My wife and I are looking to spend 4/5 days in SD in late September and I would love some recommendations? Ideally, we'd like to stay on the beach but close to the highlights of the town and at a hotel with a pool, preferably a major chain?

Any ideas?

Many thanks,

Penlee:

I'll start you off by recommending you take a look at www.sandiego.org for lots of visitor information.

Give us an idea on your budget? Will you have a car?

Welcome to Fodor's

Sandy

Close to downtown, Gaslight Distrct and harbor, but not beaches the Hilton Gaslight or Embassy Suite downtown.
For the beach look at the Hotel Del Coronado.

what's your budget?

Thanks for responses thus far. Budget around $200 per night but flexible. Will have a hire car. Have subsequently noticed that beaches are some distance from downtown so a hotel with a decent pool close to restaurants and shops would be great. If not, a beach/resort type hotel that is fairly self-contained?

Many thanks,

The Marriott downtown has a lovely pool area, and the Manchester Hyatt has a nice pool too. They usually get good reviews.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...el-and-marina/

http://manchestergrand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

Some posters here have commented very favorably on the Omni.

http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/SanDiego.aspx

I didn't read your last sentence! The La Jolla Shores hotel might suit. It's not near downtown, but is right on a great beach and has some shops and restaurants within easy walking distance, and the rest of La Jolla a short distance away. It's only about a twenty minute, or less, drive to downtown San Diego.

http://www.ljshoreshotel.com/

the new Marriot Courtyard or the Hilton Homewood Suites at Liberty Station might also be good choice. Lots of new restaurants nearby. Also in Del Mar, there are some hotels on the beach that are near shops and restaurants. They may however be out of your price range.

If you can swing it, the Hotel Del is amazing. http://www.san-diego-hotels-resorts....l-coronado.php It is right on the beach in coronado and just beautiful.

Another good choice is Paradise Point in Mission Bay. http://sandiego.nyctourist.com/parad...int-resort.php

A newer little gem, just north of PB is Pacific Terrace, http://sandiego.nyctourist.com/pacif...race-hotel.php

I think that the most interesting hotels in San Diego are not major chains. These hotels give you the feel of San Diego and are close to all major attractions.

Try to stay somewhere in either Coronado or La Jolla, we loved our 3 night stay at The Del, it's an amazing place. We did not have an oceanview but a modest room that overlooked the courtyard and gardens. Very nice! ***kim***

Besides the Marriott at the Convention Center there is a Marriott on Coronado Island.
Its much cheaper than the "del" (which is ~$400). You can probably get a room for $150-$200 at the Marriott. I would not stay in La Jolla or Del Mar these are very far from downtown SD.

2000 2nd St
Coronado, CA 92118
(619) 435-3000ý
marriott.com

Penlee:

Not major chain but two places we loved. The Ocean Park Inn www.oceanparkinn.com (same area as Pacific Terrace hotel but less $'s) It is worth it to pay a bit more to get one of the upper floors facing the ocean. Hotel has a small pool. Located on the board walk. Busy area.

For a different quiet experience with ocean views The Inn at Sunset Cliffs www.innatsunsetcliffs.com - free parking, pool and great value for your $'s. This is in a very quiet area. You can walk into Ocean Beach, a funky little area to get something to eat or walk out on the pier.

Go to www.tripadvisor.com to read reviews on hotels.

Enjoy beautiful San Diego.

Sandy

As far as things to do, make sure you check out Balboa Park http://www.san-diego-hotels-resorts....alboa_park.php. It is a San Diego gem. They have free Tuesdays where various museums are free to the public.

Seems like the Marriot Coronado would fit the bill. It is very close to downtown and on the water - not the beach as that is the other side of Coronado, but on the harbor side with nice views of downtown.

Since you are interested in spending time downtown, I agree about not staying in La Jolla or Del Mar. Lots of people love those areas, but they aren't convinient to downtown.

Del Mar is relatively close to the freeway. I didn't find it inconvenient for visiting downtown with a car.

I noticed Best Western Stratford Inn when I was staying near Del Mar. It isn't right on the beach but is close. Haven't stayed there so can't give any more info.

The La Jolla Shores area of La Jolla (like Barbara mentioned) is great. The hotels in the area might be a little pricey. But there is a cute little street up from the beach with some great restaurants, and surf/kayaking shops etc. It is a fun neighborhood area for all ages. It has good freeway access to Interstate 5.

I also like to recommend Coronado, which is a quick trip over the Coronado Bridge into downtown San Diego, and within 10 minutes of the Zoo, Balboa Park, shopping centers, etc.
Coronado has a beautiful beach, nice downtown area with shops and restaurants, golf course, beautiful parks, and is a safe residental area especially nice for families.
The Hotel Del Coronado is very expensive but there are many more hotels that are more reasonable.

The Marriott on Coranado is nice - and you can take a ferry over to downtown - The property use to be a Le Meridian and it is a little more 'upscale" then a lot of Marriotts.

The spa is so-so if you are interested in that - I would pass (unless they have redone it).

It has a pool -

The Hyatt downtown is also nice as is the Marriott harborside.

The Marriott in Coronado is nice because the location is quiet and near the Old Ferry Landing were there are lots of shops and restaurants. It overlooks the SanDiego Bay - you can also take a pedestrian ferry over to the downtown SanDiego area.

Thanks for all of your help, we've gone for Marriott Coronado.

Penlee - report back and enjoy your time in San Diego! It is a fabulous city.