."
Any advice is appreciated!

Jared

A stop at "Old Town" would be nice, especially if you're fond of Mexican food.
 And one place I personally would not pass up is SD Wild Animal Park in nearby Escondido...
 http://www.sandiego.org/members/attractions/san-diego-zoo-safari-park.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=adwords&utm_content=wild-animal-park&utm_campaign=capture-attractions&cid=cv-go-11058&gclid=COHB_snoibQCFal_QgodvykANw

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!


Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Reply #4
Yahoo Message Number: 135596
If you prefer a RV campground with amenities, we can highly recommend Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve in Santee...it's very convenient to San Diego via highway and via the SD Trolley (the end of the Red Line, I think it is, is within a few minutes of the Lakes with free parking). Also very close by is Costco and Target and all other kinds of shops and services.
 The campground is kid- and bike-friendly. One caveat...it fills up on school holiday weekends in particular, so plan ahead.

TinaP 2006 LD

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
2006 MB

Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Reply #5
Yahoo Message Number: 135598
Quote
We will be heading to San Diego january/february with out 1982 22' MP and young kids leaving Salt Lake City area. we'll have about 1-2 weeks with only 3 days committed to anything.

Any must see attractions?

Recommended RV parks in San Diego area?
 We'd like to hit the zoo and sea world, so any parks in that vicinity as well. We are usually the dry camping sort of RVers so wal-marts don't scare us at all:-) The less we have to spend at RV parks the more fun stuff we can do.

Any advice is appreciated! Jared

Jared, type in San Diego in the search function for this site and you'll get a ton of past message hits, some of which will answer your inquiry.

Chris

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB

Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Reply #6
Yahoo Message Number: 135601
Quote
We will be heading to San Diego january/february with out 1982 22' MP and young kids leaving Salt Lake City area. we'll have about 1-2 weeks with only 3 days committed to anything.

Any must see attractions?

Recommended RV parks in San Diego area?
 We'd like to hit the zoo and sea world, so any parks in that vicinity as well. We are usually the dry camping sort of RVers so wal-marts don't scare us at all:-) The less we have to spend at RV parks the more fun stuff we can do.

Any advice is appreciated! Jared
This Pittsburgh family visited San Diego on a few occasions.  We would highly recommend the Cabrillo National Monument out on Point Loma where you can get a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and the entrance to San Diego harbor.  On a quiet day, you can hear the Sea Lions barking far down below.  We would also recommend a harbor cruise/tour in addition to the attractions listed by other LDers.

Bob
2011 MB

Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Reply #7
Yahoo Message Number: 135602
We really enjoyed the Trolley Tour in San Diego.  You can get on in Old Town San Diego (and other places). You can get off one car, and back on the next one later.  Really neat.
Search result:Trolley Tours, San diego https://www.google.com/search?q=trolley%20tours%2C%20san%20diego&ie=utf-8 &oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&source=hp& channel=np
 We got on and off to wander around at several stops.  The last one was an Irish Pub, it just happened to be St. Patrick's day, and the entertainment, both the pub's and that provided by the customers, was great.

Ron & Linda Clark
 Fri Dec 7, 2012 6:03 pm (PST) . Posted by: "soy_capo" soy_capo We will be heading to San Diego january/february with out 1982 22' MP and young kids leaving Salt Lake City area. we'll have about 1-2 weeks with only 3 days committed to anything.

Any must see attractions?

Recommended RV parks in San Diego area?
 We'd like to hit the zoo and sea world, so any parks in that vicinity as well. We are usually the dry camping sort of RVers so wal-marts don't scare us at all:-) The less we have to spend at RV parks the more fun stuff we can do.

Any advice is appreciated! Jared

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Reply #8
Yahoo Message Number: 135604
One of our favorite areas to play. You have gotten some great recommendations. I did not see Balboa Park - lots of museums worth a few hours on the grounds. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful grounds. Some time at Mission Bay is also recommended.
 Don't miss Coronado Island (peninsula actually). The Del Coronado Hotel is a neat walk about.  We always have brunch here at least once during our stay. Expensive, but very nice sitting on the veranda overlooking the Pacific makes it a real treat - you will think your "ship came in." The "town area" also has some interesting shops and a very nice park to wander around. Some of the Navy Seal training takes place just south of the Del Coronado beyond the Navy facilities. If you are out early, you may see trainees running on the beach. We have seen them on several occasions carrying various packs and gear Continue down to at least the Lowe's Coronado Bay Resort on the left. BTW, there is a nice looking RV park at the end of the drive down on the left side. Never stayed there but in looks like an option one of these days. There are also California state parks where we see RV's all of the time. I believe you can stay overnight in some of them.
 You can also take a ferry from one of the shopping areas along the Bay on the San Diego side to Coronado. The landing on Coronado has many restaurants. One of our favorite is the IlFirnaioResturant, (Italian) # 619-437-4911. $$$ but worth the experience. Ask for a window table, which puts you right on the Bay.
 The "Midway" carrier is also docked on the San Diego side. A floating museum.  There is also a maritime museum worth the time.

And I'll second the "Old Town" area for TexMexcuisine.

Go and enjoy.

Bob in Florida SE 5

__ From: "" 4952980@...>
 To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com
 Sent: Saturday, December 8, 2012 1:33 PM
 Subject: [LD] Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego

We really enjoyed the Trolley Tour in San Diego.  You can get on in Old Town San Diego (and other places). You can get off one car, and back on the next one later.  Really neat.
Search result:Trolley Tours, San diego https://www.google.com/search?q=trolley%20tours%2C%20san%20diego&ie=utf-8 &oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&source=hp& channel=np
 We got on and off to wander around at several stops.  The last one was an Irish Pub, it just happened to be St. Patrick's day, and the entertainment, both the pub's and that provided by the customers, was great.

Ron & Linda Clark
 Fri Dec 7, 2012 6:03 pm (PST) . Posted by: "soy_capo" soy_capo We will be heading to San Diego january/february with out 1982 22' MP and young kids leaving Salt Lake City area. we'll have about 1-2 weeks with only 3 days committed to anything.

Any must see attractions?

Recommended RV parks in San Diego area?
 We'd like to hit the zoo and sea world, so any parks in that vicinity as well. We are usually the dry camping sort of RVers so wal-marts don't scare us at all:-) The less we have to spend at RV parks the more fun stuff we can do.

Any advice is appreciated! Jared

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Reply #9
Yahoo Message Number: 135605
When my family visits the San Diego Zoo we spend an hour or two at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park. We leave our car parked at the zoo and walk to the train museum. The train museum is located left of the zoo entrance, walk past the carousel, turn right, and I think it is the first or second building on the left.

More info at sdmrm.org

Mark.

Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Reply #10
Yahoo Message Number: 135607
Quote
"We will be heading to San Diego january/february..."

Any advice is appreciated!

Jared
Hey, this would be a perfect opportunity to stop off and say hello to the Lazy Daze group who will be camped on BLM land south of Quartzsite, AZ during mid January. Roger Rickey and the bunch are always on the lookout for visitors (I-40 just east of Cal. State Line).

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!

Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Reply #11
Yahoo Message Number: 135610
Oh! And if you are going through the St. George area the state park, Snow Canyon, is a great stop. There are biking and walking trails to entertain you, wild life, etc. Several of the walking trails take you to "lava tubes" that you can walk into or climb into. Very unique. Think about $20 per night with water and electric. Dump station on grounds.

Bob SE 5

__ From: Robert Quinn ltcolbobquinn@...>
 To: "lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com" lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com>
 Sent: Saturday, December 8, 2012 6:10 PM
 Subject: Re: [LD] Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego

One of our favorite areas to play. You have gotten some great recommendations. I did not see Balboa Park - lots of museums worth a few hours on the grounds. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful grounds. Some time at Mission Bay is also recommended.
 Don't miss Coronado Island (peninsula actually). The Del Coronado Hotel is a neat walk about.  We always have brunch here at least once during our stay. Expensive, but very nice sitting on the veranda overlooking the Pacific makes it a real treat - you will think your "ship came in." The "town area" also has some interesting shops and a very nice park to wander around. Some of the Navy Seal training takes place just south of the Del Coronado beyond the Navy facilities. If you are out early, you may see trainees running on the beach. We have seen them on several occasions carrying various packs and gear Continue down to at least the Lowe's Coronado Bay Resort on the left. BTW, there is a nice looking RV park at the end of the drive down on the left side. Never stayed there but in looks like an option one of these days. There are also California state parks where we see RV's all of the time. I believe you can stay overnight in some of them.
 You can also take a ferry from one of the shopping areas along the Bay on the San Diego side to Coronado. The landing on Coronado has many restaurants. One of our favorite is the IlFirnaioResturant, (Italian) # 619-437-4911. $$$ but worth the experience. Ask for a window table, which puts you right on the Bay.
 The "Midway" carrier is also docked on the San Diego side. A floating museum.  There is also a maritime museum worth the time.

And I'll second the "Old Town" area for TexMexcuisine.

Go and enjoy.

Bob in Florida SE 5

__


Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Reply #13
Yahoo Message Number: 135616
Quote
"...that would be I-10, not I-40!  I'm sure that's what you meant to say! ;-)"

Linda Hylton
Linda
 He he, yes, that is what I meant to say. I get so used to traveling I-40 to the Balloon Fest that I'm always 'thinking' I-40. After my journey last year to Quartzsite by way of Lake Havasu I should have known better.

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!

Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Reply #14
Yahoo Message Number: 135698
In SD-->
 If you like shoes try Norstroms Rack in Mission Valley off the I-8 for discount shoes and clothes.
 I had a friend visit from Hong Kong and I took her to all the places listed here and they were "ok" but I had to drop her off somewhere for a day and that was Mission Valley shopping center where she found Norstroms Rack and she went crazy there. I think she bought about 20 pairs of shoes and she was very happy.

It is a favorite place now for visitors.
 Santee (east county) has a nice lake and camping area. Someone from the LD site stayed there last year.
Go to Point Loma lighthouse to get a good view of San Diego and the bay (not free).
 TJ is to the south if you have a passport. Never heard of anyone having a problem there. You can make a day walk out of it and get to downtown TJ on foot (if you can walk a couple of miles)
 I think the RV park on the east side of the strand is a Navy camp (I stayed there for a week years ago). Well worth trying to stay there if you qualify and has boats you can rent. The one on the right (ocean side) is a state park (always looks like a sardine camp to me - gives me the creeps just driving by).
 If you have dogs there are leash free areas on the east side and north side of Balboa Park. Some dogs beaches in the area. Pacific Beach, Del Mar, and Coronado are the ones I go to.

Don't forget the zoo (for you not the dogs).

Raining now and cold (by SD standards - 50-60 degrees)

__ From: Robert Quinn ltcolbobquinn@...>
 To: "lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com" lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com>
 Sent: Saturday, December 8, 2012 5:58 PM
 Subject: Re: [LD] Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Reply #15
Yahoo Message Number: 135700
I believe Walmart off of I-8 in the east county (east of El Cajon) allows RVs. I have seen them there.
But I do not know if they were just shopping.
 And I think it is the only one is SD county that does allow RVs. About 25 miles to the beaches.
 They are building a new Walmart on Imperial Ave near downtown so I would try and check them out

There is a yahoo group on walmart camping:
 walmartrving@yahoogroups.com

I would ask them

-

If you like Arab food and stay in the east county, drive on Main St in El Cajon. Almost all Arab (mostly Iraq Caldians) businesses. Some really good food and stores. North Park Produce (not in North Park) at Avocado and Chase in El Cajon has a good deli. I always get a beef or chicken sandwich when passing by. I think it is the best there is and a friend also thinks the same. Lots of vegs on it.
At most places if you order 4 or more skewers you get a roasted tomato, onions and cilantro.

The Arab stores are cheaper and have better quality food than the big stores.

I think your kids would like the dogs at dog beaches, lots of kids play with the dogs.

What is a 22' MP ?
 No RVs can park overnight at parks and beaches. Some people move out their RVs at night, park on the street and then come back to the beach in the daytime. Shelter Island is a favorite for this kind of camping along with Ocean Beach.

I have seen people park overnight in areas that have apartment buildings and commercial areas next to each other. No one knows if the RV belongs to a business or someone in an apartment. Park in an area between the two.

I will not be here in Jan/Feb otherwise you could park in my driveway.
 I suggest using Google Map (satellite view) and see where RVs park before getting into the beach parking lots.
I think any beach north of Ocean Beach would be hard for a RV due to roads and maybe police because the
 price of land goes up and so does people's attitude against the non rich. Mission Beach and Pacific Beach I think would be hard for a RV because of parking and roads. I would be paranoid going into La Jolla (but check the satellite) and beaches north do not have much parking. There is a beach south of Del Mar that has parking for RVs if you can find one. My point is I suggest staying near downtown SD for the beaches. If you have bikes you could ride from Shelter Island to the Midway on mostly bike paths along the airport. It is also walkable and I think kids would like it.
 Is this for a graduation, like at MCRD? If so, you have an ID card for the strand :)

__ From: rm2011ldmb rm2011ldmb@...>
 To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com
 Sent: Saturday, December 8, 2012 10:27 AM
 Subject: [LD] Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego

Quote
We will be heading to San Diego january/february with out 1982 22' MP and young kids leaving Salt Lake City area. we'll have about 1-2 weeks with only 3 days committed to anything.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: Ideas for a trip Utah to San Diego
Reply #16
Yahoo Message Number: 135710
Sorry I haven't followed this thread closely, but I happened to  notice the following in a recent comment.

Quote
TJ is to the south if you have a passport. Never heard of anyone having a problem there. You can make a day walk out of it and get to downtown TJ on foot (if you can walk a couple of miles)
I've lived in San Diego most of my life (68 of my 71 years) and I won't go to Mexico anymore.  Mexico and Tijuana are DANGEROUS places.  There have been many deaths in Tijuana (tourists as innocent bystanders were included - wrong place at the wrong time).
 For the police in Mexico the drug gangs tell them "silver or lead" (Take a bribe or a bullet).  It's a difficult situation for them and very hard to say no to silver.  For this reason Mexico often uses elite Federal troops to enforce their laws but there are too few to accomplish the task.
 One grisly incident occurred just outside of Tijuana where headless bodies were hung from a highway overpass.  Hanging bodies from an overpass in Mexico is actually a very common method of drawing attention to the deaths.  I wouldn't want to be driving down the highway and witness a scene like this.  This incident happened a couple of years ago on the way to Rosarita Bearch, but there have many recent but less spectacular deaths in Tijuana.  Most go unreported by local or national media in the US.
 During this viscous drug war in Mexico, tourists have been slaughtered along with Mexicans.  Tourists have died at dinner in nice restaurants, or just walking down the street.  I'm sure it was the furthest thing from their mind at the time.
 Go to Tijuana at your own risk where the body count for this drug war in Mexico is now over 116,000.  Many countries at war don't have body counts this high.
 Chances are probably pretty good that nothing would happen during your visit to Tijuana, but all it takes is wrong place at the wrong time.

Bob San Diego resident
 http://compamanuel.wordpress.com/2012/12/13/116-100-dead-in-mexico-drug-war/
2000 MB

Camping question
Reply #17
Yahoo Message Number: 135725
Hi
 Looking at the site below a question came to me. I looked at one campground that had both RV sites and tent sites. I was wondering if I came in with a RV and they did not have any RV sites and I had a tent would they allow me to park my RV and use a tent?

Could I pitch the tent and sleep in the RV?

__ From: Liz lzlizard@...>

Jared, Sounds like fun! Here's a nice website you could plan your route around, with free or low-cost stays: http://freecampsites.net/

Liz R.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Re: Camping question
Reply #18
Yahoo Message Number: 135726
And where will you park the RV? Campsites within campgrounds are often quite small...perhaps a call to the specific park might yield a usable answer.

TinaP 2006 MB
2006 MB

 
Re: Camping question
Reply #19
Yahoo Message Number: 135728
"if I came in with a RV and they did not have any RV sites and I had a tent would they allow me to park my RV and use a tent?"
 Whenever I've seen a campground make a distinction between RV sites and tent sites, the reason was that the tent sites were too small, too unlevel, and/or too hard to get to for an RV to use. In other words, the distinction was practical rather than arbitrary.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"