Planning to visit San Diego ca? San Diego has so much to offer. There are 3 major malls that I like to go to. Fashion Valley Mall is a trendy outdoor shopping mall with major department stores such as Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman-Marcus, Nordstrom, and Macy´s. There are other clothing stores such as JCrew, Banana Republic, and the Gap. There is also an 18-screen AMC movie theatre on the top floor. For dining options, may I suggest the Cheesecake Factory and the Boudin Sourdough Bakery and Cafe. While at the Cheesecake Factory, may I suggest either the Chicken Caesar Salad or the Orange Chicken? Just a friendly reminder: the Cheesecake Factory is known for its well-proportioned meals, so you may just want to leave some room for their famous cheesecake! Just in case you are on a diet, the Cheesecake Factory provides you with weight management salads. Some of their cheesecakes include the White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, Godiva Chocolate, their splenda-sweetened 6 Carb Original Cheesecake with a Graham-Walnut Crust, and many others like the Dulce de Leche Caramel Cheesecake. Of if you are looking to eat the traditional clam chowder from San Francisco, may I suggest eating at the Boudin Sourdough Bakery and Cafe found on the first floor of the mall. You will experience eating clam chowder out of a sourdough bread bowl. Delicious!!!
Other malls to consider are the Westfield Mission Valley and the Westfield Horton Plaza. Westfield Missin Valley has two major stores: Macy´s and Macy´s Home and Furniture. You can also find a Target store there. If you are looking to save money but still buy some name brands, may I suggest visiting the Nordstrom Rack, or just across the street from the Nordstrom Rack, there is another outlet store called Off Saks Fifth Avenue. For dining options, may I suggest Ruby’s Diner, a 1940´s - styled restaurant, known for its hamburger and fries and milkshakes. Another option if you are the sushi connoisseur is O-nami Restaurant. This is an upscale seafood smorgasbord-type restaurant with a salad, sushi, hot gourmet food, and dessert bars. 40 different kinds of sushi are known to be served!!! Also, don’t forget to try their Green Tea Ice-Cream!!! Lunch on the weekend’s costs $15.95, and dinner costs $24.95 (drinks not included). Dinner is much more expensive because lobster and crab legs are served.
Westfield Horton Plaza is in downtown San Diego. This mall was used in 1984-85 when it opened to renovate the downtown area, and it became an instant financial success as it drew 25 million visitors in its first year after opening. It is a five-floor outside shopping mall painted in bright colors and designed with architectural illusive tricks and rare spatial rhythms. Two anchor stores are Macy´s and Nordstrom. May I suggest visiting the Nordstrom Cafe inside the Nordstrom department store on the 5th level and trying their Smoked Salmon.
So, what are you waiting for? Travel and come to San Diego today. There are so many other things you can do here aside from shopping and eating.
You can visit the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. The San Diego Zoo is behind the Balboa Park. Just a side note- this park is a must-see! It has several museums. The last time I was there I was able to appreciate some Monet and Rembrandt paintings. If you do decide to go to Balboa Park, may I suggest dining at The Prado Restaurant? Exquisite menu items! And for dessert a few blocks away from the park on 5th Avenue heading towards Hillcrest, visit Extraordinary Desserts!!! Another side note - Hillcrest is the gay part of town!
Continuing with our discussion about the San Diego Zoo, the zoo has its newest attraction - the Monkey Trails and Forest Tales. You will be able to capture the golden-bellied mangabeys, the mandrills, and the Schmid's guenons and over 30 species of African and Asian birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. You may also not want to miss the great panda exhibition!!! Don't forget to bring your cam recorder so that you and your children, if you have any or plan to have someday, never forget such memorable experience! Adult tickets cost $22.75 and children 3-11 pay $15.50. Seniors 60 and up get a 10% discount. For more info you could see at www.sandiegozoo.org and buy the best value admission tickets on-line. For a map and directions to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, on the web look on devsandiegozoo.org/wap/location.html
Other major family attractions in San Diego County include an aquatic animal park known as Sea World and Lego land.
You may also want to know that there are 3 major universities in San Diego - San Diego State University (SDSU), University of San Diego (USD), and University of California at San Diego (UCSD). San Diego State University (SDSU) is known to be one of the top 200 higher education schools in the U.S. that conducts top-notch research. It awards degrees at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate levels. This university is also known for building partnerships with the state and federal government as well as with businesses and the industrial sector. For more on the academic programs offered at SDSU, for more info look at dsu.edu/academicprogs.html
Have you ever thought of teaching English and living abroad? Well, the American Language Institute at SDSU offers a 130-hour TEFL course that certifies you to teach English as a Foreign Language. So, you might even consider taking the course at SDSU during the summer and visiting San Diego in your free time!!! By the way, this course certificate is worldly recognized!!! Just so you know, you can visit SDSU by taking the San Diego Trolley (a red trolley), which is one of the options for public transportation in San Diego. Buy a $5 dollar one-day pass and ride on the trolley and the local buses for the entire day!
For hotels during your stay, may I suggest the omni hotel in San Diego? The rooms are nicely decorated with a wonderful view of the bay. Also check out their delicious buffet! And while you are there, visit Seaport Village. It is quite delightful!!!
For cheap hotels in San Diego, may I suggest La Pensione Hotel in Little Italy, the Italian segment of the city. You may want more info just look their website at lapensionehotel.com or send them an email at reservations@lapensionehotel.com
For cheaper hotels, you may want to stay at a Travel Lodge, Motel 6, or Best Western Motels.
You might even consider relocating in San Diego. For jobs in San Diego, you may want to visit the classifieds of the San Diego Union Tribune Newspaper at classifieds.signonsandiego.com
Whether you decide to relocate to San Diego or just visit, I hope you have a fabulous time here!!! We'll be waiting for you!!! Take care!!!
