Visiting San Diego

[aidyb]

Hello everyone. Please forgive me if this isn't the correct forum to ask for this advise. I'm new not only to this addictive and wonderfull hobby but also to this great web-site.
On friday I shall be visiting San Diego. Unfortunately, I will only be in town until sunday evening when I fly back to the UK. I know this isn't going to be enough time to do all the things I would like to do. This is why I am looking for some advise of where would be the best place to visit when I'm there to see some great tanks/aquariums ect and maybe learn a thing or two along the way. The obvious place to an outsider is Sea World! Do you have any other suggestions! Would also be handy if you could suggest a good LFS where I might be able to pick up a few things as its SO much cheaper in the US than the UK.
I shall be staying in the Gas Lamp area of the city and have not got the use of a car, however that can be sorted out if there is a lot to see in such a short time.
I know this is a strange request and reef.org isn't a tourist board, but everyone on here seems so helpfull I thought I would ask.
Thanks very much for taking the time to read this.
All the best
Aidyb

 

[mountainbiker619]

There are two places I would recommend:

1. Aquatic Warehouse in San Diego
2. The Long Beach Aquarium in Long Beach

 

[Anonymous]

Id say sea world also...DUH....they have aquariums there also...
Aquarium of the Pacific----100 Aquarium way Long Beach, ca
(562)590-3100
16.95 adults
9.95 3-11
Birch Aquaruim at Scripps----Scripps Institution of Oceanograph
2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla Ca
(858)534-FISH
8.50 adults
3.00 3-17
free 2 and under


hope this helps..


8)

 

[skkyy]

Fountain's Aquarium
La Mesa, CA
They have good stock but are a little pricy

Octupuss Garden
SD, CA
There currently out of corals but do have alot of fish in stock

Pet Kingdom
SD, CA
Pretty good selection, has a huge reptile section!

 

[mountainbiker619]

Octupuss Garden
SD, CA
There currently out of corals but do have alot of fish in stock

Corals are arriving this friday.

If you do decide to go up to Long Beach to visit the Aquarium, then you will have to stop by Tongs on the way up. His two coral display tanks in the rear of the store are jaw dropping.

 

[fishfanatic2]

Aquariums and fish stores- sounds good to me!

 

[mountainbiker619]

bump

 

[Anonymous]

Pet Kingdom
SD, CA

I wouldnt recommend going there. True their reptile section is ok but the corals and rock section are not! Their rocks and corals are covered in aptasia and their fish are over priced too. I would suggest
1. BIrch
2. Sea world
3. the La Jolla Coves
4. Aquatic Warehouse
5. OCtopus Garden

Thoses should fill your time nicely here in SD
Have fun in the Gas LAmp and Visit PB in the night for a another good club scene!

 

[sstephen]

I second supaboy1981's advice. IMO, Pet Kingdom is the most expensive of the stores listed and they seem to be understaffed. It's hard to get assistance there. I was also not terribly impressed with the LFS in La Mesa. Several times, I noticed dead fish floating around in their displays, and at least some of their staff did not seem very knowledgeable. Octopuss Garden is probably one of the smallest in the area, but they have the best prices and good advice. Aquatic Warehouse is probably the largest and has good prices as well. Both Octopus Garden and Aquatic Warehouse are located in the office districts near Claremont Mesa Blvd. between the 805 and the 15 highways. There are several fish stores in that area, but it might be a little difficult to get to by bus. Sea World has a good aquarium (among other things), and should be easy to get to from the Gas Lamp district. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps is much more impressive IMO, but I don't know how easy it is to get to by public transportation. Still, La Jolla in general is a great place to visit while you're here.

Have fun!
Scott

 

[Anonymous]

Just a note if you plan to gp to sea world or the Coves you might wanna check the weather cause right now its pouring out. Octopus Garden is my store of choice. True it doesnt have the selection but what it lacks in selection it more than makes up for in Knowledge. At AW they tend to hurry you along and employ "car salesman" tactics in order for you to buy more. While some of their sales staff are extremly knowledgable there are more "car salesman" there than genuinly helpful people. They also claim to be wholesale to the public but the truth is they are one of the more expensive LFS around. Please dont let that distract you from going there though because their setup is quite a nice sight. Most of their fish are extremly healthy and their invert touch tanks are really cool as well. Just know what you want before you go in there so you dont end up spending ungodly amounts of money every time you go.

 

[aidyb]

Hey, Thanks SO much everyone for taking the time and replying to my request. This time tomorrow I'll be on my way!!

All advise has been printed and will be acted on as soon as I get there. Hope the weather clears up. Thought " it never rains in Southern California" q a song...

Particularly like the sound of SCRIPPS!! Great leads guys, thank you.

Will let ya know what I got up to on my return.

Look out, here I come.....lol

 

[aidyb]

Just thought I'd try and post a pic of a couple of friends that are too busy to join me in San Diego. If pic isn't showing with this {not tried before} then I will try again on my return....CHEERS :wink: