After a long week of touring downtown SD and its attractions (zoo, Coronado, Cabrillo, old town) then driving thru LA for a look-see and on to Ventura to check out the channel islands we will just want to crash on a beach for 3 or 4 days before flying home. Somewhere between La Jolla and Oceanside we’d like to stay on or across the street from the beach. It would be nice to be able to bike to other beaches (up to 10 miles) too. We’d prefer to have a village with shops and restaurants within walking distance. We want all of this under $100 a night. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance : )

Steve

I would suggest Del Mar or Carlsbad. Carlsbad would probably be more in the $100 price range.

Hotel La Jolla execllent value. Large rooms extra amenities Highly recommend for the location and the price

In Del Mar there is L'Auberge. It's very nice but pricey. The Hilton Hotel in Del Mar is next to the freeway right by the racetrack but you can easily bike to the beach from there (about 1 mile)- it will be cheaper but nowhere near the the quality. I've seen some other motels along the coast Solana Beach and Cardiff but are not familiar with any.

I don't think you'll meet your price target on the weekend, but weekdays you can. Try the Best Western Stratford in Del Mar.

The perfect place is a little-known place called the Del Mar Motel. It is right on the sand on a great stretch of beach in Del Mar. It is next to a couple of restaurants and walking distance to the village of Del Mar. They occasionally offer weekday specials in local discount mags for around $80.00 per night. I think the rooms only come with one bed, but I'm not sure. The phone number is 800-223-8449.

Steve, you don't say when you will be staying in this place. Del Mar would be perect, unless it's during horse racing season when most of the hotel rooms are booked well in advance and the restaurants are full. This year the season begins on July 24 and ends on September 11.

Barbara,
Thanks for the tip on the Del Mar race season. That explains why I'm having such trouble finding anything there. We're looking for something from 8/4 to 8/8.

Any specific suggestions for Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, or Solano Beach?

Steve, I really don't know much about hotels in any of those towns. However, I've noticed a lot of people have asked about hotels in Carlsbad, so try a search on this forum for Carlsbad California. You should get some ideas from that.

Steve,
There is a bed and breakfast place in Encinitas called Sea Breeze Bed and Breakfast Inn. A friend of mine had relatives that stayed here and enjoyed it. It's a little basic, but has a AAA 3 diamond rating. The rates are supposed to be pretty good. The location is great: Walking distance to downtown Encinitas with shops, restaurants, etc. and Moonlight Beach.
Phone number is 1-760-944-0318.