I'm still undecided about where to stay. Is the Catamaran located on a polluted area? Or should I stay at the Marriott on Coronodo or at the Grande Colonial in La Jolla? We love the ocean and are traveling with an older teenager. Thanks!

Mission Beach has more activities for you and your teenager. The Marriott is nicer, but Coronado is more secluded. The Catamaran is fine.

Your teen would probably prefer MB. Catamaran is across the street from the Boardwalk and the beach and about a mile or less from Belmont Park - old small wooden roller coaster, arcades and many kids his own age. The Catamarn is situated on the Mission Bay side which sometimes is polluted but most people don;t swim off that beach anyways because the ocean is across the street. Marriot Coronado faces the San Diego bay so you must drive to a beach and the Grand Colonial is in the heart of Downtown La Jolla and easily walkable to the cove (good snorkeling) and a few smaller beaches (Boomer and Shell). The Marriot is much more of an upscale resort than the Catamaran but it is not in the center of a tourist area where you can walk everywhere like the Catamaran or the Colonial. You also must drive to the heart of Coronado from this locatin. The Colonial is a smaller "botique" type of hotel with a dinky pool that doesn't get too much sunlight because of the location of the pool but it is in the heart of La Jolla which is a more beautiful and scenic spot that the other two. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the locations it depends on your preference. My choice would be the Grand Colonial- hotel where I don't have to drive as much and La Jolla also has nicer and more diverse restaurants.

la jolla

I would choose La Jolla. If you choose Pacific Beach I have heard some good results about Pacific Terrace Hotel, right on the beach.

catamaran would be my choice. lots of restaurants and activities for adults and more interesting for a teenager. you have the bay area right there which is nice for walking or blading around and the ocean is one block away so you don't need to drive plus walking distance for great sunsets.

I would suggest the Grande Colonial in La Jolla. It is a beautiful hotel, about a block from the La Jolla cove. Within walking distance are many shops, restaurants, bars, as well as a few beach areas. There is one beach, the closest to the Grande Colonial, that has seals that swim ashore all day long. I think a teenager (male or female?) would enjoy it here - and it is a very short drive to Pacific Beach, where all of the college kids hang out.

A teenager would be much happier at the Catamaran. Yes, sometimes you don't want to swim in the bay but it doesn't smell bad. Most people go to the beach across the street or hang out by the very cool pool area on the proerty. Way more places for teenegaers to go, things for them to do here than in Coronado or La Jolla.

I love the Grand Colonial! Is your teenager a girl? If so, she will LOVE all the shopping right outside your door at the Grand Hotel. Downtown LaJolla is such a great little town ... lots of good restaurants.

The pool is small at the GC, but we did spend a few hours there one afternoon and got plenty of sun. It's in a nice setting. The Cove is just a short walk away ... and is quite a scene ... I went there back when I was a teenager too, and loved it! (I am now 28).

Also, you mut have breakfast at The Brockton Villa, overlooking the cove. It is wonderful!

If you are active - swimming, biking, boogie boarding etc. then Mission Beach or Pacific Beach is the much better choice. The Catamarran is an nice hotel. It is on the bay - great for sailing and the ocean is across the street. I love Coronado, but one day there is fine to visit the Hotel Del Coronado. The beach there is beautiful and but no waves. La Jolla is also beautiful, but you can come for a day or evening to enjoy the beach, cove, shopping or restaurants.
Mission Beach - fun, great for people watching
Coronado - relaxing, slower pace
La Jolla - more upscale