San Diego Zoo Prior to Cruise

We're sailing at 4:30 from San Diego with Celebrity, and would like to fly in the night before to visit the Zoo (not the Wild Animal Park)on embarkation day. Is it worth going for only the 4-5 hours we would be able to spend? If so, how late can we stay? I know the pier is just 4 miles from the Zoo. No kids, just two adults who THINK they're kids. Thanks!

Yes, you'll have time to enjoy a good part of the zoo in 4-5 hours. Take the bus tour first and spend the last part going back for a longer view of your favorite animals. Just don't forget that the ship is going to sail right around rush hour. How are you going to be getting around that day?

Sharon

Roll Call - Legend of the Seas - 8/22/04 click here!

Legend of the Seas - Mexican Riviera

We were planning to leave our bags at the hotel (close by) and cab to the zoo, then back to the hotel to pick up bags, then back to the pier. Is this doable? Other suggestions?

I think a cab is a good way to go in the rush hour traffic. The Zoo is not very far from the ship and there's usually a line of cabs just south of the Zoo's main entrance. Ask your cabbie to show you where they park when you get there. Where's your hotel?

[This message was edited by momdebomb on 05-21-04 at 09:50 AM.]

Hoven't selected a hotel. We only need somewhere clean and quiet--luxury not required, but no Motel 6 or Days Inn. Any suggestions for proximity to the zoo-pier? Thanks so much!

Well the holiday inn by the bay is directly across the street to the cruise terminal.Here are some hotels near the area:

Hotels near the Embarcadero

DONT stay in any on Hotel Circle though - they are really not near anything but freeways. No nice stroll the evening before etc... Any hotel near the Embarcadero puts you in a very nice place to wander a little - the kids and I go down there all the time to watch the harbor. Going down there this afternoon in fact, to see the Infinity sail at 5pm.

If you can get in to the Holiday inn at the Bay it would be the very easiest for you as it's right across the street from the ship.

See for yourself on this cam:

Webcanm on the cruise ship terminal (you'll want to zoom out a bit to see the hotel)

After you know which hotel you'll be at I can answer your question about how long it will take to get back to the ship.

Sharon

Roll Call - Legend of the Seas - 8/22/04 click here!

Legend of the Seas - Mexican Riviera

Just wanted to say that I'm not saying the hotels on Hotel Circle are bad.

If you're staying awhile, renting a car, have time to learn your way around a little and wanting to visit some things that are further away - they're very very convenient because they're right at 3 freeways, the 805, 163 and the 8 and quite near the 5 and not too far from the 52 and the 94. This makes it a breeze to go out to Julian, Tiajuana, the Carlsbad Flower Feilds, the Wild Animal Park etc...

But if you only have one evening, it's better to stay at a hotel that's already somewhere you want to be.

Oops - correction - it's the Celebrity Summit in port right now - not the Infinity.