SoCal Buzzers, I need you!

So here's the quick version of the story: Princeton is playing their first West Coast away game ever, and as a result, the fine alumni out west have financed the Band to bring some people out there for a halftime show. So, within the span of two weeks, I've gone from being stuck in New Jersey for a semester to heading out to sunny California for a weekend!

The days will be somewhat busy, but there will be a bit of free time, which I would love to use in the coasting department, which is where I need some Buzzers' help.

What rides/coasters are absolutely worth hitting in the greater San Diego area? I won't be able to venture very far from there (any transport is on my own dime and free time doesn't start till 5pm anyway). I probably won't be able to hit Sea World or the Zoo, but if you could offer any advice on what to do (emphasis on thrill rides, if possible) that'd be awesome. Thanks in advance!

--Dave, who'll be singing "Going Back to Nassau Hall" oh so sadly on Sunday morning...

I'm not a west coaster but I can assure you that a stop at Mission Beach would be worth your while. Belmot Park is on Mission Beach and the Giant Dipper is an absolute classic, regardless of the crappy Morgan trains.

Best bet is Mission Beach, and the Dipper. Not my fave, but the best coaster in San Diego (not saying much). Sea World is very close to there, with Journey To Atlantis being the only coaster there. It is a nice park, however, with a very good rapids ride.

Much further out is Legoland, a fun little park with 3 junior coasters. It's a good ways away from downtown San Diego though. The next closest from there is the Disneyland/Knotts block, but that's a long ways away (you'd have to rent a car), you'd be fighting bad traffic to get there, and they close pretty early this time of year anyways.

Yeah, not really much in the greater SD area, just Mission Beach and Sea World.

Aww man, my wife and I'd personally escort you to one of our many fine mexican restaurant (you did want emphasis on thrills right?), but we're buying a house, fixing it, and moving in.

If you have a full day to yourself, look into taking the train to Orange County so that you can go to Knott's. I'm not sure if the Coaster goes all the way to Knott's, but I'll bet the Amtrack does. Don't miss Knott's if you can help it. The train ride should anly be about an hour and a half each way. The station is downtown.

If you do like Mexican, look up Tacos El Gordo in Chula Vista. They're soft, but muy athéntico.

The Amtrak Surfliner stops in Fullerton, which is close to Knotts (there may even be a shuttle to the park). As far as what's in the area, the rest of the guys pretty much hit everything on the head. So JF, you moving to Chula Juana? *** Edited 9/23/2004 5:00:13 PM UTC by Dutchman***

I wish I could, but it's really not gonna happen. We have free time on Friday from 8:00pm on, and on Saturday from about 5:00pm on. Our flight home on Sunday is bright and early. This distresses me greatly since this is the first time I've been out to California, and all the great rides (including Knott's, Disney, and SFMM) are two and a half hours away. Unfortunately, on our schedule, I can't make those happen, and I don't know when the next time I'll be in California is -- again, this was the first time in 19 years.

Hey D, Manila Mesa actually. :)

Although with housing rpices as they are, CV wasn't out of the question. ;)

We're stuck in Crappa de Oro (roasting nicely, thank you). One of these days maybe we'll get a place of our own. Lost my place in the divorce.