Help w/affordable San Diego Hotel on the water?
Jan 22nd, 2005, 09:19 AM
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Help w/affordable San Diego Hotel on the water?
Hi everyone. I know there are so many San Diego posts around here and I've been trying to read through them all, but I find the people so helpful here that I just decided to post my own message. My husband and I are planning a 5 day trip to San Diego either late Feb (but we're worried that it'll be crowded b/c of Feb Break with the schoolkids on bacation) or mid-March. First of all, any feelings on whether to avoid SD during Feb break?
Also, I'll be approx 5 months pregnant during this trip, so it'll be my last vacation for a while! I know the weather's iffy then, but I'm hoping for high 60's/low 70's and at least some sun (I'm escaping Seattle's gray days!) I have no interest in swimming, so I don't care about a pool and there's no way I'm getting into a bathing suit with my big belly. However, my hubbie and I LOVE being on the beach for walks, picnics, reading, etc. We'd love to walk outside our hotel room right to the water. I also love exploring cities and I love shopping, restaurants, gardens, even things like Sea World and the Zoo. I would really love a balcony over the water, although I don't know if this is possible for what we'd like to spend. La Jolla and Coronado both sound great, but we'd really like to limit our hotel price to $200/night (maybe $250 if it sounds really great).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much,
jacqui
Also, I'll be approx 5 months pregnant during this trip, so it'll be my last vacation for a while! I know the weather's iffy then, but I'm hoping for high 60's/low 70's and at least some sun (I'm escaping Seattle's gray days!) I have no interest in swimming, so I don't care about a pool and there's no way I'm getting into a bathing suit with my big belly. However, my hubbie and I LOVE being on the beach for walks, picnics, reading, etc. We'd love to walk outside our hotel room right to the water. I also love exploring cities and I love shopping, restaurants, gardens, even things like Sea World and the Zoo. I would really love a balcony over the water, although I don't know if this is possible for what we'd like to spend. La Jolla and Coronado both sound great, but we'd really like to limit our hotel price to $200/night (maybe $250 if it sounds really great).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much,
jacqui
Jan 22nd, 2005, 10:04 AM
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jacquiro - Ocean Park Inn, 710 Grand Ave., is located on the beach, jacuzzi, complimentary continental breakfast, free underground parking and has mini refrigerators and microvwaves in the rooms. Go to www.oceanparkinn.com - Lots of reviews at www.tripadvisor.com. Eating places within walking distance, grocery store etc. Best rooms are second or third floor and face the ocean. Downside is that the homeless bums do gather in this area often in front of the hotel. They in no way bothered us. This hotel is close to the life guard station and it is currently being rebuilt. I would not hesitate to return to this hotel.
You can often get special prices (reduced rates) at www.sandiego.org
Down the street is The Pacific Terrace Hotel which also gets good reviews here and at tripadvisor. This hotel is a bit more upscale and more $$$.
On our last visit November 2004 we stayed at The Inn at Sunset Cliffs, 1370 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard www.innatsunsetcliffs.com This little gem has been completely renovated, inside and out. Only has 24 rooms and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. We took long cliff walks, views are fantastic. We walked to the beach and eating places but they are not on your doorstep. Free parking here as well. Breakfast served outside on their patio in front of Pacific Ocean on weekends - bliss.
One of our sons makes his home in San Diego and so we usually go at Thanksgiving which makes for hotel prices a bit more. You should be able to find something in your price range Feb or March.
Best wishes for a lovely holiday.
Sandy
You can often get special prices (reduced rates) at www.sandiego.org
Down the street is The Pacific Terrace Hotel which also gets good reviews here and at tripadvisor. This hotel is a bit more upscale and more $$$.
On our last visit November 2004 we stayed at The Inn at Sunset Cliffs, 1370 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard www.innatsunsetcliffs.com This little gem has been completely renovated, inside and out. Only has 24 rooms and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. We took long cliff walks, views are fantastic. We walked to the beach and eating places but they are not on your doorstep. Free parking here as well. Breakfast served outside on their patio in front of Pacific Ocean on weekends - bliss.
One of our sons makes his home in San Diego and so we usually go at Thanksgiving which makes for hotel prices a bit more. You should be able to find something in your price range Feb or March.
Best wishes for a lovely holiday.
Sandy
Jan 22nd, 2005, 10:17 AM
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jacquiro,
Apart from I believe some good suggestions by SandyBrit, I should think that with your budget you should be able to afford the Marriott on Coronado island. It is facing the bay and is located close to the ferry that would take you to downtown. Do check the Marriott website.
I also saw that the fabulously historic Hotel Del Coronado has a special running through Mid March offering 3 nights for the price of 2. Even if the room might be more expensive, this might help to still keep it within your budget.
Apart from I believe some good suggestions by SandyBrit, I should think that with your budget you should be able to afford the Marriott on Coronado island. It is facing the bay and is located close to the ferry that would take you to downtown. Do check the Marriott website.
I also saw that the fabulously historic Hotel Del Coronado has a special running through Mid March offering 3 nights for the price of 2. Even if the room might be more expensive, this might help to still keep it within your budget.
Jan 22nd, 2005, 10:20 AM
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SurferBeachHotel has been nicely renovated and is getting generally very good reviews (except for some complaints about parking hassles - cars have been towed when not displaying their hotel parking sticker or something like that). The rates have been pretty low as they have been trying to re-establish themselves, and they fit your need for a balcony.
Never any guarantees, but i think you'd have a 90% chance of having better weather in March. February can bring a full week of nothing but rain. You might look a little north of La Jolla in Del Mar as for some reason they don't get hit with rain quite as much. I am not familiar with anything RIGHT ON the beach in Del mar however.
Hotel La Jolla often has some nice specials especially for weeknights. About a 4 block walk to the ocean however.
If you're more interested in a quiet stay at the beach than in seeing the sights around San Diego, drive up about an hour north to Laguna Beach and stay at the Laguna Riviera. It is right on the beach and while not a 4 or 5 star resort...is one of those places that you absolutely fall in love with because of the beach location, the friendliness and the quiet atmosphere. Almost like a private beachhouse feel to it when you're staying there. Much more charm to the place then comes through on their website!
Never any guarantees, but i think you'd have a 90% chance of having better weather in March. February can bring a full week of nothing but rain. You might look a little north of La Jolla in Del Mar as for some reason they don't get hit with rain quite as much. I am not familiar with anything RIGHT ON the beach in Del mar however.
Hotel La Jolla often has some nice specials especially for weeknights. About a 4 block walk to the ocean however.
If you're more interested in a quiet stay at the beach than in seeing the sights around San Diego, drive up about an hour north to Laguna Beach and stay at the Laguna Riviera. It is right on the beach and while not a 4 or 5 star resort...is one of those places that you absolutely fall in love with because of the beach location, the friendliness and the quiet atmosphere. Almost like a private beachhouse feel to it when you're staying there. Much more charm to the place then comes through on their website!
Jan 22nd, 2005, 10:41 AM
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tracy,
isn't the Courtyard Solana Beach basically atop the water?
The name suggests, of course, that this place is in Solana Beach, but IMO it is basically on the border of Del Mar and Solana Beach, so could be an option...I am not sure, though.
isn't the Courtyard Solana Beach basically atop the water?
The name suggests, of course, that this place is in Solana Beach, but IMO it is basically on the border of Del Mar and Solana Beach, so could be an option...I am not sure, though.
Jan 22nd, 2005, 02:35 PM
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Great, helpful responses so far...thanks so much! If anyone else has any other hotel suggestions to add, I'm trying to get the best place for the best deal, so please keep 'em coming!
Take care,
jacqui
Take care,
jacqui
Jan 22nd, 2005, 03:27 PM
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jacqui, I'm most familiar with La Jolla which has the shops and restaurants you're looking for. The Best Western is not on the water but nearby. The Scripps Inn I think is on the water but gets booked up far in advance.
At one point I did some searching for someone else here who was looking for an apt rental for a few points and there were was an apt. on the water with a nice view. I don't know if the other poster took it (in which case it wouldn't be availale) and I'm not quite sure where it is, but here's the website
http://www.goin2travel.com/pacsun6.htm
The Pacific Terrace Inn sounds like a good idea for you too.
At one point I did some searching for someone else here who was looking for an apt rental for a few points and there were was an apt. on the water with a nice view. I don't know if the other poster took it (in which case it wouldn't be availale) and I'm not quite sure where it is, but here's the website
http://www.goin2travel.com/pacsun6.htm
The Pacific Terrace Inn sounds like a good idea for you too.
Jan 22nd, 2005, 07:23 PM
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Sorry - somehow I hit the post button.
Anyway, although I am usually more a fan or La Jolla or Coronado, if you want the beach right outside your door, Pacific Beach is the place to be. I would also recommend Ocean Park Inn. My aunt and uncle stayed there last summer and really liked it. Pacfic Terrace is very nice but it's pretty expensive although I think you can get a decent rate through Expedia.
SandyBrit was right on with her description of The Ocean Park Inn. My aunt and uncle had an oceanfront room on the 3rd floor. There is a small balcony with a couple of chairs to sit and enjoy the view. There were some homeless but they didn't bother anyone. I just now looked at tripadvisor reviews for Ocean Park. Sounds like some of the posters since summer have not been happy. I really can't imagine them calling the place a dump because it isn't. Seems to be more complaints about the homeless though. I think in summer, there are so many other people around that you don't notice them as much however in the winter months, they might be the only ones on the beach in front of the hotel.
You do need a car if you stay in Pacific Beach but you really need a car no matter where you stay in San Diego. If you want the ocean right in front of your hotel and an area to talk long walks along the beach, PB is a good choice. As far as weather, March would definitely be better than Feb although the weather can still be iffy. Hopefully we've had our rain for the year. San Diego is not a huge spring break destination as people tend to go to warmer places such as Mexico, Palm Springs, Arizona, the Colorado River.
Anyway, although I am usually more a fan or La Jolla or Coronado, if you want the beach right outside your door, Pacific Beach is the place to be. I would also recommend Ocean Park Inn. My aunt and uncle stayed there last summer and really liked it. Pacfic Terrace is very nice but it's pretty expensive although I think you can get a decent rate through Expedia.
SandyBrit was right on with her description of The Ocean Park Inn. My aunt and uncle had an oceanfront room on the 3rd floor. There is a small balcony with a couple of chairs to sit and enjoy the view. There were some homeless but they didn't bother anyone. I just now looked at tripadvisor reviews for Ocean Park. Sounds like some of the posters since summer have not been happy. I really can't imagine them calling the place a dump because it isn't. Seems to be more complaints about the homeless though. I think in summer, there are so many other people around that you don't notice them as much however in the winter months, they might be the only ones on the beach in front of the hotel.
You do need a car if you stay in Pacific Beach but you really need a car no matter where you stay in San Diego. If you want the ocean right in front of your hotel and an area to talk long walks along the beach, PB is a good choice. As far as weather, March would definitely be better than Feb although the weather can still be iffy. Hopefully we've had our rain for the year. San Diego is not a huge spring break destination as people tend to go to warmer places such as Mexico, Palm Springs, Arizona, the Colorado River.
