Rental car a must for San Diego?
 

Hi! Mu husband and I will be in San Diego May 19-24 for his convention and will stay at the Marriott downtown on the bay. The hotel charges $24/day for parking and so a rental car with gas will be about $300 for the days we will be there. We are thinking of relying on public transport and taxis for most of our sightseeing and maybe renting a car just for the day if we want to go farther out. I have been on teh boards and read the travel guides which indicate we should get a car, but thought I'd ask your opinion. Do we really need to have a car?

I will have a good deal of time on my own and don't mind trying to figure out the bus system or walking a good distance.

Thanks!

Hi, Gree!

The downtown Marriott is right next to the Convention Center where you can park underground for about $9 a day, but no in-and-out privileges. Also I don't know if the CC garage opens all the time or only when there are events at the CC.

There's a trolley/tram which stops at both the Cenvention Center and Old Town.

You can reach Seaport Village just by walking along the seashore from the Marriott. Very pleasant walk - lots of people do it.

The website for San Diego public transportation is www.sdcommute.com.

You'll need a car for the big attractions like Balboa Park, Seaworld, etc.

Have fun! San Diego is a great town! :)

I was in San Diego last November, and conclude you can see a lot just by walking in the downtown area and taking the trolley. Balboa Park would require a bus ride or taxi, but, once you're there, walking is the only way around.

Getting to some places will require an auto, but you will need to rent a car for only a couple of days.

Thanks guys! You confirmed what I thought. Now we just need to decide which days to rent a car! Thanks again!

The cost aside, we found San Diego very easy to navigate in a car - highways seemed logical, signage comprehensible, drivers had at least an average level of politeness. Did not attempt to use public transportation, but we were glad we had a car.

Hi, again, Gree!

If the cost of renting a car is an issue, try the Enterprise rental company.

They have a weekend special (Friday through Monday) which is very attractive at 1/2 price. Some of their locations even offer $10.99 a day for the three day weekend rental (mandatory 3-days to get this rate).

Not only that, but they will pick you up and - after you return the car - drop you back at the hotel.

On of which, driving around San Diego is a lot easier on weekends! :)

Forgot to mention that you probably want to drive up to La Jolla as well when you have the car.

Thanks easytraveler and gail! I wasn't worried about navagating the city. We have driven in Rome, London, Florence and San Francisco without a problem, though I must say, Rome is exciting to drive in!
Thanks for the tip on Enterprise. I'll check it out! I just wondered with the cost of fuel rising and parking if renting for all 5 days would be worth it. I'm going to try for only a day or so and will check out your recommendations.

Any thoughts on Hotel Pensione for one night? We are flying in Friday night instead of Saturday and since we will be arriving late (around 10pm), I saw no reason to pay $240 for the night. Have you stayed there? Tripadvisor gave it good reviews, but thought I'd check.

Also, any museums in Balboa Park that you would recommend? I am planning on the Museum of Art, but was considering the SDAI museum of the Living Artist. What about the Timken Museum of Art?

thanks!