lake compounce: I am traveling to San Diego in October with my husband for a convention. We will be staying at the Hilton San Diego Resort in Mission Bay. I know it is very close to Sea World but I also want to travel over to the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park while my husband is working the convention. I don't want to end up paying $50 to $100 for cab fares and I'm so unfamiliar with the freeway system of Southern California that renting a car would not be a good solution. Any good advice on economical and safe transportation for a female tourist?|||The hotel should have info. Closest trolley is Linda Vista which is a stop away from Old Town, but I think a bus runs past the hotel, the hotel should have a shuttle and give you info. Going to the zoo is only by bus or taxi. Same with Sea World, and most of the buses stop running after 9:30. There are a lot of transients at Old Town trolley stop and some of the downtown stops. Daytime is pretty safe to get around, but know the routes. The zoo and Sea World are on the costly side, but you'll spend a full day doing things. Amtrak to Union Station LA is 30 bucks each way. Unlimited subway is about 3 dollars, but there's plenty to do in the area. You can get a 3 day ticket at the trolley stop, which covers buses too.|||Grayline tours was my ultimate solution. For $47.00, they came by the hotel to pick me up and provided me with a ticket so I wouldn't have to stand in line. Then they picked me up at 4 pm. Report Abuse |||Unfortunately there is no bus line that runs in front of that hotel so you kind of need to rent a car b/c of where you are staying. The closest bus stop would be at least a 10-15 minute walk away. Maybe your husband can drop you off at Old Town Transit Center and you can take the bus or Trolley to the Zoo. But driving is not that bad b/c you are so close to Balboa Park. I-5, which is the freeway that runs in front of the hotel, will take you to Balboa Park. Renting a car is really the only option other than a cab b/c there is nothing by that hotel, it's surrounded by a park and a freeway.|||You'll find your way around - don't worry! However, you MUST rent a car! I'm a San Diego native and it's really the best and only way to get around. San Diego is a city built for the car. It's also the safest way for a woman to get around. You'll love driving around San Diego! That's the best way to see it!|||Renting a car seems to be the only option. If you are really worried about it, try to plan out your days (or at least the events/places you want to attend). Before you leave home, mapquest all of those locations with your hotel...you'll know your way around before you know it.|||Sorry, there's no way around it...you NEED a car if you want to get around town in SD. That hotel is in a really inconvenient location for public transportation and it's not really THAT close to Sea World either...you won't be walking there. Don't get me wrong....that property is great for walking at the bay - though....but Sea World is a little far. The best you could do is take a cab to Old Town and then take the trolley as far as it will go to Downtown or something....but really - you'd be better off with a car. Driving in Sd isn't like driving in NYC or something....you can handle it the signs are good and most of the tourist attractions are easy to find. Honestly.....rent a car.|||Rent a car. Just consider it a learning experience and go for it. San Diego is a lot easier to navigate than LA, so don't worry much about it. But you need a car, it is So Cal after all.|||RENT A CAR...NO CABS. IF YOU GET A CAB TO ALL THE EXCITING THINGS YOU WILL HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR A CAR RENTAL.