San Diego – A Four Day Holiday with a Mexican Twist

San Diego, California is steeped in Mexican culture: the plethora of historic sites, the multitude of Mexican restaurants and the large Spanish-speaking population (at least 25% of all residents). Combine these with a warm climate, an affluent city and friendly, welcoming people and you have a great vacation destination. Discover the city and area by taking the following four day holiday.

Start Day 1 by taking the trolley (Blue Line or Green Line to Old Town Station) to Old Town San Diego State Park Begin with a visit to McCoy House which contains a series of exhibits outlining the old town’s transition from Mexican pueblo to American frontier town.

Nearby Rose-Robinson House is the Visitor Center for the State Park. Preview the scale model of the Old Town before taking the free 50-minute tour (11 a.m. and 2 p.m.). The tour includes typical houses from the Mexican period and several buildings from the early American period – the Courthouse and the school house.

When the tour is over, casually explore the many shops and search for the perfect souvenir. Visitors find that each shop has its own story to tell. Stop for a few minutes to enjoy some of the festive Mexican music emanating from the shops near the town square.

Beyond the State Park lies the Old Presidio Historic Trail. Follow the sign to the site of California’s first mission and ruins of the Presidio (a Spanish Fort). The nearby Serra Museum houses items outlining Native American, Spanish and Mexican life in the region. The museum also details Father Junipero Serra’s travel around California as he established a number of Missions along the coast.

If time permits, pass Happy Hour (4 to 7 p.m.) at the nearby Casa Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant. You can enjoy a variety of free Mexican snacks as dinner when you purchase a drink.

On Day 2, spend the morning touring the Gaslamp Quarter (the New Town).

While the Gaslamp Quarter has many fine restaurants, consider having a light lunch along the water front at Anthony’s Fishette (1360 Harbor Dr).

Try either of the two soups – they are both to die for. To get to Anthony’s, take the trolley (Blue line or Orange Line) to America Plaza Station and then walk toward the Holiday Inn on the Bay. Anthony’s is on the water front opposite the Holiday Inn on the Bay.

After lunch, travel to Mission San Diego de Alcala by trolley (Green Line – Mission San Diego Station). This active church has been restored to 1813 specifications. Leave the church and relax in the adjoining garden before visiting El Museo and La Casa de Padre Serra. Don’t be surprised by the Spartan furnishings in La Casa. Padre Serra was a Franciscan Priest. Franciscans take a vow of poverty.

Visit Balboa Park on Day 3 and enjoy the many museums, gardens, pavilions and the adjoining San Diego Zoo. Bus #7 goes into the park.

Day 4 is a daytrip to Tijuana, Mexico. Take the trolley (Blue Line to San Ysidro Station) to its southern terminus and walk across the busiest international border crossing in the world (64 million people cross each year).

Most Gringos will likely spend most of their time in the shops and restaurants along Avenida de la Revolucion. However, Avenida de la Constitucion just behind is also worth checking out. Locals are more likely to shop along Avenida de la Constitucion so the prices may be more reasonable.

You will have the opportunity to haggle for some items. Try for a bargain but be prepared to walk away if the price is unacceptable. For those items with fixed prices, it often pays to shop around for the best deal.

Plan to return to the United States by mid afternoon at the latest as the line at the border crossing can be lengthy.

Tips for visiting San Diego:

1) Find your lodging.

2) Multiday trolley/bus passes are available.

3)Those wishing to extend their San Diego Vacation beyond the itinerary outlined above may wish to consider purchasing the Go San Diego Card and the Southern California City Pass.

Tips for visiting Tijuana:

1) Research your visit.

2) Check travel alerts for Mexico.

3) U.S. dollars are accepted (and even preferred over Pesos) virtually everywhere in town.

4) Remember to bring your passport with you.

5) Bring your own bottle of water.

6) Bring a small bottle of hand gel to wash your hands before eating.