Looks like I'm slated to be in San Diego for a few days in August. I've never been, but I've heard a lot of great things.

Where should I stay (and how's the traffic?) What restaurants/sites can't be missed? I could probably extend my trip for a few days, if it's worthwhile.

Haven't been in years but I used to wait tables at Rainwater's in downtown, best steak in town.

A restaurant that's fun but the food is just passable is The Godfather. Very kitschy Italian atmosphere. Not as kitschy as Buca di Beppo, but still fun.

The Hotel del Coronado is a must. I also enjoyed touring the missions.

Where do I want to stay depends a lot on whether or not you want to be at the beach, downtown, economy, luxury, golf, etc etc. More info please.

As for where to eat there are quite a few decent restaurants that should be searchable in this forum under San Diego or under La Jolla.

Yeah, do a search both here and on the WS site. there's a load of info. I agree with Corkage about Rainwater's on Kendrick. Great steak and a great wine list. My favorite place is Thee Bungalow in Point Loma. Truly great food and a wonderful wine list at very fair prices.

Just got back and traffic in San Diego was very manageable, even at rush hour. Travel down from LA was kind of a pain though. Beach areas were a little slow on the weekends. Did all the touristy things with the kids, zoo, Sea World, the Wild Animal Park, beach, etc. La Jolla is beautiful and a quick drive. Only two restaurants we hit worth mentioning, Humphrey's on the Bay, Shelter Island and Crab Catcher in La Jolla. Wine list at Humphrey's seemed reasonable, the 2001 Sea Smoke Botella, for $34 or $38 bucks, was very enjoyable there with the salmon. Would like to have gotten downtown to the Gaslamp Quarter and Old Town, and we didn't make either. Great restaurant possibilities there. Listen to GA and Board O about additional info. Have a great time and I hope the haze is gone before you get there. The June gloom was very apparent. Enjoy!