San Diego
Dec 3rd, 2006, 06:25 PM
#1
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San Diego
After talking with my hubby we have decided to take a trip to San Diego late January (he wasn't thrilled with San Antonio and I didn't care as long as it was away from the cold Michigan winter). We have a room booked at the Courtyard Mariott near Old Town. We want to do the zoo/Balboa Park one day and a whale watching boat ride one day. What else? Any tips on whale watching - which company, etc. Any comments on the hotel? We will be arriving late Thursday night and leaving Monday afternoon.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 07:21 PM
#2
Shop at Bazaar Del Mundo in Old Town. It's "in" Old Town, but it's a self-contained Mexican-style courtyard surrounded by about a dozen or so fun/unusual import stores, etc. Good place to eat, too...very pleasant, lively.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 07:27 PM
#3
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Hi..
If you got a really good deal and bent on staying in Old town then I think the Courtyard Marriott would be the place to stay..($100-) nice hotel..
Old Town is not what it used to be but it is really central and if you do stay, I would suggest going to the Whaley House (certified haunted by the state of CA) and having Marg's and Carnitas across the street at Old Town Mexican Cafe..they make their own tortillas and they are yummy.
Personally, I would go to La Jolla/ Del Mar area..or Coronado.
Great deals to be had with 4* hotels for under $200..oceanfront or village..
be careful not to get to close to Valentines Day..
Whale Watching and the zoo are a must and you will have a blast.
Crab Catcher in LJ has the best happy hour with fresh seafood deals..the fish tacos are outstanding and the clam chowder with killer views or go to Alfonso's for Mex and of course George's..
hoteldel.com
thegrandecolonial.com
sealodge.com
hotellajolla.com
georgesatthecove.com
crabcatcher.com
sdhe.com
If you got a really good deal and bent on staying in Old town then I think the Courtyard Marriott would be the place to stay..($100-) nice hotel..
Old Town is not what it used to be but it is really central and if you do stay, I would suggest going to the Whaley House (certified haunted by the state of CA) and having Marg's and Carnitas across the street at Old Town Mexican Cafe..they make their own tortillas and they are yummy.
Personally, I would go to La Jolla/ Del Mar area..or Coronado.
Great deals to be had with 4* hotels for under $200..oceanfront or village..
be careful not to get to close to Valentines Day..
Whale Watching and the zoo are a must and you will have a blast.
Crab Catcher in LJ has the best happy hour with fresh seafood deals..the fish tacos are outstanding and the clam chowder with killer views or go to Alfonso's for Mex and of course George's..
hoteldel.com
thegrandecolonial.com
sealodge.com
hotellajolla.com
georgesatthecove.com
crabcatcher.com
sdhe.com
Dec 3rd, 2006, 08:21 PM
#7
"The owners were kind of dirtbags, at least the ones who originally owned it!"
Actually, it's "owned" by the State of California as it's a State Park. The person who developed and ran the Bazaar del Mundo concession is not in any way a "dirtbag". After many, many years of making lots of money for the State, she lost the concession to an out-of-state company. It was, and still is, a very unpopular decision in San Diego.
Actually, it's "owned" by the State of California as it's a State Park. The person who developed and ran the Bazaar del Mundo concession is not in any way a "dirtbag". After many, many years of making lots of money for the State, she lost the concession to an out-of-state company. It was, and still is, a very unpopular decision in San Diego.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 09:24 PM
#8
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I was thinking about Jan 25-29th. I really wanted to visit La Jolla...maybe I should move it back a week...after the golf crowd leaves? I wanted to do the trip without a car...if I'm in La Jolla I need a car, right? Old Town might not be that great of a choice it sounds. What about the Gas Lamp district - hotels for around $150/night? Doable or no?
Dec 3rd, 2006, 09:40 PM
#9
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Unless you are a golfer and live here its great but rates will be high and it will be very busy...everywhere..
I would move it the next week..do you need a car in LJ..for 4 days or less you can do without... some hotels have a shuttle and just give $2-5pp each way.. to and from to the village and you can walk and eat and drink and then call for the shuttle to pick you up..taxi to and from SD/SAN to LJ is about $35 each way+ tip..
I think $150 is definately doable but depends on when you are going.I just got an e-mail for the Del for $169 till January..that is a deal!
Hotel LJ is around $169 on Expedia..check direct. Love the Grande.
If you love golf, this is one of the top courses to see and all the top players are here..
Keep us posted..
I would move it the next week..do you need a car in LJ..for 4 days or less you can do without... some hotels have a shuttle and just give $2-5pp each way.. to and from to the village and you can walk and eat and drink and then call for the shuttle to pick you up..taxi to and from SD/SAN to LJ is about $35 each way+ tip..
I think $150 is definately doable but depends on when you are going.I just got an e-mail for the Del for $169 till January..that is a deal!
Hotel LJ is around $169 on Expedia..check direct. Love the Grande.
If you love golf, this is one of the top courses to see and all the top players are here..
Keep us posted..
Dec 5th, 2006, 04:57 PM
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tdmort----I am going to be very honest and direct in my response.
WHY stay inland Mision Valley when most people come to San Diego to see the bay, ocean and beaches????
Unless you have financial reason undisclosed...PLEASE reconsider your hotel stay. It will make all teh difference in your perspective of enjoying San Deigo.
Consider Hotel Del in Coronado..famous beaches and famous place.
Consider the MArriott or Hyatt or Embassey Suites at Seaport village on the San Diego Bay.
Convienent to Gaslamp, Seaport village, and a short 20 minute drive to La Jolla (absent commute times).
I also don't know why people want to avoid rental cars in San Diego (I would not rent and park at a downtown hotel--I have suggested parking at San Diego Convention Center if one must park at the 2 hotels above) ...unless you have a safety or medical concern..get a one day rental car from the hotel thru Enterprise etc and DRIVE to La Jolla or Coronado for the day.
If you can't drive..look at the Old Town Trolley tours..at least you can get somewhere.
WHY stay inland Mision Valley when most people come to San Diego to see the bay, ocean and beaches????
Unless you have financial reason undisclosed...PLEASE reconsider your hotel stay. It will make all teh difference in your perspective of enjoying San Deigo.
Consider Hotel Del in Coronado..famous beaches and famous place.
Consider the MArriott or Hyatt or Embassey Suites at Seaport village on the San Diego Bay.
Convienent to Gaslamp, Seaport village, and a short 20 minute drive to La Jolla (absent commute times).
I also don't know why people want to avoid rental cars in San Diego (I would not rent and park at a downtown hotel--I have suggested parking at San Diego Convention Center if one must park at the 2 hotels above) ...unless you have a safety or medical concern..get a one day rental car from the hotel thru Enterprise etc and DRIVE to La Jolla or Coronado for the day.
If you can't drive..look at the Old Town Trolley tours..at least you can get somewhere.
Dec 5th, 2006, 07:04 PM
#11
Barbara, perhaps "dirtbag" is too extreme. I lived in San Diego in the 70s, & worked for a time at BdelM, so knew the owner quite well, practically from the inception of BdelM. She (& her business partner/married-to-somebody-else lover) were not very nice people, and I am far from alone in that opinion. However, they definitely ran a great business, the place was an aesthetic delight, which is why I always recommended it to visitors.
Dec 5th, 2006, 07:15 PM
#13
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we visited san diego 2 years ago and are going again in mid january. in old town a GREAT latin american restaurant is berta's http://www.bertasinoldtown.com/. heard that bazaar del mundo has a new location Juan and Taylor Streets and check it out. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.to 9 p.m. Sunday 11 – 6.
Dec 6th, 2006, 08:28 AM
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Agree with TahitiTams, but we rented a car for 3 days in Apr '04 for about $44.-$45. US incl taxes, etc.
Thee Bungalow in Ocean Beach is great.
George's is very special, but a bit expensive. Make a res early if you want a sunset window seat.
It can be chilly so layer as always.
M (SMdA, Gto.)
Thee Bungalow in Ocean Beach is great.
George's is very special, but a bit expensive. Make a res early if you want a sunset window seat.
It can be chilly so layer as always.
M (SMdA, Gto.)
Dec 6th, 2006, 09:27 AM
#15
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mikemo...Love Thee Bungalow!! You can eat really gourmet for cheap if you go to the Sunset Dinners..great wine list too!
tdmort..if you are staying in La Jolla, I would rent a car and book from the SD airport location even though they are off property (Alamo, Budget) you can get a economy car for under $30..If you are staying downtown, hotels charge a hefty price to park and can understand you not wanting to rent a car..LJ some hotels charge, some do not..if not you can park in a residential area..
What have you decided? Let us know...
tdmort..if you are staying in La Jolla, I would rent a car and book from the SD airport location even though they are off property (Alamo, Budget) you can get a economy car for under $30..If you are staying downtown, hotels charge a hefty price to park and can understand you not wanting to rent a car..LJ some hotels charge, some do not..if not you can park in a residential area..
What have you decided? Let us know...
Dec 6th, 2006, 05:37 PM
#16
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eek!! So many decisions!! If I stay downtown that I am not going to get a car for the entire trip because they charge a ton for parking. And I thought that I had my mind made up...but now I'm not so sure. I'm going to look into a room in LJ. I was just assuming that it would be way over $200 per night. I do think I will move the date away from the golf weekend to the next weekend. I don't want to fight the crowds. Thanks for all the great advise. I will post again after I look at hotels in LJ.
