Reminder, you may not need a car to get around. If you're going to the Zoo or Seaworld, it may be worthwhile to rent one (there's a car rental locally in La Jolla and two nearby in Pacific Beach) for the day and save money. Here are Links to Uber, Lyft and the Uber Fare Estimator if you'd like a price check:

https://www.uber.com/invite/5johy , https://lyft.com/ici/BILL121702

https://www.uber.com/fare-estimate/

Staying at The Cove puts you in prime spot to just head a little north to La Jolla Shores where Bill likes to surf and Megan grew up having family beach time visiting her aunt, then later held weekend bonfires in college. It's a beautiful beach, though does not have much in the way of beach-front restaurants so be sure to plan ahead!

If looking for more of an all-inclusive tourist friendly location, head just a bit south to Bill & Megs' part of town - Pacific Beach and Mission Beach boast a few mile stretch of beaches lined with many souvenir shops, restaurant, coffee and ice cream options. The location with the most available would be the north end of Mission Beach called Bellmont Park (look for the rollercoaster!) where you can also find a small arcade area and miniature golf. You can also easily rent beach cruisers, boogie boards, sign up for surf lessons, and find much more fun to get into here.

La Jolla Shores:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-jolla-shores-la-jolla

PB Pier (Crystal Pier):

https://www.yelp.com/biz/crystal-pier-san-diego

Belmont Park:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/belmont-park-san-diego

Don't you worry. As long as you communicate your travel plans & hotel info with us, we'll make sure you have info for the best local spots nearby when you check in.

We can't wait for you to enjoy our city!

Kayak the famous La Jolla Cove caves and take back a memory you will never forget. Our friends at Everyday California have all of your rental needs covered, and offer guided tours to take you safely to see it all. They also offer snorkeling and stand up paddle boarding. Click the link to view their webpage and see what they offer.

Just looking for a great California souvenir, but want to skip the adventure? Everyday California has a great shop with a surfing California bear logo on everything - this is a brand even the locals wear. They also carry other classic local brands like Pura Vida. We love these guys!

Bill may be a bit too busy to offer up the surf lessons he is so great at giving new San Diegans and visiting family members. However, friends of Bill run this surf school and they do not disappoint!

Learn the best techniques for catching waves from a professional surfing instructor at La Jolla Shores Beach. This crescent beach is the perfect place to learn—or refine—the art of surfing. On soft sand, discover how to read ocean conditions and surf the gentle waves found on this scenic coastline.

A lesson on land teaches you how to pop-up and balance on your board using foot placement, as well as how to slow down or speed up by shifting your weight. Surfboards are custom-fit to your needs and provide a sturdy support base.

After practice exercises on the beach, paddle out to the surf zone and receive guidance on how to properly head into rolling waves at the ideal time to catch your first wave of the day.

The Pacific Beach to Mission Beach Boardwalk is a nice stroll. End to end, it's 3.4 miles and will take you past a great pier, expansive beaches and Belmont Park. Just be sure to follow the boardwalk rules and stay to the right (like driving).

Here's a map showing the entire route (https://goo.gl/maps/sUQVRCnLRES2), but you may be better off paying for parking on Diamond Street (https://goo.gl/maps/1BW4WuyGamC2) to save the hassle of finding parking in the residential area. Both parking and popularity of this spot will really vary by the weather. There are rental bike shops a plenty if you want to ride too!

Looking to see the sights? Get something to snack on? Here's what we like to do on the boardwalk:

Crystal Pier has a great view. Walk out and snap some memorable photos.

You can get your beach yoga on with Nama-Steve for free (donation based): http://www.namasteveyoga.com/ (bring a towel if you don't have a mat)

Reach Yoga (about ½ a mile inland) is where Megan took her Sculpt Yoga teacher training and you can sign up for a free one week trial: http://www.reachyoga.com/

Dirty Birds has been ranked one of the top 10 places to eat wings in the country. It's also a favorite stop for Bill's father and Cousin Steve. Try the Habanero, Ghost or Ninja wings if you like'em hot! For less spicy flavor, Megs recommends the Apple Bourbon http://www.dirtybirdsbarandgrill.com/

Bareback Grill is another great spot just off the boardwalk with a small deck, excellent cocktails and burgers as well! http://www.barebackgrill.com/

Feeling like getting fancier while staying on the water? JRDN at Tower 23 has awesome sunsets and a great patio (both bar and dining room with a view). http://www.t23hotel.com/jrdn/

Less fancy? World Famous is infamous (http://www.worldfamouspb.com/ no outdoor deck, but there is an ocean view) or Ale House's roof deck (http://www.pbalehouse.com/), but both can get crowded.

Further south down the boardwalk you can eat at Wave House as you watch kooks and pros try their luck on the fake wave (http://www.wavehouse.com/) and games and the famous rollercoaster at Belmont Park (http://www.belmontpark.com/) , which is adjacent to the nearby Draft (American food) and their upstairs counterpart, Cannonball (American sushi fusion).

There's plenty more, but that should keep you plenty busy!

Short, Sweet & Nearby with a view: Torrey Pines, a favorite in terms of "quick and easy" with stunning views. The hardest part is walking the hill up to get the the trail heads, than choose your traverse that will take you down to the beach. As long as the tide is low enough (which it almost always is), you can then choose whether to hike back up through the trails to the car, or just walk the beach back.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/torrey-pines-state-reserv...

Locals Favorites: Elfin Forest, Potato Chip Rock (aka Mount Woodson), Devil's Punch Bowl (Cedar Creek Falls). Elfin Forrest may be the least difficult of the three, while Potato Chip Rock and Devil's Punch Bowl boast great rewards for your efforts before turning around. Potato Chip Rock has a sliver of a rock that extends out over the peak where, if you're brave and don't mind a little climb, you can take your own iconic picture on. Conversely, Devil's Punch Bowl is a primarily downhill hike to a small lake you can swim in once you reach the bottom. Just remember that what comes down, must then go back up to get back to the trail-head! Here's the links to each:

Elfin Forest:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/elfin-forest-recreational...

Potato Chip Rock (Mount Woodson):

https://www.yelp.com/biz/mount-woodson-trail-poway...

Devil's Punchbowl:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/cedar-creek-falls-ramona

For a Really Good Challenge (if you have plenty of time to dedicate to it and are an avid technical hiker): Three Sisters. We don't recommend this if you aren't already one to enjoy hiking AND moderate climbing. Bill & Megs have done this one once, and LOVED it, but did find themselves trying to scale a vertical rock wall at one point (this didn't end up being necessary, but that took them a bit to figure out). There are sections where ropes are required to handle the trek and paths aren't always completely clear. However, if you make it to the three waterfalls, it's a beautiful sight to see. Definitely take snacks and extra water!

https://www.yelp.com/biz/three-sisters-falls-pine-...

Take in a comedy show at the little La Jolla comedy club near La Jolla Cove owned by the Shore Family (i.e.Pauly Shore circa the 90's). You can see whose in town at the website and buy tickets in advance. There are several eateries just up the street including one of Bill & Megs' favorites, La Jolla Brewing Company.

Discover why San Diego is the epicenter of America's craft beer scene by heading to 3 of the finest breweries in the city. On the tour perfect for hardcore beer lovers, get a behind-the-scenes look at world-class facilities before comprehensive taste tests of award-winning beers and lunch.

Hop on a comfortable bus with your knowledgeable expert guide and drive to your first brewery, Ballast Point. Embark on a behind-the-scenes adventure through the facility and learn about the history of brewing culture and traditions. Sample award-winning beers while you learn the difference between commercial and craft brews.

Next, drive through the winding San Diego streets to the award-winning Green Flash Brewing Company, renowned for its hoppy India pale ales and fresh Pacific ales. Walk through the production area and sit down to a delicious lunch. Then head to one more fantastic brewery before your tour concludes and you have sipped your way through the city's lively craft beer scene.

Visit the quaint and iconic island just off San Diego's downtown marina and take your pick of bicycle rentals, tours, restaurants, gondola and ferry rides, beach time, bridge photos or visit the historic Hotel Del Coronado. Hotel Del is where Bill & Megs like to go ice skating over the holidays when the hotel turns their beach-front lawn into a small ice rink. The hotel boasts several shops, restaurants and ice cream parlor as well as a beautiful beach-front view.

Bill and Megs were just visiting the island in April after taking Ollie to dog beach and particularly enjoyed the Blue Water Boathouse restaurant for a waterfront lunch and some amazing chocolate truffles to pair with their craft beer and reserve wines by the glass at a great spot called Wine-A-Bit. However, most of the island is pretty great so you can't go wrong!

Connect to the ocean at SeaWorld where you can get up close to sea creatures - even feed and pet some of them. While the killer whale show is no longer running, there are several other animal shows to see, including the adorable dolphins. Several rollercoasters, waterparks and interactive play zones are also available for thrill seekers.

Immerse yourself in the animal kingdom at the San Diego Zoo, home to more than 4,000 animals across 800 rare and exotic species. The zoo includes expansive safari areas, petting zoos, polar tanks, and much more. Just to be sure to bring good walking shoes to handle the hills! Board one of the open-air double-decker buses for a 35-minute narrated tour around many of the zoo's more open exhibits, take the Express Bus and hop on and off at 5 different stops, or snag a bird's-eye view of the entire grounds with a high-flying ride on the Skyfari® Aerial Tram.

Want to see the animals in a closer-to-natural habitat? Drive a bit north to visit the Safari Park where you can see more than 400 species of animals—from African elephants to zebras. The park is divided into regions, boasting habitats that simulate these animals' wildlife homes, Make sure to check the times for the cheetah run - it's an impressive feat along with the help of it's canine pal. If your feet get tired, zoom through the plains on the Africa Tram Safari.

Check out the beautiful location of Bill & Megs' engagement photo shoot where many of San Diego's museums reside. Take in a movie at the iMAX theater, a delicious lunch at the notorious Prado restaurant, climb the clock tower, or hop next door to the zoo. Balboa Park boasts so many things to do with beautiful architecture and gardens for the perfect photo opp.

San Diego is proud of it's military history. Climb aboard the USS Midway, known for serving in both Operation Frequent Wind in 1975 and Operation Desert Storm in 1991. A day spent on board this floating city allows you to take a journey back in time with the original crew of the Midway. Listen to their voices on the audio tour as they offer firsthand accounts of daily life at sea. In addition, the volunteer docents—many of whom also served on the Midway—share their personal stories and anecdotes with you during your day of discovering a piece of American history.

Take time to explore this famed aircraft carrier, including access to 29 carefully restored aircraft on the flight deck.Visit the 60 exhibits, tour the engine room, and walk through the private sleeping quarters of the sailors. Then head to the 4-acre (1.6-ha) flight deck to get an up-close view of the F-14 Tomcat and the TBM Avenger.

Climb aboard a spacious sightseeing vessel, grab a seat, and gaze at the iconic landmarks of this beautiful city as they slowly drift by. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, you're sure to find a comfortable spot to begin your tour.

Listen for the experienced crew to announce the the sites: check out the hulls of mighty navy ships like the USS Midway and classic craft including the Star of India. See the historic resorts and exclusive beachfront bungalows of Coronado and float between the towering columns of the bridge that connects it to the mainland.

Grab a beverage from the onboard bar and don't forget to chat with staff about any interesting features you want to learn more about. Whether you choose to explore the north or south side of the harbor—or both—you're sure to get up-close looks at lots of fascinating features.

Explore the calm coves and beaches sprinkled throughout Mission Bay from a spacious electric boat. With an experienced captain to guide you along the way, check out lush landscapes and the scenic shoreline while sipping glasses of wine and tucking into a delicious assortment of expertly arranged snacks.

Cruise between crisscrossing sailboats and buzzing jet skis as you seek out the quiet corners of this expansive marine park of resort-filled islands, hidden coves, and picturesque beaches. Sip and nibble your way past the sands of Sail Bay, the fishermen in Santa Barbara Cove, and the stunning ships outside the Mission Bay Yacht Club. Don't forget to snap photos as you go, and feel free to make music requests to play over the boat's onboard stereo.

Sample menu includes:

• 5 varieties of handcrafted meats
• 4 types of artisan cheese
• Hummus dip
• Dried fruit
• Ciabatta, baguette, and multi-grain crackers
• Housemade ketchup, Dijon, and wildflower honey

While it certainly doesn't boast the size of Manhattan or even San Francisco, downtown San Diego has a lot to offer by way of shops, small art galleries (including the illustrator of Dr. Seuss!), restaurants, watering holes, the marina space (especially the new waterfront park by the Star of India! just off of Little Italy), comedy clubs, a mall, and iconic Seaport Village. Seaport Village is a segmented area of small quaint shops curated particularly for tourist or specialty shoppers. It also has a carousel for the youngsters, some great marina-front restaurants, and a casual eating space as well. Check out more about downtown at the link.

You could just go visit Old Town to take in the culture without a tour, but there's also his option.

Endulge in the South American influence that San Diego offers via a fun tour in Old Town of and prepare to fall in love with the neighborhood's food, culture, and architecture. Led by a local guide, explore the birthplace of California as you indulge in authentic food tastings at 3 different restaurants, traditional tequila-infused cocktail samplings, and more.

Learn about the city's haunted past on a visit to one of the oldest graveyards in San Diego. Walk past the infamous Whaley House Museum and hear ghostly spirits whisper around you.

Look for sea lions basking on wave-washed rocks, take in sweeping views from lofty vantage points, and explore San Diego's history through its distinct neighborhoods. Uncover the gardens in Balboa Park, see naval ships along the Embarcadero, and grab a tasty lunch on this all-encompassing tour.

Get picked up by your guide at one of 2 convenient locations in downtown San Diego, grab a seat on the comfortable shuttle, and make your way around town. See link for more details,

There is so much to do in San Diego , that if you're going to stay a while and make a vacation out of it, you may want to look into getting a Go San Diego Card to bundle the cost of admissions. Choose the convenience of a single card that allows you to visit as many attractions as you choose per day while also saving on admission and receiving discounts to popular area shops. Check out the website for more information on which attractions and what additional discounts this includes.

Soak up the magic of 4 beloved and iconic Southern California theme parks. Meet your favorite Disney characters at Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park, celebrate creativity at LEGOLAND® California, and discover the wonders of the ocean at SeaWorld® San Diego. See the link for more information on these parks and what this pass has to offer,