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Looks like I'll be heading there in mid January to run some training courses for my US and European based colleagues (and hopefully a Train the trainer course, although I don't mind running the courses ). I should be there for a couple of weeks, will have nights and weekends free.

Can anyone give any advice on some must sees? I am thinking the Zoo and Animal Park for starters, not sure about SeaWorld.

And being the food lover I am, if anyone has been there and has a great place to recommend please do. Any style of cooking

Cheers
Brett

Last time I've been to the sea ports and the naval bases, there is a decommissioned aircraft carrier docked there as a museum for you to see. I think it is worth it, or maybe I'm just a plane freak...

Getting on the flight deck around sunset gives you a real good view!

Being a Navy brat that would be pretty sweet!

Well this is now the first two weeks of February and cross fingers the family is coming with me and then we'll spend another two weeks gallivanting up and down the east (edit west) coast (Santa Clara, Seattle (well our labs at Redmond) for work visits) and then LA, San Fran, Las Vegas and anywhere else that takes our fancy...

So any must see's let me know...

bwhinnen wrote:Well this is not the first two weeks of February and cross fingers the family is coming with me and then we'll spend another two weeks gallivanting up and down the east coast (Santa Clara, Seattle (well our labs at Redmond) for work visits) and then LA, San Fran, Las Vegas and anywhere else that takes our fancy...

Er, Brett, They're all on the west coast ....

So any must see's let me know...

San Diego ... The Old Town is well worth a visit, and for a good feed, there's the Old Town Mexican Cafe, just across the road from Old Town.

The whole of the Balboa Park area is a must see. This includes the zoo, an aerospace museum, and whole swag of small museums plus the gardens and the Japanese gardens.

Mission Beach is good, with a wooden roller coaster

Fry's for your electronics shopping.

And a visit across the border to Mexico should be a worthwhile exercise too.

Of course, in San Diego, you're only an hour or so south of Orange County, which means Disneyland, Laguna Beach (Las Brisas for a different view of Mexican cuisine and a spectacular view over the Pacific - recommended for a sunset meal), and don't overlook the Guitar Center just off I5 halfway between LAX and Irvine if you're into musical stuff (and there's a Fry's just around the corner too. )

Thanks Gary!

And yes the west coast! I was thinking that we were skipping the east coast this trip when I was typing (we were planning Boston, NYC, Niagra and Washington DC) but decided to do that later...

By the time you get there, Brett, you may be buying more than US$1 with your trusty A$1. Half your luck! Someone today was forecasting $1.12 by February.

Should make it a bit easier with the family in tow.

For about 3 years I worked for a US technology business owned by Australians based in San Diego. We had a manufacturing plant just over the US / Mexican border. The towns name is Tecate, famous for it's beer manufacturing. We where the 2nd largest employer in Tecate. This was 10 years ago this month.

Having spent close to 15 years as a Asian road warrior I found Tecate a little like the wild west and more so than my Asian experiences. Well worth the visit and the colours and contrasts are brilliant. The other funky town is Lahoa (spelling?) on the coast that's real nice.

Love those Holiday Inns.....

Mark

Well it has changed slightly now...

Typical really

First week in Santa Clara, next 1/2 week in San Diego, rest of week in Seattle (our labs in Redmond, Microsoft). Then where ever we fancy.

I am going to try and wing it so I get to drive from Santa Clara to San Diego on the Saturday - Sunday, which should be an experience

Thanks for the tips all!

Brett,

When you come around this w/e to drop off the editors stuff, remind me to call Mark and I'll see if I can rustle up some good eating places and sights on the WEST coast.

Cheers

bwhinnen wrote:I am going to try and wing it so I get to drive from Santa Clara to San Diego on the Saturday - Sunday, which should be an experience

PCH, with the overnight in San Luis Obispo. Try to make it a two or three nighter, and then you can spend more time in the Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur area, as well as, perhaps, Santa Barbara.

This is an area where you can definitely benefit from spending a bit more time in your travels.

Sounds like you'll have a great time!

Try and visit some iconic motorsports places to make us all jelous! Should be dollar parity by then, great timing!

Raskill wrote:Try and visit some iconic motorsports places to make us all jelous!

On the west coast?

Laguna Seca is the the only place that comes close to iconic, but even that's a stretch.

Hi,
San Diego, "Americas Finest City." Ask almost anyone who lives here. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a native San Diegan, there are always infinite things to do and places to explore, the only problem is fitting them all in!

Visit the big blue Pacific or the border towns of Tijuana and Tecate. Shop. Stay in a world-class hotel. Eat in a restaurant that's unrivaled. If you are the active and adventuresome type, San Diego is for you. Probably the only place in the world where you can surf in the morning, race desert buggies in the afternoon, and snow ski in the evening!

bwhinnen wrote:I am going to try and wing it so I get to drive from Santa Clara to San Diego on the Saturday - Sunday, which should be an experience

I am planning on being in San Diego for the first two weeks of Feb too. Give me a wave as you drive (crawl) down the I-5, I'll be staying in Oceanside, just north of SD.

Socal/SD is a great place but has abysmal traffic, possibly the worst in the USA. For a cheap place to eat, try Chipotle restaurants, they are everywhere in Socal, cheap but good.

Ozi.

Um.... this thread dates from October/November 2007 and relates to a trip Brett was planning in early 2008. I assume he's been and come home already.

Andrew, by George you're right. Oh well, in case anyone else is travelling to SD in the next few months, you never know....

I still prefer Bakersfield as the place to visit in the USA, or maybe San Bernadino...