Mission Beach or Pacific Beach with young kids??
Jan 4th, 2006, 08:52 PM
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Mission Beach or Pacific Beach with young kids??
We are planning our first trip to San Diego in late May. Would like to stay close to the beach but have a tight budget. Right now, I have found a condo available on North Mission Beach, Redondo Court. It states it is 50 ft from the ocean. Is that an appropriate location for kids, 12 and 8?? Is Pacific Beach better?? If this area is okay, I probably need to go ahead and rent it while it is available. Thanks.
Jan 5th, 2006, 08:30 AM
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mission beach is a major destination for families. very convenient cause if 2 of you want to return to the house and they other two want to stay on the beach...no big deal as you can walk home. it is a very busy area but i'd consider it if i was going with a family of your type. pacific beach and mission beach are side by side so no big difference except mission beach has more family rentals. make sure your rental comes with a parking space as that can be a problem. in may, the water is not that warm. your kids may venture in but most adults are too wimpy for the temps. might want to consider renting a wet suit if the kids want to stay in the water a long time. have fun.
Jan 5th, 2006, 02:59 PM
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Thank you so much, ltt, for the input. I have read so much about the young rowdy crowd and some vagrants in these beaches on other travel sites, I was afraid it was not a good pick. I appreciate your advice since picking a place to stay from about 2200 miles away isnt easy. I had someone tell me to be careful it wasnt a gay beach either. Sounds okay. Is there a difference in North Mission Beach and South Mission Beach other than direction?? What is there around the beach of interest??
Jan 5th, 2006, 04:05 PM
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I think you'll love it - that area gets a bad rap in my opinion - yes you might see some scruffy looking people around but most of what I saw was families -
There might be some bad things going on at night but it will be long after you are all in bed.
My favorite restaurant is The Green Flash -
There might be some bad things going on at night but it will be long after you are all in bed.
My favorite restaurant is The Green Flash -
Jan 5th, 2006, 05:15 PM
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Mission Beach it is. I have been listening to the wrong people about this beach and so glad to hear the positive opinions! What type of restaurant is Green Flash?? Also, any other recommendations?? We will be renting a car, so any family-friendly place the kids will enjoy is what we will be looking for. Thanks so very much for helping me.
Jan 5th, 2006, 07:35 PM
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FYI--bring along or rent some wetsuits for the kids before they venture into the water. It's cold!! I stayed in Pacific Beach a couple years ago with my then 11-year old daughter and wetsuits saved the day. Boogie board and wetsuit rentals are everywhere along the beach--I recommend them.
Jan 6th, 2006, 08:40 AM
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The Green Flash is just regular American food as I recall- they have good breakfasts, variety of seafood, steaks, burgers - something to please both adults and kids.
The best part about it, is that its right on the boardwalk , has an outdoor patio with views of beach and ocean and great people watching.
The best part about it, is that its right on the boardwalk , has an outdoor patio with views of beach and ocean and great people watching.
Jan 6th, 2006, 08:45 PM
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>>We will be renting a car, so any family-friendly place the kids will enjoy is what we will be looking for. Thanks so very much for helping me.<<
Well, the San Diego Zoo comes to mind, (world famous) as does Sea World. Also, there is an animal park some miles from San Diego (but a day trip), but I cannot remember its name.
Well, the San Diego Zoo comes to mind, (world famous) as does Sea World. Also, there is an animal park some miles from San Diego (but a day trip), but I cannot remember its name.
Jan 7th, 2006, 05:01 AM
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If you haven't already done so get yourself some free brochures from the official San Diego web site www.sandiego.org - I am a broken record on recommending this site. Terrific information, offers and coupons to save money.
You will see some scruffy (home less) people around the beach area. They have never bothered us.
The Ocean Park Inn located on the beach would be an alternative to the condo and includes a continental breakfast. Rooms include mini refrigerators and microwaves. Location is close to a grocery store, starbucks, eating etc.
www.oceanparkinn.com
mommybryant - If you do end up in the condo would you please post back as to your experience. This information would be helpful to a lot of people who are interested in going the condo route.
You and your family will love San Diego.
Sandy
You will see some scruffy (home less) people around the beach area. They have never bothered us.
The Ocean Park Inn located on the beach would be an alternative to the condo and includes a continental breakfast. Rooms include mini refrigerators and microwaves. Location is close to a grocery store, starbucks, eating etc.
www.oceanparkinn.com
mommybryant - If you do end up in the condo would you please post back as to your experience. This information would be helpful to a lot of people who are interested in going the condo route.
You and your family will love San Diego.
Sandy
Jan 7th, 2006, 04:47 PM
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Sandy,
Thanks so much for your advice to take a second look at sandiego.org. I had done that earlier and requested information. However, after reading your advice, I went back to check out vacation condos. I had done tons of research on my own on beach condos, but most were too expensive for my budget. However, one of the very same condos was advertised on that website at a savings and was available. It is Capri By the Sea. I had tried to rent directly from an owner after reading good reviews, but was not available. Got one for late May at a terrific rate, much lower than posted on other travel websites. So thanks alot for mentioning that again. It helped me a lot. I am glad to have found a place on the beach, which will be fun to relax in after a long day of touring around and being on our feet.
Thanks so much for your advice to take a second look at sandiego.org. I had done that earlier and requested information. However, after reading your advice, I went back to check out vacation condos. I had done tons of research on my own on beach condos, but most were too expensive for my budget. However, one of the very same condos was advertised on that website at a savings and was available. It is Capri By the Sea. I had tried to rent directly from an owner after reading good reviews, but was not available. Got one for late May at a terrific rate, much lower than posted on other travel websites. So thanks alot for mentioning that again. It helped me a lot. I am glad to have found a place on the beach, which will be fun to relax in after a long day of touring around and being on our feet.
Jan 7th, 2006, 06:34 PM
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I think you will like Capri By the Sea. My aunt and uncle have been coming to Pacific Beach (from Arizona) for about 30 years. (We call them Zonies here in San Diego!!). They have stayed at various places along Pacific Beach although never at the Capri by the Sea. They did have friends who stayed there and liked it alot. The condos are on the north end of PB which I think is better-definitely a lot quieter. Your kids will love the beach however the tip about wet suits is a good one. The water in May will be pretty cold.
SandyBrit-My aunt and uncle have stayed at the Ocean Park Inn the last 2 years and are going again in 2006. They have been very happy there. They get an oceanfront room which is great. It's true some homeless hang out close to the hotel but they never bother anyone and basically just sit in the sun all day.
SandyBrit-My aunt and uncle have stayed at the Ocean Park Inn the last 2 years and are going again in 2006. They have been very happy there. They get an oceanfront room which is great. It's true some homeless hang out close to the hotel but they never bother anyone and basically just sit in the sun all day.
Jan 7th, 2006, 06:36 PM
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Mommybryant:
My husband and I are going to San Diego but have to wait until next Fall. Have seen pictures of Capri by the Sea and it looks wonderful. It has also gotten good reviews on Trip Advisor. Would appreciate your posting when you get back. Would really appreciate specific info like what unit you rented from etc. This is important because from what I understand each unit is individually owned and particulars may vary - like cleanliness and furnishings etc. Thanks in advance.
My husband and I are going to San Diego but have to wait until next Fall. Have seen pictures of Capri by the Sea and it looks wonderful. It has also gotten good reviews on Trip Advisor. Would appreciate your posting when you get back. Would really appreciate specific info like what unit you rented from etc. This is important because from what I understand each unit is individually owned and particulars may vary - like cleanliness and furnishings etc. Thanks in advance.
Jan 11th, 2006, 02:57 PM
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petsitter, You will be much more informed about Capri by the Sea after you talk to a rental agent. We booked online on a Friday night. Got a confirmation call back on Monday morning and asked about the particular unit we had been assigned. She was very nice and told me about the Silver and Gold rating they use. We booked a Silver and she told us our condo had new appliances and newer carpet. Said it was one of the "more updated" silver units. So when you book, just ask about the recent updates. In Sept, you should be able to get what you want. We are excited about our trip and I am happy to have that decision behind me. Best thing is that there is no deposit, I just paid her 30% upfront and will pay the balance before we go. I was expecting to have to put out a whole lot more. I guess they add the cleaning fee into the rates. Just FYI.
