Instead of going to the zoo, you should definitely go to the Wild Animal Park. It’s better than the Zoo, because the animals can actually move. The Zoo is just cages. Sure, there are pandas, but you never get to see them. At the Wild Animal Park, there’s this great new lion exhibit, where you can get this close to lions. If you could see how close my hands are together, you’d be pretty impressed. The Park After Dark is marvelous, due to the rampant heat. The Wild Animal Park is actually in Escondido, which is directly to the north of San Diego. Eric Clapton has a CD called The Road to Escondido. This city is the Escondido he mentions. He stayed there for a while last summer, I think. He went to Crusin’ Grand (an event on Friday nights on Grand Avenue in downtown Escondido, with 50s cars and music and whatnot.) His appearance made the front page of the Local Section of the North County Times.

If you want historical type of stuff, you can always check out the mission, but I find it to be somewhat overrated.

San Diego has a great downtown area. It was pretty seedy until they redeveloped the area in 2004. I recommend going there.

Balboa Park has a lovely museum area. I enjoy going there. They have different museums that are free on Tuesdays.

I notice you’re from New Jersey. When I went there, I couldn’t find very good Mexican food. I love Pokez, which is near Petco Park. I recommend Joey’s Special, (grilled chicken strips in tomatillo sauce and melted cheese). It’s not expensive, it’s huge, and it’s delicious.

Check out Hotel Del Coronado. It’s gorgeous. I love going there in December, when there aren’t so many tourists, and walking on the beach near there. Also, Some Like It Hot was filmed there.

You can see the Torrey Pines. San Diego is the only place they grow in the world. They’re right next to the Beach, and they’re really cool looking. Like big bonsai trees.

I wouldn’t recommend Seaworld or Legoland. They never really interested me. Seaworld is better than Legoland, so if you must choose.

If you get the chance, go out on San Diego Bay at nighttime. It’s so beautiful. I’ve only ever done it a few times, and I’ve lived here my entire life. But I think you need to know someone with a boat. They probably do have some sort of ferry service, but I’ve never used it.

I love the Star Of India. In fifth grade, my class went on a field trip there. We spent the night on it, and pretended to be pirates. It’s not a pirate ship, but everything relates to pirates when you’re ten. It’s right next to the USS Midway. Wikipedia tells me that she is the only remaining aircraft carrier of the World War II era that is not an Essex-class ship. My grandpa served on that ship. It’s not really relevant, but I find it interesting. It’s also near some kind of weird tree sculptures, some war memorials, a giant recreation of the picture of the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square in statue form, and some trees that are pretty fun to climb.

I love La Jolla. Go sea kayaking. Explore the caves. Look at the leopard sharks swimming a few feet underneath you.

This was longer than I expected. I get excited about my city.

Yountville, isn’t that where Domaine Chandon has a winery? Yum!

You should at least check out the gaslamp quarter and stop in Old Town for a meal.

If you like ships, I’d recommend swinging by the Maritime museum on Harbor Dr. You should be able to see some nice tall ships like the Star of India, some steam ships, a russian sub, and an aircraft carrier.

To satisfy the inner child in you, you could try to hit Legoland or maybe SeaWorld or the Zoo to catch the newest panda cub at the research station.

You could also check out the Hotel Del Coronado… awful expensive to stay there but it is a national landmark and pretty cool to walk through the lobby. Balboa park is nice for a stroll too.

If you like history and you’ve never visited a California mission, then you sould check out the San Diego de Acala mission.

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head for San Diego. It a very nice city, I hope you enjoy your trip!