Gaslamp for sure! The Courtyard or Omni; we've stayed at both.

I agree - stay in the Gaslamp. we recently had a really good meal in Little Italy (Gaslamp-adjacent) at Davanti Enoteca. How will you get around while you're there?

I definitely agree with Gaslamp. Highly recommend a rental car to get around as its much more convenient.

We'll get a rental car if need be sf7307!
Would we have any problems finding parking in the Gaslamp?

Hotels have paid parking with in/ out privileges, usually.

You can take the Coaster train from SD to many of the beach towns up north- I love the north county towns- Carlsbad is my favorite but maybe not enough activity for your age group- but you could spend part of a day- train station is just a few blocks to the beach- surfboard rentals and lessons available if that interests you.

You'll have trouble finding parking at the gaslamp unless you pay for the hotel.

I'm curious why the suggestions to stay in the Gaslamp instead of the beach? If I didn't live here, I'd want to wake up near the salt air and hear the waves crashing.

You won't have to worry about finding parking in the Gaslamp if you decide to stay in that area. It is pretty compact and you can easily walk wherever you want to go.

I have stayed in the Gaslamp and the Marina areas (you can walk to the Gaslamp from the Marina). I've stayed at the Omni in the Gaslamp and the Marriott and Hyatt at the Marina. Any of those would be good choices but I would go with the Omni out of those three.

Also, I would add Balboa Park to the list of things to do.

The Gaslamp has the most contentrated "social" scene - but there are other places where people have good times.

And nothing prettier than a drive up the Coast - and from Torrey Pines to Carlsbad is very scenic - even if it's not all along the beach.

Driving over the bridge over Coronado is also a great little jaunt.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

Wondering if there are any places by the ocean you'd recommend that aren't too pricy?
If it helps, we like something a little quirky. And we're both campers, so something a little more cottagey might be nice too. Thanks

LSky, it just sounded like these were young women who would like to go out at night, and, as Tomsd said, there's a "contrated" social social scene in the Gaslamp. Much easier to walk back to your hotel than to have to drive or taxi to the beach.

My favorite place - literally built on the rocks coming out of the Ocean - is the Inn at Sunset Cliffs - http://innatsunsetcliffs.com/ and nearby Ocean Beach has some fun places to hang, such as Gallagher's pub on Newport - a nice walk from the Inn. http://www.discoversd.com/california/san-diego/ca/ocean-beach/nightlife.html

And OB is only about a 15 minute drive from downtown - and just over the hill from the main area in Point Loma which also has places to explore. http://www.sandiego.org/what-to-do/beaches/point-loma.aspx

Oops. Forgot to mention - walking out on the long pier at OB is a treat - and you can even have breakfast or lunch out there, or look down at the surfers, whatever. http://tinyurl.com/ag6nton

Here is a surfing pic for ye: http://tinyurl.com/ag6nton,

Fooey - thought that was the individual pic. Just scroll down the page of pics - and you will see several surfing shots, and it amazes me that when the surf is big enough, some of the guys surf right under the pier - through the pillars - and if you hit one of those supports going fast - it would be bad news.

Another fun place to walk around/discover is Old Town - and our favorite restaurant is Casa Guadalajara - http://www.casaguadalajara.com/

They also have a good happy hour/lively bar, as does the Old Town Mexican Cafe - where even if you don't go in - you can look through the front window and see the women making the tortillas by hand.

There are also a few other places there to socialize.

What exactly is "too pricey"?

How much will the Gaslamp cost? Include parking too. I wouldn't leave a car on street downtown overnight.

There aren't any parking spaces available downtown in the gaslamp area unless you are out in the boonies - which would be miles from your hotel.

I would stay in the Gaslamp area and if price is a consideration I'd ditch the rental car and if it's just for a weekend then I'd walk to the clubs and restaurants at night and take a city bus to the Embarcadero or Balboa Park - that's probably all you'll have time for.

Otherwise, you could stay in the cheaper area of Pacific Beach. It's got a lot of nightlife (mostly college kids) and not as upscale and exciting. But you could walk everywhere - however, you'd need a car to do anything else like Balboa Park (where the museums and SD Zoo are located) Old Town, Point Loma Lighthouse, La Jolla Cove or the LJ Shores, Coronado, Downtown, etc.

<<There aren't any parking spaces available downtown in the gaslamp area>>

should not no or very little free street parking

I would consider staying at Pacific Beach/Mission Beach area. I have stayed at the Best Western Blue Seas - right on the beach. There was ample parking for guests- don't remember if there was a fee for it. There is a boardwalk that goes for miles and lots restaurants, bars, shops and things for 30 somethings to do.
I have not stayed at, but read about Tower 23 Hotel which has good reviews and seems to hot spot.
Sounds much more fun to me than staying in the Gaslight area and having to drive to beach everyday.
When we stayed in the PB area we hardly used the car except to get there and back to airport

If you're "quirky" Ocean Beach might suit you. They have lots of restaurants, shops, beautiful cliffs for hiking and People's Market has some of the best organic vegetarian food in town.

Also there are some great hikes in San Diego and County. Please, be careful near the cliffs in Torrey Pines if you're planning to hike there. Take all warning signs seriously.

If you have time to get out of San Diego Julian and/or Borrego Springs are great places for day hikes.

I meant to add that the Gaslamp area doesn't really thrill me much but there are clubs and bars and loads of restaurants. I like what they've done to Little Italy.

Can't help you with hotels at the beach because I have never stayed in those areas. If you want to be at the ocean everyday, Gaslamp might not be the right pick for you. Just a word of caution, it might not be beach weather in January. Temps could be in the low to mid60s. The water will be very cold. Then again, it could be 70 and sunny. For me, I don't go to San Diego primarily for the beach. Depends on what kind of trip you want.

The reason I really like the Inn at Sunset Cliffs is the setting - being literally right over the water (even if it is a fairly simple two star type motel).

And if you have some weather blowing in - the ocean will be even that more dramatic.

With water temp in the high 50's - it's not the time of year most people go for long swims, but some do jump in for a brisk paddle.

One can always rent a wetsuit if you want to spend more time in the water - as the surfers do, or the swimmers at the Cove in La Jolla.

And walking or jogging along Sunset Cliffs is a year round acticity for many people. Even if it's in the 60's - keep up a good pace and you will not be chilled.

tom42, I'm just curious as a San Diegan. What do you come to San Diego to do? Sounds like you come often, what draws you to the area?

I'm not much of a beach person myself, I grew up just blocks from the beach but it always seemed to me that was the draw for many people.

LSky - we visited San Diego a couple of times as part of a combination trip with Las Vegas. We ended up coming back to visit 5 or 6 more times as we had a friend who lived in Tijuana. He no longer lives there, so we probably won't be back to San Diego anytime soon. I am a beach person but more when I am visiting Mexico or the Caribbean. For San Diego, I just enjoyed roaming the neighborhoods, going to Balboa Park and the Zoo, having good dinners and a little nightlife. We did go to the beach on a couple of trips and headed to LaJolla a couple of times. I really enjoy San Diego but I wouldn't have gone so many times if we didn't have a friend there.

Thanks all for the great info, I am the other 30 year old. Any recommendations on good wineries or breweries to check out in the area?

There are a few pretty good breweries in San Diego.

Stone Brewery is up in Escondido and it's a bit of a drive but I like their beer.

A friend was telling me about Blind Lady Brewery a while back. It's closer and in the funky little neighborhood of North Park. I think it's on Adams Avenue.

Wineries in Temecula offer tours, it's further away than Escondido.

I will definitely second Stone Brewery. Well worth the drive...Food is good at the cafe within the brewery too.
http://www.stonebrew.com/


You also have the chain breweries of Gordon Biersch and Karl Strauss within San Diego itself.

Hello "other half".

Like Orfila winery by Escondido - on the way to the Wild Animal Park - now called Safari Park. Have been to many wineries over the years - but only a few really take you out in the vinyard (it's adjacent to the winery) - as part of their tour - and it was quite informative re: the different grafts and sun "concerns" in San Diego re growing and harvesting the grapes. http://www.orfila.com/tasting-escondido.html

I stayed at the Porto Vista, in San Diego, as I wanted to experience the “olde world charm” of Little Italy . The hotel was modern and upbeat, clean and friendly. Front staff were charming and helpful, pointing out places nearby to walk to and giving directions to shops and nearby areas to explore.
Rooms were bright and clean (we made use of previous comments and asked for an updated room) with all amenities to make you comfortable and entertained. Wasn’t a great fan of the large 60’s style “art work” but that didn’t detract from the overall ambiance
I was thrilled with the rooftop yoga, relaxing and yet, exciting, with the view below of the harbor. Shuttle service was a plus and, at $5 per trip, not too bad for price
The bar/restaurant was a funky and pleasant surprise with gorgeous glass lamps, colored neon at the harbor counter and that great view! Food was plentiful, but somewhat limited for those of us that don’t eat meat or fish, but was enjoyed by everyone. Wine selection could be better, but all in all, every meal was delicious.
Would definitely stay again!

crgirl, thanks for getting back to us. It's probably a little too early for 60's style art work to come back

I'm glad you had a good time and hoping you packed some warm clothes. It's been chilly.

Did you make it to Torrey Pines?