Planning a 4 day trip to SD with 2 teens. We like zoos, so will go to the Wild Animal Park and probably the zoo. Will skip SeaWorld. We'll probably check out Balboa Park. Any ideas for what else to do? Where to stay (just need a comfortable place to rest our heads for not much $$)?

Looks like we need a car (though I wish we could avoid it). Someone posted that rates are inexpensive, but they seem high to me. Any suggestions here as well?

Thanks!

Definitely need a car especially if you are going to the Wild Animal Park. With only 4 days, you may be better off just going to the zoo. Go to the Cabrillo Monument. I really like the USS Midway tour (Aircraft Carrier). Go to La Jolla, Coronado Island.

I usually stay at the Bay Club which is usually pretty cheap

TravelinMom:

Try www.hotwire.com for the best rate on your car rental. Last two times they placed us with Hertz.

Go to www.sandiego.org for all kinds of information on what to do, where to stay, special offers etc.

When are you visiting and give us a $ figure for your hotel budget - not much $$ means different things. Will you be sharing your room with the 2 teens? The more information you give the better help you will get.

We love San Diego - you will have a marvelous time.

Sandy

Thanks for the info!

I'm looking at a couple of hotels. Best Western Lamplighter was rated as #2 on tripadvisor. Does anyone know this hotel? Is it totally out of the way? Also, the Handlery looks like a nice place; any thoughts on this?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Handerly is in Hotel Circle-an area dissected by the * freeway with hotels on either side. Area was developed in the 60's but with lots of hotels. Handerly was redone a few years back and the backside of the hotel faces a golf course so you want to ask for that side. Its nice but nothing special and they get a lot of convention business.

Where to recommend depends on how much money you want to spend and when you are coming.

As far as your teens, I would rent bikes in Coronado and see that area. Also you could take a harbor cruise, also go to Cabrillo Monument and check out the tide pools. right now it is whale watching season so that is a possibility. If you come later like may-sept. then you could arrange for surf lessons for the kids. Teenagers also like the Gaslamp section, lots of shops and restaurants.

Get a car, you just need to keep checking for rate drops.