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ASNE things to do in San Diego

Ten things to do while in San Diego, April 6-9 for ASNE11.

  1. Padres versus Dodgers: 5:35 p.m. Saturday at Petco Park. It's not Red Sox versus Yankees, but Padres versus Dodgers is as big as a sports rivalry San Diego has. Just learn this chant: “beat L.A.” (Make sure to stop at Lolita's, 202 Park Blvd., for the best fast Mexican food around.) Tickets range from $5 to $71. Getting there: Petco Park is about a mile from the Marriott, an easy, 15 minute walk.
  2. A nightcap at Top of the Hyatt, Manchester Grand Hyatt, One Market Place, downtown. This rooftop bar is classy, not collegiate, and it offers one of the best views of San Diego. Getting there: A five-minute walk to the Hyatt.
  3. Ferry to Coronado, leaves from San Diego Convention Center. A short ferry ride takes you across the bay to Coronado's Marketplace. You'll find souvenir shops if you're looking for them, but there are also local favorite dining spots including Candelas on the Bay, Peohe's and Il Fornaio. Cost: $8.50 for a round-trip ticket. Getting there: The ferry stops at the San Diego Convention Center, which is a 15 minute walk from the Marriott. Schedule: coronadoferrylandingshops.com.
  4. A stroll through Balboa Park. San Diego's cultural center features art, science and historical museums along the magnificent Prado walkway. The park is teeming with buskers, locals and tourists on Saturdays. Stop at the always-free Timken for its current exhibit, Robert Wilson Video Portraits as well as San Diego's lone Rembrandt. Balboa Park is also home to the world famous San Diego Zoo and baby panda, Yun Zi. Getting there: A 10-minute cab ride, which will run about $10 depending on the taxi company.
  5. Beers at Karl Strauss Brewing Company Tour, 1157 Columbia St., downtown San Diego is a craft beer mecca and Karl Strauss is the original and still putting out award-winning beers. The brewery/restaurant has a diverse menu and features a cask night at 5 p.m. Thursdays where guests tap a fresh barrel. Free, walk-in brewery tours are also offered on request. Getting there: Less than a mile from the hotel, Karl Strauss is just under a 15-minute walk.
  6. Trolley to Fashion Valley or Tijuana. If you take the bright, red trolley north, you'll find high-end shopping at Fashion Valley mall. (Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Coach, Carolina Herrera and more.) Take the trolley south and you'll wind up in Tijuana, just don't forget your passport. A short walk across the border and a fast cab ride will take you to the city's popular El Taller restaurant, Av. Rio Yaqui 2969-B. Getting there: The Convention Center trolley stop is located across the street from the Marriott, a day pass to ride is $5. With transfers, the ride to Fashion Valley is 20 to 30 minutes and the trip to Tijuana is 30 to 45 minutes. For detailed trolley map see sdmts.com.
  7. Dinner in Little Italy, jazz at Anthology, dessert at Extraordinary Desserts. Start with a bite at popular Italian restaurants, Bencotto Italian Kitchen, 750 West Fir St., or Buon Appetito, 1609 India St., before heading off to Anthology, 1337 India St. The intimate music venue offers seated views and top-notch wine and cocktails. On the schedule for Thursday night is San Diego's finest Latin Jazz musicians, Oscar Hernandez Quintet with Justo Almario and Gilbert Castellanos. The venue is a few steps away from Extraordinary Desserts, featuring sophisticated creations by Karen Krasne that are almost too pretty to eat. Getting there: Little Italy is a 20-minute walk from the hotel.
  8. Boat rentals. Whether you're an experienced sailor or you're hoping to climb aboard for the first time, a variety of companies offer sail boat rentals. You'll also find motor boats, kayaks and pedal boats for rent. Cost: prices range from $20 to $725. Getting there: Sea Forth Boat Rentals is located at Gate 1 of the Marriott's marina. See seaforthboatrental.com for details.
  9. Try handmade tortillas in Old Town. San Diego's oldest neighborhood has everything from an authentic haunted house to folkloric dancers. But you'll find the lines over at Old Town Mexican Cafe, 2489 San Diego Ave. You can watch tortillas being made and sip on an enormous margarita while you wait for a table. Getting there: Old Town is a 10-minute cab ride.
  10. Local hot spots. Want to go where the cool San Diegans go? For craft cocktails try the sleek Craft & Commerce, 675 W. Beech St., filled with beautiful people and equally eye-catching cocktails. Adventurous types can try and find Noble Experiment, located behind a secret door at Neighborhood restaurant, 777 G St. (make sure to text your reservation to (619) 888-4713). For dinner, the popular small-plates restaurant, Searsucker, 611 5th Ave., was recently ranked second in OpenTable's list of hottest new restaurants in the country. And the Lincoln Room restaurant/bar, 901 4th Ave., has a hipster log cabin feel. Looking for wine? Vin de Syrah, 901 5th Ave., is worth the trouble it takes to find the entrance (hint: that's not really an ivy wall). Once inside, you'll feel as if you've fallen into “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.” The Ivy Wine Bar, 600 F St., has a more modern approach, serving its wine from automated WineStations. Getting there: These locations are between a five and 15 minute walk from the hotel. Reservations are recommended.

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