I personally like the lack of “culture” as defined by those who perceive themselves to be intellectuals. I don’t miss the intellectual snobbery that can be found in cities like San Francisco and New York.
If you ignore the albeit fairly large cosmetic surgery / wanna-drive-a-hummer crowd, people in San Diego are fairly down-to-earth. Fabulously wealthy people hang out at the beach and play volleyball with everyone else. Screw the art museum. It’s inside and not all that interesting to me.
I think San Diego is great for people under 25 and over 35, but see how it may not be that interesting for those in-between.
TWO GREAT PLACES:
With that said – anyone who has any kind of inner child should check out the model train museum in Balboa Park. It’s amazing what old guys can do when they add bit-by-bit to a model railroad for 25 years or so.
Nobody mentioned one of the best restaurants in the country – Kemosabe in Hillcrest.
I’ll take Adobada tacos at Tacos Al Gordo – a TJ taco shop that moved north to H street in Chula Vista – over Foie Gras any day.
Weekend camping at the county parks is nice, too.
I’ll echo earlier comments about the boating opportunities here, too. Sailing, kayaking, etc.
San Diego is a $100 southwest flight away from Vegas, San Francisco, Phoenix.