DRyan7402

My hustand and I are taking our 3 adult children and 3 granddaughters, ages 1, 6 and 9, to San Diego for 7 days (March 25-April 1) We are trying to decide between staying in a resort hotel outside the city (Hotel Del Coronado) or staying closer in a downtown hotel or closer in resort (Catamaran) None of us has ever spent time in San Diego so wondering where is best to stay. Do we need the activities of the resort or should we rely on the many other attractions around town?

mclaurie

I don't think you need a resort, but I think Coronado is one of the nicest locations as you have the beach and a small town feel plus the proximity to downtown since it's just over the bridge from downtown. I think you will probably spend your time going to Sea World, the zoo, Legoland etc. and for that, you can really stay anywhere. You will definitely need a car to get around. It's not going to be warm enough for swimming except in a well heated pool.

ksucat

Hotel Del is nice but you have to get either one of those villas or in the newer part (tower)..the standard rooms are pretty small and need renovation.
I love the beach at Coronado and the quaint town is lovely.
There is also Loew's down the strip.
I would bag the Catamaran idea..rooms are very average and lots of college kids and homeless issues in the surrounding area.
Have you thought of maybe LJ Shores hotel..it is an average hotel but its oceanfront with lots to do and LJ is a wonderful village town with great restaurants.
Also, good deals are to be had at the Grand Del Mar, L'Auberge Del Mar and La Costa resort in Carlsbad.
Gaslamp is not the place for young kids..
Legoland in Carlsbad is HUGE with your grandkids age and maybe you want to center your trip up that away since its about an hour from Coronado.
There is another resort Grand Pacific Palisades that has suites next to Legoland.
There is a great Four Seasons Aviara too.

MonicaRichards

If I were staying for a week with that many people for sure I'd rent a condo or vacation home. Try www.vacationbeachhomes.com and see if they have anything you like.

1JAR

Here is my favorite site to rec to people coming to San Diego.
http://www.thebigbay.com/big-bay-hot...rcent-off.html
Click on Map of the Bay under "About San Diego" It gives you a nice overview of the greater San Diego Bay area.

Since I live here. I rec to our friends, Hotel Del where you can walk out hotel door onto the ocean beach & short stroll to Coronado town. Very few of the San Diego Hotels are on the ocean: and only some are on the Bay...
At Hotel Del they have beachfront villas: here is the link. They have clickable floor plans and you can get alot of people into the 3 bedrm; we've done it. It is worth the money but it is a splurge.
http://www.delbeachvillage.com/Packages.aspx

I recently was at the MArriott Hotel on Corondao: they also have villas but they are on the Bay looking toward San Diego City. Nice but not the same location to Coronado town as the Hotel Del. Here is the link.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...rriott-resort/

The only thing to be aware of staying on Coronado is the brideg does get backed up with traffic am amd pm. You can avoid the times by s/w the Hotel.

DRyan7402

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions.

Unomos

I agree with ksucat about making your main destination Carlsbad due to the proximity to Legoland. The Grand Pacific Palisades and Grand Pacific MarBrisa resorts have large 2 bedroom units that would be perfect for your family especially since they have full kitchens. All are walking distance to Legoland and the Sea Life Aquarium. Since these are timeshares, your best choice for renting by the night is Grand Pacifics partner company ResorTime.com. You can read about Carlsbad and where to stay here http://www.resortime.com/attractions/city_carlsbad.asp.

MomDDTravel

My family has enjoyed staying at La Costa which sometimes gets poor reviews here. They have beautiful villas depending on your budget. I would NEVER stay at the Catamaran. Ever.

I did stay at Paradise Point Resort and Spa and was pleasantly surprised. I stayed there for an event and also brought my family. You might consider that.

If I had a 1,6, 9 year old I would NOT stay in the gaslamp (my favorite place to stay) even my 12 year old is not crazy about staying there.

ncounty

i would agree with Monica that for a group this size, I would rent a private home. There is so much to do in San Diego, you don't need a hotel resort. I think kids that age would enjoy Legoland.

nanabee

With such a large group and with young children I would definately stay in Coronado. The Loews Resort is not really in Coronado - it is on the Silver Strand and you'd have to drive into Coronado each day and back each night.

I would consider the Hotel Del. It's historic and right in the heart of the town, near all the restaurants, the beach.

Coronado is less than a 10 minutes drive over the bridge to downtown San Diego, the SD Zoo, Balboa Park etc.

Coronado has a wonderful childrens library, great parks for kids, beautiful beach, public golf course, Glorietta Bay for sailing, public tennis courts, is wonderful for bicycling because it's pretty flat.

The town is very safe.