Hi - My friend and I will be in San Diego July 23-26 for a relaxing, fun girlfriend's weekend. I understand that Pacific Beach can be party central in July, with lots of drinking college kids. We're definitely not interested in lots of noisy young 20 somethings, but still want to be near the beach, shops and restaurants. Should we avoid this area all together? Any other recommendations? We'll have a car so we could stay in the gaslamp quarter and drive to the beach if that makes sense.

We like looking to eat great food, walk on the beach, shop in cute boutiques, go to museums, maybe visit balboa park, listen to live music at night and enjoy a nice cocktail or two...

Thanks!!

It's a college town but all ages are down having a blast.
What hotel are you looking at?
The Catamaran is probably your best bet..Tower 23 too.
Across the street from the ocean and on the bay..Tower 23 is oceanfront.
July is warm (high 70's-80's), ocean temps are gorgeous and there's lot of good food with cocktails to chose from..
Del Mar Racetrack should be just opening up which is a must in SD!
I say go for it!

Since you'll have a car, it will be easy doing all the above. What is most important? Relaxing or doing those things? PB is fun and active but you won't get great food, shopping, museums etc. Those are closer to downtown. By your post, La Jolla sounds more of what you might be looking for. Good food, boutiques, nice beaches, more of a sophisticated crowd etc. Or you can stay in downtown and go to Coronado Island during the day for the beach. As kscut mentioned, Del Mar races will be going on and it's a blast. You can take Amtrak from downtown. It's very convenient. Enjoy!

Love La Jolla and spent my summers there since childhood.
I was thinking more on the $$ end of things since its very expensive but maybe you can get a deal at the BW Inn by the sea in LJ or Hotel La Jolla..3* hotels for a good price.
What rates are you getting quoted in SD?

Thanks! I think either the gaslamp quarter or La Jolla sounds like the best bet for us.
Ksucat - I've seen the Empress Hotel for $239/night, which is a bit more than we would like to spend. Most 3 star hotels that I see are between $200-$250/night. Does that seem about right for the location and dates?

Thanks!

Hey MaeT..
I just looked at your dates on Expedia and dang, its expensive for when your going but I see that the Empress hotel in La Jolla in a perfect location in the village and a couple of blocks from the ocean with lots of great shopping, restaurants and bars is $178 a night which I say, jump all over that!
They have one of the best old school Italian restuarnats called Manhattan's where you will see Tommy Lasorada and other celeb's.
We've had friends stay when the beach house was filled and its just fine and for $178 is a bargain in July!