San diego
 

We are visiting SanDiego late May 2006, 2adults & 2 kids 7 & 11 any tips where to stay. We are wanting to go to the Zoo, Seaworld & mexico. Want a central hotel with access to these with minimal travel.

Either the Catamaran Resort in Mission Bay or possibly the Blue Sea Lodge om Pacific Beach are located in fairly convenient locations. The Zoo is great, as is Sea World. Don't forget Old Town which is part historical experience and part shopping/dining. As far as Mexico, if you are thinking of Tiajuana, I certainly wouldn't go there with young children personally. If you have a car, take a ride up to La Jolla and check out Georges at the Cove restaurant for great food and views. Might be a little expensive with kids, but there is a Bistro upstairs that is less expensive but still offers great views.

If you don't care about being right on the water, there is an
Embassy Suites that is in a decent location. You can walk to Seaport Village, and the tourist bus stops close by, which will bring you to Old Town, the zoo, and Balboa Park. There is only an indoor pool there, I believe.
HarryR: We love George's at the Cove too!! Great views.

michaelgre

I'll recommend two of the places that we have stayed at in different locations.

Ocean Park Inn is located on the beach. Rooms on the upper floors facing the ocean are the absolute best. Rooms have minirefrigerators and microwaves. Breakfast is simple such as cereal, bagels and pastries. Juice and coffee is available all day. Hotel has a small pool. Free parking was included when we were there but not sure if that is still offered. This is a busy area but lots of fun. Grocery store, coffee shop and eating places that you can walk to. Would stay here again. Here is the hotel website www.oceanparkinn.com

Inn at Sunset Cliffs This is a wonderful 23-room inn on the cliffs of the Pacific. This property has been completely redone and includes kitchen and two bedroom suites. A very nice breakfast that includes waffles is served on the weekends on their patior that faces the Pacific. Coffee only on week days. This place has a large swimming pool. The views are terrific. Note there is not direct access to the beach from this hotel but it is a easy walk into the beach area. Free parking included at this hotel. Full details at www.innatsunsetcliffs.com I phoned the hotel direct and got a much cheaper rate than the website.

If you have not done so immediately go to www.sandiego.org and request a free visitors planning guide. Money saving coupons here and sometimes money saving offers at your choice of lodging.

How long will you be staying in San Diego. Our son has made his home in San Diego for a number of years and we are slowly visiting the many attractions. There is much to do and see and I woulnd't waste any time going to Mexico.

Sandy

michaelgre

Forgot to mention that you can review all hotels at www.tripadvisor.com

Good luck.

Sandy

Is it important to you to be close to a beach? As you're coming from Australia, I'm guessing it's not a big thing, but let us know. At the time you will be here, it can be cloudy, especially at the beach, and the water will still be very cold.

Good non-beach places for your family would include the Sheraton Suites on A Street downtown, the Embassy Suites already mentioned downtown, the Best Western Hacienda in old Town. Also, the Residence Inn in Mission Valley gets good revues. Another beach place is the Beach Cottages on Ocean Boulevard in Pacific Beach.

Everything in San Diego is really spread out and you will be better to rent a car. It's possible, but more difficult and time consuming to get to the places you want to see without one. Most rental agencies will not let you take their vehicles into Mexico.

If you are able to find a day tour to Ensenada in Mexico, then that would be interesting, but Tijuana is not. It's really not a good place to take young children.

Good luck with your planning. San Diego is a great place to visit.

I agree with Barbara. I would definitely skip Tijuana with young children. Ensenada maybe but there is SO much to do in San Diego.

I know that this is always a challenging question, but I'll ask anyway...What might a family of 4, w/a 15 yo and an 11 yo, do on a one day sidetrip from Palm Springs? Our first thought is the obvious- Zoo. SD residents? Think "The most flattering 8 hours in San Diego". Touristy activities are not exempt- it's a vacation!

Go to Balboa Park..there is the zoo, Fleet space center with Imax movies, and several small but fun museums.

Barbara - How do you know this family is visiting from Australia? Just curious.

Sandy

I think that the Sea Lodge Hotel at La Jolla Shores is perfect for you.. Oceanfront and affordable..Check Expedia.com or LJBTC.com .. La Jolla is stunning and the water is gorgeous and you could go swimming in the ocean and you are about a mile from the highway to SeaWorld, Zoo and other wonderful places in San Diego..
Do not go to Mexico..it is a dump and if you do not know what you are doing it could be dangerous..plus rental cars are not allowed to go down there..maybe the trolley.. Take the kids to a ballgame at PetcoPark.com downtown..
You are going to love my wonderful city..it is a very much like Sydney!

Sandy, the email address.

May I just recommend, since you have young kids, 2 places you and they might love to eat? In San Diego, on Goldfinch Ave is the best BBQ in California, called Phils BBQ, and if you go to La Jolla, which is a beautiful town, they is a fantastic old fashioned diner called Harry's Coffee Shop. Both are great for kids.

Thanks all. I'm taking notes. Keep 'em coming.

JRP, it's not actually a challenging question at all, everyone has different opinions that's all.

However, you have hijacked someone else's thread and it is difficult to know whose question is being answered. I suggest you start your own thread and you will get responses which answer your question.

Thanks all. There for 4 nights, then on to Aneheim for 10 (the usual Disney/Knotts/Universal) The kids love shopping so were looking forward to Tiajuana, I take it that it is just not safe for the kids

maichaelgre,

if your planned Mexico outing was for shopping purposes only, you can do better anyway:

Make a stop on your way down to San Diego at the Carlsbad Company Stores Premium Outlets. It is just off I-5 at Palomar Airport Road on the inland side.

Tijuana is not only not that safe for kids, it appears to be not that safe for anyone to me. And while I think that it's not such a good idea to take children there, I also think it's not such a good idea to go there at all. You all will have much more fun staying North of the border, I should think.

Stay at Best Western Hacienda Hotel. It's in a great central location. Beautifully landscaped and excellant views of the city. Walk to Old Town for shops & restaurants. It's 3 blooks from the trolley station. Check out their website www.haciendahotel-oldtown.com.
Book your reservation on-line for a big discount. Rooms were huge with frig and microwave and self serve laundry room by the pool which is nice for extended stays. Location is easy drive to everything you need. Can't beat the price, convenience and location!

i would suggest the catamaran resort - the shoreline and boardwalk have so much to offer for families. skip the zoo and go to the wild animal park (they are affiliated). it is a bit farther, but well worth the visit. a zoo is a zoo, but the wild animal park offers so much more in the natural habitat. also, mexico near the san diego border is not for children - it is dirty and poverty-ridden.

The "Sheraton on The Bay" is right on the Embarcadero and is 5 minutes from Balboa Park and the zoo and about 15 minutes to Seaworld. Also, in Balboa Park the many museums are fantastic.

Forget about Mexico. If you want to visit Mexico, I would suggest a separate trip to some place like Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta or Acapulco.

8-)

Jamaltay, do you mean the Holiday Inn on the Bay, or the Sheraton on Harbor Island?

My wife has chosen Quality Inn & Suites Harborview as it is close to the park. I'm hoping this a good choice?

Personally, I think you are crazy for staying at this hotel! I checked on there website and room rates are around $194.00 a night.. total rip off! There are so many hotels out there for alot less that are alot nicer and still will achieve what you want to do.. San Diego is a town that is a drive destination and alot of Downtown hotels charge for parking..
Holiday Inn at the Bay is $149.00 a night right on the Harbor and you have tons of options right outside your hotel.. You will not be able to take your rental car to Mexico so I would leave that off the list unless you take the trolley and you better make sure your passports are up to date and that you are savvy as to what you and your kids are about to see in TJ...
It sounds to me that with all this posts where to stay you are not listening to the people who live here!
I used to live in Rose Bay in Sydney so I do understand the Aussie mentality somewhat but please take our advice!
Best to you.

This hotels OK, but it's not really close to the harbor. There may be views from all the rooms, but it's a long walk to the Embarcadero.It is close to Balboa Park and the Zoo. There aren't many restaurants nearby. They are all in the Gaslamp Quarter, which is walkable, but you might want to get a cab back!

Have a lovely time In San Diego.

Do check out the reviews of the Quality Inn & Suites on www.tripadvisor.com They worry me so perhaps not the best choice.

Go to www.sandiego.org and click on where to stay, choose downtown and you will get a large number of hotels to choose from.

Check out some of the places that were suggested previously by Barbara who is always gracious and spot on with her suggestions. Come back with more questions if you have them.

I do hope you will take the time to give us a trip report when your holiday is over. I for one would love to know how it all works out for you.

Good luck.
Sandy

Lots of great suggestions...

The Zoo and SeaWorld are the two great places for kids. Plan lots of time at the Zoo. Also, plan to take along snacks, etc, and plan time to take breaks. There is more than enough to wear out every one out at the zoo.......

Tijuana is not for 7 and 11 year old kids. The days of the main tourist street Revolution with all the souvenir shops is long gone. Most are closed. They are replaced with Pharmacies for prescription drugs that are often cheaper in Tijuana than in the United Sates. Friday and Saturday night it is for the 18 to 21 year olds to party and drink. Drinking age in California is 21. Drinking age in Tijuana is 18. The locals in Tijuana travel to the San Diego to buy electronics at Wal-Mart. The return crossing at the border can take a long time during peak crossing hours....

For a Tijuana experience of sorts for the kids just try Old Town in San Diego. For a cheap activity for the kids, try a tour of one of the naval ships at the U.S. Navy Pier, off Harbor Drive, near Broadway on the Embarcadero. (619) 532-1430. Call ahead to see what ship might be in.

Also, you might try the kid's friendly free block party on 20 May 2006 if you are there during that time. See www.pbblockparty.com.

Indian casinos are big in San Diego County but that is more of an adult thing. But if your kids like shopping, you can always try the Viejes Outline Center with Concerts in the Park series in Alpine east of San Diego. Something to do for a day trip for those that like shopping http://www.viejas.com/ or more precisely http://www.shopviejas.com/ ....

Usually opens about the end of May, if the weather is warm enought when you visit consider letting the kids get wet and use up their energy at the water park - Knott's Soak City U.S.A http://www.knotts.com/soakcity/sd/index.shtml


I hope you have a great time.

....

tahititams, the wife and daughter decided despite me telling of all the suggestions here!!! But we got the Q inn & suites for $124AUD a night so bit of a bargain to whats on offer. I would have preffered a beachy type hotel but its me vs 3 women!!!!

Cheers..
You cannot go against 3 women! No Way..
Have a blast and enjoy our wonderful city and when you hear the first bit of whining you can tell them "I told you so"..
Go to a Baseball game while you are here..its downtown and it is alot of fun..not like cricket but different and its a great ballpark..
Padres.com
Have a wonderful time Michael!!

Travel4ever
My oldest daughter was devestated when she saw Soak City might not be open when we are there, she's a bit of a water babe! So if theres a chance of it opening while we are there she will be rapt.

I know that you are fighting an uphill battle with the girls but I have to chime in about the lodging. I pass that property everyday on my drive to work. It is on a very busy corner and it is nestled beneath two much larger buildings. It is an older property. The aren't any restaurants or activities nearby. I think that there's a McDonalds within walking distance, but it would be a bit of a walk. Even the trip to Balboa Park (my favorite spot in the city btw), is going to require a trip in the car. A new condo complex is being built directly across the street, diagonally. It is a fairly nice residential area, but there's just not a lot to offer to tourists in this location. I would suggest that you keep your existing reservations for now, but continue to check out some of the other suggestions here.

Also, what kind of shopping were you planning on doing in Tijuana? Hard bargaining deals, or regular shopping? If its the latter, you might consider something in Mission Valley. There's a Doubletree located at Hazard Center which is located right next to a trolley line and it is only one stop from Fashion Valley, a really beautiful mall with nearly every store that you could want to shop. The trolley could also be taken to Old Town and downtown. I don't know what their rates are, but it is another possibility.

km, the wife loves to haggle but it is realy just to see what life is like there and of course a few junky souvenirs.

I'd second that Doubletree at Hazard Center. There are movie theaters right there and also a couple of restaurants which would appeal to your kids ( and you!) and a good Italian restaurant. the Trolley stop is literally across the road from the hotel.