My fiance and I are looking for a nice resort/hotel on the beach in San Diego for August. We would prefer to avoid large beach crowds but realize that could be difficut to do. Our budget limits us to spending no more than $400 a night, but we'd prefer something closer to $300. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I was at first thinking of a couple of places in Pacific Beach but than the avoid the crowd part again. The Del Coronado Hotel across the bay from San Diego is a very nice hotel with a great beach. La Jolla also has a few that may fit your desires The Sea Lodge, or Hilton at Torrey Pines are a couple of them. All of them have rooms under or around $300.

Another vote for the Del. We have stayed there many times, and it always feels like it is a special occassion.

the hilton at torry pines is not close (at least not walking distance) to a beach

The "on the beach" part is difficult...and so is the "resort/ hotel." MAybe you could consider renting a "beach house" ...plenty of condos on THe Strand 9big stretch of ocean beach south of teh Del....

Hilton Mission Bay (note Bay not ocean) is very pleasant.

Tower 24 is on the beach..hotel is not large but upper class so maybe "crowds won't be so bad inside...named after the Lifeguard Tower there will be people on the beach...

PAradise Point is on MIssion Bay (note Bay not ocean)

Sorry ..hotel on ocean beach is Tower 23

San Diego really doesn't have alot of 5* resorts on the water but a block or two and you will have better luck..
Hotel Del is gorgeous and if you can get $300 a night in August..go for it...try the Marriott in Coronado too.
La Jolla, I would do either the
The Grande Colonial Hotel
La Valencia Hotel
Sea Lodge or the Hotel La Jolla 3-4*
Del Mar has the lovely L'Auberge Del Mar and in Carlsbad you can go to Four Season Aviara.
Paradise Point could be a cool place to stay if you get a casita.
August is very busy/expensive with Del Mar Racing season and prime summer..
Friends love Tower23 in PB..hip crowd.

Try Loews which is on Coronado but a little further out than the Del so its a lot quieter.

PS Congratulations to you and your fiance.

We went to Torrey Pine the past summer. It is a very nice hotel. Though it is not on the beach, it has its own private beach within 10 minute drive. They provide fresh towel, chair... on the beach. The hotel is most famous for its golf course. It has very beautiful view.

Genghis, did you stay at the Hilton at Torrey Pines? Where was their "private beach"?

I think there could be no more romantic place to stay than the Hotel del Coronado, especially if you like older hotels with style. Be sure to ask for a room in the old part of the hotel. It is a beautiful place!

My vote's for the Loews. We took our father there for his 60th in June, and we had other family stay at the Del down the street. The Del was crowded, the staff was rude, and the restaurant experience was beyond awful. The Loews was the absolute opposite - they couldn't have been more accomodating if they tried.. everything from giving us the VIP treatment in the city to making sure our rooms were the best they could do.

Just a clarification..Loews is a wonderful property but is located on the Bay not the ocean. The sandy ocean beach is across the street on teh The Strand.