Des Moines, Iowa: We are looking for a San Diego reasonably priced hotel (hopefully offering winter rates) in early November on or near the water. Prefer breakfast included, must be clean with staff that are responsive to customer needs. Could you recommend a few?

Ericka Chickowski: You should be able to strike a pretty good deal in November, as long as it isn't too close to the Thanksgiving holiday. How about Inn by the Sea in La Jolla? Some of the rooms have ocean views, it serves up a continental breakfast and is nice and clean. Some other alternatives include Beach Haven Inn or Surfer Beach Hotel in Pacific Beach. Both only have coffee service in the morning, but Beach Haven is less than a block from the beach and Surfer is right on the Mission Beach Boardwalk.

Depending on your budget, you might also want to check on the discounted winter rates at Pacific Terrace Hotel. This place is spendy, but the rooms are quite nice and the location is one of the best. It sits along the boardwalk in Pacific Beach, with a poolside view over the bluff of the beach and Crystal Pier. It also serves continental breakfast.

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Charlottesville, Va.: Is it a good idea to take a day trip to Disneyland from San Diego, or is too much trouble and expense?

Ericka Chickowski: If you are dead set on Disneyland, it really isn't so bad of a drive to Anaheim—less than two hours. But with so many attractions and activities right in the neighborhood, I'd suggest sticking around town and relaxing a bit. The money and time saved can be spent on something fun and completely natural like a hike in Torrey Pines State Reserve or a kayak tour of the La Jolla caves.

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Delanson, N.Y.: Ericka, my wife and I will be visiting San Diego in October. We want to include a tour of the Zoo. What are the "must-see" exhibits and in what order should they be seen?

Thank you,
Carl and Sandra

Ericka Chickowski: Carl, you and your wife are in for a treat. I am a big fan of the zoo, so much so that I'm a member. One of my favorite exhibits is Monkey Trails and Forest Tales, which is closest to the entrance and is a great way to kick off your Zoo wandering. You'll walk through a lush forest canopy and encounter a wide variety of monkeys, mammals and birds along the way.

My other favorite exhibits include the gorillas (I can stand and watch them interact for hours), the hippos (you can watch underwater from a window cutout) and the koalas (so cute!). Honestly, as long as you get to the zoo early you should be able to see most exhibits. Just take a moment with the map before you go rushing in and come up with a route that tracks to your taste. If you are afraid of getting tired, plan to take advantage of the sky tram or the guided tour bus, which gives you access to an express buss that allows you to get on and off at different stops scattered throughout the zoo.

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