Need advice / help on what area to stay in while in San Diego
Jul 19th, 2012, 04:12 AM
#3
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$200 is very doable in SD for a hotel. Personally - I would economize on the hotel - and spend more on the various places to visit around San Diego.
There are other posts in here on San Diego - but basically - except for visiting Safari Park (used to be called Wild Animal Park - about 35-40 minutes from central San Diego) - if you stay in central SD - or a bit north - you are pretty much within a half an hour of everywhere you want to visit, including Coronado.
There are other posts in here on San Diego - but basically - except for visiting Safari Park (used to be called Wild Animal Park - about 35-40 minutes from central San Diego) - if you stay in central SD - or a bit north - you are pretty much within a half an hour of everywhere you want to visit, including Coronado.
Jul 19th, 2012, 05:11 AM
#4
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Will you have a car? If you choose a downtown hotel you will pay for parking.
What do you plan to visit while you're here?
Hez, has a good question. What type of hotel do you want? Views? Centrally located? (really no such animal in SD because you'll have to commute to most attractions.)
Pool?
What do you plan to visit while you're here?
Hez, has a good question. What type of hotel do you want? Views? Centrally located? (really no such animal in SD because you'll have to commute to most attractions.)
Pool?
Jul 19th, 2012, 06:43 AM
#5
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"Centrally located" in San Diego includes staying in the Mission Valley/Hotel Circle area, Old Town, Pt. Loma and evewn downtown - all no more than 10 minutes apart.
You can also go 15 minutes up the freeway and find some places in the Sorrento Valley area - that cater more to business travelers during the week and have specials on weekends,or check out the Village of La Jolla - which is very cute - and has some nice places to stay, some a bit pricer than others.
And there are plenty of decent lodging opportunities in SD for under $200. If you want the best view of all - IMO - literally staying over the Ocean - check out the Inn at Sunset Cliffs. A simple motel - but what a setting, and you can BBQ on the back decks - right by the Ocean. http://innatsunsetcliffs.com/
You can also go 15 minutes up the freeway and find some places in the Sorrento Valley area - that cater more to business travelers during the week and have specials on weekends,or check out the Village of La Jolla - which is very cute - and has some nice places to stay, some a bit pricer than others.
And there are plenty of decent lodging opportunities in SD for under $200. If you want the best view of all - IMO - literally staying over the Ocean - check out the Inn at Sunset Cliffs. A simple motel - but what a setting, and you can BBQ on the back decks - right by the Ocean. http://innatsunsetcliffs.com/
Jul 19th, 2012, 06:59 AM
#6
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Yes I will have a car.
I've been spoiled by nice hotels sometimes....but would like to budget for $200. So is that a 3 star? Views are nice but I don't think I am ever in the hotel long enough to look out.... Just nice, safe, etc...
Whatever I don't use up for hotel ..(I won't need to have food at hotel) I prefer a nice meal at restaurants, snacks...whatever it may be.... Foodie!
Always looking for great eats everywhere I go.
Plans have changed I plan to visit for 4 days now since last night (below is what I've looked into so far):
Sea World (this will take 1/2 a day I presume)
La Jolla (do beach thing perhaps on a morning or afternoon)
Hike at Torrey Pines and or Pacific Rim (Someone told me about this recently, please confirm)
I am welcome to suggestions of what to do in San Diego.
I've been spoiled by nice hotels sometimes....but would like to budget for $200. So is that a 3 star? Views are nice but I don't think I am ever in the hotel long enough to look out.... Just nice, safe, etc...
Whatever I don't use up for hotel ..(I won't need to have food at hotel) I prefer a nice meal at restaurants, snacks...whatever it may be.... Foodie!
Always looking for great eats everywhere I go.Plans have changed I plan to visit for 4 days now since last night (below is what I've looked into so far):
Sea World (this will take 1/2 a day I presume)
La Jolla (do beach thing perhaps on a morning or afternoon)
Hike at Torrey Pines and or Pacific Rim (Someone told me about this recently, please confirm)
I am welcome to suggestions of what to do in San Diego.
Jul 22nd, 2012, 12:11 PM
#7
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You could priceline if you are comfortable with that and I think get 3.5 - 4 stars - when are you going?
I would stay in downtown/gaslamp area - or La Jolla -
be sure that you are staying IN La Jolla the village - not La Jolla village drive area...
Know that "La Jolla" cove is small small beach area - you can go to La Jolla shores for more of a "beach experience" I grew up going to windansea - down neptune street in La Jolla...
Have a drink or dinner at George's roof top.
I would stay in downtown/gaslamp area - or La Jolla -
be sure that you are staying IN La Jolla the village - not La Jolla village drive area...
Know that "La Jolla" cove is small small beach area - you can go to La Jolla shores for more of a "beach experience" I grew up going to windansea - down neptune street in La Jolla...
Have a drink or dinner at George's roof top.
Jul 22nd, 2012, 12:41 PM
#8
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For one of the best views in SD and also very find dining (The Cohn Group is super - chef Debroah Scott front and center) - try Island Prime/C Level on Harbor Island - just west/toward the bay - from the airport. http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/menu-.../island-prime/
There are many other places to dine - including of course the great Mexican food we have in San Diego - as well as good Asian, the freshest fish you can find anywhere (try the Fish Market downtown - http://www.thefishmarket.com/locations.aspx?id=6 next to the USS Midway Museum (also worth a visit) - and the Top of the Market is gourmet) - and on and on.
Any particular food type you want?
And while the cove may be small - it's like going to the south of France - IMO. Great for swimming - pretty fair for snorkeling and right by the Village of La Jolla where you can wander around after showering off the salt water.
You would also probably like wandering around Old Town (our favorite Mexican restaurant is Casa Guadalajara) - and walking in the Gaslamp/downtown - the happening scene.
And the Inn at Sunset Cliffs is very simple - but the location/view cannot be beat. You literally look down from the deck at the waves crashing against the rocks below you.
Oops - almost forgot. Drive over the Coronado Bridge to the cute little town of Coronado and check out the fabled Hotel Del Coronado. http://www.hoteldel.com/
And by Little Italy - close to downtown - which has great Italian food - there are some very good gelato places - and the expensive - but incredible - Extraordinary Desserts. http://www.extraordinarydesserts.com/
There are many other places to dine - including of course the great Mexican food we have in San Diego - as well as good Asian, the freshest fish you can find anywhere (try the Fish Market downtown - http://www.thefishmarket.com/locations.aspx?id=6 next to the USS Midway Museum (also worth a visit) - and the Top of the Market is gourmet) - and on and on.
Any particular food type you want?
And while the cove may be small - it's like going to the south of France - IMO. Great for swimming - pretty fair for snorkeling and right by the Village of La Jolla where you can wander around after showering off the salt water.
You would also probably like wandering around Old Town (our favorite Mexican restaurant is Casa Guadalajara) - and walking in the Gaslamp/downtown - the happening scene.
And the Inn at Sunset Cliffs is very simple - but the location/view cannot be beat. You literally look down from the deck at the waves crashing against the rocks below you.
Oops - almost forgot. Drive over the Coronado Bridge to the cute little town of Coronado and check out the fabled Hotel Del Coronado. http://www.hoteldel.com/
And by Little Italy - close to downtown - which has great Italian food - there are some very good gelato places - and the expensive - but incredible - Extraordinary Desserts. http://www.extraordinarydesserts.com/
Jul 22nd, 2012, 12:46 PM
#9
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Also -drive out to Cabrillo Point overlooking Pt. Loma, downtown, Coronado and the Ocean - where they also have a cute little museum - honoring the Portguese discoverer of San Diego/California (he was sailing for Spain) - Juan Cabrillo. http://www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htm
And above Old Town - is the first of the 21 Missions established in California - by father Junipero Serra. http://www.missiontrailtoday.com/code/mission01.htm
And above Old Town - is the first of the 21 Missions established in California - by father Junipero Serra. http://www.missiontrailtoday.com/code/mission01.htm
Jul 26th, 2012, 10:58 AM
#10
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I will be there mid August.
So, I've booked at the DoubleTree by Hilton on 1515 Hotel Circle South, can't rmmbr what area that is now. It's cancelled. So, I can still look around.
I'm just looking for good food period. Not anything in particular. Thx. Tomsd I've checked the places you suggested. They look good and I've put that in my itinerary.
I still haven't had much time to check out how I will plan my days. So, have to work on my plan.
Any more suggestions out there? Thanks in advance.
So, I've booked at the DoubleTree by Hilton on 1515 Hotel Circle South, can't rmmbr what area that is now. It's cancelled. So, I can still look around.
I'm just looking for good food period. Not anything in particular. Thx. Tomsd I've checked the places you suggested. They look good and I've put that in my itinerary.
I still haven't had much time to check out how I will plan my days. So, have to work on my plan.
Any more suggestions out there? Thanks in advance.
Jul 26th, 2012, 11:06 AM
#11
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Check a map - but fyi - the Hotel Circle South area is right along Interstate 8 - a couple miles east of Interstate 5, a mile or so west of 163 - the two main north/south freeways in central SD - and it's close to the Zoo/Balboa Park - and about 3? miles from SeaWorld and about 5 minutes from downtown.
The Double Tree is fine as a hotel/place to stay, and how much time does one really spend in their hotel when they visit a sunny place like San Diego?
As for other suggetions - well, what do you like to do?
If you like night life - get downtown to the Gaslamp area.
What else?
The Double Tree is fine as a hotel/place to stay, and how much time does one really spend in their hotel when they visit a sunny place like San Diego?
As for other suggetions - well, what do you like to do?
If you like night life - get downtown to the Gaslamp area.
What else?
Jul 26th, 2012, 11:23 AM
#12
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I do not think this has been mentioned yet, Shelter Island (quite near Point Loma), Three hotels Bay Club, Kona Kai and where I like to stay, the Best Western Island Palms. It is a nice location with views of the marina and a lovely walking path along the marina. My reason for liking this is that although just minutes away, I feel distanced from the business of city, very relaxing for me. Food recommendation: Point Loma Seafoods, a casual on the Marina experience
Jul 26th, 2012, 12:03 PM
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hpeab: Good call - and I always forget about those. They are very well located and nice properties. Can even go to Jazz at night at Humphrey's by the Bay. http://www.humphreysconcerts.com/
http://www.humphreysconcerts.com/
Jul 26th, 2012, 03:33 PM
#14
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Who/how many are you. To me Hotel Circle is dreary, a bunch of budget places mixed with fast food and unpleasant chain restaurants. Doable with a car - but essentially strip malls and highways.
I would stay right on the water for the views and better proximity to dining. The Sea World there is (or was when I went) very tired and not worth the time. I would do the zoo, Balboa park, and then some of the coast.
I would stay right on the water for the views and better proximity to dining. The Sea World there is (or was when I went) very tired and not worth the time. I would do the zoo, Balboa park, and then some of the coast.
Jul 26th, 2012, 11:37 PM
#17
If you are going to stay in Mission Valley, choose a different Hotel. The Marriott, in between the down at the East end of Mission Valley and the Stadium is a much better hotel and location than the Doubletree. From the Doubletree it is complicated to get back onto 8, and the hotel rooms are pretty dreary. I stayed there about 8 months ago, after spending several days at the Marriott.
Jul 27th, 2012, 02:56 AM
#18
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Golly - you ladies make it sound so difficult. Hey - some travelers - like moi - other than pehaps having a great view - consider a motel just a place to sleep and shower - but I guess some like room service, lovely ambiance, whatever. And I have stayed at some of the most upscle places there are - but would rather economize on the lodging and splurge on the meals.
No question - there are more interesting places to stay than Hotel Circle - but Hotel Circle is very convenient to about everything in SD, and the DoubleTree has good, clean rooms - and seriously - where do you find something of that quality that is really cheaper? It also has a good pool and decent food. http://www.doubletreehotelcircle.com/
Personally - I would stay where I recommended - at the Inn at Sunset Cliffs - http://innatsunsetcliffs.com/ a 2 star type - but literally right over where the waves crash against the rocks - and where you can see the surfers, smell the ocean, walk along the cliffs, on and on. And there are some good places to dine in nearby Ocean Beach.
No question - there are more interesting places to stay than Hotel Circle - but Hotel Circle is very convenient to about everything in SD, and the DoubleTree has good, clean rooms - and seriously - where do you find something of that quality that is really cheaper? It also has a good pool and decent food. http://www.doubletreehotelcircle.com/
Personally - I would stay where I recommended - at the Inn at Sunset Cliffs - http://innatsunsetcliffs.com/ a 2 star type - but literally right over where the waves crash against the rocks - and where you can see the surfers, smell the ocean, walk along the cliffs, on and on. And there are some good places to dine in nearby Ocean Beach.
Jul 27th, 2012, 03:00 AM
#19
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And as for what to do - I guess NY Traveler has not ridden on the new roller coaster/Manta at Sea World? http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-sandiego/ or maybe she didn't get to my favorite place - Safari Park - formerly called the Wild Animal Park. http://www.sdzsafaripark.org/
Get out to the Cheetah run and see those incredible felines get up to speed in a hurry. Just amazing.
Get out to the Cheetah run and see those incredible felines get up to speed in a hurry. Just amazing.
Jul 27th, 2012, 03:55 AM
#20
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but I guess some like room service, lovely ambiance, whatever>
Not at all - I generally stay on points at marriott courtyards- I would priceline a room in the gaslamp before staying in hotel circle.
I lived there most of my life, and traveled back often when we lived in Orange County - and I have stayed at the very doubletree that lcuy is referencing and it was pretty dreary to say the least - and complicated. I just do not care for that area in a great city with many many options - to me it is like someone saying "I am going to stay in Kearny Mesa".
Not at all - I generally stay on points at marriott courtyards- I would priceline a room in the gaslamp before staying in hotel circle.
I lived there most of my life, and traveled back often when we lived in Orange County - and I have stayed at the very doubletree that lcuy is referencing and it was pretty dreary to say the least - and complicated. I just do not care for that area in a great city with many many options - to me it is like someone saying "I am going to stay in Kearny Mesa".
