Karoline and I have spent a fair mount of time around San Diego, CA. If you like warm weather, killer beaches and a location that is close to LA, Las Vegas and Mexico, this is it.
Downtown San Diego has Seaport Village which offers kick ass Mexican food and a lot of cool little shops. There are also many other types of restaurants and out door music. Nice atomosphere.
The San Diego Zoo is another cool place to spend the day. You may also want to check out the awesome architecture of the Geisel Library.
North of the city you can check out the 5 star hotel Torrey Pines as well as play a round of golf. Karoline and I spent a week at the lodge and I can tell you that it is first class in every way. Although this it is not cheap, rooms start at $500.00 a night and go up to $7000.00. See some of our photos. The wood work on the building is something you just don't see anymore. Serious craftmanship! Every night a maid shows up to turn your sheets and every day they leave a nice inspiration on the bed of chocolate or flowers or something to insire you to have a "fun" evening. The beds and pillows are one of a kind and make you wish you could own them. The kick ass "in room" food service is 5 star!
They have an awesome pool with cabanas that can be completely closed off to the public, a workout room and spa. A killer bar with a huge lounge and fireplace. The food is awesome. Order a burger ($19.00) as it is one of the best you'll ever have. They basically provide everything you ever dreamed a hotel could to make you happy. There is also a kick ass hang gliding launch just down the road (or walk the dunes to get there) that lets you glide or share a glide over the ocean on the killer thermos.
I love the surfer atmosphere around the multitude of beach's Interestingly we saw a couple who had just gotten married and their party held along the beach which reminded me of our wedding in Naples where we did the same thing. .And the night life is great. This is a great place to hang out and spend a day or two or three.......
We wandered down to the San Juan Capistrano Mission which is a beautiful place to spend a day. Again lots of real Mexican food in the area. You might also want to checkout Encinitas. Lots of cool Tiki goodies and some great mexican food.
There are also a ton of Karting stores.If you head northeast out of San Diego you can check out Moran Raceway, rent a kart and run on one of the finest kart track facilities in America. You won't be disappointed.
Head up towards Long Beach and check out the Queen Mary (see our QM trip) as we did or hang out for the AMA Supermoto which runs right next to the old boat. Bikers will want to wander further on up the road towards LA and check out the World Famous Rock Store.
Although we've spent a fair amount of time around LA, I can't say that it's one of my favorite haunts. (see our LA trips) One trip around the Hollywood thing and thats plenty for me. Way to many fake people. There are some cool places of the beaten path though. Highway One is right around the corner and it's always a nice dive up through Ventura where myold Army buddie Russ lives.
Of course if you have time you should just blaze up Hwy 1 as far as you can. It's a wonderful drive. This is an awesome stretch of road.
I've got a lot of friends living in the San Diego area so we usually find our way out there once a year or more to enjoy the area. Overall It's a bit congested for me to consider living out there, but I do love vacationing there.
There are a few links to sites related to the area on the sidebar.

