olive22

A friend and I will be traveling to San Diego weekend of July 16-19 and need suggestions for hotel, restaurant, bars, and activities - so pretty much everything ;-) I've used this forum before and have always been given the best suggestions, I keep coming back!! About us - we are a single guy and a girl (just friends) traveling together, both in early 30's, from Chicago. We are looking for relaxation, fun, some good food and a little nightlife. We're definitely looking @ doing the beach and a Padre's game, trying to convince him to do some wine tasting in Temecula too. Any ideas for hotels, probably in Gaslamp? so we can walk (under $200), I’d like a nice pool (with a bar). For restaurants, we both LOVE to eat, his tastes lean more towards good, hearty food, nothing super expensive or fancy, if you know what I mean, so I guess we should stay in that realm. Any ‘not to be missed’ San Diego institutions or specialties (saw Lucha Libre on Man vs Food? worth a look), etc.? Also as far as nightlife, more pubs than clubs. And for activities if you have suggestions for the ones I’m thinking (like wineries, rent car vs tour company, good seats for Padres, etc.), I’m really just looking for anything right now!

hairamhc

Depending on your budget, consider The Keating http://www.thekeating.com/

The Keating IS NOT for everyone!

The Keating IS PERECT for those who know what they want!

We looked at several on-line reviews (a couple came up on tripadvisor.com), created a cautious approach…after all when “seasoned travelers” complain about “no shower doors” & “water on the floor,” not enjoying “quiet evenings,” shocked at “stark black and red minimalist design”….. sounded more and more like a destination worth exploring.

Stay out of Gaslamp Quarter, if you are in search of “quiet”…try an assisted care living center for senior citizens…”lights out at 9:00 PM and no talking.”

If night time quiet is a huge concern, then make certain you request and confirm the third or fourth floor for your accommodations…”higher” is “quieter” and “lower” is “louder” at The Keating…something to do with being a designated historic building and retaining original window glass (bureaucratic details).

If you get a bit of water on the floor…call your personal concierge…maybe it will be Christy or Anji…..they will have extra towels deliver to your door and designate someone to wipe up the wet spots……we know, we did! Don’t waste your money on a Stanza Vista…split with the extra bucks and go for at least a “Chic” or “Imperiale”….or blow the whole enchilada and take the “Fresca” more space and more interesting things to do.

The in-room coffee maker is top of the line…get extra canisters (just ask…no extra charge)…you will covet the espresso!

Pay attention during the in-room check-in process and ask questions if you don’t understand how the remotes work…everything has a remote!

All Bang & Olufsen toys!

Spend at least some late night time in the Keating Lounge…great bar staff (check out the Vault)…the atmosphere and crowd start morphing around mid-night. Their signage also makes it simple to figure out the difference between the Women’s Room and the Men’s Room.

Love that special Keating “Naughty or Nice Package”….black silk pajamas, etc., etc…..wait ‘till you see what the “turn down” crew does to your room to make your evening memorable….all kinds of little boxes of stuff ….and with all of the candles burning, it’s more or less of Santeria meets Victoria’s Secret.

We soaked up every nuance of the experience.

btw…when the street noise starts getting a little loud after 1:30 AM…just toss your ear plugs (which the hotel provides)…get dressed and go join the fun on 5th Ave…be part of the problem…let others worry about the solution.


Also, if you have a car available and don’t mind the drive up to Del Mar…consider a late lunch or early dinner at Sbicca American Bistro http://www.sbiccabistro.com

Susan Sbicca is a fabulous chef and co-owns the bisto with her wine fanatic husband, Dan. The location is perfect….private tables, lively bar and a staff who makes you feel welcome and appreciated. Dan feels strongly about enjoying wine on Tuesdays and Thursdays all bottles of wine are half priced and on Sundays and Mondays there is "no corkage" so you can bring your own selection, if you like!

1JAR

http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/SanDiego.aspx

The Omni is connected to the Padres ballpark in the GAslamp and they have had some special rates around 118.00 lately.

SOCALOC

trying to convince him to do some wine tasting in Temecula too.
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With only 3 nights, Temecula isn't worth the trip. Most likely it will be very HOT and the wine is mediocre at best.

Perhaps Hotel Solimar will meet your hotel needs.

http://www.hotelsolamar.com/

I haven't tried it yet, but I have heard a lot of rave reviews about the Basic Urban Kitchen for casual dining/drinks, if your friend likes pizza. ( Kuscat, Barbara do you know?) We'll be down there over the 4th of July weekend and I'll report back if we make it by there.

Too bad you aren't coming just a few days later- I'd suggest to hit Del Mar racetrack! Now that's the San Diego experience you don't want to miss.

Cheers to a great time! You'll love it.

SOCALOC

sorry forgot to post the link

http://www.barbasic.com/

tom42

I've stayed at the Omni a couple of times and was very satisfied.

DebitNM

I've stayed at Omni and Courtyard in Gas Lamp - both were very nice and convenient. Courtyard has a neat rooftop bar that overlooks baseball stadium.

perfectescapes.com often has some really good deals.

tom42

If you like Indian food, Masala (in the Gaslamp) had really good food and a cool ambience.

DebitNM

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm

vova

i'm going to suggest something different but that's just me. You're from Chicago, which is urban bliss with lots of walkable downtown areas and cool neighborhoods and good bars/lounges. The Gaslamp won't be very interesting compared to some of the great neighborhoods in Chitown. I'm not knocking San Diego downtown at all but just like the beaches in Malibu are lovely I wouldn't recommend someone coming from Kauai or Maui to check out the beaches in California.

I think you guys should focus on the more beachy neighborhoods in San Diego, namely Pacific Beach and La Jolla...maybe even coronado. You can easily still get to the Gaslamp and to Petco for a game but the real draw of the town won't be what's going on in the Gaslamp but your time at the beach. Word of warning...prices at Pacific Beach hotels may be high...La Jolla may be more affordable.

If you're into live music, the Belly Up in Solano Beach has some great acts.

tom42

I think vova is on to something.

Queenie

I'm from Chicago too, and we were in San Diego last week.

We ate at Basic Urban Kitchen - its a rehabbed maintenence shop. Pizza was good - every type of topping you could imagine. Not expensive. Young crowd. Next to Petco. I think you'd like it. It is very loud though, if that bothers you.

You will LOVE Petco Field. Makes both the Cell and Wrigley look like dumps.
Have fun!

stumpworks73

Croce's in the Gaslamp is my favorite dinner spot. The bar has live jazz most nights. Confirm before you go. The owner is Jim Croce's widow (Bad, Bad Leroy Brown) She is a creative chef. The menu is moderately priced and always a pleasant visit.

The Marriott across from the stadium is one of Marriott's great locations. Beautiful views, on the waterfront path, fine pool and a Roy's restaurant. The only downside is that it's a behemoth. If there's a meeting or convention, it is busy, busy, busy.

Take one evening and go to dinner in La Jolla. The Crab Catcher is my favorite. Get an outdoor table with a great cove view. La Jolla is a beautiful coastal town only 20 minutes or so from the Gas Lamp.

SOCALOC

If you're into live music, the Belly Up in Solano Beach has some great acts.
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Vova- we recently did a quick overnight to SB to see Robert Randolph & the Family Band at Belly Up. It was one of the best concerts we have ever seen. I still can't get over it was ONLY $25.00. Not to mention the intimate venue. That IS the place for concerts. We're hooked. I enjoyed the lobster dumpling I had at the Wild Note cafe too.

olive22

I think we are definately going to try hitting the beach at least once, go to a Padres game and try to make it to La Jolla for one day. I was just thinking we should stay around the Gaslamp for things to do @ night w/out having to drive - is this not the case? Are there other areas we should check out for the nightlife? Basic Urban Kitchen loooks great, as does Croce's! Thanks for the suggestions! Still trying to decide on that hotel though...

tom42

do you have any particular hotels you are interested in? I've been to San Diego a number of times and have stayed at the Hyatt, Marriott and Omni. Out of those three, the Omni would be my first choice, Marriott second and Hyatt third. There are a lot of good hotel choices in the Gaslamp and Marina areas.

ksucat

Never heard of the Keating hotel that the first poster raves about.
Omni, Manchester Grand Hyatt, US Grant, Hotel Solamar are excellent hotels and they have great deals on expedia.com
Basic for pizza is one of the best in town.
La Jolla to stay at the Grande Colonial hotel is lovely and George's at the Cove and sit up on the ocean terrace.
Marine Room for drinks at happy hour with the waves.
Croce's is good for jazz and you'll always see Ingrid Croce, working the door.
Lots of fun choices.
Belly Up in Solana Beach is one of the best to see some great bands.
If your from Chi-town, I would do LJ and Del Mar area.
Some of the prettiest beaches in the world.
Have fun and report back!

www.gaslamp.org

ValerieLS

Hodad's - featured on Diners, Dives, and Drive-ins. Amazing burgers!! You'll have to take a cab but you can spend the afternoon walking the Ocean Beach pier, tide pooling (if you go at low tide), watching some pretty amazing surfing and getting a good look at the locals. (The term "narly dud" will come to mind - I can say that 'cause I live there). I also love a cool bar at the base of the pier called South Beach Bar and Grille (great beer, great relaxed Seafood - try the lobster tacos - to die for!!)

ValerieLS

Oh, and I almost forgot. San Diego now has "Go Cars". They're a riot. Unusual way to see the sites in these self-driven GPS guided little yellow cars. Check 'em out at www.gocartours.com. They have all kinds of routes to see all kinds of sites.

tom42

Valerie - I never heard of Go Cars but just looked at the site. They look very fun. I am going to Barcelona next week and might try one out. Did you use one in San Diego? How fast do they go?