An afternoon in San Diego

I will be speaking at a conference in San Diego in April. I will be arriving at noon on Sunday, and the conference doesn't start until Monday afternoon. I will also have about 4 hours to kill after the conference is over before I have to catch my plane on Wednesday. Can anyone give suggestions for something to do in the afternoon? I have cousins in the area who have offered to take me around, but I'd have to decide where to go. I've been to the Bazaar Del Mundo and the Seaport areas before and enjoyed those. I'd like to try to eat at an In N Out Burger, strange as that sounds. I've heard that the Zoo is impressive but not sure if it is worth the $42 admission.

My husband's family is from San Diego. The zoo is 100% worth $42 admission if you have the time to spend there. You really need to spend at least half a day to make it worth it. Your family in the area may have memberships, which usually come with free guest passes. Also great to check out is La Jolla - wander around really nice shops, see the coves, and eat while looking at the water. Petco Park is right downtown and is great, so a baseball game is always fun. You can also rent a small boat from the marina near Seaport Village and just drive around under the bridge, etc. which is amazing on a sunny day. Balboa Park, in general, has a lot of things to see and do - museums, an artist village, etc. - it isn't just the zoo. You could definitely spend some time there.

If you have an annual pass for Zoo near your home, check for reduced or free admission to other zoos. Many belong to this network.

I 100% disagree that the zoo is worth $42. It would be worth it if it were free. That zoo is insanely overrated. I did not enjoy my visit there at all. Perhaps I am not a zoo person, but seeing the small enclosures and the animals looking all pitiful was depressing, at best. I also hated the layout and terrain there. It was very confusing, convoluted, and just poorly organized.

Balboa Park, though, is very nice, and there are other things to see/do there.

If you only have 4 hours to spend, I'd plan to go to the Gaslamp district for a nice lunch/dinner. There are some amazing bars and restaurants in that area.

Another option would be driving over to Coronado. Talk about a gorgeous place! Go visit the Hotel Del Coronado, have a fancy lunch, and walk on the beach.

And, yeah, In-N-Out burger is totally worth seeking out. While you're there, have a Double Double with well done fries for me! :D

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Originally Posted by BrerGnat

I 100% disagree that the zoo is worth $42. It would be worth it if it were free. That zoo is insanely overrated. I did not enjoy my visit there at all. Perhaps I am not a zoo person, but seeing the small enclosures and the animals looking all pitiful was depressing, at best. I also hated the layout and terrain there. It was very confusing, convoluted, and just poorly organized.

Another option would be driving over to Coronado. Talk about a gorgeous place! Go visit the Hotel Del Coronado, have a fancy lunch, and walk on the beach.

And, yeah, In-N-Out burger is totally worth seeking out. While you're there, have a Double Double with well done fries for me! :D

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I fully agree with you on all of these points. I would skip the zoo and head to Coronado. It is so so so so beautiful!