First time visitor to San Diego

My family and I will be making our first visit to San Diego in mid March.  I would like to make a couple of excursions in between family day trips to view birds and find western birds that I do not get to see at home in NJ.  There are some specific birds I’d like to see while in the area.  I think mid March might give me an overlap of late winter departure and early spring arrivals, as well as year round residents.  Any advice on any reliable spots to try (I can give specific target birds) and best times of day would be greatly appreciated.  Also, since this is our first visit, any advice on which area of town would be best to make our “home base” for the week? 

Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports