Narrated 2 hour tour is worth the time investment. Learned a lot. Bring a light jacket. Note tour takes longer than 2 hours because you redock between N&S sides of the Bay to on/off loaf pax.
Take the ferry right to the USA Midway for just $4.75. Can pay in cash at the boat.
Do the free "island tour" and then on the flight deck listen to "the trap" aircraft presentation by a retired pilot. Look out the planes you can climb into!
Try Upstart Crow Bookstore & Coffeehouse. Amazing coffee! Walk along the Bay shore with your coffee!
Don't use the TSA to the left of the ticket counters. Make the walk to TSA B for Pre Check.
For access to the beach across the street from hotel walk towards gated entrance and find path off to right. Follow tunnel. Or take golf cart from lobby.
Start your tour at any stop through the city. Great company with stops all over town from the zoo to Coronado!
I love OC's hub, W25th St, but veering off it to explore the shops and restaurants scattered among residential corners deeper in the neighborhood is definitely rewarding.
Weekly Sunday rotating chef / menu brunch. Great brunch drinks (Mimosas use Beet Jar juice and Bloody's use Pope's Mix).
Free 90min parking just west of 9th - enter via Euclid Eastbound or Prospect. Get validated after checkout at customer service (by veggies).
Line can get long and sometimes only one worker. Lots of people dropping off various returns so line can move fast.
