So I booked my flights to San Diego and we have a redeye home, so we don't leave till 10pm, but R4C said the latest they bring us back is at 2pm cause of the hotel checkout time. So we will be stuck waiting for about 8 hrs.

Did anyone run into this situation and if so what did you do with your time? I do not want to sit in San Diego airport for that long 2 days after surgery. Thanks!

There are many beautiful places close to the airport. I would take a cab over to Mission Bay and walk around and enjoy the weather. Only like 5-6 miles from airport.

Hey...

alma told me to book my flight anytime after 9am when returning home, so I fly out at 11:20am

I'd check in and get rid of luggage. Then grab a cab downtown. I'd recommend using the aircraft carrier as a base and easy point for the cabbies. It is in a stretch of ships including the maritime museum, ferry, cruise terminal and more. Just a few blocks from the airport actually. So really cheap cab fare.

If you walk away from the airport (Water on your right) you'll have a beautiful promenade through cute shops. Continue further and you come to the gas lamp district.

Another fun thing is to take the ferry over to Coronado Island (ferry departs near the cruise ship terminal). It's about $8 I think each way. The landing area on Coronado is also neat for walking or grab a cab to the Hotel Del Coronado on the other side of the island and explore its history for free.

Have fun!