If you find yourself at the Ferry Building again you can hop on the cable car in the financial district and take it to I think China Town then hop on another one to Union Square. You can catch a cable car in Union Square (I don't recommend getting on at the depot at the end, go up the street a bit close to the St. Francis and get on it there) down to Fisherman's Wharf and then walk back up to the Ferry Building and pick up the Bart. Or you could just get on the Bart from Union Square.

In Union Square I recommend getting some pastries and a coffee from this hole in the wall bakery. It's by an Italian restaurant and a neon red sign that says pizza. It's on the "mall" side of Gerry before Starbucks. It's so good.

[juvenile]

Every time I see this place listed somewhere, I always think it says Tampon Springs.

[/juvenile]

Only partially. You are stuck with the thread title ;)

Ha. I would call it a 'Low-Cation' as in low budget.

Which is what we are. So, we've done bike rides in Coronado and Mission Beach. We stroll about and find new little cafes, places to feel like we are somewhere new.

Old Town is awesome, different days mean different things to see. And, it is more than just the main park area.

We've riden the ferry across from Coronado to Seaport Village and strolled about.

I'd like to go to the Zoo, Balboa Park, and find some cool areas in San Diego {I forget what they are called} that are old and have great architecture.

I really want to go up to Julian and stay the night. It isn't horribly far away and they are always sending me offers...I just haven't had the time to go overnight. It is a nice place to go for a romantic evening. They have the Julian Grille, nice and romantic. There is also a bar, but, we've never been. Of course, the town basically closes at about 5 or 6.

I also want to go to Knotts. I know the Boy really isn't in to the roller coasters but it is a fun day.

Of course, Disneyland. The commercials are killing me.

The Projekt Revolution tour, and a lot of other concerts, for day trips.

And, we've been going to the movies more. To the early shows that are only $6. We're also bbcuing and cleaning. I think people are cleaning as a summer activity because I see a lot of yard sales.....

I know, we are complicated.

We're going to Encino this year.

Seriously though, we do not have a lengthy vacation planned for this year. Rather, we will be taking several extended weekend trips this year. We already have had two camping trips this year (including Camp Swank) and have a third planned for Labor Day weekend. Also, we have another extended weekend excursion planned for later in the year.

I like it this way: rather than having just one trip to look forward to, we have several.

I also have to remember and remind the Hubster that we've already been on a couple of trips. We did the CA trip in March/April. Then we went back to Yosemite in May. Until our passports expired, we went to Disneyland frequently.

It is a long time until our next scheduled vacation. But, just having the reservations is a good feeling.

I am a Hilton Honors member but my points still don't add up to a free night anywhere. They say you can book a free night for 7,000 points but that is rare. I have done it but it was way the heck up in Oregon and outside of San Jose. Well, maybe they were 10,000 each....but still I can't find a local one.

Oh, another place is Old Town Temecula.

If I'm going to be staying home for the time I'd rather just go to work. I enjoy my job and weekends (occasionally a long one) are more than enough for exploring the local area. But then I have no kids or major obligations on my weekend time so I do actually explore the local environs a lot.

I'd put all of my effort (if I needed to budget) into figuring out explore something new without it costing a whole lot more than staying home and doing things would.

I want to take Maddy camping but somewhere close. MouseWife or anyone else have any suggestions?

We're mostly home this summer which is fine.

Anza Borrego is one of my favorites down there, but you need to wait until fall when it cools down.