San Diego

Once upon a time, San Diego was known primarily for its pandas. The San Diego Zoo, one of the largest in the world, was lent two giant pandas from China in 1987, and Americans went gaga: The gentle, black and ...

[humanpower]

Yeah, well, I live in SD and I can say that it's a pretty great town, and no more of a meth capital than any small, depressed town in Illinois. Not so much sad Cubs fans as sad Padres fans. Oh, and North Park is certainly *not* more upscale than Hillcrest, much more down-to-earth, actually. Don't do any of the things in the article--go to a taco stand, go to a museum in Balboa Park, go hiking at Torrey Pines Park, go over to Coronado, stay away from the golf course, stay away from the gaudy, touristy Gaslamp, hang out in a real neighborhood and get to know the people.

[chicagogreg]

As a Chicago native and former San Diegan, I appreciate the list of touristy destinations with a hint of local hangouts. North Park has seen a remarkable rebirth over the last few years and it's well worth checking out (centered around 30th St and University). But a visit to San Diego is pointless unless you visit Mission Beach/Pacific Beach/LaJolla. Be sure to drive up N. Torrey Pines Rd: a stop at the Torrey Pines Beach just south of Del Mar is particularly satisfying. Enjoy!

[Crazy Politico]

Having lived in the Chicago and San Diego areas for basically equal amounts of time now, I'll take San Diego any day.

Maybe because of LA to the north the folks in San Diego don't have nearly as much of a superiority complex as most in Chicago.

On the up side, Sand Diego's food is better, weathers better, traffic is easier to deal with. In fact about the only thing Chicago has on San Diego is a better local music scene, and cheaper places to live, and lower taxes.

If it wasn't for family in this area I'd go back in a heartbeat.

[rjinchi]

I used to live in SD too. True, it is a little slow paced, but I will take the slow paced, sunny days and being able to have breakfast outside on my patio in January over -50 wind chills and being stuck in doors for several months out of the year any day. I cant wait to move back.

[JRO]

San Diego is just a greta town, with some of the best weather in the world, balmy and nice breeze, not humid, not really cold, just perfect and sunny.

The hotel del Coronado is awesome and historic, l love eating at Anthony's Home Port, great seafood at the marina.

[Murph]

I always recommend Rei do Gado to friends when they visit San Diego. It is in the Gaslamp right across the street from Horton Plaza.

It's a Brazilian Steak House and it is one of the best places I have ever eaten.

http://www.reidogado.net/