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.