Directions

From the north: Take Interstate 5 South to Rosecrans Ave. (at the interchange of 5 and 8). Exit on Rosecrans, take Rosecrans to Sports Arena Blvd and turn right. The arena will be on the right side a few miles down.

From the east: Take Interstate 8 West to Rosecrans Ave. Exit on Rosecrans, take Rosecrans to Sports Arena Blvd and turn right. The arena will be on the right side a few miles down.

Parking: $5. Park in the lot. All other lots in the area will tow your car! If you go before 3pm Thurs - Sun there is a swap meet in the arena parking lot; parking is free.

Music Stores in the Area

The Black 5107 Newport Ave (Ocean Beach). (619) 222-5498
M-Sun 10-8
Although not a music store, they carry lots of music shirts, posters, books and banners. A very "alternative" store.

Blue Meannie 916 Broadway (El Cajon). (619) 442-2212
M-F: 10-9 Sat: 10-8 Sun: 11:30 - 6:30
Carries new & used CD's, LP's and tapes. Also has other collectibles (shirts, posters). From the Sports Arena, take 8 East to Mollison Ave. Exit and turn left (under the freeway). Turn right at Broadway (a few miles down), the store will be on your left.

Off The Record (2 locations) 6130 El Cajon Blvd (619) 265-0507
M-Sat: 10-9 Sun: 10-7
New & used CD's, LPs. Also have some videos and other collectibles. The Hillcrest store concentrates around alternative/industrial. From the Sports Arena, take 8 East to College Ave. Exit and turn right (passing by SDSU on your right). Several miles down turn left on El Cajon Blvd, the store is on your left.

Other location:
3849 5th Ave (Hillcrest). (619) 298-4755

Music Trader (10 locations) 3112 Midway Dr. (619) 223-7777
Every day 10-9
Carries extensive selection used CD's, some new CD's and tapes. Some stores also carry CD & VHS "footware". The college area store also carries used laserdiscs. From the Sports Arena, take Sports Arena Blvd west to Rosecrans. Turn right, then turn right again on Midway Dr. It will be a few miles down on the right.

Other locations:
7094 Miramar Rd (Miramar). (619) 693-1469
443 Broadway (El Cajon). (619) 444-2274
1084 Garnet Ave (Pacific Beach). (619) 272-2274
6663 El Cajon Blvd (College Area by SDSU). (619) 462-2274

Tower Records (4 locations) 3601 Sports Arena Blvd (619) 224-3333
Every day 9 - midnight
Has new CD's, tapes, minidiscs. Also sells blank audio/video tapes. Standard music store. All stores except the Sports Arena one sell videos & laserdiscs in the same store. The store in El Cajon is only open until 10pm. This store is directly across from the Sports Arena. The video part of it is directly across the street, behind Ministry. They also carry blank DAT tapes, but The Sound Company next door (on the other side of Foggy Notions) is cheaper.

Other locations:
8657 Villa La Jolla (La Jolla). (619) 452-2566
6405 El Cajon Blvd (College Area by SDSU). (619) 287-1420
858 Fletcher Pkwy (El Cajon). (619) 579-9701

The easiest way to find a hotel is take 8 east (from 5) until you get to Hotel Circle, then get off and find a place! They have every hotel from Motel 6 to the Hilton. There are also hotels scattered along 5 if you head north towards Los Angeles.

Places To Eat

Special note: all restaraunts in San Diego are non-smoking. The only exception is if the restaraunt has a bar, smoking is allowed at the bar.

Anthony's Fish Grotto 1360 N. Harbor Dr (619) 232-5103
If you like fish, you HAVE to try this place! It's located on the harbor, on a platform over the water, right next to the Star of India maritime museum (the Star is the oldest ironsided ship still capable of sailing). The best time to go is late afternoon before dinner; once dinner hits, expect an hour or more wait. Have lots of fresh fish, and an excellent lobster louie. Dinners are $8 - $14. From the Sports Arena, take 5 South to Kettner Blvd. At Laurel St turn right (towards the airport). At the end, turn left on Harbor Dr (turning right takes you to the airport). The restaraunt will be on the right side, look for the Star of India. NOTE!! Parking is metered, you MUST pay to park every day including Sunday, until 6pm.

Fins

Roberto's (lots of locations)
Mexican fast food at its best! Some are open 24 hours and perfect for that after-concert craving. For something different, try asking for a carne asada quesadilla (not on the menu).

Balboa Park
Home to museums, the Laserium, and the San Diego Zoo. All museums cost to get in (from $3-6 each), although once a month each museum is free (dates vary for each museum). The Laserium has both laser shows and an IMAX theater, but laser shows are infrequent. The zoo is at the north end of the park, and is around $20 per person. Take 163 South to Park Blvd, exit and go north. Signs will lead you to your final destination. Parking is free.

Belmont Park
Right along the beach, has many shops, eating and the only wooden rollercoaster designated as a national historic landmark (The Giant Dipper). Take I-5 to Sea World Drive, exit and go west. Take Ingraham St north, then West Mission Bay Drive (two complex interchanges). Turn left at Mission Blvd, you'll see the rollercoaster on the corner. Parking is limited, so try to go earlier in the day. Parking is free, the rides each cost around $2.

Mt. Soledad
The highest point in San Diego proper, it towers just over 1,000 feet above sea level. Has a great view of La Jolla and Miramar, and awesome at night! There is limited parking around the cross at the top, and a lot a little further down the road. Take 52 West to the end, it turns into Ardath Road. Take Ardath to Hidden Valley Road and turn left (there is a Denny's to the right). Turn right at the first stop sign, and follow the yellow dividing line up the hill. At the top you CANNOT turn left into the park; instead take the first right and do a U-turn back out.

Sea World
How could you come to San Diego and not see Sea World? Home to Shamu and many other marine mammals, it's a great place to spend the day. Parking is $4, admission is $20. Take I-5 to Sea World Drive, exit and head west. It'll be on the right side a few miles down, just follow the signs.

Stephen Birch Aquarium (formerly Scripps Aquarium)
The old Scripps Aquarium has relocated up the hill, directly across from the UCSD campus. Lots of beautiful fish, including a huge kelp forest display and a touch tide pool in the back. Parking is $4, admission is $6. Take I-5 to La Jolla Village Drive, exit and go west. Continue straight up the hill through several lights, and follow the signs. It'll be on the left-hand side.