la jolla vs mission bay vs. coronado
Jun 28th, 2011, 05:27 PM
#1
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la jolla vs mission bay vs. coronado
Help!! I cant figure out which is the best for our family
active family..swim, bike, hike explore
would like beautiful surroundings
would like beach front access from room
quiet not chaotic or "touristy'
someone recommended paradise point in mission bay?
active family..swim, bike, hike explore
would like beautiful surroundings
would like beach front access from room
quiet not chaotic or "touristy'
someone recommended paradise point in mission bay?
Jun 28th, 2011, 10:20 PM
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I am originally from the San Diego area, but lived out of state for 8 years, and during that time I stayed with my 3 and 4 year olds at Paradise Point in Mission Bay, mainly because it was next door to Sea World. The rooms are ok, but what my kids enjoyed most were the garden areas just outside our room. My husband and I could sit outside (chairs and table provided) have a couple of drinks, while they played or we played catch. The bathroom was big (big enough to put a play pen in) , the bedroom reg. 2 queen size room. My kids did not know how to swimm then, but I remember there being a fun kids pool, as well as a regular one.
Regarding Mission Bay itself, there are lots of water sport activities specially for 9+ children & adults. Beautiful park grounds adjacent to the bay (if you prefer being a waterfront on grass instead of sand), roller skatin and bicycling. The beach is also very nice.
Coronado is probably the best beach for traditinal beach experinece- i.e. picnic at beach, volley ball, sand castles, etc. The town is small, with couple of delis, one pub, abd other local coffe and gourmet places. Biking here is very nice, you can go under the Coronado Brdige, across Coronado bay, not too long a bike path, but beautiful. You also have the Ferry from Coronado Village to downtown, which is great if you want to do a day in downtown San Diego or just cruise the bay. Coronado is more pricey than Mission Bay though, specially for the well known chains-Lowes, Marriott (both of which I recommend if you can afford).Hotel del Coronado is a nice place to visit, buy an ice cream/drinks, and you can walk from the beach to the hotel.
La Jolla is a beauty in and of itself, but it is also more pricey. There's a great cove where children can spot tadpols and actually swim in/under the cove. The beach is also beautiful, but smaller than Coronado's or MB's. In terms of dining though, I find la Jolla caters more to couples than families. Personally, with family, I would go a day to La Jolla, but not stay there. Mission Bay or Coronado are more family friendly/fun.
Regarding Mission Bay itself, there are lots of water sport activities specially for 9+ children & adults. Beautiful park grounds adjacent to the bay (if you prefer being a waterfront on grass instead of sand), roller skatin and bicycling. The beach is also very nice.
Coronado is probably the best beach for traditinal beach experinece- i.e. picnic at beach, volley ball, sand castles, etc. The town is small, with couple of delis, one pub, abd other local coffe and gourmet places. Biking here is very nice, you can go under the Coronado Brdige, across Coronado bay, not too long a bike path, but beautiful. You also have the Ferry from Coronado Village to downtown, which is great if you want to do a day in downtown San Diego or just cruise the bay. Coronado is more pricey than Mission Bay though, specially for the well known chains-Lowes, Marriott (both of which I recommend if you can afford).Hotel del Coronado is a nice place to visit, buy an ice cream/drinks, and you can walk from the beach to the hotel.
La Jolla is a beauty in and of itself, but it is also more pricey. There's a great cove where children can spot tadpols and actually swim in/under the cove. The beach is also beautiful, but smaller than Coronado's or MB's. In terms of dining though, I find la Jolla caters more to couples than families. Personally, with family, I would go a day to La Jolla, but not stay there. Mission Bay or Coronado are more family friendly/fun.
Jun 29th, 2011, 04:18 AM
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itsasmallworld,
thank u for your advice. Yes i have friends that are going to lowes..they actually got a really reasonable price through expedia with airfare and car rental included. i just am a litle concerned that the lowes seems SO big and kind of touristy???
I know the paradise point was just renovated and we were going to pick the spots right on the beach. Can u walk/ride to places from paradise point?
thanks so much!!!
thank u for your advice. Yes i have friends that are going to lowes..they actually got a really reasonable price through expedia with airfare and car rental included. i just am a litle concerned that the lowes seems SO big and kind of touristy???
I know the paradise point was just renovated and we were going to pick the spots right on the beach. Can u walk/ride to places from paradise point?
thanks so much!!!
Jun 29th, 2011, 05:00 AM
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The bay is often deemed unsafe for swimming -
I have stayed at the Lowes and it is sort of "out there" - so be aware of that -it did not feel "really big" to me.
I stayed at the Paradise Point as well after the renovations and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the resort - it is nice for little kids as mentioned up thread.
I think the Hotel Del would be the best choice, based on what you are looking to do. La Jolla is wonderful but the only beach front are the ones mentioned up thread - or you could stay right on the cove but those beaches are not the best for hanging out.
I have stayed at the Lowes and it is sort of "out there" - so be aware of that -it did not feel "really big" to me.
I stayed at the Paradise Point as well after the renovations and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the resort - it is nice for little kids as mentioned up thread.
I think the Hotel Del would be the best choice, based on what you are looking to do. La Jolla is wonderful but the only beach front are the ones mentioned up thread - or you could stay right on the cove but those beaches are not the best for hanging out.
Jun 29th, 2011, 02:11 PM
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Hi Tylermaya,
Lowes is not too big, the reason it is somewhat "out there" is that it is on the other side of Coronado village, on the marina side, which is beautiful, and also quieter (Marriott is also on this side, but closer to Coronado village/ferry). You don't have beach access per say. It depends on what you are used to/looking for. I don't think you can go wrong w/Lowes, specially if you found a price you like, they have a great kids club which allows you to have some "adult" time.
From PP in Mission beach you don't have direct beach access either, but you can bike around the bay and get to the beach if you are athletic.
Lastly, Hotel del Coronado, is right on the beach. It is touristy, though, since it is the only hotel in Coronado w/beach access. It is suppossed to be the best... I've personally never stayed there, it is a much older hotel.
Hope this helps.
Lowes is not too big, the reason it is somewhat "out there" is that it is on the other side of Coronado village, on the marina side, which is beautiful, and also quieter (Marriott is also on this side, but closer to Coronado village/ferry). You don't have beach access per say. It depends on what you are used to/looking for. I don't think you can go wrong w/Lowes, specially if you found a price you like, they have a great kids club which allows you to have some "adult" time.
From PP in Mission beach you don't have direct beach access either, but you can bike around the bay and get to the beach if you are athletic.
Lastly, Hotel del Coronado, is right on the beach. It is touristy, though, since it is the only hotel in Coronado w/beach access. It is suppossed to be the best... I've personally never stayed there, it is a much older hotel.
Hope this helps.
Jun 29th, 2011, 07:08 PM
#8
Loews is 5 milies out of Coronado, which in Coronado is really "out there".
None of these towns are quiet, and all three are extremely touristy, which tends to happen when a town is popular with tourists.
Coronado has good places to dine, a great beach, and bikes are the preferred mode of transportation in the village. It is very close to Downtown San Diego, the Zoo, and Balboa park. The Glorietta Bay inn and several other hotel/motels are just across from the beach, but only the hotel Del is on the beach. The Marriott is on the bay, as is Loewes. There is no way I would swim in the bay. None!
Mission Beach is geared for the college set, with lots of parties at night, tattoo places, and bikini shops. The "resort hotels are the only quiet spots. The beach and bay are fun, and there are lots of activities to do on the water or boardwalk.
La Jolla has great dining and lots of upscale shopping. Also lots of traffic. La Jolla Shores is a popular family hotel on the beach. Most of the rest involve descending from the cliffs.It is quite far from other san Diego sights like the lighthouse, Zoo, or Balboa park.
Del Mar and Solana Beach might be toher options.
None of these towns are quiet, and all three are extremely touristy, which tends to happen when a town is popular with tourists.
Coronado has good places to dine, a great beach, and bikes are the preferred mode of transportation in the village. It is very close to Downtown San Diego, the Zoo, and Balboa park. The Glorietta Bay inn and several other hotel/motels are just across from the beach, but only the hotel Del is on the beach. The Marriott is on the bay, as is Loewes. There is no way I would swim in the bay. None!
Mission Beach is geared for the college set, with lots of parties at night, tattoo places, and bikini shops. The "resort hotels are the only quiet spots. The beach and bay are fun, and there are lots of activities to do on the water or boardwalk.
La Jolla has great dining and lots of upscale shopping. Also lots of traffic. La Jolla Shores is a popular family hotel on the beach. Most of the rest involve descending from the cliffs.It is quite far from other san Diego sights like the lighthouse, Zoo, or Balboa park.
Del Mar and Solana Beach might be toher options.
Jun 30th, 2011, 07:13 AM
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You say this is what you want:
"active family..swim, bike, hike explore
would like beautiful surroundings
would like beach front access from room
quiet not chaotic or "touristy'"
Unfortunately, to find a place that is active family in beautiful surroundings on the beach is not going to be quiet and will be touristy. Those are very desireable assets.
Paradise Point in Mission Bay is nice for families. You don't say how old your kids are but I am assuming they are younger. While Mission Beach may be geared to the college set, Mission Bay is different. Some rooms open up to the bay. There are bike rentals nearby and parks to ride in, other activities such as kayaking and its pretty close to the freeway for access to other areas.
La Jolla is beautiful and upscale. Finding a hotel on the beach is limited and expensive. The La Jolla Shores area is your best bet, but the area is hilly, so your bike riding ability may be limited depending on the ages of your children and athletic ability. La Jolla Cove has the resturants and shops, but no hotel right on the beach. There is a lot of traffic getting in and out of La Jolla especially in the summer.
Coronado is beautiful also. The Del is on the beach as is the Marriott. Its crowded in the summer, but the beach there is one of the best. There are resturants and bike rentals. Downtown San Diego is just across the bridge. The Loews is further down the strand. Its quieter and you can ride bikes along the bike path on the strand.
Del Mar or Solana Beach during racing season are probably not what you are looking for, assuming you are going in the summer. Hotels on the beach are also very limited.
If your plan is to spend your time in one place and not drive much, I would pick Coronado. If you want quiet - pick Loews. If you plan to do other things besides hang out at the beach, like going the zoo or Legoland, I think Paradise Point would work for you also.
Just my two cents. Have a lovely trip.
"active family..swim, bike, hike explore
would like beautiful surroundings
would like beach front access from room
quiet not chaotic or "touristy'"
Unfortunately, to find a place that is active family in beautiful surroundings on the beach is not going to be quiet and will be touristy. Those are very desireable assets.
Paradise Point in Mission Bay is nice for families. You don't say how old your kids are but I am assuming they are younger. While Mission Beach may be geared to the college set, Mission Bay is different. Some rooms open up to the bay. There are bike rentals nearby and parks to ride in, other activities such as kayaking and its pretty close to the freeway for access to other areas.
La Jolla is beautiful and upscale. Finding a hotel on the beach is limited and expensive. The La Jolla Shores area is your best bet, but the area is hilly, so your bike riding ability may be limited depending on the ages of your children and athletic ability. La Jolla Cove has the resturants and shops, but no hotel right on the beach. There is a lot of traffic getting in and out of La Jolla especially in the summer.
Coronado is beautiful also. The Del is on the beach as is the Marriott. Its crowded in the summer, but the beach there is one of the best. There are resturants and bike rentals. Downtown San Diego is just across the bridge. The Loews is further down the strand. Its quieter and you can ride bikes along the bike path on the strand.
Del Mar or Solana Beach during racing season are probably not what you are looking for, assuming you are going in the summer. Hotels on the beach are also very limited.
If your plan is to spend your time in one place and not drive much, I would pick Coronado. If you want quiet - pick Loews. If you plan to do other things besides hang out at the beach, like going the zoo or Legoland, I think Paradise Point would work for you also.
Just my two cents. Have a lovely trip.
Jun 30th, 2011, 11:59 AM
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wow all
thank u so much I have been sick and have not been on my computer. This is the first time i have used this !
anyhow i guess i missed or forgot some important details as have been mentioned..
we r planning for december and have an 11 yr old girl and a 14 yr old boy..
i am thinking mission bay just because of the bike riding and park and the paradise point seems slightly lower key than hotel coronado and has miniture golf 5 pools and grounds they can walk around in. does mission bay have a skate board park?
i am thinking if we stayed at la jolla shores they would be bored during the time we were at the hotel...
thank u so much I have been sick and have not been on my computer. This is the first time i have used this !
anyhow i guess i missed or forgot some important details as have been mentioned..
we r planning for december and have an 11 yr old girl and a 14 yr old boy..
i am thinking mission bay just because of the bike riding and park and the paradise point seems slightly lower key than hotel coronado and has miniture golf 5 pools and grounds they can walk around in. does mission bay have a skate board park?
i am thinking if we stayed at la jolla shores they would be bored during the time we were at the hotel...
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