suestein

We're planning an Easter week trip out to San Diego, travelling w/our 2 sons- 9 and 5. I was thinking of renting a condo/apartment privately, but was wondering WHERE in SD? It would be nice to stay in a community near a boardwalk area.....beach right there with shops and restaurants within walking distance. Of course we're going to visit the touristy sites: Zoo/Balboa Park, SeaWorld, LegoLand, maybe Disneyland.

I've narrowed my search down to the Pacific Beach/Mission Bay area, but if anyone has any other recommendations at a good area to think about, please let me know. I also would love to know of other- less touristy- places to bring the boys.

Thanks so much!

mclaurie

I can certainly understand wanting to be situated near a beach but I hope you realize the air temps and the water temps will probably not be warm enough for swimming. Here's a site I found with info

http://www.a-zsandiegobeaches.com/weather.htm

I love Coronado. It has a beachy feel but is very close to downtown SD with ferry service or drive over the bridge. There's a boardwalk there too. It has it's own "village" too with shops, restos etc. It would be a fun place to rent bikes.

La Jolla would be another nice option. (although be careful about location. A lot of places calling themselves La Jolla are not actually IN La Jolla) It's a small downtown area. I believe there are a number of condo places across from the water or near the water that may have rentals. It's a very walkable town with lots of shops and restaurants.

Mission Beach is not far from La Jolla and would also be a nice option. You have the ocean on one side and the bay with calmer waters on the other.

I'm not as familiar with Pacific Beach so can't comment.

suestein

Thank you for your recommendations. I realize that it will not be swimming weather while we're there, but I know my boys will love to go out and play on the beach anyway.

Tess

We were in San Diego last year in Mid-March--the weather was warm but the water temps were cold. My daughter and her friend borrowed wetsuits, though, (the kind that hit mid-calf) and played in the ocean for hours. We stayed at the Pacific Terrace Hotel in Pacific Beach and I noticed there were dozens of places where you can rent wetsuits and boogie boards. I think your family would like Pacific Terrace--it's right on the ocean, the rooms are large and they offer free breakfast and cookies and milk/wine hour in the late afternoon. We found the location to be centrally located for Seaworld, shopping, restaurants, etc.

loangalsal

We also liked Pacific Terrace. Good place to stay with kids.

missypie

We did a spring break trip to San Diego about 6 years ago. We rented a condo on the beach in San Diego...can't remember the name, but it sure was nice to have a kitchen with the kids...they could get up and turn on cartoons and eat cereal while we got a little more sleep, etc.

Two things and I'm sorry for my bad memory: We went to the desert - I think the name is something like "Anzo Borego." It was the El Nino year, so the desert was in bloom like nothing in memory...there were lots of locals there photographing the flowers. On the way back from there we stopped in a cute little mining town...can't remember the name - it was threatened by forest fires last year - it will be in the guide books. Anyway, the town is known for its homemade pies. Everyone you see is walking around with whole pies to take home. Beware, however, if anyone gets car sick. Both of these places are accessed by very wind-y roads that can be stomach challenging.

ssm

We have stayed at the Embassy Suites right across the street from Seaport Village. While not 5 star by any means, it was clean, nice and obviously walking distance to restaurants and shops. Seemd to cater to both families and the business traveler. There is also an indoor pool if your boys do want to swim, although I must tell you that I thought the area was a bit too stuffy and smelled too heavily of chlorine for me. PLUS, the free breakfasts and nightly beverages were a nice touch.

Old Town Sand Diego is literllay one or 2 freeway exits north of this palce and Sea World is also a very short drive from there. Legoland is a little farther (maybe 45 minutes or so).

If you are planning on Disneyland, I recommend that you split up the week and stay at a hotel in Orange County.

rj007

The mining town missypie is referring to is Julian and the apple pies and apple cider are great. There is a gold mine that you can visit there. Anza Borrego Desert is worth a visit. It is an easy drive from Julian. A number of years ago we went to Julian on New Year's Day - there was snow up to the sidewalks. Half an hour later we were walking among the cactus at Anza Borrego.

SandyBrit

suestein

For a first time visit I recommend The Ocean Park Inn which is a nice hotel on the beach www.oceanparkinn.com Price includes free breakfast that include cereal, juice, bagels, toast, sweet rolls, coffee, tea, juice. Rooms have mini refrigerators and microwaves. A big plus is the free parking. Grocery store and other eating places within walking distance. We didn't use it but there is a small swimming pool that your boys would like. Look at the reviews on www.tripadvisor.

You can often get a reduced hotel rate at www.sandiego.org but it may be a bit early for Easter. This site also offers discounts on other attractions.

We go to San Diego yearly to visit a son who can calls this marvelous city home. In November we will try Inn at Sunset Cliffs, a 23-room inn on the cliffs of the Pacific www.innatsunsetcliffs.com Will post a report after the stay.

Sandy

Heavens

Not sure what your budget is. Paradise Point is very nice. On the bay, all inclusive resort. I am not sure how much they are asking these days. Don't know if they have kitchens, but their rooms are good sized. All the rooms are one or two story with patios on grassy landscaping with lagoons and ducks. It is a safe area so the kids can walk around. The bay is a little tamer than the ocean and the pool is great. Not sure if it is heated.

In La Jolla, the Sea Lodge has kitchens. In North Mission Beach the Catamaran has rooms with kitchens and is right on the bay, walking distance to the ocean, and Grand Ave., a street that has lots of restaurants and shops. Not a safe area for them to walk around alone, but has a lot going on; shops, beach rentals, grocery stores and things like that.