a zoo is a zoo is a zoo ...
skip the zoo I say ..
I've lived for 4 years, and only once I went there..nice, but not that nice.
The zoo is near Balboa Park, this you should go .. inside there are about 7 museums, and there is the MOPA, Museum of Photography Arts !
The Park itself is big, wonderful buildings, dog park, archery range.. just go there and walk around, you will find tons of photo material !
Usually there are some events...(free)
ALso worth visiting, if you are interested in aircraft, is the SD Aerospace museum , quite close from Balboa Park... ever seen a F4 Phantom, PBY Catalina, Cobra and a Mig INDOOR ?
Pay attention to the guides, especially the old ones... most of them are veteran pilot themselves, some are WW II vets.
Also, from the park, you can see a tall building with sign 'El Cortez' downtown..you can walk there.
The hotel itself is so so, but pay attention to the sign.. it's unique.
Just google 'Balboa Park San Diego' and see for yourself...
Holiday inn.. it's in the downtown area.. the closest interesting place is the Del Coronado Island, you can take the bus or the ferry .. visit the Del Coronado hotel, and say hi to Kate Smith .. (the resident ghost)
Oh the Coronado island also house a Naval Base, and there's the Navy SEAL base.. but might be hard to enter these days.. it used to be a tour inside the base before 9/11..
And there's the aircraft carrier/museum at downtown area...
La Jolla... want to meet Ken Rockwell for photo tips ?
La Jolla is far away from downtown ..
about food... of course there's Mexican, but the best Burrito is far away from downtown..
and don't forget, Vietnamese Food... I can't find better Viet food anywhere !
Unfortunately, the best places is quite far, Phuong Trang at Convoy Street area ..
Look, if you are taking the public transportation, it's gonna take a long time to get anywhere. SD is a wide, sparse area.. there's bus every 30 minute.
Taxy ? only in downtown area.
So, rent a car there...there are dozens car rental downtown.. just make sure you buy the insurance.
If you like ice cream, visit the Ghiralldelli (forgot the spelling) near Horton PLaza (downtown) ...even walking around near Horton is a good photo ops..
Just be careful with the camera, because as far as I know (forgive me if I generalise), Singaporeans tends to feel safe everywhere because Singapore IS a safe place.
Well, downtown area is safe, but be please be careful ..
If you want to see the back side of America that most tourist don't usually see, take the Trolley (MRT) to La Mesa ... on the way, you can see the not so glamorous side of USA.