I'm going to be in San Diego for most of next week at a terrible conference.  Anyone got any tips for places to eat or gems that I'll miss if I leave it to chance?  staying at bayfront and then a few days in gaslamp area. Thinking of hitting up the Stone brewery as soon as I get my rental car. That's my agenda.

Just walk around and enjoy how stupidly perfect the weather is.

Head to Sunset Cliffs and Ocean Beach area and enjoy how stupidly perfect the weather is.

I second that. Gaslamp is meh.
go see the sights.
the wild animal park is amazing.

casbah has good shows on occasions... ocean beach is the best beach to go to, most chill... i agree with sunset cliffs as well, great spot to watch the sunset.... if you got time head to coronado and walk around the shops there, nice little area... Balboa park always has good things going on... stay clear of the Gaslamp district unless youre into douchebags... overall its a great city. Just depending on what your mood is, and yes the weather right now is perfect.

i think comic con is that week. . . got a friend that publishes a comic book and is there every year.

BUSTED

haha

Sooooo busted.

DAMNIT.

Actually I would much rather be at comic con.

oh sweet jesus.

Comic con is unfortunately this week, whereas I will be at a somehow both nerdier but less depressing IT conference. It will be like a timeshare sales pitch, where they paid for my trip to get me to listen to some of their offerings. I'm probably not buying though.

Fucking shit, I'm lucky to get a vendor lunch at the Indian buffet place once in awhile, much less goddam San Diego.

I am a fan of the ms. pac man machine at the Casbah. But like any venue, depends on who is playing...

oh and I had a really good time at some bar/bowling alley near petco park...

Only been there once and it was about 10 years ago.
But, I remember a pretty good sushi meal that I had at a place called
Sushi Ota

Can anyone in SD back me up on this or contradict me?

Just a name to throw out there.

Loves me some San Diego. Call me a nerd, but I totally love their zoo.

Go to Torrey Pines State Park to witness the rarest Pine Tree in North America.

there's grills at Balboa State Beach...

I know there's a botanic garden attached to the zoo...

I totally have a desire to see either the SD Maritime Museum or the USS Midway, but for some reason that might not interest you.

I must be a douchebag because I really like the gaslamp. Especially the irish bar, the Field, which i've never failed to have a good time in.

I'd also recommend going to Lahaina Beach Club in Pacific Beach for a couple of beers and watching the sunset assuming you can make it on time.

I've had 10 people recommend The Field to me.

I don't recommend it. Nothing special about it, standard "Irish bar" in America.

If you are a beer fan, there are quite a few good bars here that haven't been mentioned.

Downtown there is Downtown Johnny Brown's. This place is ok and really teh only good thing about it is the beer selection. Since you are downtown it may be a good choice. It's on C and 2nd or something, Civic Center plaza, far enough from the Asslamp that there aren't as many douchebags. It's going to be crazy down there though with Comic Con.

In North Park is Tornado's. Way better tap list than Downtown Johnny Brown's.

In South Park is Hamilton's. Pretty good selection.

O'Brien's in Kearny Mesa. This is where I frequent most often. They don't have as many beers on tap but most of them are very hoppy. Mostly local beers, some stuff from northern California (i.e. Russian River).

Blind Lady Ale House in Normal Heights. Pizza and beer place, slightly yuppified. It opened a few months ago, one of the owners is a former brewer at Stone.

I'd definitely go to the zoo over the Wild Animal Park if you care about either of those. Not only is it way better, it won't be fucking 105 degrees.

There aren't really any good record stores here except for Lou's up in Encinitas. It's no Amoeba but it's okay, I guess.

Also avoid Pacific Beach unless you like to hang around frat boys.

doesn't saint live there?

I am with Billy G, I think the Gasllight is kinda interesting especially late when you have lots of drunk tanned people; similarly, Pacific Beach is interesting at all time of day or night. La Jolla has some great restaurants. Check in on Balboa Park. Take the TJ Trolley to the border... Calle Coahuila for the cartel action if you got the sack.

ok actually comic con is this week

One of the better indie shops that still exists is just a bit north. Lou's Records is pretty incredible if you take your rental to Enciitas . Make a list of stuff you've been searching for before walking in otherwise it's way overwhelming.

Saint lives in LA.

Wish I lived closer to SD cuz I'd beg for a beer with Putin.