CJBROWN

ok, we've got the dates, still need hotel. We (4 women) think we've narrowed it down to The Grand Colonial, or Glorietta Bay. (Glorietta Bay seems a little more $$, but includes breakfast in room). If you've stayed at one or the other, I'd really appreciate your honest opinions, thanks!

mclaurie

Well it's not just 2 different hotels but 2 totally different locations. What are your plans for the trip? I love staying in La Jolla, but Coronado is great too. Don't know if Glorietta Bay is near anything to be able to walk at night. One nice thing about La Jolla is you can walk to different restaurants in town and there are plenty to chose from in La Jolla.

ltt

haven't stayed there but love the location of glorietta bay if you enjoy walks and the beach and the hotel looks really nice from the outisde. definitly not as many restaurants within walking distance as in la jolla but you can drive down to the harbor and take the ferry across to downtown san diego which has tons of retaurants.

TahitiTams

HI..
I think I am the one that recommended the Grand Colonial to you and since I live down the street it is a perfect place to walk to tons of some of the best shopping, restaurants and the ocean is a block away.
The Hotel is gorgeous and even though I like Glorietta Bay in Coronado but it shuts down early and there isn't as much to do..
Restaurants that are a must in LJ for lunch or dinner are;
georgesatthecove.com terrace
Alphonso's for Mexican food and Marg's
Keep us posted and have a wonderful time!

CJBROWN

thanks, everyone. we've decided to try & get room(s) at Grande Colonial. I hope we're not too late. I'll let you know. thanks for restaurant suggestions, too!

CJBROWN

village rooms at Grande Colonial are $196.00 per night, Ocean View $289.00per night. We're probably going for Village rooms, at $196.00/night,. Or, is it really worth more money to have the Ocean View? Will the village rooms be noiser? TahitiTams, I hope you get a chance to see this & reply, thanks!

saps

I have not stayed at the Grand Coloniel but the ocean views of La Jolla are wonderful so if you can afford it then I would go for an ocean view. That being said, La Jolla is so great that any room in the Grand Coloniel is probably better than most other places in SD so if you are saving a few bucks then go with the village room. I don't think noise will be an issue.

TahitiTams

Hi CJBROWN..
I just checked Expedia and direct to The Grande Colonial and Expedia had it for $196 a night and direct, best available was $195 and $225 with partial ocean view and King bed..
If I can save $100 a night, I would do that and try and work the Front Desk clerk..also, for an extra $30 for a partial ocean then that to me is a far better deal..
My good friend used to own the Hotel and I know it well and it is a classic lovely Hotel and the location is perfect!!
You are going to have so much fun and the walks along the gorgeous coast are spectacular..
Take the walk along LJ Cove up to the Shell Shop and there is a path along the cliffs that is stunning and not many tourist know about it..
Also, the Crab Catcher has an excellent Happy Hour with incredible views and excellent food and drink..
crabcatcher.com
Keep me posted!

CJBROWN

thanks everyone, great ideas & suggestions. I think we'll take the village view room, & save a few $$ for adventure. Sept 14 is coming fast.

vacationmom

TahitiTams, Question Please (sorry CJBROWN I'm jumping on your thread!)... Would you please give further detail about the path going above the cliffs. I'm trying to decide if it is the same one we walked a couple of years ago - and perhaps we just did not go far enough to be above the cliffs. We are going to SD in a few weeks and would like to know where this trail is, if you have a moment.. Thanks, Vacationmom

TahitiTams

Hi vacationmom..
The trail is right next to the shell shop on Coast Blvd and it hugs the cliff line and there is a wonderful path that has benches and you can hear the wildlife from land and by sea..
you can see up the gorgeous LJ coastline up to Del Mar..
Also, there is cave in the Shell Shop that you go down for a nominal fee that is cool too..
If parking is problem which is usually always in LJ to park, the best kept secret is to park at the split right when you enter downtown LJ, there will be a sign that says LJ Cove/Coast Blvd and go right and to the left is parking garage and if you have lunch or dinner at either crabcatcher.com
or Trattoria Aqua you can get validated and it saves on money and time and most of all alot of headache!
Sitting on the patio at the Crab is stunning and the food is really good..
Happy hour is a real bargain, especially for LJ..
lajolla.com lajolla.org
Hope this helps..
Have fun!

vacationmom

TahitiTams, Thanks SO much!! Vacationmom

Heavens

Here are a few other suggestions for dining in LJ, which has many, many choices. And, that is nice. If you are staying right in the Village, for sushi, Zenbu is about the best around. Might be a little pricier, but it is the best and freshest quality. Also the Cottage is very well known for their casual breakfasts and lunches, great muffins, granola, salads and sandwiches. We love Harrys for breakfast, kind of a deli/diner combo with many choices for eats. Great french fries and pancakes. The Village Grille is great place for lunch. It has some of the best meals I have had in a long time. It is in an old house with patio seating, good wine list. I love their ahi sandwiches and halibut salad with champagne vinigraitte.

Also, outside of the Village, love Piati's, an Italian place in the shores. Also love Harrys' Bar across from UTC. There is also PF Changs, which is a chain, but great for chinese if you love it.

Also in LJ are lots of quaint gift shops, mom and pop shops. I was just there last weekend and found a few treasures. They also have some of the bigger stores, like the Gap and Ann Taylor. UTC is down the street for serious shopping.

Hopefully in Sept you'll have cooler weather than what is there now. Going to be a warm summer for San Diego. Enjoy your trip. The village is a great place to hang out. Lots to do.

CJBROWN

I'm glad I checked back, even more suggestions.....but, what is UTC? let me know thanks! (tahiti tams, thanks for the parking tip!)

saps

UTC (University Town Center) is an outdoor mall that is located across I-5 from La Jolla village.

Heavens

It has a Nordstroms, Macys and many other shops and kiosks, but it isn't huge. Nice size and perfect for window shopping.

TahitiTams

Hi CJ..
You are only in town for 4 days so I would stay in the "village" of downtown LJ for shopping since UTC is a big mall and it is about 15 minutes away from where you are and there is plenty of darling shop spots everywhere..
Do you kind of have an idea what your going to do?
Did you book your room at the Grande Colonial? If you booked the village room you can always ask to be upgraded for free if possible..
Nine-ten restaurant at the hotel is very good too..
2 blocks down from your hotel is the
Museum of Contemporary Art
mcasd.org
Keep us posted..

CJBROWN

YES, we booked a village room, & the reservationist did put on our request that we asked to be upgraded, if possible. We like the idea of mom/pop, boutique shopping (not just the same chains we have in MN), so that appeals to us on Prospect Street. We may get to the zoo, or Balboa Park. We plan to rent a car to do other things around San Diego, haven't made too many of those plans yet. (got good deal airfare tkts, & got the hotel so far). Art museums interest me, the walk along the cove mentioned sounds good, as well as the beach. What is Balboa park all about? I just picked up a guide book from Triple A (AAA), so, maybe we'll make some definite plans)
oh well, back to work, will check back later!

CJBROWN

I found a schedule of plays / dates for the La Jolla playhouse, & wouldn't you know, the 4 days we're in La Jolla, no plays scheduled. I contacted them by e-mail, & she said that's about only time they're "dark". Have to go to San Diego to see a play?

Heavens

Here is some info on Balboa Park, one of my favorite place in San Diego. It is a cluster of wonderful architecture, museums, fountains, and flowers. Here is a link:

http://www.balboapark.org/

Be sure and check out the botanical building if you go. It is my fave, and the are museum there has some masters works in it as well. Wonderful place to spend the day.

The zoo is next door to Balboa Park.

Have fun, it is a great town, with so many choices, do whatever you want. Everything is fairly close, not much further than 15 or 20 minutes by car. And if you avoid heavy traffic times, is pretty easy to get around.