Staying in San Diego
Jan 20th, 2003, 04:13 AM
#1
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Staying in San Diego
Hey i'm looking to stay in san diego for a minimum of 2 weeks, but this could possibly extend to 4 or 5 weeks, any recommendations on places to stay without the need for a car and at a reasonable cost, i'm not too fussy when walking as i prefer taking long walks as well. many thanks
Jan 20th, 2003, 03:17 PM
#2
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If you're new to this forum, you may not realize that you can do a text search. Simply type San Diego in the text search box. Also check out www.localwally.com. This will get you started. Once you have a general idea of where you want to stay, this forum may be able to help you narrow down your choices.
In general, if you are going to stay in San Diego for 2-5 weeks, you will probably need a car at some point for sightseeing, even if only for a few days. Downtown area is the most central, but not near the beach. My brother stayed at a residence hotel called The Island Inn when he was in San Diego for a month. It's not an upscale hotel by any means, but it was clean, in a quiet area, and is walking distance to the Gaslamp. It was $199 a week for a large room. There are other residence hotels in the area as well where you can get reasonably-priced weekly rates. Keep in mind, though, that the downtown area is rather seedy and if you are bothered by seeing homeless people, it may not be a good choice for you.
One approach would be to spend part of your trip at a downtown hotel and part of it in one of the beach communities. Wherever you stay, see if you can get one that will give you a discounted weekly rate. Good luck!
In general, if you are going to stay in San Diego for 2-5 weeks, you will probably need a car at some point for sightseeing, even if only for a few days. Downtown area is the most central, but not near the beach. My brother stayed at a residence hotel called The Island Inn when he was in San Diego for a month. It's not an upscale hotel by any means, but it was clean, in a quiet area, and is walking distance to the Gaslamp. It was $199 a week for a large room. There are other residence hotels in the area as well where you can get reasonably-priced weekly rates. Keep in mind, though, that the downtown area is rather seedy and if you are bothered by seeing homeless people, it may not be a good choice for you.
One approach would be to spend part of your trip at a downtown hotel and part of it in one of the beach communities. Wherever you stay, see if you can get one that will give you a discounted weekly rate. Good luck!
Jan 20th, 2003, 04:48 PM
#3
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Hmmm. I don't know--$199 a week for a hotel in downtown San Diego? Sounds a little shaky to me. But then again, seems like I remember reading somewhere that there is some quirk in the law regarding residence hotels and that's why their rates are so much lower than conventional hotels. You could opt for one week there and then bail if you don't like it. I've passed by the hotel quite a few times and quite frankly, it doesn't look bad from the outside. I live in San Diego, so out of curiosity, I did a quick call to the hotel and they have an on-site laundry and the rooms have microwaves and refrigerators. The clerk also said they even have a small library. Might be worth a shot.
If price is an issue, have you considered staying at a youth hostel? If you don't want to stay there the whole trip, maybe you could check into one for a few days until you figure out where you want to stay for the remainder of your trip. If you write back and tell us what your budget is and the kinds of things you like to do, we can better help you find a place to stay. Either way, I hope you enjoy your stay in SD--it's a wonderful city.
If price is an issue, have you considered staying at a youth hostel? If you don't want to stay there the whole trip, maybe you could check into one for a few days until you figure out where you want to stay for the remainder of your trip. If you write back and tell us what your budget is and the kinds of things you like to do, we can better help you find a place to stay. Either way, I hope you enjoy your stay in SD--it's a wonderful city.
Jan 21st, 2003, 03:41 AM
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I'm actually there in april and cost wise i'm looking to go as humble as i can, but $199 is reasonable, especially if you say what's included, and no i don't mind seedy areas, been in a few of those and it doesn't bother me, i'm actually there for a job interview, but i have to arrange my accomodation, i'm flying in from london, england. The reason i might be staying longer is because i was going to go hunt out the rest of the companies that have an interest in my skills while i was there just makes more sense to do all that while i'm there. Oh and apart from wally's is there sites with information on hostels or even motels if i have to lol but i don't want to go that option if i don't need to. I have a friend in sd, so transportation isn't a problem for sight seeing, if i think of anything else i'll post i up. many thanks again
Jan 21st, 2003, 05:15 AM
#5
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Jonny,
For information on hostels, please try www.hiayh.org and www.hostels.com. I don't know a website specifically for motels. However, I looked in the newspaper today for downtown residence hotels. In addition to the Island Inn (phone 619-232-4138), you might consider the Pickwick Hotel. I have not stayed there, but it looks pretty good on the internet (I know Internet pictures can be misleading). If you book on the Net, rates are about $60 a night. However, the paper lists rates for $199 per week, so it would be worth it to call them directly. Their phone number is 619-234-9200.
Please post again if you have further questions. (I have been to London several times and Londoners were very helpful during my stay, so I'm glad to return the favor).
For information on hostels, please try www.hiayh.org and www.hostels.com. I don't know a website specifically for motels. However, I looked in the newspaper today for downtown residence hotels. In addition to the Island Inn (phone 619-232-4138), you might consider the Pickwick Hotel. I have not stayed there, but it looks pretty good on the internet (I know Internet pictures can be misleading). If you book on the Net, rates are about $60 a night. However, the paper lists rates for $199 per week, so it would be worth it to call them directly. Their phone number is 619-234-9200.
Please post again if you have further questions. (I have been to London several times and Londoners were very helpful during my stay, so I'm glad to return the favor).
Jan 22nd, 2003, 01:23 AM
#6
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thanks for your help on this margie, i'll check out that site and call the number you gave me when i get a chance, Are there any places that allow me to just get a room there and then if i don't manage to book anything before i'm there? IF you need help for london, england, paris and even hong kong let me know as i'm a ferquent flyer to these three destinations, regards Jonny
Jan 22nd, 2003, 04:21 PM
#8
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There are a couple of SRO (single room occupancy)in San Diego. You might also try the J Street Inn. It's right across from a VERY expensive hotel right at entrance to Gaslamp downtown. There is a Ralph's grocery store one block up. The J St. has rooms with a small fridge, microwave, queen bed, bath, table & chairs, color tv and dressers. They have an exercise room and laundry facilities. The number is 619-696-6922 and the address is 222 J St. Close to shops, restrauants and bars, and easy access to bus and trolley. Good luck with your job search - you'll LOVE SD!!!
Jan 24th, 2003, 03:47 AM
#9
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Its ok margie, i should have been more clear, if i don't manage to find any accomodation that i find suitable for the duration of my stay, are there places in sd where i can just walk upto the front desk and ask for a room for a few days, as i know some hotels and inns are bookings only and i can't just show up on the door stop, and thank you "x" that info is very handy, i must say your all very helpful on here 
Jan 25th, 2003, 05:45 PM
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Jonny,
You can show up at virtually any hotel and they will rent you a room if there is availability. April is not yet the start of tourist season, so most hotels should have vacancies. Showing up without a reservation, however, will rarely get you the best rate (you would probably do better to call from a phone booth across the street!)
I can understand your reluctance to book a hotel long-term sight unseen. I would like to point out, though, that just because you rent a hotel by the week doesn't mean you are obligated to stay there the entire week. The hotels previously mentioned in this thread offer such a discount for their weekly rates that it is cheaper to rent by the week even if you only stay there for a few days.
For example, the Pickwick Hotel mentioned above charges $199 per week or $60 per night ($65-$69 on weekends). If you rented a room for a week and left after 4 days, your cost would only be $50 a night. It is unlikely you will find a decent hotel anywhere in central San Diego for less than that. And of course, if you ended up staying the whole week, it would cost less than $29 per night.
Another option would be to use one of the hotel booking sites like quikbook.com or hoteldiscounts.com, or one of the bidding sites like hotwire.com or priceline.com. Using them, you can also get a discounted rate for a hotel.
I'm not advocating any particular hotel, and I'm not trying to talk you into pre-booking your hotel--it's just that I don't see any advantage not to do so. However, if you prefer, you can simply take a cab from the airport to downtown San Diego and walk around until you find a hotel that you like. (The Traveler's Aid desk at the airport may be able to give you some leads).
You can show up at virtually any hotel and they will rent you a room if there is availability. April is not yet the start of tourist season, so most hotels should have vacancies. Showing up without a reservation, however, will rarely get you the best rate (you would probably do better to call from a phone booth across the street!)
I can understand your reluctance to book a hotel long-term sight unseen. I would like to point out, though, that just because you rent a hotel by the week doesn't mean you are obligated to stay there the entire week. The hotels previously mentioned in this thread offer such a discount for their weekly rates that it is cheaper to rent by the week even if you only stay there for a few days.
For example, the Pickwick Hotel mentioned above charges $199 per week or $60 per night ($65-$69 on weekends). If you rented a room for a week and left after 4 days, your cost would only be $50 a night. It is unlikely you will find a decent hotel anywhere in central San Diego for less than that. And of course, if you ended up staying the whole week, it would cost less than $29 per night.
Another option would be to use one of the hotel booking sites like quikbook.com or hoteldiscounts.com, or one of the bidding sites like hotwire.com or priceline.com. Using them, you can also get a discounted rate for a hotel.
I'm not advocating any particular hotel, and I'm not trying to talk you into pre-booking your hotel--it's just that I don't see any advantage not to do so. However, if you prefer, you can simply take a cab from the airport to downtown San Diego and walk around until you find a hotel that you like. (The Traveler's Aid desk at the airport may be able to give you some leads).
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purplegoose
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Mar 24th, 2004 04:49 PM
