I will be in San Sebastian for four days/nights this September with my husband and one year old. We are booked in the Kursaal apartment though friendly rentals which is near the Zurriola beach I think in the Gros area. We also considered (and am thinking of changing) to the Chillida apartment which is on the other side of La Conch near Mount Igueldo. This apartment has parking. Does anybody know if one location is more desirable? Is it important to have the parking place? We want to be able to walk the the old town for dinner and we have to keep the fact that we'll be walking with a baby in the stroller in consideration. We also want to be in a nice area with parks close by.

Any opinions/suggestions?

Thanks so much.

The Kursaal is right near the old town, so you could easily walk there for meals if you are in that neighbourhood. I don't know the other area, but I stayed in a hotel near the Kursaal, and really enjoyed the locale.

I think I would recommend that you stay in the Kursaal apartment (I lived close by for six months). Right in the center of things: only a short stroll to both the old town, the shopping district, the Zurriola beach and La Concha beach. Some of the best pintxos (tapas) bars are also in the Gros district; the gourmet bar Patio de Ramuntxo and the local favourite Bodega Donostiarra are for example located just one block behind you on Calle Peña y Goñi. And people bring their kids and babies out to eat almost everywhere. The largest park in the city, Kristina Enea, is also close by.

The Chillida apartment is beautifully located close to the Ondarreta beach and the bustling Antiguo area off the beaten tourist track. It's also close to the Miramar palace and the lovely gardens that surrounds it. But it's on the heavily trafficated Avda. Zumalakarregi, and it would be a 20-25 min walk to the Old town (admittedly, along the beautiful La Concha promenade). You should definitely visit this part of town, but I guess you would find it a bit tiresome to have to walk back and forth all the time.

San Sebastián is small and very walkable, public transport is excellent and taxis are cheap. It's best to do without a car. Parking is difficult and expensive.

About parks in San Sebastián: http://www.san-sebastian.world-guide...ian_parks.html

Great. Thanks so much...will keep the apartment we have already booked. We were planning on renting a car in Madrid to drive to SS, spend four days, and then drive to Segovia for our last night before our flight home. I looked into trains but I feel like a car would be easier because we'll have so much "baby stuff" and we can do stops between cities. Any suggestions on how I should travel between cities? I'm overwhelmed with that one.

Given your route, luggage and all, I think you should stay with the car. Parking shouldn't be a huge problem, lots of 24h underground garages in the center. Costs about 13€/day. There is no long-term street parking in the center of town.

And just when in September are you planning on being in Donostia. There is a major international film festival that takes place in San Sebastian in mid to late September (18 to 26 September 2009) and most hotels are already booked for the week of the festival.

http://www.sansebastianfestival.com/in/index.php

we arrive september 26th so just as it is ending i guess. hopefully we'll get a feel for the action on that final night. we are already booked in an apartment so we are fine but i was just considering switching.