San Diego: 4-5 day getaway with no car in January...suggestions for an area to stay?
Nov 3rd, 2006, 10:22 AM
#1
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San Diego: 4-5 day getaway with no car in January...suggestions for an area to stay?
Hi everyone,
My wife and I have never been to San Diego and are looking for some warmer temps. in January for a few days. We're from Vancouver,BC so it's a close flight and San Diego will definitely be a bit warmer then!
We realize San Diego is quite spread out, and we won't see everything without a car..but that's ok...we're happy to get away from the bustle of commuting.
We also realize that the downtown and beaches aren't walking distance from each other.
We would love to stay in an area where we are walking distance to some shops, good restaurants, and perhaps some walking paths where we could go for a morning run.
Are there any areas in San Diego that might fit these criteria? Of course we would take a day or two to use public transport to visit some other spots, but we would love to have a great base to relax as that's the main purpose of the trip.
Any suggestions everyone?
My wife and I have never been to San Diego and are looking for some warmer temps. in January for a few days. We're from Vancouver,BC so it's a close flight and San Diego will definitely be a bit warmer then!
We realize San Diego is quite spread out, and we won't see everything without a car..but that's ok...we're happy to get away from the bustle of commuting.
We also realize that the downtown and beaches aren't walking distance from each other.
We would love to stay in an area where we are walking distance to some shops, good restaurants, and perhaps some walking paths where we could go for a morning run.
Are there any areas in San Diego that might fit these criteria? Of course we would take a day or two to use public transport to visit some other spots, but we would love to have a great base to relax as that's the main purpose of the trip.
Any suggestions everyone?
Nov 3rd, 2006, 10:32 AM
#2
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Hi CaptCanuck..
We are in Vancouver right now (Sutton Place) but I live in San Diego and I don't know if SD will be warm but you never know..you can do SD without a car but our transit system is not as well defined as in other big cities but it can be done..will take some time
Gaslamp area Downtown SD is a great place to stay and you can take the water taxi to Coronado or take the trolley..
La Jolla is a beautiful place also..they do have a bus line that goes there or you can do a taxi too..
Have a wonderful time!
www.gaslamp.org
www.ljbtc.com
www.sandiego.org
www.sdhe.com
www.sdcommute.com
We are in Vancouver right now (Sutton Place) but I live in San Diego and I don't know if SD will be warm but you never know..you can do SD without a car but our transit system is not as well defined as in other big cities but it can be done..will take some time
Gaslamp area Downtown SD is a great place to stay and you can take the water taxi to Coronado or take the trolley..
La Jolla is a beautiful place also..they do have a bus line that goes there or you can do a taxi too..
Have a wonderful time!
www.gaslamp.org
www.ljbtc.com
www.sandiego.org
www.sdhe.com
www.sdcommute.com
Nov 3rd, 2006, 10:40 AM
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Remember, it won't be beach weather [swim no, walk on beach yes] in January in San Diego.
We stayed at Omni which is in Gas Lamp district and it was very convenient for restaurants and shops.
We had a car but we walked a good deal.
Also, it is on trolley line which will take you easily to other areas.
Be sure to go to Balboa Park and the Zoo. Park is great, a lot like Stanley Park but quite different with all the different museums there.
This is a great site for really good, accurate info...
http://www.localwally.com/
Hope this helps...
Debi
We stayed at Omni which is in Gas Lamp district and it was very convenient for restaurants and shops.
We had a car but we walked a good deal.
Also, it is on trolley line which will take you easily to other areas.
Be sure to go to Balboa Park and the Zoo. Park is great, a lot like Stanley Park but quite different with all the different museums there.
This is a great site for really good, accurate info...
http://www.localwally.com/
Hope this helps...
Debi
Nov 3rd, 2006, 10:57 AM
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Hey TahitiTams..with today's Vancouver rain, you can see why I'm posting this, right? Hmm..so 3 votes for the Gaslamp District..out of curiosity, how far is it from the water/beach?..yep, I know it won't be swimming weather! And there are good walking/running trails in that district too?
Thanks for the fast replies everyone so far...keep'em coming!
cheers,
CC
Thanks for the fast replies everyone so far...keep'em coming!
cheers,
CC
Nov 3rd, 2006, 01:03 PM
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La Jolla is a great area for relaxing, dining, shopping and walking/running along the beach paths. It is about 12 miles north of downtown.
As others have said, SD and especially La Jolla do not have great public transportation options. The bus is pretty much your only option if you chose to stay in La Jolla.
I would rethink your choice of not having a car so that you can maximize your options.
As others have said, SD and especially La Jolla do not have great public transportation options. The bus is pretty much your only option if you chose to stay in La Jolla.
I would rethink your choice of not having a car so that you can maximize your options.
Nov 3rd, 2006, 02:11 PM
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My favorite place to stay in the area is Carlsbad - a beach village north of
La Jolla. There is easy walking to many restaurants and shops. There is a coaster (train ) station which I have used to go into SD and also used for getting to the airport for much less than a shuttle. You can also buy a visiters pass on the bus system and I have used the bus to get around some also.
Carlsbad has a great area for walking/running along the beach at Tamarack Beach - its a paved boardwalk -
lots of people out walking and running.
http://www.carlsbadca.org/
Have also enjoyed biking along the ocean for a nice workout.
Have a great time!!
La Jolla. There is easy walking to many restaurants and shops. There is a coaster (train ) station which I have used to go into SD and also used for getting to the airport for much less than a shuttle. You can also buy a visiters pass on the bus system and I have used the bus to get around some also.
Carlsbad has a great area for walking/running along the beach at Tamarack Beach - its a paved boardwalk -
lots of people out walking and running.
http://www.carlsbadca.org/
Have also enjoyed biking along the ocean for a nice workout.
Have a great time!!
Nov 3rd, 2006, 02:56 PM
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Hi CaptCanuck..
With only 4-5 days in SD, I think you would be foolish not to get a car..you can get a pretty cheap car rental from the airport for under $100 bucks..then I would head up to La Jolla/Del Mar.. gorgeous coastline and one of the prettiest places in the world..
You can stay in downtown LJ at the Grande Colonial Hotel or the LJ Shores area at the Sea Lodge or the Hotel LJ..
Del Mar, there is the gorgeous L'Auberge..
If you do downtown SD, I would stay in the Gaslamp and like Debi says that the Omni is perfect location and I wouldn't rent a car since it will cost you about $20+ a day to park it..and just use the trolley, water taxis, buses and taxis..
You can whale watch in January..it probably won't be that warm but won't be freezing either..
There might be some better deals in January since it will be right after the holidays..you will have so much fun..
I love Vancouver CC!!
Debi..LOL GMTA..Exactly
www.hotellajolla.com
www.thegrandecolonial.com
www.hoteldel.com
www.laubergedelmar.com
With only 4-5 days in SD, I think you would be foolish not to get a car..you can get a pretty cheap car rental from the airport for under $100 bucks..then I would head up to La Jolla/Del Mar.. gorgeous coastline and one of the prettiest places in the world..
You can stay in downtown LJ at the Grande Colonial Hotel or the LJ Shores area at the Sea Lodge or the Hotel LJ..
Del Mar, there is the gorgeous L'Auberge..
If you do downtown SD, I would stay in the Gaslamp and like Debi says that the Omni is perfect location and I wouldn't rent a car since it will cost you about $20+ a day to park it..and just use the trolley, water taxis, buses and taxis..
You can whale watch in January..it probably won't be that warm but won't be freezing either..
There might be some better deals in January since it will be right after the holidays..you will have so much fun..
I love Vancouver CC!!
Debi..LOL GMTA..Exactly
www.hotellajolla.com
www.thegrandecolonial.com
www.hoteldel.com
www.laubergedelmar.com
Nov 3rd, 2006, 02:56 PM
#10
I'd stay in Coronado. You can walk or ride a bike all over, lots of nice places to eat, and there are easy buses to downtown San Diego, Balboa Park, etc. There is also a pedesrtrian/bike ferry that goes from Coronado to the base of Broadway. about 15 minutes and $2 or $3 a ride.
I won't be swimming weather, but often the winter can be sunny and warm, so walks on the beach are fun.
Staying in the convention center/Gaslamp area would be the same for transportation, just more "city" than Village.
I won't be swimming weather, but often the winter can be sunny and warm, so walks on the beach are fun.
Staying in the convention center/Gaslamp area would be the same for transportation, just more "city" than Village.
Nov 3rd, 2006, 10:18 PM
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I vote for Coronado. I think it is the most beautiful spot. The beach there is gorgeous and the town is delightful. Check out the website for the Hotel Del - TahitiTams gave it to you. The beach you see there just goes on forever and is a great spot for running.
Nov 4th, 2006, 04:41 AM
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There are actually many previous posts about San Diego without a car. (I'm [pretty sure I contributed to one or two). Do a text search for San Diego without a car. Coronado & downtown La Jolla sound like what you want in terms of shops and restaurants and beach within walking. Of those 2, Coronado is probably the better option for also doing other things since you can take a ferry to downtown San Diego and from there, more options. There's also a tourist trolley that hits all the main spots and it makes a stop on Coronado while it doesn't go to La Jolla.
Nov 4th, 2006, 07:15 AM
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Mclaurie is correct. There's a post "San Diego carless", with a lot of good suggestions. Including my post of their transit site:
http://www.sdcommute.com/
http://www.sdcommute.com/
Nov 5th, 2006, 07:30 AM
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Thanks for the helpful replies everyone. I certainly have a clearer picture of some options. So, either we will stay in La Jolla with a car rental..or in the Gaslamp district with no car and use the trolley.Now we just have to decide! Additional advice would continue to be welcomed!
thanks all,
CC
P.S. Tahititams..if you're still in my fair city, apologies for all your rain!
thanks all,
CC
P.S. Tahititams..if you're still in my fair city, apologies for all your rain!
Nov 5th, 2006, 09:25 AM
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Hey CC..
No worries, we are from SD where we don't see much rain..it is somewhat clear right now and we are headed for our usually latte at Cafe Artigiano..the best latte I think I have ever had in the world!
Headed to the Cannery for lunch and then Malones to watch some NFL..
Either La Jolla or Gaslamp are excellent choices for you and with downtown SD, you can take the water taxi over to Coronado, which is a gorgeous town..If you go to LJ, you must go to Georges at the cove and a drink at the Marine Room and for Coronado, the Brigantine has the best fish tacos for happy hour with great Marg's too..
Have a wonderful time Captain and keep us posted..
www.georgesatthecove.com
www.ljbtc.com
www.brigantine.com
No worries, we are from SD where we don't see much rain..it is somewhat clear right now and we are headed for our usually latte at Cafe Artigiano..the best latte I think I have ever had in the world!
Headed to the Cannery for lunch and then Malones to watch some NFL..
Either La Jolla or Gaslamp are excellent choices for you and with downtown SD, you can take the water taxi over to Coronado, which is a gorgeous town..If you go to LJ, you must go to Georges at the cove and a drink at the Marine Room and for Coronado, the Brigantine has the best fish tacos for happy hour with great Marg's too..
Have a wonderful time Captain and keep us posted..
www.georgesatthecove.com
www.ljbtc.com
www.brigantine.com
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