Buffalo Grove, Ill.: Do I need a car if I am only visiting for about 3 days?

Ericka Chickowski: It depends on what you want to experience. If you want to see the best of San Diego in that short amount of time, then I would definitely recommend a car. If, however, you'd like to stick around one particular area for the entire trip, you might be able to get away without. This is especially true if you plan on staying downtown. From down there you can easily check out the Embarcadero, Little Italy and the Gaslamp Quarter by foot. You can also take a water taxi out to Coronado Island and walk to Orange Avenue from the ferry landing. Balboa Park is also close to the downtown hotels. It is a bit of a hike, but there are ample buses and taxis there if you get tired.

Similarly, if you plan to unroll a towel on the beach and stay out there the whole time, then just take a cab and rely on your own two feet or a rented beach cruiser. If you do stay in the beach areas without a car, try to stay right in Pacific Beach, La Jolla or Ocean Beach for maximum walkability. Some of the hotels in Mission Beach near Mission Bay are a bit out of the way for pedestrians.

_______________________

Libby, Mont.: We need a good kennel in the greater San Diego area for our 2 Siberians in November. Thanks in advance.

Ericka Chickowski: One of the most convenient and friendly kennels in town is in Pacific Beach. Called Camp Diego, this kennel only employs cages at night. During the day, staff supervises the dogs as they roam free and play in their indoor/outdoor facilities. I love the idea and my little Sandy seems to do well there when I go out of town.

Also, don't feel like you necessarily have to put them up overnight while you are in town. Many of San Diego's hotels are dog-friendly and you can always put them in doggie daycare at Camp Diego when you plan to go to attractions that don't allow pets. One of the coolest (albeit pricey) places is Hotel Solamar, which even takes big dogs like yours and will pet sit and walk your dog when you're away.

_______________________

Independence, Mo.: If you were to fly into San Diego a day or two early before a cruise, what would suggest as a place to stay? We were there last August and stayed at Hyatt Mission Bay, which was very nice, but you had to have a car to get around, as nothing was within walking distance. Thanks!

Ericka Chickowski: Right in Little Italy, La Pensione offers very affordable European-style digs central to all of downtown's activities. It is also very close to the trolley, which is great to get out to Mission Valley and down to the border. The only downside is the noise—if you are a light sleeper you might want to bring earplugs to drown out the trolley clatter.

_______________________

London, U.K.: I wish to visit San Diego and its zoo. Is it wheelchair accessible and are there wheelchair accessible hotels with adapted en suite bathrooms? —Stuart