San Diego?
Mar 10th, 2004, 03:35 PM
#1
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San Diego?
We were planning a first trip to San Diego, Coronado Bay area this July, but after everything that I have read, not so sure it is a good idea. I haven't read any outstanding hotel reviews, and all seem extremely overpriced, compared to quality.
I don't mind paying the price, but I expect quality in return. Clean and not run down is a must. 2 prof. adults, no children. Any suggestions appreciated! Love the ocean and good locals restaurants.
I don't mind paying the price, but I expect quality in return. Clean and not run down is a must. 2 prof. adults, no children. Any suggestions appreciated! Love the ocean and good locals restaurants.
Mar 10th, 2004, 05:25 PM
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I'm a little confused. San Diego is one of the top vacation destinations. We have beautiful beaches, a great Zoo, Museums, Bay, Restaurants and Hotels. I think you ought to research a little further.
Mar 10th, 2004, 07:53 PM
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You must be joking. San Diego had dozens of wonderful hotels and compared to most cities they are real bargains. What are you looking for exactly and what are you willing to pay? Where did you get the idea that most hotels are run down and overpriced?
Mar 10th, 2004, 09:23 PM
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The Coronado area has good hotels. The Del (the Hotel del Coronado) is a great historic hotel. Beautiful place. I think any but the most ostentatious and snobbish would be delighted to stay at a hotel with such great history (ghosts, movie shoots).
The hotels are fairly priced given the high popularity of San Diego. What
The hotels are fairly priced given the high popularity of San Diego. What
Mar 10th, 2004, 09:24 PM
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Hair-trigger "post" button...!! To finish the thought:
The hotels are fairly priced given the high popularity of San Diego. What price were you expecting to pay? This is one of the prettiest coastal California cities, after all.
The hotels are fairly priced given the high popularity of San Diego. What price were you expecting to pay? This is one of the prettiest coastal California cities, after all.
Mar 11th, 2004, 10:04 AM
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Ok....Let me re-phrase. We are 2 adults looking for a nice hotel, clean, ocean view, great bathroom a must! Love to swim in the ocean, and walk along the beaches day or night. Also love to eat at seafood restaurants, particularly the local ones with an ocean view, not fancy. Don't do chain food, you can get that anywhere. Love patio dining.
The reviews that I have read on the Del were so mixed that I am thoroughly confused. I have read overpriced, musty, and small rooms. Also have to go past wedding parties, etc., to get to your room in a bathing suit? Read that Loews is not convenient or on the ocean, but nicer. Sooo many confusing comments! How does a person choose?
Also, is the driving in SD fairly good, or crazy? Plan on signtseeing and enjoying the natural scenery versus touristy parks. Been there, done that when kids were small. Usually travel south to Sanibel, or Siesta Key, Fla. (condo), so this will be quite a change, although have been as far west as Las Vegas and Arizona. Looking forward to this trip and any info appreciated!
The reviews that I have read on the Del were so mixed that I am thoroughly confused. I have read overpriced, musty, and small rooms. Also have to go past wedding parties, etc., to get to your room in a bathing suit? Read that Loews is not convenient or on the ocean, but nicer. Sooo many confusing comments! How does a person choose?
Also, is the driving in SD fairly good, or crazy? Plan on signtseeing and enjoying the natural scenery versus touristy parks. Been there, done that when kids were small. Usually travel south to Sanibel, or Siesta Key, Fla. (condo), so this will be quite a change, although have been as far west as Las Vegas and Arizona. Looking forward to this trip and any info appreciated!
Mar 11th, 2004, 10:43 AM
#7
There really aren't many hotels in San Diego which are right on the beach. The Del would probably be best for you. If you might enjoy a younger, beachy crowd then check out the Pacific Terrace in Pacific Beach. In La Jolla, the Sea Lodge and La Jolla Beach and Tennis Resort are both on a beautiful beach. Del Mar, just a little north of the city of San Diego, has L'Auberge Del
Mar which is just across the street from another wonderful beach. I think that would be you best bet after the Del.
Be aware that when swimming in the ocean here in San Diego it is wise to swim where there are lifeguards because there are often dangerous rip currents which can, and do, kill people every year.
Mar which is just across the street from another wonderful beach. I think that would be you best bet after the Del.
Be aware that when swimming in the ocean here in San Diego it is wise to swim where there are lifeguards because there are often dangerous rip currents which can, and do, kill people every year.
Mar 11th, 2004, 03:37 PM
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Friends from Phoenix spend a week every August at the Glorietta Bay Hotel. So we've been able to see the hotel and plan to stay there with them sometime; it's very, very nice and within easy walking distance of the many good restaurants on Coronado's main street. Afternoon tea is a feature of the hotel--not the fancy kind, but tea and lemonade and cake and cookies to take out onto the veranda.
Mar 11th, 2004, 04:23 PM
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20 years ago I was in the Navy and lived in San Diego and I have been in love with it every since. I go back as often as I can and if it wasn't for the CA politics I would move there today. What's not to love. The weather is perfect, the natural beauty I would rank in the top 10 in the US.
I agree with the earlier post, if you are going to stay on the beach, La Jolla and Del Mar is the way to go. La Jolla is to me the perfect place. It's a real easy drive into downtown, but I grew up in NY and now live in Chicago so everything is relative. Or Hotel del Coronado is very nice. We had the $100 Sunday brunch there where the Chef personally takes you through the kitchen and you pick out what you want, it was worth every penny.
Also, I highly suggest going to Torrey Pines State Reserve. Even though there are a lot of people and you should get there early for parking, I can't stress enough how utterly amazing it is, don't miss it.
Rent bikes in Coronada the peninsula is small enough to see most of it. Also, if you can catch a sunset in Coronado you will love it.
Also, you should go to Cabrillo National Monument. The views from here are great. http://www.nps.gov/cabr/
Balboa Park is also a place not to be missed.
There is an Italian restaurant, Trattoria La Strada downtown you should go to. We went once and I wanted to go every night after that. http://www.trattorialastrada.com/home.htm. Also, if you want to try desserts and coffee that will blow you away, go to Extraordinary Desserts in HillCrest. You will have to work out forever afterward but you will think you died and went to heaven. The place looks a little funky from outside, but you will be bliss. http://www.sandiegorestaurants.com/d....cfm?res_id=62.
Other places to check out is Ocean Beach for a laid back atmosphere and lot of locals. It's lost it's hippy Cheech and Chong appeal it once had but is still pretty cool to check out.
My wife and I are 35 and 40 repsectively with no kids and love eating at great places and trying new things. A real local place for breakfast is Kono's Surf Club Cafe on Pacific Beach.
Have fun.
I agree with the earlier post, if you are going to stay on the beach, La Jolla and Del Mar is the way to go. La Jolla is to me the perfect place. It's a real easy drive into downtown, but I grew up in NY and now live in Chicago so everything is relative. Or Hotel del Coronado is very nice. We had the $100 Sunday brunch there where the Chef personally takes you through the kitchen and you pick out what you want, it was worth every penny.
Also, I highly suggest going to Torrey Pines State Reserve. Even though there are a lot of people and you should get there early for parking, I can't stress enough how utterly amazing it is, don't miss it.
Rent bikes in Coronada the peninsula is small enough to see most of it. Also, if you can catch a sunset in Coronado you will love it.
Also, you should go to Cabrillo National Monument. The views from here are great. http://www.nps.gov/cabr/
Balboa Park is also a place not to be missed.
There is an Italian restaurant, Trattoria La Strada downtown you should go to. We went once and I wanted to go every night after that. http://www.trattorialastrada.com/home.htm. Also, if you want to try desserts and coffee that will blow you away, go to Extraordinary Desserts in HillCrest. You will have to work out forever afterward but you will think you died and went to heaven. The place looks a little funky from outside, but you will be bliss. http://www.sandiegorestaurants.com/d....cfm?res_id=62.
Other places to check out is Ocean Beach for a laid back atmosphere and lot of locals. It's lost it's hippy Cheech and Chong appeal it once had but is still pretty cool to check out.
My wife and I are 35 and 40 repsectively with no kids and love eating at great places and trying new things. A real local place for breakfast is Kono's Surf Club Cafe on Pacific Beach.
Have fun.
