Looking for suggestions from people in San Diego on things to do.?

Hi, I'm a longtime local and a frequent traveler.

The one thing that stands out in your question is "make the best of our day trip."

You've only got a day. I know what's like to try and do a lot in a day. It's difficult. And it shouldn't be hectic. You want to look back on that brief moment and remember kicking back and enjoying a relaxing afternoon with your love one.

With that in mind, I would recommend Balboa Park. Try and get to San Diego after the morning rush. Leave Anaheim after 9:15 a.m. When you reach San Diego, take 805-South to West 8. Stay on the number lane next to the slow lane and then take 163-South.

Go uphill, and about 2 miles later, you'll see signs for the Zoo. I believe it's the Park Blvd. exit. Take it, when you get to the stoplight, turn left and you're on Park. Take the President's Way or Village Place turnoff (to the left) and find a parking spot.

Then just walk around the park. On Tuesdays, there are at least 3-4 museums open for free. But there are plenty of other museums. There's a lot of space for walking, sitting, viewing, and a few cafes.

If that doesn't sound like your thing, I'd recommend :

Coronado (take I-5 .. pass downtown ... and a few exits beyond downtown you'll see the Coronado exit which leads to the Bridge. Enjoy the view. Enter Coronado and you have two choices :

Turn right and Orange, and go to the Ferry Landing, which is just off First Avenue, where you'll turn right. There's a fantastic view of the San Diego skyline and plenty of restaurants, from upper end (Il Fornaio) to an assortment of casual eateries.

Your second choice (or you can do this after the first) is heading back to Orange Avenue. It will take you into the heart of Coronado. I'm sure you can find something there, including the Del, if that's your thing.

Heading back, you can either go back towards the bridge, or continue heading towards the Silver Strand to Imperial Beach. IB is a quiet beach community -- best known as the town which spawned Iron Butterfly (remember "In Da Gadda da Vida"?!)

Imperial Beach has a pier, but you can just drive on north a few miles through town until you see the I-5 North turnoff.

Best to avoid rush-hour, which begins at 3 p.m. As long as there are two of you, at least you've got the Diamond Lane (carpool lane).

Hope that helps.

Go downtown, there's a lot to do. if you're looking for a place to eat / drink go to the gaslamp district, it's the historic center of san diego and all of the buildings are really old and there's tons of bars and restaurants. from there you can walk to seaport village, which is a nice shopping area on the bay. you can take a ferry over to coronado and go see the historic hotel del coronado. it's a nice place right on the beach, they have a really nice open air bar thats fun to have a drink at. there's also balboa park if you want to go to the zoo, but if you're only here for one day that kinda eats it up, and there's so much more to see.

Coronado - go to the beach have lunch at the Del.

La Jolla - enjoy the walk, beach and shops.

Balboa Park, Downtown, Gas-Lamp, Bay

(near Coronado)

Old Town and Point Loma Lighthouse

Go to San Diego Zoo or Seaworld. http://www.socalthemeparks.com/theme-parks.html