I went to school out in San Diego and I loved it! I would think that the price of living is the same in both areas. So Cal in general is expensive. I really liked all there was to do in San Diego plus you can take weekend trips to Mexico. There are several good beaches in San Diego for surfing and relaxing. I like PB and OB the best, La Jolla is very nice as well. You will find a lot of clubs in the gaslamp district, most are pretty good, There are resturants down there too some of them are pricey. Mission Bay is also very cool got to love the roller coaster there, there is a bar across the street called the coaster bar, have some drinks and ride the roller coaster. There is also a lot of other things to do like the zoo and Balboa park. There are several museums around town, great places to shop and wonderful parks.
Here is some beach info:
San Diego Beach & Sea Guide
>San Onofre State Beach
>Oceanside City Beach and Environs
>Carlsbad State Beach
>Leucadia
>Encinitas
>Solana Beach
>Cardiff
>Del Mar
>Torrey Pines State Beach and Park
>La Jolla Beaches >La Jolla Reefs
>Pacific Beach
>Mission Bay
>Mission Beach
>Ocean Beach
>Point Loma
>Coronado Municipal Beach
>Silver Strand State Beach
>Imperial Beach
>"Run From The Relatives" This Holiday Season
Museums
Highly specialized and universally appealing, San Diego's range of museums offer something for everyone. An impressive cluster is located in Balboa Park, but many other gems are spread throughout the county.
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> Aviation Adventures & Film Museum
Aviation-in-the-movies museum offering vintage aircraft flights, simulators, team building, and interactive activities. Unique venue for events.
> Firehouse Museum, The
Antique firefighting equipment: fire engines, pictures, helmets and memorabilia displayed in San Diego's oldest firehouse.
> Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation - MCAS
U.S. Marine Aviation history, free, open to public Tue.-Sun. 9am-3:30pm, walking aircraft tours, gift shop. I-15 Miramar exit.
> Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation, Wm. Heath Davis House
Offers Gaslamp guided walking tour, historic home tour, unique museum gallery conference room. Adjacent patio park great for exclusive parties.
> Maritime Museum of San Diego
One of the world's finest collections of historic ships.
> Marston House
Craftsman-style house museum listed on the National Register of Historic places. Open Fri.-Sun., 10am-4pm, $5 docent tour of house.
> MCRD Museum Historical Society
History of the Marine Corps in San Diego. Musuem open Mon.-Fri., 8a.m.-4p.m.;Gift Shop open 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Check web site for Graduations.
> Mingei International Museum
Dynamic, changing exhibitions feature timeless art of the people from all cultures of the world. Pottery, textiles, adornment and toys.
> Mission Basilica San Diego De Alcala
The first of a chain of 21 missions along the California coast. Museum and gardens open daily, 9am-4:45pm.
> Mission San Luis Rey
200 years of California history on 56 acres. California's first pepper tree. Museum, Lavanderia, picnic gardens, gift shop. Daily, 10am-4:30pm.
Here are some sites that have more info:
www.sandiego.org
www.seeyouinsandiego.com
visitsandiegoeast.com
www.sandiego-online.com
Again I really had a great time in school out there, the weather is great about 75-80 all year, little rain, great people and places to go! Good luck on your choice and have a great time at school!