Monarch 3/19, San Diego transportation

[tetaf]

Coming from Ohio, so we are hoping to squeeze all we can in our 8-day trip. Celebrating my 50th birday, 28th anniversary and twin daughters' graduation from college. Is it possible to see the zoo in the morning then go to Coronado in the afternoon for a few hours. If so, what's the recommended transportation from the ship to the zoo to the island and back? Staying in LA two days prior to cruise and 1 day after.

[hunnypot1]

That is a really large zoo! I had a hard time seeing everything I wanted to in one full day.

 

I think it would be a tight squeeze. Too bad you can't stay in SD longer - it is beautiful there. Lots and lots to do!

[Happy ks]

You could do it, but it would be a very short visit to each place since the ship will only be in San Diego 8 hours, really only 6 and a half hours will be available to you. You have to remember that you need to shave off a half hour in the morning, unless you are waiting at the gangway and run off the ship, then realistically an hour at the end of the trip, travel time to get back to the ship and you have to be on a half hour before sailaway.

 

Your plan may be a little too ambitous for both, so if I were you I'd choose one or the other. Although I love Coronado, the Zoo would win out, hands down.

 

Another alternative that's a lot of fun is the Old Towne Trolley. We're fairly local, yet have done that a couple of times on the Monarch 4 day. You can buy tickets in advance at www.historictours.com or buy them when you get there. Don't go with the ships tour, we did that the first time and were on a trolley we couldn't get off of. The Trolley tour takes you all over the city and has stops in a number of places. Check it out.

 

Have fun with your San Diego visit and your Monarch cruise!

[NancyIL]

We were on the 4-day Monarch at this time last year. It was a very nice cruise, and I especially loved Catalina Island - where we went on the Avalon Scenic Tour and the Casino Tour. We purchased the tickets from the Discovery Tours office - not far from where we got off the ship. There was a discount for booking 2 or more tours: http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/Tours.php

 

I ordered my San Diego trolley ticket online before leaving, then exchanged the voucher for a regular ticket after I was off the ship: http://www.historictours.com/sandiego/default.htm It's a nice way to see the major sights in the area. It can be combined with the SEALS (aka "Duck") tour for only $15 more.

 

In Ensenada, my daughter and I went on the winery tour, booked through the ship. We were dropped off downtown afterwards, then had a nice lunch at a Mexican restaurant. We also did a little shopping.

 

I wanted to add - Happy 50th Birthday, Happy Anniversary, and Congratulations to your daughters! My cruise last year was with my oldest daughter during her college spring break (she graduated in May), and was an early celebration of my 50th birthday. We spent the weekend before the cruise going to Disneyland. It was COLD and wet in SoCal, with highs only in the 50's. I hope you'll have much nicer weather!

[tetaf]

You've all been so helpful. We'll probably start with the zoo and watch the clock. If we're having too much fun there, it'll give us another reason to vacation in San Diego again. But the trolley sounds like an excellent idea also. Just one more question: what transportation would you recommend from the ship to the zoo, or does the trolley eventually stop there also (that would be Balboa Park, correct?)

[tetaf]

Sorry, just checked out the site you recommended. Seems that the trolley does stop there. Thanks again and so looking forward to this trip, my 4th cruise with RC.

[NancyIL]

Sorry, just checked out the site you recommended. Seems that the trolley does stop there. Thanks again and so looking forward to this trip, my 4th cruise with RC.

 

Check the opening time for the zoo. The zoo stop on the Trolley is a good ways into the tour, so you might want to take a taxi to the zoo first thing. If you have time leftover and still want to take the trolley, you could catch it at the zoo.

[cruzingfan]

We rented a car with Enterprise, the downtown office, it is about a mile walk to the office or Enterprise will pick you up and drop you off. When we rented the car for the day on the web site we said we would keep it for 24 hours (but returned the same day we rented it). Renting at the downtown office (I believe it is on E or F steet). was cleaper than renting it at the airport. The cost for a compact was under $30 for the day. We drove all over SD.. the zoo is easy to find as well as other areas of SD.

 

If you perfer go to SD mento site and you can find a bus route from the pier to the zoo. With one change of bus, or walk a few block to one that takes you right to the zoo..$2 for a adult each way.

 

Good luck and see SD on your own.

[tetaf]

Again, thanks. I think we'll get to the zoo and take it from there. I'll check into the bus tickets, because $2 each sounds a heck of a lot better than the trolley or cab, and we can decide if we have time to take the trolley or do something else. So very excited. You've all been so helpful.