My two sisters and I want to get away to a nice place in southern California, with an ocean view from the room's lanai. Probably a 4-night stay, maybe in the springtime. We want a very nice place, but don't need a spa per se, or any of the romantic trappings a lot of places offer (for obvious reasons!). We'll arrive by planes, from Denver and San Francisco.
We'd like to spend around $300/night or better, and are flexible if good packages are offered. I've looked briefly into Laguna Beach, La Jolla and Coronado. Anyone know of a great place to recommend?
Thanks!

I'd pick the Del Coronado.

Surf & Sand, Laguna Beach.

Beach House, Hermosa Beach.

I second the Del.

I third the Del

I've been to the Del before, so I understand everyone's enthusiasm about it. It looks like it might be $500/night, and that may be too high. We stayed once at Le Meridien on Coronado, which I think is now a Marriott. Is it still nice? Or the Laguna Cliffs Marriott? Other ideas? La Jolla?

Maureen, double check the price at the Del. We have always paid somewhere around $250-275 a night there. Our last time there was in March.

Thanks, mms, I will. That price would be perfect. I had searched via Expedia and the hotel itself. How did you find your rate?

L'Auberge Del Mar, Loew's Coronado. Marriott's Newport Coast Villas has 2 bedroom condo's that might work for your group.

We have always booked directly with the hotel via telephone.

Maureen,

Keep in mind that you will have a better chance for clear skies in March or April than May. San Diego experiences "May Gray, June Gloom," much to the disappointment of many visitors.

I second the Surf n Sand

I've never heard of "May Gray, June Gloom," so thanks for the heads-up, Jocelyn. Tips like that are so helpful, because we are totally flexible and want to avoid making a dumb mistake in choosing. Thanks everyone! Any other ideas?

Hi Maureen, I live in San Diego. Weather is hard to predict. If you're coming between March and June, I'd probably suggest April or May. In June it's true that the beaches are often cloudy. (Not rainy, just overcast.) I recall a lot of sunny days around April and May. Often in the spring time and early summer if it's overcast on the coast, it's nice and sunny a bit more inland. You might consider going inland when it's cloudy, to Seaworld, the Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, Balboa Park...

I personally love La Jolla, especially visit the La Jolla Cove area and shopping and little cafes on Girard, Prospect, and nearby streets. Stop by Come On In on Herschel for coffee and a delicous fresh-baked goodie.

Coronado is nice too but more isolated from the rest of San Diego.

The ocean is really only warm in August, in my opinion!!! But that doesn't stop people from swimming.

It's fun to take long walks on the beach and near the beach in the winter and spring, whether it's overcast or not...Summer sun brings crowds too and it's not as peaceful.

You can see seals at La Jolla cove.

I always check travelocity, orbitz, expedia, and hotels.com because they don't always have the same prices for hotels. Occassionally the hotel has the best prices.

You didn't state what you want toDO when you get here.

We really don't want to DO anything. My sisters live in S.F., and I lived in southern Cal. for a few years, so we've 'been there, done that' and don't need to sightsee per se. We just want to relax and enjoy each other. Only thing I require is several walks on the beach, so we want a place that's oceanfront. And we might like to be where we don't need a car; a place that provides transport to the airport would be ideal. Does my dream place exist?

The Del does have an airport shuttle as well as a limo. Could could come and go in style if you want

The Del is looking better all the time!

Except when I called the Del today, the rates were $465 for Partial Ocean and $565 for Oceanfront!