My daughters and I (17&20) need a hotel with free shuttle service from the airport for July 16,04. We are looking to stay 2 nights downtown in a inexpensive to moderate priced hotel (100$ or less-ha ha)with a pool in a safe, quaint area close to good shopping, nice resteraunts, the zoo. ANY SUGGESTIONS APPRECIATED !!

First of all, why is the free shuttle a requirement? That would probably limit you to the motor inns near the airport. They're not bad, but they're in areas that you can't realistically call "quaint". Just budget money for cabs to and from SAN.

The $100/night requirement is another potential problem. San Diego is a popular tourist destination, and finding a property with rooms that will accomodate three adults will cost you. However, I can think of two hotels downtown that might do: the US Grant and the Westin Horton Plaza. You're basically right in the Gaslamp district-- lots of shopping, nightlife, restaurants, etc.

SD isn't a huge town, so cabs to Balboa Park (where the Zoo is) are cheap. However, without a car, you can't easily hit some outlying areas of interest like La Jolla (lovely seaside village) or Carlsbad (outlet mall). Are you dead-set against renting wheels...?

I agree with the other poster. A free shuttle from the airport is too limiting. If you really want what you are asking for, you will have to take a cab or rent a car (which would be preferable in SD).

Check out www.sandiego.org. It's the SD convention and visitors bureau. I found them to have great rates on hotels and when I thought it was too good to believe I called them (there's an 800 number listed) and not only got confirmation of these rates but spoke to a very pleasant, very well informed customer service rep. They might be able to help with the shuttle and price requirement.

Check out Orbitz for San Diego hotels. We got a good price last year at a place near Old Town (Ramada Inn? Something like that). It had underground parking, free.