Destination :: San Diego San Diego: Glitzy LA may capture all the attention, but if you are looking for a laid-back atmosphere with a totally chilled-out vibe on the notorious SoCal beach scene, then San Diego is the place to be. Its superb coastline and near-perfect climate make it the quintessential Southern California beach city. Most J1ers heading for the beaches end up living in the beach towns north of the city of San Diego in places like Point Loma, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, and Pacific Beach all of which are blessed-by-nature and within strinking distance from Mexico. For obvious reasons San Diego has a huge influx of students for the summer months, which makes for an busy, exciting student atmosphere but also makes for an extremely competitive job and housing market so make sure that you plan ahead!!! Some practical stuff to know: Climate: The San Diego area can be an incredible place to visit almost any time of the year. With coastal temperatures around 75 degrees (24°C) most of the time, the weather is ideal. The climate of Southern California is rather complex, however, and temperatures change rapidly as one travels from the coast inward, with increases as much as one degree Fahrenheit for each mile inland. Time Difference: San Diego is 8 hours behind Ireland. Getting Around: The best and coolest way to get around Diego is by beach cruiser. There’s nothing more enjoyable then going for a cruise along the boardwalks that line the beaches. www.sdcommute.com for bus, trolley, and train times and locations. For more general info on San Diego visit: o www.entersandiego.com o www.sdreader.com o www.sandiego.org o www.sandiego.gov Where to live: If you chose San Diego as you J1 destination for this summer it’s probably because you want to live the SoCal Beach life. San Diego is an ideal place for this lifestyle with most J1ers choosing to live in the beach towns such as Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, and Pacific Beach just north of the City. The following websites (as well as other college/university websites that may have links to finding student accommodation): www.sandiego.craigslist.org www.sdreader.com Pacific Beach: Pacific Beach is one San Diego's many beach towns, bordered on the south by Mission Beach, the north by La Jolla, the east by Clairemont, and best of all, the west by the Ocean. Dotted with restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as clothing stores, beachwear stores, surfboard, bike and rollerblade rental places, it is a great place to spend the summer. Many P.B. residents are in their 20s and 30s, as a result of the booming nightlife. Beach cruisers are the vehicle of choice in PB so make sure to get one as soon as you arrive. Places to Stay for the first week: HI San Diego Point Loma Hostel -Point Loma This cheery, cherry-red building is a standout in a tame residential area. Neatly kept and very well run, it's a hostel that is well worth the extra effort it takes to get to the sights and conveniences, if you're an aficionado of peace and quiet. Inn at Sunset Cliffs -Point Loma What a perch this gorgeously placed inn has looking onto cliffs over the Pacific! Once on the large outdoor patio, with upper and lower tiers and heat lamps for cool nights, it's doubtful you'll ever want to leave. La Jolla Cove Suites -La Jolla If you're in La Jolla for the ocean and the ocean views, you can't beat the pink, '50s-style La Jolla Cove Suites, across the road from the cove. It's a horizontal flamingo, and its balconies provide front-row seating for daily screenings of Another Magical Sunset - no two episodes are. La Pensione Hotel - Little Italy With a Mediterranean-meets-California feel, the picturesque La Pensione Hotel is a great-value choice in the lovely Little Italy. It is temptingly close to the district's eateries and bistros, cafes and shops. Follow your nose, which, on the light sea breeze, may have picked up a trace of a simmering. 500 West Hotel (hostel) - Downtown SD In a 1924 historic building, this budget deal has had a face-lift from its days when it was a rather more average Inn at the YMCA. There's no spa (unless you count the on-site YMCA fitness centre), and no bend-over-backwards service - this is a smart DIY place. Banana Bungalow (hostel) -Pacific Beach It's close quarters in more ways than one at the uber-social, party-hopping Banana Bungalow. Pre-noon beers being slugged by international backpackers, on the gregarious beach-fronting patio, isn't an uncommon sight. Summer, particularly, is high time for good times here. Now Beach Cottages -Pacific Beach Front and centre, the Beach Cottages complex scored a great spot, looking onto Pacific Beach and its sea. The wide range of accommodation here - motel rooms, apartments and cosy cottages - means you can choose an ideal nook for your party and your wallet. Coronado Village Inn -Coronado A couple of blocks from the beach and just off the village drag, this relaxed inn is good value on this overpriced isle. In a historical building, it boasts a small communal kitchen where you can grab a muffin in the morning, and cook your own grub at other times. Where to work: Due to that huge influx of American, Irish, and ALL international students wanting to live the beach life in San Diego, the labor market can be extremely competitive. If you are heading here you definitely should look into jobs before you go and utilize the ‘3 Easy Steps to Find a Job’. If you are finding it extremely hard to find a job, it has been noted by past SD J1ers that “Sea World is always hiring”, so check that out. Where to go, What to see and do: The main reason for heading to San Diego is to enjoy the over 70km of Pacific Beach. Beyond that, San Diego is home to the famous Sea World, the spectacular San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, and numerous parks such as the beautiful Balboa park. Want something more exciting and active? SD is beaming with physical and interesting activities such as whale-watching, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, hand-gliding, and mountain biking to name just a few. Tijuana, Mexico San Diego is probably the best city in America for making a quick trip to Mexico. The Mexican City of Tijuana is just ten miles south of downtown San Diego and is famous for its bargain shopping and wild nightlife and is only a short trip by car. Trolley service is also available from downtown San Diego to the US-Mexican border. Avoid driving hassles and long waits when returning by parking in pay lots near the border and walking across. For a delightful, low-key alternative, drive 60 minutes on the American side to the small border crossing of Tecate (home of the Tecate brewery). It's a short walk to the town square. Coming back, there are typically only a couple of people in line at the pedestrian crossing. You can easily combine a trip to the train museum in nearby Campo with a quick trip across the border for lunch! Check out the following festivals while you’re there also: June Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off is a popular 2 day street party. 3 week Del Mar Fair is a huge county fair held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, with headline musical acts and carnival rides. July The US Open Sandcastle Competition is held in Imperial Beach, south of Coronado. August City Fest street fair livens up the city's gay and lesbian epicenter. September The San Diego Street Scene festival. Where to Eat in San Diego: For a cheap and filling meal try out one of the many authentic Mexican resturaunts. If you cant handle the spice try one of the following: Terrific Pacific Brewery & Grill, San Diego: Terrific Pacific is a nice relaxed restaurant to spend an evening and offers amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. Try and get a table on the upper level for the best views. Specialities include Fish Tacos and the steaks. San Diego Chicken Pie Shop, San Diego: If you find yourself in Hillcrest, make sure and take some time out to visit this diner. The pies are tasty, cheap and filling. Say no more! Filippi's Pizza Grotto, San Diego: You will find it hard to find a better pizzeria for such good value in Little Italy, downtown San Diego. Along with the top class pizza, you can also get pasta dishes and lasagne. Café Lulu, San Diego: This vegetarian café is excellent value and, even though there is no meat, has a varied menu so you should have no problem finding something which takes your fancy. One of San Diego's tastiest and healthiest options. Casa de Bandini, San Diego: As Mexico is so close, it isn't too surprising to discover that San Diego is full of excellent restaurants serving it's neighbouring country's cuisine. Casa de Bandini is one of the city's best and has a good menu. Some of its specialities include the Grilled Chicken & Avocado Tacos. You can dine outside or inside, in one of the restaurants various nooks and crannies. Kono's, San Diego: Nothing beats eating outdoors beside the beach, and Kono's is one of the best places to do it. As well as being a great place to get a breakfast, it also serves a good selection of burgers if you plan on eating there later in the evening.