help with trip to san diego
 

I would like some advice on where to stay in the san diego or surrounding area. the trip is being planned for late february . two adults with two young teenagers. we are renting a car but I dont want to have to rely on a car for everything .we would like to have the option of walking to the beech, shops , and restaurants etc.. a nice pool with a bar would be great.
we are considering paradise point resort & also the coranado area. they sound like nice places for adults to relax but my concern would be for the teens . we chose san diego because we wanted to be as warm as possible in california . its cold up here in maine!!
thank you for reading my post . we welcome all advice . chris

Coronado would be a great choice. The other "beach" areas have a lot of partying going on and not sure if you really want to let your two teenagers on the loose. :)

The villages of La Jolla and Del Mar would also seem to fit your profile.

If it's the same Paradise Point resort I am thinking about - it's nice but by itself.

whats the beach scene like in late february. I know it all depends on the weather . can you expect alot of people at the beach on a nice day or is it too early in the season. will the water be warm? thanks again

hoteldel.com

or

lajolla.com

little cheaper choice more for teens to do.
I like the Hyatt there. betterbidding.com for deals.

thanks. lajolla does look nice. would two teenage girls be able to walk around safely without getting too bored. are there alot of other teens in that area? thanks

The girls could walk around La Joll without much concern, especially in the village area. They might also enjoy gonig to the nearby movie complex/entertainment area - AMC - and possibly over to the Westfield Shopping center off La Jolla Village Drive (10 minutes) - or to the upscale Fashion Valley Mall - about 20 minutes away.

For the beach - the air temps have been very nice - in the 70's and 80's and people have been going to the beach - but the water is a bit cooler than in the summer. Check out the best little beach - The Cove - right below the LJ village. http://www.a-zsandiegobeaches.com/lajollacove.htm

And I don't remember the names - but there are a couple of hotels which are on Coast Blvd - directly overlooking the Cove/Ocean. Incredible views - even if they are more of the basic variety, and you can walk up the stairs to the Village - where I had an office for years. We used to grab sandwiches for lunch and walk down and have a mini-picnic overlooking the Cove.

And a couple miles away to the north - at La Jolla Shores - this is a nice oceanfront hotel, and there is a cute little area with a few restaurants and shops nearby. http://www.ljshoreshotel.com/

Uno Mas: You could also go up to the UC San Diego Campus - toward Torrey Pines Golf Course - and the girls might like walking around the campus. http://ucsd.edu/

And the beautiful Scripps/Birch Acquarium is also on the way. http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/

The weather in Feb. will be warmer than Maine but not always "beach" weather.

How old are your teens? I have stayed at the Paradise Point Resort and you would need a car for other areas - the teens might be very bored very fast there imo.

On Coranado it also depends on where you stay. Be aware that the Loews property is set off all by itself and again the girls would need a car in order to get around any place by themselves.

I would consider staying downtown San Diego at any of these properties and going to the beach during the trip:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...is-and-marina/

http://manchestergrand.hyatt.com/hya...index.jsp?null

We have stayed at either many times - we have had a sail boat take us out on the harbor it is a lot of fun, the girls can walk through seaport village and the gaslamp is a ton of fun for them (not alone at night!) you can take the pedicabs if you do not want to walk :)

Or if you can swing the Hotel Del Corando that is always wonderful.

If you want to stay in the Village in La Jolla this is a good option

http://www.thegrandecolonial.com/

Just know that staying in the "village" in La Jolla (where the girls would be able to walk around on prospect street - but there is no "real" beach it is rocky and cliffy there - there is la jolla cove which is a little cove of a beach - but the weather may or may not be beach weather at ALL. I am going next week and have been checking the temps - the day I arrive is a high of 63 low of 47. I know you are from Maine but that is NOT beach weather and it is always cooler by the coast.

Have other plans than sitting by a pool/beach. JMO.

thanks for all the replies. they help so much !! btw.. can anyone confirm the water temp at this time. a friend in nearby carlsbad said that it was 68 the other day. that sounded a little high. thanks

http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/spac.html

looks like around 58. It is very cold in Jan and Feb and even up in the summer at times.. it just never gets that warm. I grew up in San Diego and lived right in La Jolla much of it and spent my youth living at Marine Street beach... and then spent the last 14 years in Orange County. Wets suits in the winter on the beach except for a rare day here and there.

ok. thats kind of what I figured. sounds like maine water temps in the summer. lucky if it gets into the 60's. thanks

lobstercraven - did you decide on where to stay?

no, I want to going over all the options with my family tonight. I plan on pulling the trigger either tonight or tomorrow at the latest.

Good luck Lobstercraven - let us know - whatever you decide Southern California is sure to be a treat in comparison to Maine this time of year!

I just want to let the teens know that there probably wont be much swimming involved in a trip to san diego this time of year. my daughter is a fish. a hotel with a nice heated pool might have to be enough! thanks

can you think of any place where the pools really stand out? will they need to be heated? or do they shut down the pools this time of year?

The pools are open year round at just about any place you will stay and yes, they are usually heated. But picking a place based on the pools is not what I would do.

Believe I mentioned - the air temp here the past few weeks has been like summer - into the high 70's and 80's, and a lot of people have been at the beach.

As for which beach the girls would like - different strokes for different folks - and guess tourists must like long, never ending sand - but I have been to every beach in San Diego during my what - 30 years here - and still think the Cove is the best. Plus it probably has the warmest water as it has a nice shallow/sandy area - and people swim (and dive) there year around, a lot of them without wetsuits.

For you from Maine - it would probably seem balmy. :)

Geesh - how much beach do you need vis a vis the great setting?

Also - if you want a nice peaceful type atmosphere - downtown is not the place to be.

FYI - here is a chart on water temp - now 59 degrees at the Cove, and the girls might like the cute life guards at the stand there.

STay at the Catamaran on Mission Bay-it's fun, has a Hawaiian theme, across the street from the beach and lot's of restaraunts. It's more of a younger part of town, but close to downtonw attractions. Too cold to swim at the beach, but you can rent beach cruisers from the hotel and bike along the bay side path and the boardwalk.

BTW - the Colonial Hotel is beautiful - as is the La Valencia - but not sure if the planned renovation for the La Valencia has started. Actually - if you want a place with a great pool - I believe Estancia has one, with private Cabanas and beatiful grounds, as well as a spa.

http://www.estancialajolla.com/

would you prefer one over the other of these three in lajolla . hyatt regency, embassy suites, or the marriot. they all were pretty much the same price. I liked the looks of the hyatt best. thats based on what little I could tell from the internet.
The la valencia you suggested really looked nice but it was quite a step up in $$.

can you give a comparison of la jolla to del mar? thanks

Here's the weather, Monday I wore a jacket, Tuesday I wore my rain coat, Wed was a light sweater, today I thought I should dig out my summer clothes.

Del Mar is a nice community but La Jolla has more scenic beach and cove, and is a lot better for tourist. The water is cold right now. La Jolla is more convienent to the other things you'll want to do. Not that Del Mar is that much further but if you get stuck in traffic it will take you longer to get through a little piece of freeway.

ok, I think we will stick with la jolla. anyone have a preference to any of those three motels in the above post.

hyatt regency, embassy suites, or the marriot.>

None of these places are actually in the Village in La Jolla - they are along La Jolla Village drive which is a 20 minute drive to any beach area - depending on traffic - I lived in a condo right on La Jolla Village Drive across from where the Hyatt is - it is all in an area that is more of business/stores etc. - google earth it and you will see what I mean.

I agree with Lsky on her description of La Jolla vs Del Mar. I like the beaches in Del Mar in the summer but again it is iffy on if it is actually going to be beach weather...

can you bike ride in la jolla or is it too busy?

You can ride a bike around La Jolla (the Village area in particular) but just be aware of traffic. It's not that busy.

Yesterday - went by the Seaforth Docks (Mission Bay) and they said one of their fishing boats reported 64 degree water just off La Jolla - in the kelp beds, so I am guessing the Cove was even warmer as it has shallow/sandy parts where the water warms up more than the average.

And lobstercraven - it's still "bug" season - but how soon are you coming? :) Friends of mine caught a lot of bugs a few days ago - and about 1/3 of them were legal size.

And once more for ye doubters: We have been having warm weather this "winter" - (the Sierras have not received much snow) - and it has seemed like summer for over the past month. Same today although a little storm is supposed to blow through this weekend.

BTW - I have not worn anything other than a Polo shorts and shorts all "winter". It's been very nice, with really not much rain or bad weather.

And uno mas - IMO - the most resort like Hotel in La Jolla - up on the Mesa by UCSD - is Estancia, but it may be booked or not what you were considering rate wise.. Maybe some of the former San Diegans don't know about it as it's relatively "new".

If you want something more in the two plus star range - try the La Jolla Cove Suites - which has a pool and is right across from The Cove http://www.la-jolla-cove-suites.com/...FQVkhwod2gJ0Hg and you can walk up the stairs and be right in the heart of the Village.

Or the Best Western by the Sea is just off Prospect on Fay - and there is also a La Jolla Suites Inn (or some such) or check out along La Jolla Blvd going toward Pacific Beach, starting a half mile or so down at the Travel Lodge - which I think has a nice pool. Tried to sell it once - but some time ago. :)

There are some nice places to eat toward or along Pearl St - by La Jolla Blvd - including a Couple Thai places, Asian Fusion at Roppongi, Burger/Brew Pubs such as the new Smash Burger in the old Hard Rock is it? - and the La Jolla Brew Pub), Samy's Woodfried Pizza, La Tapanede (more upscale - but but it has a very reasonably priced cocktail/happy hour menu in the bar) and so forth. http://www.hotels-rates.com/La_Jolla/CA/usa/

Here are a couple of web pages for more La Jolla Hotels - and the ones toward Pacific Beach - "Baja" La Jolla - are also acceptable. :)

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&cp=20&g...w=1253&bih=660

Fooey - my Pearl St. Restaurant page didn't take - so here it is, and if you also want some early morning coffee and pastries - with a nice view and a bit of local "flavor" - try the "Living Room" - on Prospect.

http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc...an+Diego%2C+CA

Well, fooey dos - the La Jolla Cove Suites hotel webpage doesn't seem to be working - but here are some reviews.

And another nice little hotel (which I also tried to broker a deal/sale for a partnership of mine) is the La Jolla Inn - right on the corner - a half a block from the La Valencia.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...alifornia.html

And here is the La Jolla Inn which I forgot - has a great deck that overlooks the Ocean. Don't remember if they have a pool, but you might be able to slip over and use the La Valencia's. :)

http://lajollainn.com/

BTW - our Lobsters aren't as succulent as those you have in Maine, but are very tasty with some rice, maybe refried beans, wrapped in a big soft tortilla and some salsa. :)

And along Pearl St. - the little El Pescador (fish stand and market)- has excellent/fresh fish. Just plain atmosphere and goof fish.

Tom - hope the weather holds up... I arrive next week.

As far as the Estancia - I am aware of it - my Mom stayed there and I visited her. I am not crazy about the location. jmo.

The Estancia is a cool place (our daughter's wedding was there), but it is not a good choice for your trip with teens lobster.

I haven't read all the posts (I apologize) but I would defintely recommend Coronado. It has everyhing for families with kids on any age. The beach is consistently rank on of the top beaches in the world. There is a small sheltered bay (Glorietta Bay) where you can rent sale boats and paddle boats. If you like swimming sports - there is a fantastic public pool on the Silver Strand. Coronado is a great place to bike as a family (the "island" is safe and generally flat), there are lots cute stores, cafes, restaurants. It is a 5 minute drive over the Coronado Bridge into Downtown SanDiego, and 10 min away from Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. So it is very centrally located.

I grew up in Coronado and live in La Jolla now - and I still prefer Coronado for family vacations!!

The beach water, of course, in Feb. will be in the high 50's or very low 60's. The weather, however, will be beautiful. :)

OMG, sorry I didn' edit - I got interrupted by a phone call!

"Sale" boats are a great bargin!! LOL!

"I have not worn anything other than a Polo shorts and shorts all "winter". '

Tom you made me smile. I have a friend who hasn't worn a pair of long pants since his mother made him. I've seen him dressed in a parka with his shorts and hiking boots on. It's been chilly this winter. I've worn my wool coat a lot this year.

Don't forget LSky chilly is in the eye of the beholder. We do get down right cold when it hits the high 50's here in SanDiego but when my daughter visits from Portland, OR she's running around in her bathing suit!

Then again when my sister visits from Hawaii - and it's 75 degrees she sits around in a snow jacket, wool socks, ad mittens complaining that it's freezing cold and "turn that darn heater on!"

Glad to do it Lsky. Since I grew up in Oregon - and now have just a little Polar Bear "insulation" - which I am in the process of "diminishing" - I mean it when I say I don't wear anything but a Polo Shirt and shorts - but hey - it's still been a warm "winter" here.

And nanabee - shame on your for not reading all the posts :) - and while I also like Coronado - hands down - at least to me and most people - staying in the Village of La Jolla for your first trip is the best choice. :)