HELP! Which San Diego Hotel?
 

Thanks to Barbara, I'm reposting my earlier message.
My husband and 4 yr old dgtr are traveling to the San Diego area in late June and we can't decide where to stay. We're going to the Zoo, Balboa Park, Sea World and Legoland. We'd like to use points so we're first trying Hilton, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and Doubletree hotels. Our first choice is the San Diego Hilton on Misson Bay but I've been told that being so close to I5 is not a good choice. Also, my husband really wants to be on the beach - is the bay just as good? Any thougts?

Check out Paradise Point (the old Vacation Village), it is on the bay and has beautiful grounds. Great for families. Have fun.

Of your preferred chains, I think that the Hilton at Mission Bay is your only option for being on water. It is in an attractive setting and is very convenient to Sea World and close to the zoo and Balboa Park. Legoland is about a 25 minute drive (up I-5), depending on the time of day.
I know nothing about the quality of the rooms at the Hilton. You should find out how recently it has been renovated.
There are a number of good restaurants within short driving distance of that Hilton.
Many of the hotels affiliated with your preferred chains are going to be near I-5 or some other highway.

hilton on mission bay is very nice location. it is on water but i would not put my feet in it. there is a great park area around there for walking and some playgrounds which your dgtr would enjoy. very convenient for getting to all. (if you stay there, go up claremont drive to mountain mike's pizza...yummy.)

Just returned from San Diego with my wife and 3 year old. We stayed at the hilton on mission valley, being close to the highway wasn't a problem, but the dated and small rooms in the tower weren't the best. I wouldn't consider being on the bay the same as being on the beach. As often as I make It to the ocean I think I would have rather stayed right on the beach.
I did however eat at mountain mikes and had a pizza called mt. palomar and it was great.

If price is of no concernt, then the Hotel Del Coronado is the choice for me. IT IS RIGHT ON THE OCEAN! Excellent beach, excellent little community (Coronado).

BUt,not all of us are Bill Gates. SO...


That Mission Bay Hilton is right on Mission Bay, a terrific bay/park/activity area. It is kinda small as far as Hilton's go.

There's a Best Western and TravelLodge right smack in the middle of the village in La Jolla. It's about a 5-minute walk to the cove. But it is right in La Jolla, another terrific little community.

And there are a few hotels/motels in Mission Beach. It's right there near the boardwalk & Misison Bay. But it's kinda a rowdy area...and can get quite crowded on weekends.

Hilton on Mission bay is different fr. Hilton in Mission Valley. The one in Mission Bay is a resort, right by the bay. It is a nice place and next to freeway 5. If you can get a room in the back ( bay view), I guess, the noise would not be a worrisome factor. The water of the bay is different fr. that of the ocean. It does not go anywhere so it may contain some bad bacterias. It is ~5-12' to Seaworld, Zoo & Balboa Park. To eat you can try the nearby neighborhood like Pacific Beach & Oldtown. There are good & reasonable food there. Legoland is up north and would take ~25' driving (w/o traffic). Avoid peak time travel north bound 5 bewt 3:30-6:30P.M., especially on Friday. There is a nice outlet nearby Legoland and a few good eateries in the area.

The Hilton resort on Torrey Pines are right by the ocean and beautiful; however, it is not on the beach. The beach is just a couple minutes driving-- Torrey State Park beach. You can use mapquest to calculate the approximate distance & time betw these hotels to places you plan to go and pick the one best fits your categories.