San Diego travel guide: Do's and don'ts

Dawn Gilbertson | The Arizona Republic

Few people who have visited sparkling San Diego need convincing of its endless attributes. Beaches for every personality. Nearly perfect, if chilly at night, weather year-round. Marquee attractions including the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, Balboa Park and Legoland California. And a thriving dining and craft-beer scene.

Here are some tips to make the most of your trip:

1. Do splurge on a beachfront hotel or vacation rental if your agenda involves little more than sand and surf.

2. Don't bother spending big on a beachfront location if you will be shuttling kids from the zoo to SeaWorld to Legoland. But you don't have to stay in Hotel Circle, a cluster of chain hotels lining Interstate 8 on the way into town. Check out the plethora of Airbnb listings throughout San Diego, home rentals that give families more room for their money.

3. Do hop on a bus or boat sightseeing tour for an overview of San Diego's many attractions and neighborhoods. Popular choices include Old Town Trolleytours, San Diego Seal Tours, Hornblower Cruises and Flagship Cruises. Hornblower has a new party boat with a DJ on weekends this summer.

4. Don't buy all your groceries at a store. Pick up produce, select meats and seafood, snacks and desserts at one of San Diego's many farmers markets. There are weekly markets in Little Italy, Hillcrest, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, La Jolla and Encinitas, among other areas. New this year: a Thursday market at the new Liberty Public Market in Liberty Station.

5. Don't waste your time at Seaport Village. It's old and touristy and city officials are planning a major redevelopment of the bayfront attraction that debuted in 1980. You can find better waterfront restaurants throughout metro San Diego.

6. Do visit happening downtown San Diego but don't spend all of your time at the bars, restaurants and shops in the Gaslamp Quarter. Check out the East Village, which is home to Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres and last year's Major League Baseball All-Star Game) and a variety of restaurants. In the bayfront Embarcadero area of downtown, home to harbor cruises, the USS Midway Museum and Maritime Museum of San Diego, there's a new Carnitas Snack Shack but longtime favorite Anthony's Fish Grotto closed after 70 years.

7. Don't pay full price for admission to major attractions. Check their websites for discounts on tickets purchased online in advance. Browse the brochure racks in your hotel (yes, they still exist) for discounts. A brochure at my hotel offered $5 off San Diego Zoo admission. Ask at the admission gate about AAA, AARP and military discounts. Check Costco for discounted ticket packages. Scan deals sites like Travelzoo, Groupon and LivingSocial for ticket specials, and look into the Go San Diego Card.

8. Do schedule beach breaks and downtime for young kids in between visits to major attractions or everybody will be cranky.

9. Don't spend every minute in a sand chair or beach bar. Adventures abound in San Diego. Take a surf lesson, try paddleboarding or paddleboard yoga, go for a hike or try paragliding at Torrey Pines Gliderport.

10. Do rent a bike and explore beach communities like Coronado and Mission and Pacific beaches, the bayfront path downtown or sprawling Balboa Park. Get a bike at any beach bike shop or one of many bike-sharing stations.

11. Don't miss the stunning views, history lessons and tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument at the tip of Point Loma, a centrally located community that many visitors overlook.

12. Do see a show at the Old Globe theater in Balboa Park. Arrive early and explore one of the park's museums or gardens.

13. Don't overlook Harbor Island and Shelter Island near downtown San Diego and the airport. Both have gorgeous water and skyline views, are great places for a bayfront run or walk and are home to several restaurants.

14. Do hop in the car — ideally a convertible — and drive up the coast. Pack a swimsuit and make a day of it, stopping in your pick of charming beach communities including La Jolla, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas and Carlsbad.

15. Don't miss Little Italy. Visit the Saturday farmers market and stay in the neighborhood for lunch, dinner or drinks. Check for weekend street festivals there, too.

16. Do pack a picnic and watch the sun go down at Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma, Mount Soledad in La Jolla or Torrey Pines State Beach.

17. Don't visit during Comic-Con unless you are attending the mega-event because room rates are sky-high and availability is limited. This year it's in peak vacation season: July 19-23.

18. Do check out the horse races at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club if you visit between July 19 and Sept. 4.

19. Don't return home until fall.