Hello to all. I'm doing some early planning for a trip to San Diego and L.A. next September. My main reason for the trip is to see some baseball in both cities. But I'd love to visit the Zoo in S.D. and see some of the coast on the way to L.A. (or near L.A.)

I'm planning for about 4 nights in S.D. starting on Labor Day and 2 nights in L.A. Is the new Petco Park in the gaslamp district of S.D.? What hotels are most convenient to the ballpark? Could I use Priceline and come up with something in walking distance to the new ballpark?

What area of L.A. would be nicest to stay in for easy access to Dodger Stadium (by Priceline)? Maybe West Hollywood? I can tell you I'm not too excited about driving "in" L.A. but maybe it's not as bad as I think it will be. Driving in Washington D.C. about did me in a few years ago. But I'm willing to give it a try.

I was originally going to take Amtrak between the two cities and avoid renting a car completely, but I've learned the public transport in L.A. is something to be desired. How long would it take to drive Highway 1 from S.D. to L.A. versus the freeway? I'm sure it's quite a difference but how much? Would the scenery be more dramatic along Highway 1 starting in Santa Monica and Malibu? Maybe we'll try the fastest route to L.A. and access the coastal highway for some scenic driving once we get there.

Thanks in advance for any comments... I realize my thoughts are kind of jumbled up about this right now.

Sandi

Glendale is probably the best area to stay in for easy access (5 min trip down the #2 freeway) to Dodger Stadium.

There is a Best Western near Glendale (Eagle Rock) that is right at the freeway, and some nicer hotels about a mile away including a Hilton, another Best Western and a Vagabond Budget Inn.

First of all, you are going to have to rent a car. Get used to the idea. Can't avoid it.

Second of all, despite the traffic snarls, it's much easier to get around southern California in a car than most cities out east.

The new PETCo Park is a 15-minute walk from the Gaslamp, so getting a room there would probably be fine. I usually stay with friends when I go to SD, so I can't help you with hotel recommendations. I did stay at the U.S. Grant many years ago on business-- at the time, it was quite nice.

Pacific Coast Highway (US-1) has some beautiful ocean views along some parts (Malibu through San Diego, Orange County starting in Huntington Beach through to Dana Point), and it also runs through some pretty nasty parts (Wilmington, West Long Beach). It becomes Lincoln Blvd. through Santa Monica-- stoplights, traffic, ugly commercial storefronts. Not worth the trouble, especially if you're focusing on seeing baseball games.

Besides, you first need to sit down with a map and grasp the vastness of this area. Note that Dodger Stadium is in Chavez Ravine, just north of Downtown LA. Not anywhere near the beach. Best way to SD is down I-5, all the way. Not the prettiest, but the best. By the way, Pasadena is not far from Dodger Stadium, and it's a very cool city with a lot of fun things to do in its Old Town neighborhood. You can look there. West Hollywood is a not-horrible drive to the stadium; look for hotels on Sunset, as those on Santa Monica Blvd. aren't nearly as nice.

Typo-- the "Malibu through SANTA MONICA" drive is beautiful. At that point, it turns into ugly ol' Lincoln Blvd.

We found San Diego to be an incredibly easy city to navigate with a rental car and a cheap little map. Roads were generally well marked, and once you get a mental picture of the layout, with a few general landmarks (such as the airport), you can find your way around. The best part for us (being from Boston) was the ease of street parking and meters in most areas. We are accustomed to outrageous prices at impossible to find lots and garages - a pile of quarters and we were set for the trip.

We also do the baseball game routine when we are in cities - but went to the old park in San Diego. We bought tickets on the day of the game and unless San Diego has some amazing trandformation, good tickets were very easy to get.

Thanks for the replies. I do have maps of both cities from the AAA office. I realize Dodger Stadium is kind of "out there" and not too convenient to other tourist activities. I'm not exactly looking to visit the parts of L.A. most tourists would probably seek out (walk of fame, celebrity home tours, the beach, etc.) I just want to pick an area to stay as convenient as possible to the ballpark with some fun restaurants and that is easy to navigate. I do look forward to driving up the coast from S.D., though, for purely sightseeing reasons.

And I do hope to utilize Priceline for my hotels in both cities, so I guess that's also why I was asking for what neighborhoods I should bid on when I get to that stage of my trip planning.

Thanks again, and I look forward to any other comments or opinions!

Hi, Idnas71!

Second everything that rjw has recommended!

Old Town Pasadena is a blast! So many restaurants to choose from! Be forwarned that on busy nights, like Friday and Saturday nights, you will have a LONG wait at some favorite restaurants like the Cheese Factory and Il Fornaio. Try and make reservations way ahead of time if you can.

You'll have a great time! My DW and I love baseball and the crowds are wonderful! Just be aware of the distances in So Cal, as rjw has mentioned!

Jason

on the drive from san diego - l.a., i'd take hwy 1 from san diego up to oceanside. you will then have to cut back onto freeway 5 cause hwy 1 ends. then cut back in at dana point and go to laguna beach. great place to stop for a walk around and lunch. the rest of the way, i'd just stick to the freeway.