San diego-3 days downtown, 2 days then where?
 

Hi, some advice please. We will be in San Diego from 11/2 to 7/11. Have booked (via priceline-non changeable)3 nights at Horton Westin Plaza to see down town sights. Not anticipating renting a car for those days.

However help required for the 5-7th. Would like to stay in another area? La Jolla or Del Mar or ???. Thought we would rent a car but don't want to spend our time driving. We also have to be back at the airport at about midday on the 7th. Do not know the area at all, first time visitors from Australia. Thank you in advance?

Still need help!!! Did I post wrong

barni,

Del Mar and La Jolla certainly are good ideas to relcoate to the beach for some relaxation. Which of them you choose depends on what your interests are.

If you luck out, the weather might be warm enough to actually spend time on the beach. For that, Del Mar might be preferable, as I think its beach is rather nice. The nicest beach, however, in the region would be that on Coronado Island close to Hotel Del Coronado.

La Jolla would be a good idea, if ou want to be near great restaurants and have a craving for strolling around in the evenings.

What I would suggest to you actually, is to leave those two remaining days open. While you spend your three days (I guess there is some mistake in the dates you indicated in your first post here) in town, you will be able to get some idea as to where you would prefer to be spending those two days. Take a ferry over to Coronado, so you can discover that lovely laid back beach community. If you decide you want more time there, move over.
Otherwise rent a car for those two days and make it North into La Jolla and Del Mar, which are very close to each other. Drive around and find yourself a place that you like.
What I want to point out is basically that whatever you choose, you cannot go exactly wrong. The San Diego area is a terrific place to spend 5 days!

We just stayed at the Westgate, had a drink at the Westin. You must go over to the W & visit the open-air heated sand floor bar with fire pits & cabanas on the 2nd floor at night! It was so different to see in a city! I would recommend Prado in Balboa Park for dinner also.

I second the idea of visiting or staying on Coronado Island. The Hotel Coronado is nice for an elegant old-style place, and the Meridien property there is nice, too.

Neither of these options is that far from downtown SD. I hope you realize that. Are you coming with children or is it just 2 adults? If you're not planning on renting a car while you're at the Westin, there's a sightseeing tram/trolley that goes to all the "highlight" areas but not La Jolla or Del Mar. I prefer La Jolla. If you're looking for a good budget hotel, the Best Western La Jolla is well located and gets decents reviews on tripadvisor. BTW, Del Mar and La Jolla are very close to each other.

BTW, I also adore Coronado but it's so close to downtown SD I think you'll be able to visit while you're at the Westin.

I suggest La Jolla. Try the Grande Colonial Hotel http://www.thegrandecolonial.com/ quaint and not even a block from La Jolla cove. There's shopping, plenty of restaurants, etc. within walking distance.