Tomsd

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/

lobstercraven

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 $$.

lobstercraven

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

LSky

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.

lobstercraven

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

MomDDTravel

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...

lobstercraven

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

Tomsd

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.

Tomsd

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.

Tomsd

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

Tomsd

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

Tomsd

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

Tomsd

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/

Tomsd

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.

MomDDTravel

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.

nanabee

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.

nanabee

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

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

LSky

"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.

nanabee

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!"

Tomsd

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.