Who: Kristin Edington of Seattle (originally of Cheyenne)
Where: Balboa Park in San
Diego
Best meal: The In & Out Burger at the shopping complex in Mission Valley was a perfect quick dinner. No chance for an In & Out Burger much farther inland, as they exist only in California, Arizona and Nevada.
Best deal: Deals abound for the San Diego Zoo, harbor cruises and day trips to Mexico, discovered online or at the hotels. Our favorite deal was the Old Town Trolley Tour, not to be confused with the public transportation system also called the Trolley. The Trolley tour is $30 but offers various discounts, so ask for yours. Ride for two hours to get your overview of all the highlights of San Diego or hop off and on exploring the areas at the various stops.
Best time to go: Whenever you can get away for a few days. March was cool and it did rain in Southern California; however, the crowds were nonexistent, and the beach was still glorious to walk along.
Best travel tip: Shop online for airfares, rooms and cars at all the travel sites. We found a rental car at Advantage for just $62 for three days and wound up with a convertible upgrade, no charge. Also, Balboa Park is the original 1,400-acre site of a 1915 International Exposition, which takes all day to explore. The Japanese Friendship Garden and the Spanish Village were two favorites. Also not to be missed: the Timken Museum of Art, with works from the 12th century and a Rembrandt. There are 22 attractions, not counting the world-famous San Diego Zoo, many of them free.
