You're welcome to come to my house. We're in Oceanside, CA. About an hour north of San Diego. I'm not sure if they have hippos at the zoo but I have a certain pair of stretch pants that if I put them on and turn in a specific direction you'd never know the difference!

Showing my husband all the video and pictures you post of Coco has him ALMOST convinced that we should get another dog, so please keep posting them :) Also, I'm jealous that you get to go to a warm place that easily, I'm stuck in the Northeast which pretty much requires a plane ride or a REALLY long drive to get anywhere warm.

It's been quite a few years since I was at the San Diego Zoo but I do think I remember seeing hippos there, so enjoy!

Er, just make sure you keep everybody well away from the tiger exhibit, eh?

Can you swing by Iowa and throw my kids in your backseat too?

Please.

Hehe, I love the way they're both kinda giving you sideways glances like 'are you gonna do something here? help me out!'

I have to stop and think before I watch your videos any more... my chocolate lab went APE downstairs while listening to Chuck. She's certain that we are hiding dogs and bacon upstairs, where she's too scared to go.....

Last night she taught us a lesson and got down a whole bottle of bacon salt (best stuff EVAH!) and ate it.

I can attest to the presence of hippos at the San Diego Zoo.

Oh, I'm so excited you are coming to San Diego! You will LOVE it here! The weather right now is perfection. I hear there might be a storm coming in on Monday, so hopefully the weather people are wrong. For some reason, they usually are!
The zoo has really cute pygmy hippos. They swim right up the glass and turn and do flips in the water. So cute! I could sit and look at them for hours (as long as they aren't sleeping!)
The Wild Animal Park is really fun too! You ride on a train and see animals in natural habitats. They also let you feed giraffes.
I always think it's nice to bring visitors to the Hotel Del Coronado and walk around there. The beach is really nice there too. I also like to take people to La Jolla Cove to walk around by the ocean.
You can't beat Hillcrest for good restaurants!
Welcome to our wonderful city from a former resident of Bartlett, TN!

In Ocean Beach:
Eat breakfast on the pier at the pancake stand
Rocking El Gigante Burritos at Rodeo (a stand)
Great mexican at Ranchos
Great coffee at Java Jungle (it's a nursery too)
Great burgers at Ho-Dads
Great live music at Winstons

In town:
Balboa Park museums/park
Old Town

Out of town:
Go to the Wild Animal Park and/or Zoo. Both are gorgeous

San Diego is a great place to visit with kids!

Legoland. The Zoo - which has hippos. Sea World. Old Town. And Balboa Park - one of my favorite places to go when I was a kid. It's an awesome park with 15 museums, a carousel, miniature railroad, street performers...

Have fun!

Balboa Park, must go see this, and bring your cameras. I promise, you won't be disappointed! As far as beaches, you absolutely have to cross the bridge and go to the beach just next to the Hotel Del Coronado. You will probably need to bring an extra 4GB memory card just for the damn hotel shots you're going to take. Oh and if you're looking for fun at night, and you can get out? Gaslamp. Look it up and trust me on this. Gaslamp District.

You can always go to La Jolla too. Such a fun little town, and Leta can check out the baby sea lions!!! The hippo you so love? Forget her. Baby sea lions!!! are the bomb diggity.

Damn good drunken burritos at Cotijas. If you like that sort of thing. Which I'm hoping you do.

Balboa Park kicks ass. Here is their calendar:
http://www.balboapark.org/calendar/

Confirm hippos at the zoo. Check out the wild animal park, too. No hippos, but still cool. http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wap/index.html
Might be more Leta-friendly, as you're a bit more removed from the animals.

Check out George's at the Cove for eating time:
http://www.georgesatthecove.com/
My wife and I go every time we're in SD. The Terrace has a fantastic view of the La Jolla beach, especially near sunset (they've got those fancy outdoor heaters).

Oh, the zoo has hippos, and they're wonderful. That whole frickin' zoo is wonderful. So wonderful, that you should probably give yourselves a good three hours afterwards to take naps, because that zoo's Awesomeness will just wear your shit right out.

As a fellow hippo-lover, I can say with complete certainty that there are hippos at the San Diego Zoo.

Great places to eat that I would consider moving back to San Diego for:
- The Linkery in North Park
- Sushi Deli 1 in Hillcrest
- Soltan Banoo in University Park
- Mariposa Ice Cream in Normal Heights

Have fun!

this is an awesome website to help you find your way around a new city.

www.yelp.com

We stayed in some awesome cottages in La Jolla called "Redwood Hollow". Close to the beach, very private, reasonable price--and they allow pets with notice. Private kitchen ($$ saver and a way to not have to rush the morning).

I love La Jolla. Everything we ate and everywhere we went was wonderful.

Soak up extra sun for the rest of us!

I hope I don't offend anyone, but I was not at all impressed with the San Diego Zoo. We went there 2 years ago and it was dirty, and all the animals were asleep. We loved La Jolla, there is a resturant called Georges' that overlooks the ocean and has GREAT fish taco's. There is Sea World which the kids always love, and Lego Land (I've never been). Most of it was pretty touristy, head NORTH and hit the beachy towns.

I am in MN and frezing my A## off, so wish you'd bring me with too!

You should stop by Croce's. It's a good meal and a better time.

Also, check out the photography museum. There are about five million museums all gathered into one central location in San Diego and right across from the natural history museum is the photography museum. It's pretty cool.

They do have hippos at the zoo, too. Yay for hippos!

Places to eat: Buon Appetito in Little Italy for homemeade pasta. Khyber Pass in Hillcrest has really good Afghani food; Bronx Pizza in Hillcrest has phenomenal pizza. If you're up for a little pricier dining experience, Dobson's near Horton Plaza is delicious. If you get a night for just the two of you, South Beach in Ocean Beach (AKA O.B.) has the best Fish Tacos in SD and a lot of good beers on tap.

To Do: the Zoo of course, and maybe the Wild Animal Park in Escondido (although that might be too much walking for Leta). A ferry trip to Coronado Island is a nice ride on the bay. I dunno if Leta's into Legos, but if she is, Legoland would probably be right up her alley - though if Jon's a *true* geek, he may dig it more than she does. Browsing the shops on Pacific Highway in Del Mar is also great fun. You might want to wait on taking Leta to the track, though; she has years to get into betting on the ponies.

The County Building on Pacific Highway downtown is also worth a visit for you, Heather. It's got great '30s era architecture and might very well be a good place to take some cool photos.

Enjoy! I'm gonna say hi if I see you kickin' around town. :)

The best part of watching the video of Coco and Chuck was watching my dogs perk up and listen to your dogs fighting - they kept turning their heads and trying to figure out where the dogs were hiding in my laptop.

I've been to the zoo twice and I can say with certainty that Yes! the zoo has hippos. And Tigers. And once, I saw a monkey with one arm and one leg...no lie. He was trying to climb a ladder too... very sad.

La jolla is also awesome. Theres a park with a small playground, as well as large rock formations and a cove near the ocean that is really pretty. There's also a mexican bar thats a resautrant during the day that was pretty good.

One thing about the zoo though, it's really big! So be prepared to walk about a million miles. But theres a gondola ride that goes from one end of the zoo to the other which I would recomend, it was neat to see an aerial view of the exibits.

P.S. See the pandas too!

You must eat at The Eggery. Make sure to get something that involves their potatoes and hollandaise sauce.

Yes, drive up to La Jolla, it is such a beautiful beach, with lots of wind carved sandstone cliffs, and there is a little cove where all the harbor seals beach themselves and just hang out. It is unreal, and a must-see (though they might look at Leta). http://www.lajollaseals.com/

They do have hippos! Very very cute hippos.
Then, if Mexican food is your thing, Old Town Mexican Cafe is MUST (best damn food ever!) As is The Cosmopolitan in Old Town. There is another Mexican joint called the Rockin' Baja Lobster and it has an amazing salsa bar! There is this great little double decker red bus deal, that for $25pp takes you all over San Diego, and you can get on and off as much as you like for like 3-4 DAYS... its a great way to see the entire city, then plan your attack on the city! You can pick that up in Old Town, and they have stops all over San Diego... all the major attractions anyway, and you can use it to go from site to site sans car! You MUST go to Balboa Park on Sunday (not Monday's because its rather dead and boring on Mondays) because they have all sorts of concerts and food and stuff... its an amazingly great place! Then Seaport Village has not only great shopping, right on the water, but great food as well! I have eaten at an awesome restaurant on Catalina, the name escapes me now (it wasn't the Coronado, but that is great eating as well), but it was right on the water, and the food was to DIE FOR! It was very posh! I hope you have fun! San Diego is my favorite place on earth. I want my ashes sprinkled there. Is that morbid?

Hey Heather!
Yay - come to San Diego!! Try the dog beach in Coronado or Del Mar, but avoid the dog beach at Ocean Beach - it's not usually very clean and can have a rough crowd. There are dog parks galore - Nates Point at Balboa Park, a fenced park at the end of the 8 freeway near Sunset Cliffs, and there are several more inland if you want head to east county area.

I am a local dog trainer, and would be happy to assist you with any doggie activities, or referrals to any dog thing you may need. www.kinderpaws.com - if you need anything at all.

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Perhaps you'd like to have a celebrity tour! I drove through Salt Lake over the holidays and couldn't help wondering if it would be creepy if we wanted to say Hi! I decided it would be, like the whole Mystery thing "HI, I'm your #1 fan!"

Anyway, welcome, enjoy the sun, and know you have doggie friends here if you need them!!

The science museum (ostensibly for children)!!! I believe it's in Balboa park...

It's possible that my to-be-erstwhile husband and I had more fun than any kid there...

I have to admit that we also went to Sea World (for nostalgia's sake (I'd been as a kid) and the penguins are to die for and the Leta might be entertained by the shows.

Stop in Santa Barbara while you're at it. You will not be Disappointed!

Come to Phoenix instead! Okay, we are missing the oceans...but you've got ME!

There are a few of these throughout San Diego and they have a delicious breakfast (went to SD in May for 5 days and we ate there THREE of the 5 days!.....although I don't think they have poptarts ;-)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-mission-san-diego-2

I just watched this on my laptop, and as soon as Chuck started barking, my dog got up and dashed over to the door, hackles up, to see what evil dog was outside. Past me, past the computer, past the speakers. It didn't even register to him that he'd walked right by the source of the sound.

I think I'll watch it again and again and again.

Playing with dogs is fun!

We were just in San Diego for a week back at the end of August. I posted several entries on my blog about our trip including restaurants where we ate and side trips (Temecula is awesome and I highly recommend going). We also visited the zoo where they do have hippos and there was even a baby. I'm so jealous, sounds like a fun trip! Safe travels.

You should visit the discovery science center in Santa Ana!

You must definitely eat at the Old Town Tortilla Factory in the Old Town/Gas Lamp area. It is an extremely authentic Mexican restaurant...and they have the ladies in the front window hand making the tortillas. It's famous!

As a former San Diego resident who's now back in Nashville, I can say I miss two things (excluding family) so much it makes me wish I never left. Sadly, both are food. 1.) Go to any hole in the wall taco place ending in -ertos. Robertos, Gilbertos, Albertos, Adalbertos, etc. will do. Order a carne asada burrito. You'll be surprised by the size and cheap price, and they probably won't give you the correct change back. Yes, they're run down looking, but don't be skeert. 2.) Hit a Rubios and get fish tacos.

Last trip we took to San Diego, my then-two year old who is now four wanted to go over the Coronado bay bridge a few times a day. Coronado's a nice enough beach, so it's not a bad idea to try it. I don't recommend hanging around various malls with all your remaining free time, which is pretty much all we did for the time that wasn't allocated to eating carne asada burritos, fish tacos, and driving across a big bridge.

Love your blog. Been reading for years now, but this is my first comment.

BTW, my daughter says "crowns" instead of "crayons". If you hadn't mentioned it once, I would have no idea what she's saying. Um, thanks?

I went to Sea World for the first time a few years ago, and it was FANTASTIC. Shamu and the otters were just awesome. I felt like a kid again, scampering around and seeing all the animals. Much better than an aquarium.

You should go to the Wild Animal Park and Sea World too. The Wild Animal Park is almost like being in Afica - everything is spread out. At least that's how I remember it - course it's been 10+ years. Sea World is really commercial, but I really think it's a great place for landlocked kids (young and old) to see some awesome creatures. I find your site very entertaining - thank you for sharing.

The San Diego Zoo is magnificent. Wonderful animal exhibits (including hippos ginormous and pygmy), and the landscaping is just beautiful. Leta would probably freak out at this, but on certain days for a few bucks you can feed the giraffes - my nieces and nephews thought that was almost as good as seeing monkey butts. Just down the street from the zoo is a park with a great jungle gym area for kids. It's a good place to break up your zoo visit if Leta needs to run around for awhile. You can get a hand stamp for zoo reentry.

The zoo is in Balboa Park, which others have mentioned. BP has some lovely gardens, including a Japanese Garden. The Old Globe Theater is a fun place to see a play, but probably not the best option for kids unless they have a kids production going on right now.

If you do go to Balboa Park, then very nearby is Extraordinary Desserts, which you don't want to miss. Their creations are both lovely and delicious.

I liked the Wild Animal Park even better than the zoo. But I'm not sure they have hippos. They do have giraffes you can feed though. I bet Leta would just love to have a long giraffe tongue take food from her hand. :-)

I second the vote for fish tacos at Rubio's.

Best Pizza EVER: Sicilian Thing
(sometimes we drive to SD from the OC just for the pizza)
Groovy Coffeehouse: Clair de Lune

Have Fun!

I always go to Miguel's on Coronado when we got to SD: www.brigantine.com/miguels/

also Top of the Market (that's a fancy romantic dinner night out): www.thefishmarket.com

And my favorite margarita place in the Gaslamp District is La Fiesta on 5th Avenue.

The last one is a touristy, but I suppose most of downtown SD is anyways. I wrote a bit about SD here: limesaregreatfruits.blogspot.com/2006/08/i-wish-they-all-could-be-california.html

You must eat Filippi's Pizza Grotto. The antipasta is to die for and awesome pizza. They have several locations, but the best one is the original restaurant at 1747 India Street in Little Italy.

Enjoy!

@Terri: You must live right around the corner from me! I'm closer to the Mission Ave exit. Maybe Dooce needs to make a stop to see her fans in Oceanside!

San Diego has great hippos. They had a baby when I was there last.

Have a great time!

I'll add a vote for Balboa Park- it's lovely, has dog-friendly bits, has a photography museum, puppet theater, and when you get tired, the youth symphony holds open rehearsals on Saturdays.

The gift shop at SADI museum is dangerous. I rarely make it out of there without a pretty bowl or a new pair of earrings. Some may find the Spanish Village Art Center a little hokey, but for me, it's like etsy-in-person, having a bunch of artists working and selling in the same space. I remember being obsessed with the glassblowing demos as a kid.

I worry that some of the things I'm thinking of are summer features of the park, you'd have to google the site.

I second what Amanda says. Go to the Coronado Del Mar hotel on Coronado island. It is totally worth go over there for brunch. The brunch is great and the views are spectacular from the hotel.

LEGOLAND, for sure. And you get priority parking if you drive a Volvo.

there is a special show on tv sunday night on the national geographic channel on hippos! i saw a blurb on it during the today show...

While in SD

Wild animal park over the zoo
Balboa park for sure!

I can hear the "i don't want to do this, kid, but get the hell away from here" in chuck's voice.

one more!
Extraordinary Desserts

also in the Balboa Park/Hillcrest/Downtown region.

http://www.extraordinarydesserts.com/

enough said.

They do have hippos! My "homepage" link goes to my Picasa album with a picture of them from Thanksgiving.

Balboa Park in general very fun with lots of activities and the zoo all right there. I also like Sea World.

Also old town has good Mexican food. Those are my recommendations.

My dog was licking my speakers as I was watching this...does that mean he can *hear* how tasty that bone is? ;-)

Just make sure Coco is 'car broke'. It could be a messy trip if she is not.

Today I held one of these lovely australian shephard puppies in my arms. I almost took him home, but reminded myself STERNLY that I already have four dogs, eight cats and two dogs.

It barely stopped me.

Okay, here's the deal:

Don't miss the zoo. Hippos, v. cool though none available for adoption at the moment. Also, while you're there, take Leta on Skyfari and maybe check out the petting zoo.

Balboa Park train museum has a great exhibit of toy trains and apparently, a lego exhibit right now as well.

SKIP SEAWORLD. Human ride on the backs of whales to rock music. N'uff said.

Go to Coronado. You can have a drink at the Hotel Del and feel like you've stepped back in time. Also, a fantastic dog beach there and a lovely little restaurant called Tartine. Great lunches. You could also eat at Peohe's right on the water and look back over the city.

For breakfast, The Mission (three locations, downtown, North Park and Mission Beach) or Brockton Villa (La Jolla)

For kid friendly dining, The Corvette Diner in Hillcrest. For AWESOME Mexican food, Mama Testas in Hillcrest (1417 University, http://www.mamatestataqueria.com/).

NOW, for you and Jon (since I'm offering JUST THIS ONCE to watch Leta and the dogs for you while you go exploring...ask LeahPeah for references.)

*Starlite on India Street (http://www.starlitesandiego.com/, you'll LOVE the decor and arcitecture)

*Café Chloe (http://www.cafechloe.com/, on 9th and G Street downtown. Mos def have the pommes frites.)

*The Guild, 1805 Newton in the East Village downtown

*Exrtaordinary Desserts (two locations, downtown on Union and in Hillcrest on 5th Avenue---the design freak in you will love the DT location)

*The C-Level Lounge (c-level lounge, near the airport, north of down town; sit out on the patio for a view of downtown and Coronado)

Vagabond in South Park (http://www.vagabondkitchen.com/serving/up/flash/, after, you can hear music and drink beer at the Whistle Stop down the street)

What?!? You're not going to be here for a month??? Okay, I'll stop. Have a great trip. I'll cross my fingers for no rain.

"Go to any hole in the wall taco place ending in -ertos. Robertos, Gilbertos, Albertos, Adalbertos, etc. will do. Order a carne asada burrito."

As a San Diego resident, I believe this is the best advice ANYONE has given you. Seriously, if you miss out on the hole in the wall carne asada, you should leave San Diego feeling ASHAMED of yourself.

I have a 3 year old, and she LOVES Legoland, Sea World, the Zoo, Balboa Park, all the standards. You can't go wrong checking any of them out. You've gotten a lot of recommendations for food in La Jolla, but one of the best KID FRIENDLY fancy restaurants with a VIEW is Jane's Del Mar. :) YUMMY!

Oh, and if you DO go to Hotel Del, don't forget about the Haunted Room. :)

i used to be a zoological member when i lived in san diego.. i'd skip the zoo and go to the wild animal park.

They do indeed have hippos at the SD Zoo, as other people have said. When I first visited here (before moving out for grad school), there was a baby hippo too. Her and mama were hanging out in the water (there's a clear wall that allows you to see the underwater view), when mama decided to take a big dump. True story. So you can definitely see hippos, but beware of the hippo poo.

The Linkery in North Park (east of Balboa Park, on 30th and Upas) is a good place to eat if you like sausage. If you like Italian, Alexander's is across the street. Unfortunately my knowledge of kid-friendly hangouts is lacking, but if you're able to get out for a night on your own, Hamilton's has a great beer selection, the Whistlestop is a great bar, and the Casbah can't be beat for live music.

As far as beaches go, Coronado is my personal favorite, because it's usually less crowded and the water is pretty calm. Ocean beach probably has the best dog beach, though. And Balboa Park is amazing - great just to walk around/hang out/have a picnic, or explore the many museums.

Ho-Dad's and Hash House are great places to eat. The Mission Cafe is also excellent for breakfast. If it's pizza you want, try Bronx Pizza in Hillcrest or Lefty's (for Chicago-style) in North Park.

We are actually *leaving* San Diego tomorrow to head up to Mammoth and go to the snow for a few days. Crazy, I know.

Lots of great ideas have been posted here (I actually sent this link to my husband, because I am going to try some of these restaurant suggestions) but I would also throw in the Corvette Diner in Hillcrest. It is a great place to take kids. They have 50's music, the staff all sing, and the waitress are rude (on purpose) and throw straws at you. The kids can be loud and it won't bother anyone.

Hope you have a great trip!

El Rinconcito http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:offi...
it's a ways out, but, you will be the only white people there, there is a live mexican band, and you can order a bucket full of delicious seafood cooked in amazing sauce and a bucket of coronas with fresh lime.

Corvette Diner! Fun 50's style diner, great food, fun times!

3946 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 542-1001

www.cohnrestaurants.com

Oh, I almost forgot--be sure to stop at Seaport Village. It is very quaint, has lots of little shops, good food, etc.

And I don't know if you have a GPS or are into geocaching, but if you're interested, there is some great geocaching around the area and it takes you to places you wouldn't normally see (although sometimes it can be a hike).

Also, Mount Soledad (I think) at night overlooks the city, is beautiful, and is said to be a very spiritual place.

--Elizabeth

I'm not going to San Diego, but I'm saving all these comments for when I do...it's like an insider's travel guide.

Heather, each month you should pick another city and ask your readers for recommendations.

Have a great time in SD. I have family in SLC and they are freezing their asses off with those 12 degree temps. It makes these 40 degree days in NYC seem balmy.

I've not read through all of the comments, but what about this place

http://www.legoland.com/california.htm

Love the video. I actually miss that little high pitched puppy bark. Good for Chuck for standing his ground.

Have fun in SD. I would give anything to get out of the dreary Seattle weather. I'd be thrilled for either sun or snow--just something besides this gray.

Look at Mylie's reaction!
http://karensugarpants.com/2008/01/18/dog-social-networking/

Went to SDSU, love SD!!

The Zoo is the best in the world. THE BEST.

Gaslamp = cheesy. Croce's really cheesy. Cheesy tolerance is all about your mood!

Little Italy = adorable, great shops and a v. cool furniture store totally your style. and I used to work with the owner in Hollywoodland:
http://www.mixturehome.com/about_facts.php

North Park = also v. cute, yummy restaurants etc.

South Mish = Beach radness, The Mission for breakfast, total SD

Pacific Beach, La Jolla = love it all

Yeah, yeah, it's commercial and it's hokey, but LegoLand really is lots of fun and Leta is the perfect age to really enjoy it. You'll LOVE the zoo - it's the best one in the country, imho.

Have a great trip!

Southern California has missed you. She told me.
The Gaslamp District is great for wandering and eating. I've been in several different areas of San Diego and loved them all, so you're bound to have fun. I hope you all love it!

SPREAD

Even if you don't eat at this restaurant, stop by & get some of the most delicious (don't call it peanut butter) peanut SPREAD you've ever put in your mouth. EVER. I actually haven't even eaten at the restaurant, but if it's 1/10th as good as the peanut spread, it will be heavenly. I can highly recommend the butterscotch, the dark chocolate cherry, and the mocha almond.

My ex boyfriend lived in San Diego while I lived in Seattle & I made him send me batches regularly.

I just took my two year old to the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla and she loved it. They have a tidepool area outside that overlooks La Jolla Cove that is beautiful. Plus, the kids can handle starfish, fake lobsters and the like. You could couple that with George's and a trip to check out La Jolla Cove. It shouldn't be missed. In and Out Burger! Rubios! (You've got to try fish tacos no matter how gross you think they sound. Trust all of us on this one.) I'd vote for the Wild Animal Park over the Zoo - they have a kids water play area if it's warm enough. Skip Ocean Beach - it's a little sketch. Definitely the dog beach in Del Mar. I am sure Leta would love, love, love Legoland. If you want to go shopping, they've got beautiful outlets in Carlsbad that you can bring dogs to since it is an outdoor mall. They even have poopy bags for your convenience. The outlets could be coupled with the dog beach, which is maybe 10 minutes away on the 5. Julian is a beautiful, old rustic mining town that is a little over an hour away. The fire got very close, so hopefully it doesn't resemble a hellscape now. That is something you might want to find out before investing the time/drive. You've got to get apple pie and ice cream there. Good stuff, and there are lots of little places to walk the dogs on the way there (although you might have to get the food to go once there). Have fun! It's a great city...

You WANT - no you possibly NEED to go here for dinner when you're in San Diego. They're north of the city, but the food is excellent, the beer is excellent and it's just an amazing place to eat.

http://www.stonebrew.com

I live in San Diego and go to all the dog beaches. the best dog beach is on Coronado Island. Visit The Hotel Del Coronado (big white old thing of a Hotel that was the backdrop for SOME LIKE IT HOT with Marilyn Monroe) ...and down the beach from the hotel is the doggie beach. If you like, email me when you are in town and I'll meet you there with my pup. that would be a blast to have a doggie party!

other good dog beaches are: OB dog beach and Del Mar dog beach though you have to pay for parking and I got a ticket last time I was there.

The BEST fish tacos in San Diego are located at EL CUERVO on Washington and 1st Avenue, in Hillcrest (which is close to balboa park and the zoo). the BEST. Also order a chicken abodabo taco with guac. rocks your mouth like no other taco!

Best Thai - THAI AMARIN in hillcrest again, and all near the zoo and balboa park.
http://thaicuisine.com/r/3183.html

good luck, and have a blast! we are having some very decent weather.

I'd steer clear of Extraordinary Desserts. Yes, looks fabulous but was waiting in line to use the restroom and saw a huge critter moseying around in the storeroom, not a hippo nor a dog but had a long skinny tail. I realize that all places have critters but in the daylight?

Hippos at the San Diego Zoo: don't get too close. That's where the cute little babies were rubbing their behinds against the wall, spraying everyone with urine.

Have a great time.

You know what this video totally reminds me of?

This story. Dog: STARVING!

(I haven't ever been able to stop quoting this story. It's amazing.)

Dang it, I forgot a few eateries. Blue Water Grill on India st. in Mission Hills has great fresh fish. I second the recommendation of Miguel's, though I would recommend to steer clear of Rubio's and look for non-chain restaurants to get your fish tacos at. Like Blue Water.

Please eat the FRENCH TOAST at Mission Cafe...right in Mission Beach. Please do this for me! I lived in san diego for nearly 4 years and couldn't get enough of that stuff. Now I am in San Francisco and I am cold.

Also, I added your entry today about Gold's Gym to my long laundry list of reasons I no longer consider myself Mormon...

So, I'm watching the video and my beagle puppy starts running around like a crazed maniac wondering where I'm hiding your crying puppy. Thanks for the laugh.

Extraordinary Desserts, 2929 Fifth Avenue, SD. It's right next to Balboa Park, and down the street from Hillcrest. Has the most amazing things you will ever put in your mouth. Hillcrest is a fabulous little place all on it's own. It's the West Hollywood of San Diego and if you walk down Fifth you will find a handful of used bookstores and thrift stores (as well as one fabulous soap store called...dammit. I forget). At the back of one of the books stores (it's the biggest one on the same side of the street as WaMu) is what I call "Deathrow of Books". It's this sad little back room (a hall, really) where they put all the books that no one wants. Everything in there is 50 cents. Save them! Save them for me, Heather!

How cool to learn that so many San Diegans read Dooce! I'm adding some places that haven't been mentioned yet to the long list of excellent recommendations you've already received.

Ponce's Mexican restaurant in Kensington, right off the 15 at Adams Ave (http://www.poncesrestaurant.com/)

the Big Kitchen in South Park, owned and operated by Judy the Beauty on Duty (http://www.bigkitchencafe.com/)

Las Olas in Cardiff, can't beat their margaritas (http://www.lasolasmex.com/)

Also, if you want to hear some original local music, check out Citizen Band (www.citizenband.us) at Dublin Square Irish Pub (http://www.dublinsquareirishpub.com/) in the Gaslamp on Thursday night at 9 pm.

One last thing, please pick up my sister on the way down. She lives in West Valley. thanks :)

You'd probably enjoy OB. There are great places to eat and quite a few antique/consignment stores where you should be able to pick up a new trinket or two.

Leta will go bonkers for Legoland, for sure, and it's not half-bad for grownups, either.

As for Balboa Park, the Reuben H. Fleet science center is interesting, but probably not so much for a 3-year-old; the fountain in front of the building is cheaper and far more interesting to kids.

Between Balboa Park and the zoo is a little-walked path. Near the zoo end is a verrry old carousel (one of the last with the brass rings) and a mini-train. Toward the park end is Spanish Village; it's a collection of artist's cottages and you can find some wonderful art and handcrafted stuff there.

A bit of zoo trivia (which may be out of date): as of a few years ago, the value of the zoo's botanical holdings was greater than the value of the animals.

If you do go up to Encinitas on the coast, stop in at Lou's records, then Ducky Waddle's Emporium next door for kitsch and art stuff.

There is absolutely nothing on Earth that is better than San Diego taco shop food. You MUST have some carne asada or machaca; Leta can get a quesadilla that's bigger than her head, and maybe she'll stuff the leftovers in her backpack for you (or probably Coco) to find later.

Valentine's (corner of 9th and Market, downtown) makes *uniquely* fantastic burritos. They do things with their potatoes that are out of this world (especially noticeable in the breakfast burritos!).

The Zoo definitely has hippos!!!!

If you're looking for a fun place to walk along the beach, Del Mar and La Jolla are fun - and good for people watching too (by people watching, I mean making fun of superficial california people).
For fresh, creative sushi, there's Japengo in La Jolla.
There are some fantastic restaurants in the Gaslamp district...
Coronado is a nice walk-around type of place. The park at the end of Point Loma has gorgeous views on San Diego bay and the Pacific Ocean - thought it might be a tad early for whale watching.
Balboa Park is a great place, as it has a bunch of different museums (art, hands-on science, natural history, railroad), gorgeous gardens, and trolley rides.

I love reading your blog everyday at work, it keeps me sane. I live in San Diego about 15 minutes from San Diego Zoo near SDSU. We have two pups as well, Nala and Otis. The zoo does have hippos, so hopefully they will be out. A year ago, there was a baby and it was so cute I about crapped my pants. Be prepared for lots of walking and the gondola is worth the trip up the big hill. Del Mar dog beach is the nicest, but Ocean Beach is closer for us and it's a lot bigger, plus there is a river there that feeds into it so it's a bit calmer in that part, plus the parking is free and since it's winter, it shouldn't be bad. There are quite a few good ethnic restaurants around town, but they can be a bit hidden. Shoot me an email about what you like and I can suggest stuff depending on what you are in the mood for. Now, I know it's not a beach, but the Dog park in Balboa Park is my favorite, just because it's close and we don't have to deal with sand, also Otis our new dog considers water Satan.

Just cruising walking around Balboa Park should be pretty fun, plus lots of places to take some cool pics. Leta would also like the Ruben Fleet Science Center, tons of hands on stuff for the kiddies.

If you would like to hang out, meet at the dog park, that would be great, shoot me an email and I'll give you my number. It's probably odd to have your readers know so much about you and you know nothing about them, but I have a feeling like we have lots in common. It will be a big crazy animal, crazy husband, running around child, good time.

Yelp.com also has good recommendations from reviewers on some of the better restaurants.

Have Fun!

Jenna (& Charlie & their 4 children) of Amazing Trips live in San Diego.

http://amazingtrips.blogspot.com/

They have annual passes to all the great family friendly places - I'm sure she will steer you in the right direction.

King's for Breakfast.
You gotta go to Trader Joe's and put in a plug for one in Utah.

Sea World, definitely. You can PET the DOLPHINS, which never gets old. Also you can pick up sea stars and stuff at a "petting zoo"-type, see penguins and sea lions, watch the Shamu show.....I love Sea World. http://www.seaworld.com/ (careful, there's music on the site)

Balboa Park is pretty cool as well. If no one's explained what it is, exactly, it's a beautiful area down by the Zoo with a ton of museums (art, natural history, science, aerospace, etc.) as well as a big fountain and some lovely open-air plazas with people playing music or reading fortunes or whatever. Also, a few museums are usually free on Tuesdays (which ones change every week). http://www.balboapark.org/

And yes, you MUST go to Old Town, this small area dedicated to preserving the Mexican influence that's so strong in Southern California (it's touristy, but lovely). Best Mexican food you'll ever eat, and in a fantastic area. http://www.oldtownsandiegoguide.com/

Places to check out:

Balboa Park: www.balboapark.org

Cabrillo National Park has some great tide pools that our kids (myself included) found particularly fascinating: www.nps.gov/archive/cabr/tide.html

Walk around Del Mar- good shopping and more eye candy - check out the massive 90' mosaic wall outside the library: www.patwelsh.com/press_release_wall.html

Eye Candy: The Salk Institute - this is an incredible architectural wonder and I think you'd enjoy it. Walk inside some of the buildings to get the full effect. This is where miracles happen and the buildings and site convey that rather well. www.salk.edu

Up the road from the Salk is Charlie's by the Sea
www.charliesbythesea.com

Check out Old Town Mexican Cafe: www.oldtownmexcafe.com

Head on over to Coronado: www.coronadovisitorcenter.com and after walking and exploring, quench your thirst at the Coronado Brewing Co. (unless you don't like beer?) or maybe a fine lunch at the Hotel del Coronado: www.hoteldel.com

Have a blast and travel safe! Hope Jon feels better and you and Leta don't catch what he has!

hippos = yes
wild animal park is also lovely
and i seem to recall if you buy your tickets online you save money YAY!

seaworld is also kind of fun, somewhat cheesy at times, but you can feed dolphins, and pat manta rays.

Balboa park is free and there is so much to do here, it stretches forever

and for kids there is something called lego world?

Chuck's not a turd, he is just narky that they got a new dog - he's thinking, "you're stealing my bed, my treats, my face time with the humans and now you want my bone...what next, my soul..my souuuuuuuul??"

It's like if you brought home a new wife...what is the old wife supposed to think.. although I guess it is Utah ;-)

1) Skip Sea World in favor of the Wild Animal Park, which is wonderful, and low-tech.

2) If you take the tram tour, make sure no one has a 48-ounce slushee beforehand, and make sure everyone uses the bathroom. Trust me, there are no bathroom stops, and no easy way to jump off. We tried.

3) Try to get to the W Hotel, if only for martinis and a shirley temple. It's well worth it, and if you can shanghai a maid and steal one of their Bliss toiletry kits, all the better.

The best fun we had in San Diego was at Sea World! It's really not that bad of a deal, we got the two day pass and there was more than enough there to fill the two days with fun for everyone from me to my 2 yr old son. I must say, though, there were no hippos there.

-Garret

Yes, they have hippos. I remember seeing a hippo swimming when I was there.

If you end up going to Sea World, the "Dining With Shamu" is worth the money. The food's better than the other junk they serve in the park, and you sit poolside while trainers walk around answering questions and having Shamu come right up next to guests.

Also, if you guys like Mexican food, make sure to hit Old Town...look for the restaurant where people are making tortillas right inside the front window.

I'm with you on the hippos, but the San Deigo Zoo is worth it for BABY PANDA Zhen Zhen alone.

You can check it out/swoon over her here: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/ex_panda_station.html

Have a lovely time! I live in Southern California, and it has been absolutely beautiful out lately. (Lately = past 20 years or so.)

Pipes in Cardiff by the Sea. Super yummy breakfast burritos.

Unfortunately my favorite coffee shop, Miracles (which was a stone's throw from Pipes) was razed a couple of years ago :( boo

have fun!

I think someone else mentioned this, but Encinitas - just 22 miles north of SD is a great place to stay. It's like Mayberry done by die hard beach lovers. I lived there and if you are looking for a place t stay call my old landlord, John House, at 760-801-9006. He rents out our previous house in week long rentals. It's right on Neptune Avenue (street parallel to the beach.
Encinitas beaches are quiet and fucking beautiful. You can stay there and SD is a short drive south. Much easier. And it's cheaper than La Jolla, which is a majot tourist destination. Here's some of my own pictures from when I lived there:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pennyrene/sets/72157594179692435/

When I played the dog video my cat ran into the room, stood on her hind legs for about 15 seconds, heard them bark, then crouched down - with her hair standing up on her back and tail all poofed out. 5 minutes later she keeps looking at me like I brought an evil beast into our home and resents me for it.

Thought you'd like to know your dogs are scaring cats, all the way through the Internet. Thanks for the entertainment.

Wild Animal Park all the way. Although Leta might have a breakdown.

My dog must have something to say to Coco he howls out loud whenever he hears me. I am sure the neighbors are freaked, but he also never barks unless he is talking to me.

oh god, I am so glad I gave the very sweet adult dog w/ the puppy whine to my parents. They love her, but you can hear her yipping from the outside of their GIANT house.

BTW - cute = Coco.

also, i have in friend in Kansas City who is in need of support but I live in Miami. It is soo cold there and nice and chilly here at 75 LOL. I want to go, but am scared of the cold. Would love to see my husky run free in the snow for the first time.

legoland! cleanest amusement park I have ever been too and super kid friendly. but also uber geek cool so that adults can dig it too. besides - they have a life sized dora made out of legos.

If you like Vietnamese food, this place is awesome. It's located in a great neighborhood--Hillcrest. The food is delicious, the presentation is beautiful and they will make such a fuss over Leta.
Saigon On Fifth

These guys serve amazingly yummy breakfasts:
http://www.parkhouseeatery.com/

At this funky restaurant you can eat really tasty burritos served by a heavily tattooed wait-staff:
http://www.pokezsd.com/

This is a great casual place for breakfast and the setting is beautiful--it's essentially a house and you eat on the porch. I think dogs are welcome. It's in Del Mar:
Stratford Court Cafe

Love your blog. Saw this about hippos and crocs and thought you might like it... http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&vid=db23a8cc-4b41-47cb-ae19-98f42a8bc85e...

We have two beagles, mother and son and they carry on like this as well. I even bought another bone and it doesn't matter, the son still wants the one his mother has. I especially liked how Coco looked up at the camera as if to ask,"Are you okay with this?"

There are the cutest hippos at the SD zoo! We took lots of pictures and video of one of them napping on a rock, underwater. It was hilarious. He'd slooowly start to fall off the rock, wake up for a second, right himself, and then go back to sleep and start the whole thing over again.

Obviously there are quite a few of us San Diegans who read your website.

I can attest that Balboa Park is a must see.

I also recommend Wild Animal Park over the Zoo. Both are good but the WAP is unique.

While you are in Escondido (home of the WAP) I recommend the Stone Brew Bistro and Gardens for lunch or dinner. The place has great beer, excellent slow food, and GORGEOUS gardens. Especially at night it is stunning. Plus it is child friendly.
http://www.stoneworldbistro.com/philosophy.htm

And for fun I'd also recommend Temecula Wine Country. Although it might not be the best place to take Leta.

Other good restaurants include Rei do Gado in Gaslamp if you like Brazilian.

Hi! I went to school at UCSD and now live in the SF Bay Area. Here are a few spots I'd recommend:

1.) Extraordinary Desserts http://www.extraordinarydesserts.com/
2.) any Roberto's Taco Shop on Miramar Road (go for the carne asada fries or california burrito... unless you're a vegetarian or are on a diet)
3.) Wahoo's Fish Taco
4.) Tadashi Sushi for all you can eat sushi in La Jolla
5.) Coronado Island - to walk around, visit the beach, etc.

And the zoo is really fun! I don't remember if there were live hippos, but I remember fake ones that you can sit on.

Hope that helps and have a great time!

I love Coco, but PLEASE!! put Chuck back on the masthead!

He's gonna get a complex!

when i played the video, my dogs brain nearly exploded.

anthony's fish grotto on the wharf is a must visit. nice view right on the water and awesome food in a relaxed atmosphere (unless it's changed in recent years, i haven't been lucky enough to visit san diego in some time).

sounds like a great break from winter; i'm writing from minnesota *sound of chattering teeth* so the green monster of jealouy is poking me in the ribs as i speak...have fun!

Yay, you're coming to visit! I just started reading your blog and I love it. I think I'm in love with Chuck.

It looks like you already got some good recommendations or a hundred, but I have my very own San Diego-based food blog, and I'd love for you to check it out - www.aliceqfoodie.com. I have a list of places I recommend on the sidebar and I'd be happy to chat if you want to shoot me an email. What to do kind of depends on where you're staying - the Zoo does have hippos, btw. I also have two dogs, and your Coco/Chuck interactions remind me a LOT of our two dogs when we got our puppy. So much fun.

My dog was sitting under the desk when I watched this video. It made him bark. It was funny.

Just remember, if the hippo decides to turn it's back on you--RUN!!!!!!!! Even if there is glass between you and the hippo, it's not necessarily a sight you want to see.......

The best San Diego dog park, bar none, is the Dog Beach at Coronado: http://entertainment.signonsandiego.com/places/dog-beach-coronado/ Not only do you get the benefit of surf and an off-leash expanse to wear out the dogs, you also have fighter jets flying absurdly low as they come in for a landing at the naval base right next door. It adds to the excitement.

As for things to do (and I'm sure I'm echoing plenty from above):

* Balboa Park -- good stuff to do, see and shoot. The Museum of Man is surprising fun w/ kids. Just watch out for the archery course....
* El Indio -- http://www.el-indio.com/ -- terrific Mex and nicely close to Old Town which can be fun.
* The Zoo is great, hands down (and I once came across of a wall of mating hippo which is exactly NOT like Christmas in January)

Have fun!

Just FYI, the Pier 1 clearance center (kinda near Little Italy) that someone mentioned has closed ,which really sucks because it was amazing.

I read almost all the comments and didn't see mention of:
D Z AKINS, N.Y. Jewish style deli/bakery resturant near SDSU off the 8 freeway, fabulous breakfasts fit for a king, and sandwiches the size of your head!

Also, if you want fresh seafood, and I mean the boat pulls up, the guys walk the fish into the back and they make your lunch fresh, go to Point Loma Seafood, lunch or EARLY dinner , they close kind early.The Calamari sandwich and the clam chowder are family favorites.

Have fun!

While watching this video my 1 1/2 year old golden retriever lept up from her nap and stared at the computer. Then after staring it down for a few minutes she stood (on two feet of course) at the computer and barked at it. That was a few minutes ago and she is now running around the house and barking. I wish I had a video of it.

Go to La Jolla (where UC San Diego is). You can walk around in the village and do a little shopping (great kids toy store called Gepetto's on Girard Street. There also used to be a very interesting home furnishings store for kids that I think quite matches your design sensibility -- I can't remember the name.... MOU or something like that. I think it is also on Girard). Go to Girard's Bakery for great pastries, quiche, and cookies. Also, check out the Brockton Villa restaurant overlooking the cove. Excellent food and atmosphere -- kid friendly, but not a chain.

You absolutely MUST eat at a restaurant called Hash House A-Go-Go. It has been voted best breakfast in both San Diego and Las Vegas several years in a row. Going there is a true experience. They serve pancakes that are-I kid you not-about one foot across, as well as several other options. My boyfriend and I drive an hour and a half just to eat there, so that's a testament to its deliciousness. I would recommend making a reservation if possible, as they are extremely crowded on the weekends.

Museum of Creation? Te he.

Sea World would be a blast... I will give you 2 FREE tickets (no strings attached). Check your email if you're interested!

They have kennels for your pups.

The gas lamp district . . . fun stuff to see . . . good food.

Coronado Island . . . the movie Some Like It Hot was filmed at the Hotel Coronado . . . and I got the best sunset pictures on the ocean off their back deck . . . and the drinks are nice too.

We skipped the Zoo and went to the wild animal park . . . you ride through the park and the animals are minding their own business . . . and maybe you can see them and maybe you can't . . . it seems less like cages . . . and there isn't all that pesky walking.

Of course, you could always try your hand at Mexico . . . I hear the pharmacists aren't at all picky.

I'm not reading 200+ comments above, so if this is a repeat of info, sorry — but you should definitely visit Balboa Park and all the museums up there — not only is it gorgeous (perfect for pics) but they have so many museums and exhibits, there's something for everyone!

Also, the Gaslamp district in downtown is really cool, too.

Holy crap! A ton of people beat me to it.

Either way, San Diego will be glad to have you guys here! The weather is pretty awesome right now.

Dog beaches - I live near Del Mar, so I go to that one, an people say it's snooty, but I've never had that feeling, plus you can actually avoid paying parking if you park south of the beach/bridge. If you park north, then yes, you will have to pay for parking. here's a photo i took there... http://flickr.com/photos/oceantsunami/281059355/in/set-72157594346712276/

Food - many places have already been mentioned:
- Sushi Deli (I frequent 2 near Horton Plaza)
- George's
- Swami's Cafe (great surfer/local place in Encinitas with awesome food)
- Casa Gudalajara (in Old Town - I actually haven't been here, but hear it's great)
- St Tropez (french bistro type place - there's sevearl locations - food is SO good!)

Places to visit:
- Mt Soledad (highest point closer to the ocean)
- La Jolla Cove (has the seal beach)
- Encinitas (sleepy surfer town, but I love it cause it has charm. if you're into environmentally friendly stores, definitely check out Environgentle!)
- Balboa Park (of course)
- Old Point Loma Lighthouse (it's seriously stunning - the view from here and if you love lighthouses! I have some photos from this place here: http://blog.enpointephotography.com/archive/kristine-eric-2/)
- Salton Sea (if you have time, this is definitely a day trip. it's about 3 hours east of san diego and it has AWESOME photo opportunities. I just did a shoot here, which you can see on my blog - http://blog.enpointephotography.com . it's pretty much an abandoned place. pretty awesome.)
- Gaslamp (lots of eateries and shopping)

and i totally forgot Coronado - the Hotel Del, and there's a resturant right on orange avenue that has the BEST mojitos.. but can't remember the name for the life of me! it's pretty large - with patio seating.. haha like that helps.

here are some photos i took of a friend's wedding and after session at the Del!

http://blog.enpointephotography.com/archive/dreams-do-come-true-nikki-ad...

http://blog.enpointephotography.com/archive/nikki-adams-post-wedding-ses...

Okay, I simply keep forgetting to add things - like I think that the Del still has ice skating by the ocean right now. You can see the photos there.

And Hillcrest is AWESOME for food locations. Another nice spot is called Arrivederci (I'm sure I'm butchering the name) and Crest Cafe are some of my faves

This made me SO ANGRY that you can't snuggle things via the internet! When Coco was whining all I could think was, "oh my god, my Charlie girl use to sound just like that 3 years ago" Now she's 85 pounds and has a deeper bark than any male dog I know.

Heather, I thought of you when a friend sent this hippo video.

Hippo Jessica

San Diego is wonderful. If you like Mexican you will find many good places (as many have said, avoid Old Town for better options).

OK...I read them all and as I grew up in SD, OB in particular...my recommendations:
1. Old Point Loma Lighthouse, the *only* place I ever wanted to go when I was little
2. SD ZOO
3. Cafe on Park SERIOUSLY THE BEST BREAKFAST IN HILLCREST and you will be mere minutes from the Zoo - they have Capn' Crunch Pancakes and awesome egg scrambles {3831 Park Boulevard (at University), Hillcrest, 619-293-7275}
4. Gaslamp is over rated, unless you are a frat boy
5. Spanish Village is a must see
6. Balboa Park is wonderful
7. Mission Beach is not worth it. Unless you like to look for parking.
8. Ocean Beach and Hodad's for burgers. The pier is great to walk on, and the tide pools are right there, as well as Sunset Cliffs.
9. Point Loma Seafoods - very fresh, great fish sandwiches
10. any taco shop with "bertos" at the end
11. Extraordinary Desserts
12. Parkhouse Eatery in Hillcrest - wonderful dinner and good beer on tap
13. Karl Strauss Brewery - their beer is great
14. Nunu's - a total dive bar, I wouldn't trust Lena there, though
15. Coronado is great to stroll around
16. La Jolla is also great to walk around
17. Fashion Valley and Mission Valley are good malls
18. Julian for apple pie
19. San Diego Mission in Mission Valley
20. Old Town and Mission Hills are great.
Have a great time!

i love going to san diego, and i'm sure you will, too! a few hours at a time is definitely not enough. i didn't read through all the comments, and i'm sure it's already been said, but if you can make it to Sea World, then you definitely should. they have a dog kennel for 5 dollars, and while it's not fancy, the people are really nice. my dog's stayed in one 3 times so far, and she hasn't had too many complaints. and for the people, the park is amazing. the animals are so exciting to see, and it's fun, as well. and there's plenty of things for Leta to enjoy, even a part just for kids.

if you're looking for something a little less intense, defintiely go down to the pier and see the ships in the bay. there are even a few that you can go on, like 'the Star of India'. it's pretty sweet. and right next to it is the Gaslamp District, which is really nice to just walk around.

but if all else fails, visit Balboa park. everything is there: the zoo, the most amazing carousel ever, and the arts district, which is outrageous. and if you're familiar with 'Anchorman', then you'll notice the street he roams down after he's been rejected from the news team.

okay, i think you have more than enough suggestions from me, and everyone else. have fun!

Okay so if you've read this far down the comments in your quest to discover all that is good in San Diego, I commend you. I just moved to Salt Lake after spending the first 26 years of my life in San Diego so I pretty much know it like the back of my hand and can appreciate you needing to get out of the freezing and the snow.

1. Yes they have hippos at the San Diego Zoo. You can even view them under water and they are usually pretty funny.

2. You should go to Sea World. The Zoo is awesome if you've never been but Sea World is the best park in the city. My brother gives behind the scene tours there and, though it costs more than the price of admission, the tour is pretty amazing and I am sure that Leta would love it.

3. Where are you staying? If you'll be near the airport, you have to go into Point Loma. If you like Mexican food you have to go to Miguel's in Point Loma. They have the best white sauce for dipping tortilla chips. Also, if you are near there, Gus's is the best sandwich shop. Gus's is on Rosecrans and Miguel's is right off of Rosecrans.
Also good near the airport is Tom Ham's Lighthouse. If you go into Mission Valley, Bennigan's is fantastic.

4. Also visit Coronado and walk around the Hotel Del. They used to have an awesome candy shop inside the hotel that I loved as a kid.

5. Other possibilities include walking around Sea Port Village or driving up to Julian (would take about an hour and a half if you were staying downtown) and having pie and shopping (although it may not interest a preschooler much). I've never been to Legoland but I know that kids like it a lot. If you haven't gotten enough ideas from other people and this comment, feel free to contact me. I love San Diego more than life itself, I think.

One of my favorite brunch spots is The Linkery in South Park (I think). They are a hip sausage place-- what more can you ask for, except bacon, which they do have?
The zoo is so perfect for toddlers and there are several museums and lots of green, open space there in Balboa Park, where the zoo is located.
Also, I hear Legoland is great.
Have a great trip!

not sure you'll make it all the way down the list to see these suggestions, but i grew up in san diego, so here goes:

--bread and cie in hillcrest is probably the best bakery in town
--if the sea lions haven't taken over the children's cove in la jolla, it's a pretty great beach (so's the adult cove less than a mile away).
--the zoo is pretty great, and they definitely have hippos. a little one like leta might not love the wild animal park as much.
--el indio at the foot of hillcrest is a pretty classic mexican place, and there's a great gelato shop down the block.
--leta might like seaport village in downtown.

and i think the dog friendliest beaches are in mission beach (where there is also a boardwalk with a rollercoaster), mission bay, and pacific beach.

hope you have a great time!

Talk to Lo

http://dottedlinegirl.typepad.com/

For fun kids stuff. La Jolla beaches. The parks are not too crowded and if Leta wants to get in the water it is shallow. Also really cool kayaking we have done with our boys 6-4 and 2 to the caves. She might like it. San Diego Zoo has hippos. Also go to Old town, there are some craft shops like candlemaking and sand art that Leta would like. Have fun. Our boys love it there.

I read through the comments and I think you guys have been given a good smattering of the goings on..

There is a hippo exhibit, and you will see the hippos. The tank is full of tlapia, you should look for the syphilitic tlapia fish.

As someone else posted, the exhibit with the monkeys and otters is really cool, they play really well together.

Also second shopping in Solana Beach, the shopping district is on Cedros Ave just off Loma Santa Fe, a block east of the 101. While you're there, try the beer at Pizza Port, Santa's Helper if they have it. The pizza there sucks, I recommend the wings. Or if you want sushi, a block south of Lomas Santa Fe on the 101 is Nobu Sushi (next to Long's drugs), it's really good.

If you go to Ocean Beach, have some fish tacos at South Beach Bar & Grill, it's right by the pier. Or eat burgers at Hodad's.

LOL You would be amazed how high I can count with one hand ;) But what a beautiful dog you have, I am in the runnings to convince my wife to have a Butterfly dog... I love them.
Greetings from Denmark
Jac Nordquist

strange how he totally avoids to look into her eyes.. no wonder she does not really "react" to it and goes on trying!

i love to see pictures of chuck and coco. so cute!

I've noticed that just about all of my recommendations have already been covered, but hopefully another "Me too" won't hurt.

A bunch of people have mentioned the Hash House (on 5th street in Hillcrest) and Extraordinary Desserts. Those are both places my wife and I always go when we have out-of-town visitors. You will, unfortunately, have to expect a long wait at the Hash House and I'm not sure they take reservations on the weekends. For Extraordinary Desserts, I prefer the Little Italy location (on Union Street between Ash and Beech) as it's a newer, more striking building and has more tables, but if you prefer a cozier, cuter atmosphere the Hillcrest location is also very good.

Sushi Ota, as has been mentioned, is one of the best Japanese restaurants I've ever been to in any city, in terms of food. You will, however, have to wait a while to get a table, even if you have a reservation, unless you can somehow pass for a native Japanese. (I'm only Japanese-American, so I also have to wait.)

Buon Appetito and The Linkery have also been mentioned, which are two of our favorites. And I'll also add my support for all of the -ertos taco shops.

Someone before mentioned the Ghirardelli chocolate shop in the Gaslamp and while I do think that place is fine, it's also a chain that you can visit in many cities--and since you've spent time in San Francisco you've probably already been to one. For a more uniquely San Diegan chocolatier, try out Chuao, which is located in the UTC mall in La Jolla. It's a Venezuelan chocolatier that has some very interesting and unusual flavor combinations (including truffles made with balsamic vinegar or spicy chiles), as well as the best, richest hot chocolate I've ever had.

You've seen several people mention the Gaslamp District either positively or negatively. I find that few locals go there as it is pretty touristy and pricey, and while any of the food choices there can be found elsewhere cheaper and better, if you like being around lots of people and have the money to burn it's not a terrible way to go. Though, the main thing the Gaslamp has going for it is the clubs, which I'm imagining you will probably skip since you'll have your daughter with you.

I admit I haven't read all the comments - but I haven't seen anyone in the ones I did read salute your courage at driving all that way with a small child and 2 dogs. You must be really, really brave. :)

Coco is absolutely adorable! Have fun at the zoo.

You will be watching Brady Barr's special about the hippos Sunday night at 9 on National Geographic, won't you? He builds a fake hippo to collect hippo sweat. If that's not compelling TV, I don't know what is!

There is a great restaurant in Hillside called Kemosabe. Amazing food! There is also a great little bar in Hillside we used to visit that has 50 cent well drinks from 7-9. And to make this cheap drunk happy, they have the best selection of 80's music and a very big dance floor. Also, if you can stand the tourist thing, there is no better Mexican food than in the Mission district.

heather, you MUST go to george's at the cove in la jolla, and eat on the ocean terrace. there is no view like it in the world (and the food's decent, too). also visit the gaslamp quarter in downtown san diego, and try dakota grill or osetra. also in the quarter is croce's bar (owned by jim croce's widow, and their son) - a great place to enjoy music.

i love going shopping at horton plaza, but the kidlet would probably enjoy seaport village more (i seem to recall there's a carousel there). also, go over the coronado bridge and head to the hotel del; it's phenomenal.

hit balboa park for the architecture, and the san diego zoo isn't considered one of the top zoos in the world for nothing - it's truly amazing. but buy tram tickets and ride around as much as you can, because the zoo is enormous, and you'll get exhausted, FAST. you might also want to consider going up the freeway a little ways to carlsbad, and go to legoland (i don't know how much leta digs legos, but i think she might enjoy it).

finally, as cheesy as some might think this is, i absolutely love sea world. it fascinated me when i was a child, and i go back every time i have the chance. and especially for kids, the have the sesame street bay of play.

have fun!!

speaking of hippos and christmas, i really really hope that you know that the whole I want a hippopotamus for christmas song is available AS AN ELMO SONG!!!

yes, elmo wants a hippopotamus for christmas and only a hippopotamus will do. it's on the "elmo saves christmas" cd.

just thought that you (and leta) should know

The other day I saw a commercial for a program --- one of those animal advernture guys that do dangerous things. So I dont know what network it was on -- Discovery maybe, Animal Planet?

But he is going to put on this big hippo costume and go out amongst the hippos! I wish I could remember who and what program. Maybe someone else here knows what I am talking about.

The Wild Animal Park definitely has hippos and is usually a bit less crowded than the zoo.

I'm more of a North County girl, so I'd recommend heading up the 101 through La Jolla, Torrey Pines, and then hitting Del Mar and Solana Beach. Solana Beach has a design district called Cedros, which you'd love. And you can eat at the Board and Brew (great sandwiches) in Del Mar or Roberto's (AWESOME Mexican food) in Solana Beach.

Balboa Park (the one that the zoo is in) has a FANTASTIC upscale Spanish-influenced restaurant. If you go before five they also have great drink specials and (half-price?) gourmet appetizers. One of the best restaurants I've been to in SD.

I was born in San Diego, and lived there on and off (at the navy base) for 9 years. As a kid. In the 80s. So my info may be outdated.

However. As a kid, I used to lurve - Balboa Park - a huge (to my kiddie eyes) park with ampitheatres, artists sitting around painting, vendors with food, and eucalyptus galore. The San Diego Zoo - I've been spoiled for zoos ever since. Sea World. The Wild Animal Park. Seaport Village. Checking out the huge navy ships in port (I don't know if the navy still has a presence down there). As for eating - I'm no help.

Have a great time. I love San Diego, and would live there if it didn't cost your right arm to own a house.