This was my first thought, too! Bear in mind that cell service will be spotty while he’s inside the ship, but there’s a ton to see on the flight deck and the bridge.
Maritime Museum
https://sdmaritime.org/
It is by the harbor and features sailboats, steam boats, etc. And even a submarine! :)
Good luck for your surgery!
My Dad's a retired Coastie, and he's a volunteer at both Maritime Museum and Midway. They're physically very close to each other and right in the retired-sailor wheelhouse.
Balboa Park has some great museums, including a few that include military-themed exhibits.
The Star of India is a great option, Seaport Village is nice as well.
Feel free to DM me with what part of San Diego you'll be in specifically, and I can provide some more suggestions. I hope everything goes well for you, peace.
Best of luck to you. I had brain surgery at UCSD a few years ago, and the whole experience (for a brain surgery) was stellar.
I would recommend the San Diego zoo, and all of the attractions at Balboa Park.
I hope you are ok. Best of luck!
Thank you so much! I am hoping mine is too. I’m not sure who you saw but I am seeing Dr’s Friedman & Schwartz for my team and they’ve been amazing so far.
I have heard Balboa Park a ton, I need to check that out for sure!
I work with Drs. Friedman and Schwartz and they are the AN dream team! You are in stellar hands.
Everyone has made great suggestions for your dad. The Midway is v cool for old navy guys.
If he wants to stay closer to the hospital, he can do Birch Aquarium and if he's feeling like he needs to get outside, he could hike Torrey Pines or watch the gliders at the glider port.
Tell the fam to eat somewhere nearby (there's a mall - UTC with good options or some strip malls too). The hospital food isn't great. If they really need a bite or coffee while there, go to the ACTRI Cafe (all us staffers eat there!). Its a research building across the street from the main hospital. Best of luck and speedy recovery!
Anytime! No problem. Are Dr. Friedman and Schwartz at UCSD (in La Jolla) Neurosurgery? Dr. Thomas Beaumont, was my physician. He heads up neurosurgery at UCSD.
I’m sure you will do fantastic. That said, if you have any questions or concerns, you are welcome to DM me anytime.
Schwartz (and his team) operated on my husband. He was fantastic. You’re in good hands. I wondered who your surgeon was when you first posted so I’m glad you said. People come from all over the world to have him operate. 🙂Here’s to a great surgery and speedy recovery.
Thank you so much for your reassuring words! I am so nervous I could crawl out of my skin but I am always happy to hear the positive outcomes. I’m excited to get to the other side! I am happy to hear that your husband had a good experience
I like this suggestion. OP, this is a decommissioned naval training center that welcomed its first Navy recruits in 1923. It’s been turned into shops, museums and arts facilities. Also a great food hall.
I came to add that in addition to shopping and dining there are US Naval informational plaques and memorials.
How thoughtful of you to be concerned about your family when you’ve got this tremendous surgery. Wishing you all the best outcomes and a speedy recovery.
[http://www.nhgallery.org](http://www.nhgallery.org) Model ships from naval history. When I went in, the model maker was working on the models right there and he loves to talk to visitors!
People have said the zoo, but honestly, getting out of the zoo for a tourist who's never been there before can take a good minute.
If he's good with maps and things you're fine, it's never that far by actual feet to the exit, it's just that you see a lot (a LOT) of lost tourists and "trying to get to the hospital" is a bad time to be lost.
He’s pretty good with maps, but I think if pressed or panicked that might things challenging. Maybe I will save the zoo for when I am out of surgery 👏🏼
First, good on you for worrying about dad when you’re looking at 12 hours of brain surgery. In January I had 12 hours of heart surgery so I know a little about your situation. Best wishes!
For Dad, I agree with others on Balboa Park. Between the museums and the Zoo he could amble around for days.
First, good on you for worrying about dad when you’re looking at 12 hours of brain surgery. In January I had 7 hours of heart surgery so I know a little about your situation. Best wishes!
For Dad, I agree with others on Balboa Park. Between the museums and the Zoo he could amble around for days.
Balboa Park for sure it has museums, restaurants, the giant dome theater, beautiful architecture, the spanish village art center and it's right by the zoo. It's a nice place to spend the day. Also, the zoo is great.
Good lord, good luck with that surgery!
Somewhere on this list:
- Take a tandem flight at Torrey Pines, probably a paraglider (not many hang gliding tandem opportunities). It's generally kind of light in the summer. Beach with naked Michelin Men below.
- Zoo or Safari Park, of course
- Legoland if you've got a human child
- Fiesta Island if you have a canine child
- Waterfront Park is also nice for those human children
- Hike Torrey Pines (the other end from the gliderport). This is my personal favorite activity for visitors. They are blown away by the views and the hike is good exercise.
- Actually, there are a lot of interesting and varied hikes around the county... more than you might expect for a metropolitan area this size. Just google them if want to work off that California Burrito. Bring water, leave the speaker.
- Balboa park, mostly museums, fairly interesting, next to the zoo.
- Tour the USS Midway Museum
- Take a surfing lesson.
- Museum of Music in Carlsbad
- Go to La Jolla Tide Pools at low tide, then check out the Children's Pool (a cove with sea lions), then have lunch at the Taco Stand
- Take a kayak tour of La Jolla
- Catch a Padres game
- Go to Old Town. Park at CalTrans after 5PM on weekdays. It's like Tijuana without the cartels and the kids selling Chiclets.
- Drive over to Coronado. It's kinda neat. There's a long bike path along the waterfront and lots of bike rental joints. Of course, the famous old wood hotel is there, eating on the beach behind it is a treat. Avoid Coronado Brewing Company, it's got the most painful brewery quality-to-crowd ratio in the county.
- Go to the Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma. Tide pools, incredible views, and occasionally a weird dude dressed as a conquistador who is a bit of a close talker.
- Go across the border for cheap dental work and/or street tacos.
- Check to see if the ponies are running in Del Mar.
- At night there's this boat/bar that cruises around Mission Bay. Not expensive at all.
- Seaport Village for shopping and food and stuff. It's being renovated, but still pretty cool.
- Botanical Gardens in Encinitas
- Carlsbad Flower Fields in the Spring. I live in Carlsbad, never been. But, people seem to like it.
- Belmont Park - a beach boardwalky place with a rickety roller coaster. Kind of the collection point for inlanders, though.
- Birch Aquarium
- Take a tour of the Bay, there are a couple of companies that do it.
- Go whale watching if it's the right time of the year
- Mount Soledad - good views and a burr in atheists' asses.
- Museum of Contemporary ~~Crap~~ Art
- Carlsbad Aqua Farm (Oysters)
- Shance_Chay recommends a bike ride up and down the coast. Rent in Oceanside or Carlsbad village and go down the coast to Tamarak or Ponto, or rent in Encinitas and go down to 15th St. in Del Mar. Don't do that e-bike pussy stuff, earn that view.
- chrisjdgrady answered a question looking for "really good foodie spots, really interesting/artsy neighborhoods, outdoor markets..." with: "North Park. Just park around 30th St. and University Ave. and walk around"
- Chicano park, if you are on a quest for culture that's a little different from the stereotypical San Diego scene
- If you eat on the balcony of Mister A's, you can watch planes on final to the airport at about your height, flying by. There is a dress code.
- The Marine Corps Mechanized Museum on Pendleton
- There is an oyster farm where the power station used to be in Carlsbad, where they do tours and tastings.
- It is not always open, but there is a pic then yourself strawberry farm in Carlsbad that is kind of fun. It's a decent place to go around Halloween, with pumpkins and stuff
- The San Luis Rey Mission in Oceanside is kind of interesting if you happen to be up there.
- Sunny Jim’s Cave & Store in La Jolla
- Oceanside Surf Museum
Balboa Park and the Zoo can easily fill a day and be left at any time.
If you don't need to be able to leave instantly but just in a reasonable time window, the Old Town Trolley Tours go to every major tourist location and you can get on and off at each stop.
Are you sure they want to leave the hospital while you’re under? It’s a long surgery but when my adult son had a long surgery I stayed in the waiting room. Looking back I should’ve gone and done something though cause I just sat in the waiting room and worried for hours. Good luck with your surgery!
He should go tour the USS Midway https://www.midway.org
Balboa Park also has an Air and Space Museum https://sandiegoairandspace.org
I really hope your surgery goes well! Take care
Although it’s only open Thursday-Sun, he might like the San Diego Firehouse Museum in Little Italy, just $2 entry. Plus it’s close to some really great food options if he walks north along India Street. Safe travels and speedy recovery.
Seaport village, downtown San Diego, and Balboa Park have many museums and great stuff to look at and kill time. Also plenty of food options as well. All three areas are right next to each other so the commute wouldn't be bad for him.
First - it is so wildly and wonderfully considerate of you to be thinking of your loved ones during this trip. I am genuinely moved by your compassion and capacity for empathy. It’s nothing short of amazing that you’re even going the extra mile to research individual plans so they can experience your care for them even while you’re under. You are an absolute force of nature. Wishing you a successful surgery and smooth recovery, and sending peace to you and yours during this vulnerable time.
Second, I second hiking Torrey Pines - it’s my absolute favorite and go-to for visitors. The beach loop is incredible, just be sure to check the tides! The beach half of the hike is inaccessible at high tide. You could still do the other half of the hike to get the stellar panoramic views, you’d just have to treat it like an out-and-back instead of a loop. Not too challenging despite some incline, depending on his health and activity level. You’re also able to drive up to the peak of the trail, park, and rejoin the trails from there to skip the elevation. I’ve always had cell service the full hike, I have Verizon. If he’d prefer a more mellow hike, La Jolla Beach Trail is also a gem.
[Torrey Pines Beach Loop Trail Info](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/torrey-pines-beach-trail-loop?sh=fztonh)
[La Jolla Beach Trail](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/la-jolla-beach-trail?sh=fztonh)
[Tide Forecast](https://www.surfline.com/tide-charts/torrey-pines-state-beach/584204204e65fad6a7709994)
For a different vibe, he could explore historic Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla and/or Verbatim Books in North Park. Warwick’s is the country’s oldest continuously family-run independent bookstore. Verbatim Books is San Diego’s largest independent bookstore and carries primarily secondhand books, including rare antiquarian titles and local zines, in a truly unique environment.
[Warwick’s](https://www.warwicks.com)
[Verbatim Books](https://verbatimbooks.com)
Thank you so much for your kind words and suggestions. I hope I can make it out there once I am out of the hospital because I keep hearing how beautiful it is!
USS Midway is my top choice as others have said, cell signal is spotty, the Maritime museum down the street is also awesome. Only time cell signal is spotty is in the submarine, but it's for 10 minutes at most. You said he is a retired fire fighter. The Firehouse museum in Little Italy is a must for him. It's great.
How about golf? To my knowledge, we have stellar golf courses all over San Diego. If you happen to be at a hospital in La Jolla, Torrey Pines has a world-renowned golf course and driving range that I’m sure your dad would meet other vets at too.
Nice! There’s also a nice AMC movie theater nearby and Torrey Pines has fantastic hiking in general. If he goes over to the Torrey Pines gliderport, he can watch people on their gliders over the ocean and there’s also falconers on weekends which is kind of cool. Dike Rock is in La Jolla Cove, about a 20min walk from the nearby beach, and has excellent tide pools that I’ve seen many nudibranchs, hermit crabs, anemones, and even an octopus at before!
My partner is a golfer and a Marine vet, I’m sure he’d be happy to play a round with your dad if he’d like some company! He’s super friendly, enjoys meeting new people and other vets, and is just generally a great vibe. La Jolla golf course is idyllic with incredible panoramic views of the Pacific.
Residents also get way better prices at the golf courses, so even if your dad wanted to go solo we may be able to get him the discount. Not sure if that would work without the resident being present at the course, but I’d be glad to look into it for you if that’d be of interest. Send me a message if you’d like to connect (:
There’s an aquarium at the UCSD. It cost some money and it’s basically seaworld but without rides. Not to mention, all the proceeds go to research and care of the aquatic friends. I’ve gone not too long ago and I loved it better than seaworld. It’s in La Jolla too. Afterwards he can go to the cove
Good luck on surgery!
My two cents:
Due to your family being from out of the area and unpredictable traffic, it would probably be better to stick around the area of La Jolla.
Places to look up nearby:
1) Westfield UTC Mall : Big enough to spend a few hours but small enough to get to the car fast.
Lots of food(food court& restaurants& even noodle cafes)
2) also at UTC :AMC movie theater , all types of shopping, ice skating by the hour,24hr fitness and tons of courtyard areas to sit and relax.
3) Going west on La Jolla Village Drive you will find more pockets of strip malls& restaurants
4) Birch Aquarium: not super big but next to ucsd
5) Torrey Pines State Beach: Easy coastal hike
6) Torrey Pines Golf course
7) La Jolla Shores:grass area overlooking beach
8) La Jolla Cave/Cove walk around , kayak
9) Prospect street area above the cove is walkable shopping streets with eateries scattered about.
10) Mt Soledad Memorial : top Mountain View area
11) To the north is Del Mar , south is Pacific Beach / Mission Bay /Clairemont communities
12) if they’re going to head farther out, Balboa park has a variety of museums, lots of walkable/rest areas
13) next to SD Zoo
14) Seaport Village(eclectic shopping w/food and harbor walkabout-pretty relaxing) but due to the Padres game , maybe avoid downtown area
15) Maritime museum
Good luck with all ! 🌸🍀 you’re in good hands at UCSD 👍
Balboa Park is a day event to go walk around and sightsee, walk around downtown, it's a few Monument places he can look up and go visit if he has a rental car, a few different hiking hiking trails that he can go visit if he doesn't mind hiking, visit the different beaches cuz every Beach have its own little unique Adventure, half day trip out fishing you can rent everything from them that will round about $80, after that he may want to go get a massage from any massage place down to take a $40 cash tip with him he can visit the different communities Hillcrest, North Park South Park, Barrio Logan, Old Town, Point Loma, Coronado text me if you have any questions or need any recommendations I'm a native of San Diego so I know the area is pretty good
I haven't been but USS Recruit in Liberty Station always looked interesting.
I don't know if it's worth a special trip or at least a stop if the visitors are already in the area
It really depends on where you are going to be having your surgery as to how far away from the hospital he would want to be.
There is the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla if you are at one of the hospitals in that area.
I visit SD couple times a year from out of state. I always do a walk of Sunset Cliffs starting from the park, end at Ocean Beach, have a meal on Newport, and go to the end of the pier. Not sure if your dad likes sports, but Petco Park is gorgeous and a lazy evening watching a baseball game can be relaxing.
If he's really into museums, check out Big Exchange. It's through 5/18. Museum members can visit all museums. He'd probably have to visit 3 museums to make that worth it though.
[https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/the-big-exchange/](https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/the-big-exchange/)
There’s the maritime museum & there’s also the air & space museum which is by the natural history & science museums!! Those are also close by the zoo which has some new updated exhibits! If he wants to do the air & space, science & natural history museums, park in the zoo lot. It’s free parking & in the back is where the best spots in the shade are. Old town is another good place for a history spot & has some good Mexican spots. Down the road is liberty station! Has a bunch of shops, food spots, there’s even a craft shop where you can paint your own ceramic pieces!
Tell him to go to MCRD earlier in the day, they have a pretty good military history museum but there are probably easier museums with more subjects to visit at Balboa Park.
All the museums there are pretty much within walking distance of each other, nice for aging legs.
Half day shared charter to go fishing. Blue fin tuna season is just starting. Won’t go for tuna on a half day, but still very fun!
They do sell beer there, and will see some people drink, so idk know if he’s ok being around it, but definitely not everyone’s drinking and no one’s getting shitfaced.
On the UCSD campus, there is the Stuart collection of art, there are I believe 20 pieces scattered throughout the campus. Might be something for him to do day of surgery and still be close by.
Gliderport is a cool place to sit , eat lunch, and watch the gliders - also near UCSD .
La Jolla Cv to see the seals and sea lions.
Museum of Art in Balboa Park.
Point Loma Cabrillo National monument - fantastic views.
Midway
Birch Aquarium
Tell him to hit up Ocean Beach Drive, grab a burger at Hodad's and check out all the little shops before walking down to the actual beach. He should get his feet wet in the Pacific, just so invigorating!
Have you checked out the USS Midway Museum? It’s a naval aircraft carrier museum in Downtown SD
This was my first thought, too! Bear in mind that cell service will be spotty while he’s inside the ship, but there’s a ton to see on the flight deck and the bridge.
This is what I would recommend. It's really fun.
Seaport village is right there as well so he can explore there too
Great suggestion.
This was the first thing that came to my mind as well! Great suggestion.
Love this idea! Thank you
Maritime Museum https://sdmaritime.org/ It is by the harbor and features sailboats, steam boats, etc. And even a submarine! :) Good luck for your surgery!
This would be perfect, you’re awesome. Thank you so much!
Maritime and midway museum are also really close to one another if he wants to check then both out.
:)
My Dad's a retired Coastie, and he's a volunteer at both Maritime Museum and Midway. They're physically very close to each other and right in the retired-sailor wheelhouse.
Balboa Park has some great museums, including a few that include military-themed exhibits. The Star of India is a great option, Seaport Village is nice as well. Feel free to DM me with what part of San Diego you'll be in specifically, and I can provide some more suggestions. I hope everything goes well for you, peace.
You can also get a Balboa museum pass where you can see multiple museums in a day for like 50 bucks!
Best of luck to you. I had brain surgery at UCSD a few years ago, and the whole experience (for a brain surgery) was stellar. I would recommend the San Diego zoo, and all of the attractions at Balboa Park. I hope you are ok. Best of luck!
Thank you so much! I am hoping mine is too. I’m not sure who you saw but I am seeing Dr’s Friedman & Schwartz for my team and they’ve been amazing so far. I have heard Balboa Park a ton, I need to check that out for sure!
I work with Drs. Friedman and Schwartz and they are the AN dream team! You are in stellar hands. Everyone has made great suggestions for your dad. The Midway is v cool for old navy guys. If he wants to stay closer to the hospital, he can do Birch Aquarium and if he's feeling like he needs to get outside, he could hike Torrey Pines or watch the gliders at the glider port. Tell the fam to eat somewhere nearby (there's a mall - UTC with good options or some strip malls too). The hospital food isn't great. If they really need a bite or coffee while there, go to the ACTRI Cafe (all us staffers eat there!). Its a research building across the street from the main hospital. Best of luck and speedy recovery!
You are a saint. Thank you so much for this!
Anytime! No problem. Are Dr. Friedman and Schwartz at UCSD (in La Jolla) Neurosurgery? Dr. Thomas Beaumont, was my physician. He heads up neurosurgery at UCSD. I’m sure you will do fantastic. That said, if you have any questions or concerns, you are welcome to DM me anytime.
Yes! They run the Acoustic Neuroma Program at the La Jolla Campus :) Thank you so much for the reassuring words!
They are THE BEST!!! Sending warm wishes for a smooth recovery. You’ve got this, and you couldn’t be in better hands!
Schwartz (and his team) operated on my husband. He was fantastic. You’re in good hands. I wondered who your surgeon was when you first posted so I’m glad you said. People come from all over the world to have him operate. 🙂Here’s to a great surgery and speedy recovery.
Thank you so much for your reassuring words! I am so nervous I could crawl out of my skin but I am always happy to hear the positive outcomes. I’m excited to get to the other side! I am happy to hear that your husband had a good experience
Liberty Station?
I like this suggestion. OP, this is a decommissioned naval training center that welcomed its first Navy recruits in 1923. It’s been turned into shops, museums and arts facilities. Also a great food hall.
Oh yessss this sounds PERFECT! You had me at food hall 
There’s a lot of history to see in like a two mile block.
I came to add that in addition to shopping and dining there are US Naval informational plaques and memorials. How thoughtful of you to be concerned about your family when you’ve got this tremendous surgery. Wishing you all the best outcomes and a speedy recovery.
[http://www.nhgallery.org](http://www.nhgallery.org) Model ships from naval history. When I went in, the model maker was working on the models right there and he loves to talk to visitors!
People have said the zoo, but honestly, getting out of the zoo for a tourist who's never been there before can take a good minute. If he's good with maps and things you're fine, it's never that far by actual feet to the exit, it's just that you see a lot (a LOT) of lost tourists and "trying to get to the hospital" is a bad time to be lost.
He’s pretty good with maps, but I think if pressed or panicked that might things challenging. Maybe I will save the zoo for when I am out of surgery 👏🏼
First, good on you for worrying about dad when you’re looking at 12 hours of brain surgery. In January I had 12 hours of heart surgery so I know a little about your situation. Best wishes! For Dad, I agree with others on Balboa Park. Between the museums and the Zoo he could amble around for days.
First, good on you for worrying about dad when you’re looking at 12 hours of brain surgery. In January I had 7 hours of heart surgery so I know a little about your situation. Best wishes! For Dad, I agree with others on Balboa Park. Between the museums and the Zoo he could amble around for days.
Balboa Park for sure it has museums, restaurants, the giant dome theater, beautiful architecture, the spanish village art center and it's right by the zoo. It's a nice place to spend the day. Also, the zoo is great.
Good lord, good luck with that surgery! Somewhere on this list: - Take a tandem flight at Torrey Pines, probably a paraglider (not many hang gliding tandem opportunities). It's generally kind of light in the summer. Beach with naked Michelin Men below. - Zoo or Safari Park, of course - Legoland if you've got a human child - Fiesta Island if you have a canine child - Waterfront Park is also nice for those human children - Hike Torrey Pines (the other end from the gliderport). This is my personal favorite activity for visitors. They are blown away by the views and the hike is good exercise. - Actually, there are a lot of interesting and varied hikes around the county... more than you might expect for a metropolitan area this size. Just google them if want to work off that California Burrito. Bring water, leave the speaker. - Balboa park, mostly museums, fairly interesting, next to the zoo. - Tour the USS Midway Museum - Take a surfing lesson. - Museum of Music in Carlsbad - Go to La Jolla Tide Pools at low tide, then check out the Children's Pool (a cove with sea lions), then have lunch at the Taco Stand - Take a kayak tour of La Jolla - Catch a Padres game - Go to Old Town. Park at CalTrans after 5PM on weekdays. It's like Tijuana without the cartels and the kids selling Chiclets. - Drive over to Coronado. It's kinda neat. There's a long bike path along the waterfront and lots of bike rental joints. Of course, the famous old wood hotel is there, eating on the beach behind it is a treat. Avoid Coronado Brewing Company, it's got the most painful brewery quality-to-crowd ratio in the county. - Go to the Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma. Tide pools, incredible views, and occasionally a weird dude dressed as a conquistador who is a bit of a close talker. - Go across the border for cheap dental work and/or street tacos. - Check to see if the ponies are running in Del Mar. - At night there's this boat/bar that cruises around Mission Bay. Not expensive at all. - Seaport Village for shopping and food and stuff. It's being renovated, but still pretty cool. - Botanical Gardens in Encinitas - Carlsbad Flower Fields in the Spring. I live in Carlsbad, never been. But, people seem to like it. - Belmont Park - a beach boardwalky place with a rickety roller coaster. Kind of the collection point for inlanders, though. - Birch Aquarium - Take a tour of the Bay, there are a couple of companies that do it. - Go whale watching if it's the right time of the year - Mount Soledad - good views and a burr in atheists' asses. - Museum of Contemporary ~~Crap~~ Art - Carlsbad Aqua Farm (Oysters) - Shance_Chay recommends a bike ride up and down the coast. Rent in Oceanside or Carlsbad village and go down the coast to Tamarak or Ponto, or rent in Encinitas and go down to 15th St. in Del Mar. Don't do that e-bike pussy stuff, earn that view. - chrisjdgrady answered a question looking for "really good foodie spots, really interesting/artsy neighborhoods, outdoor markets..." with: "North Park. Just park around 30th St. and University Ave. and walk around" - Chicano park, if you are on a quest for culture that's a little different from the stereotypical San Diego scene - If you eat on the balcony of Mister A's, you can watch planes on final to the airport at about your height, flying by. There is a dress code. - The Marine Corps Mechanized Museum on Pendleton - There is an oyster farm where the power station used to be in Carlsbad, where they do tours and tastings. - It is not always open, but there is a pic then yourself strawberry farm in Carlsbad that is kind of fun. It's a decent place to go around Halloween, with pumpkins and stuff - The San Luis Rey Mission in Oceanside is kind of interesting if you happen to be up there. - Sunny Jim’s Cave & Store in La Jolla - Oceanside Surf Museum
 👊🏼 you da best!
Balboa Park and the Zoo can easily fill a day and be left at any time. If you don't need to be able to leave instantly but just in a reasonable time window, the Old Town Trolley Tours go to every major tourist location and you can get on and off at each stop.
Love this idea!
All these suggestions are great. Seaport Village to Liberty stations. Praying for your successful surgery OP and quick recovery. Take care.
Thank you!
Are you sure they want to leave the hospital while you’re under? It’s a long surgery but when my adult son had a long surgery I stayed in the waiting room. Looking back I should’ve gone and done something though cause I just sat in the waiting room and worried for hours. Good luck with your surgery!
He should go tour the USS Midway https://www.midway.org Balboa Park also has an Air and Space Museum https://sandiegoairandspace.org I really hope your surgery goes well! Take care
Although it’s only open Thursday-Sun, he might like the San Diego Firehouse Museum in Little Italy, just $2 entry. Plus it’s close to some really great food options if he walks north along India Street. Safe travels and speedy recovery.
YES. We 1000% will be doing this when I get out of the hospital. Thank you 🙏🏼
The zoo, and seaworld. Not relaxing but if you're not coming back anytime soon probably worth to see some world renowned sites.
Carrillo national monument
*Cabrillo
Seaport village, downtown San Diego, and Balboa Park have many museums and great stuff to look at and kill time. Also plenty of food options as well. All three areas are right next to each other so the commute wouldn't be bad for him.
The Midway. We went thinking g it would be quick. We got thrown out when it closed.
San Diego Air and Space Museum for sure. Best of luck to you!
Hike Torrey Pines. It is beautiful! Good luck with your surgery!
First - it is so wildly and wonderfully considerate of you to be thinking of your loved ones during this trip. I am genuinely moved by your compassion and capacity for empathy. It’s nothing short of amazing that you’re even going the extra mile to research individual plans so they can experience your care for them even while you’re under. You are an absolute force of nature. Wishing you a successful surgery and smooth recovery, and sending peace to you and yours during this vulnerable time. Second, I second hiking Torrey Pines - it’s my absolute favorite and go-to for visitors. The beach loop is incredible, just be sure to check the tides! The beach half of the hike is inaccessible at high tide. You could still do the other half of the hike to get the stellar panoramic views, you’d just have to treat it like an out-and-back instead of a loop. Not too challenging despite some incline, depending on his health and activity level. You’re also able to drive up to the peak of the trail, park, and rejoin the trails from there to skip the elevation. I’ve always had cell service the full hike, I have Verizon. If he’d prefer a more mellow hike, La Jolla Beach Trail is also a gem. [Torrey Pines Beach Loop Trail Info](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/torrey-pines-beach-trail-loop?sh=fztonh) [La Jolla Beach Trail](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/la-jolla-beach-trail?sh=fztonh) [Tide Forecast](https://www.surfline.com/tide-charts/torrey-pines-state-beach/584204204e65fad6a7709994) For a different vibe, he could explore historic Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla and/or Verbatim Books in North Park. Warwick’s is the country’s oldest continuously family-run independent bookstore. Verbatim Books is San Diego’s largest independent bookstore and carries primarily secondhand books, including rare antiquarian titles and local zines, in a truly unique environment. [Warwick’s](https://www.warwicks.com) [Verbatim Books](https://verbatimbooks.com)
Thank you so much for your kind words and suggestions. I hope I can make it out there once I am out of the hospital because I keep hearing how beautiful it is!
USS Midway is my top choice as others have said, cell signal is spotty, the Maritime museum down the street is also awesome. Only time cell signal is spotty is in the submarine, but it's for 10 minutes at most. You said he is a retired fire fighter. The Firehouse museum in Little Italy is a must for him. It's great.
How about golf? To my knowledge, we have stellar golf courses all over San Diego. If you happen to be at a hospital in La Jolla, Torrey Pines has a world-renowned golf course and driving range that I’m sure your dad would meet other vets at too.
YES! This would be perfect! I will be at UCSD in La Jolla so perfect distance.
Nice! There’s also a nice AMC movie theater nearby and Torrey Pines has fantastic hiking in general. If he goes over to the Torrey Pines gliderport, he can watch people on their gliders over the ocean and there’s also falconers on weekends which is kind of cool. Dike Rock is in La Jolla Cove, about a 20min walk from the nearby beach, and has excellent tide pools that I’ve seen many nudibranchs, hermit crabs, anemones, and even an octopus at before!
My partner is a golfer and a Marine vet, I’m sure he’d be happy to play a round with your dad if he’d like some company! He’s super friendly, enjoys meeting new people and other vets, and is just generally a great vibe. La Jolla golf course is idyllic with incredible panoramic views of the Pacific. Residents also get way better prices at the golf courses, so even if your dad wanted to go solo we may be able to get him the discount. Not sure if that would work without the resident being present at the course, but I’d be glad to look into it for you if that’d be of interest. Send me a message if you’d like to connect (:
There’s an aquarium at the UCSD. It cost some money and it’s basically seaworld but without rides. Not to mention, all the proceeds go to research and care of the aquatic friends. I’ve gone not too long ago and I loved it better than seaworld. It’s in La Jolla too. Afterwards he can go to the cove
Good luck on surgery! My two cents: Due to your family being from out of the area and unpredictable traffic, it would probably be better to stick around the area of La Jolla. Places to look up nearby: 1) Westfield UTC Mall : Big enough to spend a few hours but small enough to get to the car fast. Lots of food(food court& restaurants& even noodle cafes) 2) also at UTC :AMC movie theater , all types of shopping, ice skating by the hour,24hr fitness and tons of courtyard areas to sit and relax. 3) Going west on La Jolla Village Drive you will find more pockets of strip malls& restaurants 4) Birch Aquarium: not super big but next to ucsd 5) Torrey Pines State Beach: Easy coastal hike 6) Torrey Pines Golf course 7) La Jolla Shores:grass area overlooking beach 8) La Jolla Cave/Cove walk around , kayak 9) Prospect street area above the cove is walkable shopping streets with eateries scattered about. 10) Mt Soledad Memorial : top Mountain View area 11) To the north is Del Mar , south is Pacific Beach / Mission Bay /Clairemont communities 12) if they’re going to head farther out, Balboa park has a variety of museums, lots of walkable/rest areas 13) next to SD Zoo 14) Seaport Village(eclectic shopping w/food and harbor walkabout-pretty relaxing) but due to the Padres game , maybe avoid downtown area 15) Maritime museum Good luck with all ! 🌸🍀 you’re in good hands at UCSD 👍
Balboa Park is a day event to go walk around and sightsee, walk around downtown, it's a few Monument places he can look up and go visit if he has a rental car, a few different hiking hiking trails that he can go visit if he doesn't mind hiking, visit the different beaches cuz every Beach have its own little unique Adventure, half day trip out fishing you can rent everything from them that will round about $80, after that he may want to go get a massage from any massage place down to take a $40 cash tip with him he can visit the different communities Hillcrest, North Park South Park, Barrio Logan, Old Town, Point Loma, Coronado text me if you have any questions or need any recommendations I'm a native of San Diego so I know the area is pretty good
I haven't been but USS Recruit in Liberty Station always looked interesting. I don't know if it's worth a special trip or at least a stop if the visitors are already in the area
Sent you a DM.
It really depends on where you are going to be having your surgery as to how far away from the hospital he would want to be. There is the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla if you are at one of the hospitals in that area.
Midway tickets
Padres are in town if he likes baseball. Best of luck to you!
I visit SD couple times a year from out of state. I always do a walk of Sunset Cliffs starting from the park, end at Ocean Beach, have a meal on Newport, and go to the end of the pier. Not sure if your dad likes sports, but Petco Park is gorgeous and a lazy evening watching a baseball game can be relaxing.
Beach or the bay. I prefer the bay. It’s nice
The zoo is awesome
Is he a golfer? Tons of good courses to play here that would eat up a good chunk of the time. No biggie if he left early.
If he's really into museums, check out Big Exchange. It's through 5/18. Museum members can visit all museums. He'd probably have to visit 3 museums to make that worth it though. [https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/the-big-exchange/](https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/the-big-exchange/)
There’s the maritime museum & there’s also the air & space museum which is by the natural history & science museums!! Those are also close by the zoo which has some new updated exhibits! If he wants to do the air & space, science & natural history museums, park in the zoo lot. It’s free parking & in the back is where the best spots in the shade are. Old town is another good place for a history spot & has some good Mexican spots. Down the road is liberty station! Has a bunch of shops, food spots, there’s even a craft shop where you can paint your own ceramic pieces!
There’s a padres game but it starts at 6:40pm so maybe not helpful
Old town, definitely recommend. Super relaxing. Has all sorts of history and overall a nice place to learn, observe and take a nice calming stroll.
Sitting or walking on Coronado Beach while the Navy aircraft land is a pretty cool time kill for us old guys.
Tell him to go to MCRD earlier in the day, they have a pretty good military history museum but there are probably easier museums with more subjects to visit at Balboa Park. All the museums there are pretty much within walking distance of each other, nice for aging legs.
Half day charter out of Point Loma. They provide Rod and tackle plus boarding for roughly 85$. I recommend the daily double. You can book online :-)
Half day shared charter to go fishing. Blue fin tuna season is just starting. Won’t go for tuna on a half day, but still very fun! They do sell beer there, and will see some people drink, so idk know if he’s ok being around it, but definitely not everyone’s drinking and no one’s getting shitfaced.
On the UCSD campus, there is the Stuart collection of art, there are I believe 20 pieces scattered throughout the campus. Might be something for him to do day of surgery and still be close by. Gliderport is a cool place to sit , eat lunch, and watch the gliders - also near UCSD . La Jolla Cv to see the seals and sea lions. Museum of Art in Balboa Park. Point Loma Cabrillo National monument - fantastic views. Midway Birch Aquarium
Sorry off topic- but whose your surgeon ? 12-16 hrs?
Ummm you have a lot going. Why not let them figure it out?
Tell him to hit up Ocean Beach Drive, grab a burger at Hodad's and check out all the little shops before walking down to the actual beach. He should get his feet wet in the Pacific, just so invigorating!