Hi! My family of 4 (kids 11 and 9) will be flying into San Diego July 21-27. We are looking for a nice hotel/resort near the beach. At first, we were going to stay at Loews Coronado San Diego, but after reading a lot of bad reviews, I'm rethinking this. Is the beach really 1/4-1/2 mile away from the hotel?

We'll have a car and are not opposed to staying at other beaches in the area. At the end of our week, we'll be heading up to Disneyland.

We'd like a nice, clean room with hopefully an ocean view. A condo would be ideal but since we can't stay Sat-Sat, does that eliminate this option? We like to spend time at the pool and at the beach. We'll also want to go to the zoo and maybe other kid sites (any recommendations?).

What hotels/condos/townhouses/beach houses would you recommend for our family? Any helpful websites are welcome!!! Thanks a lot!

The beach is probably really a 1/4 mile from the hotel.... If you look at the map on their website, the hotel is at the end of the Coronado Bay Road, while the beach is on the other side of the Silver Strand Road. I stayed there in June 2003. They had a golf cart to take you from the hotel to the beach - but it really wasn't that far to walk.

Have you thought about the Hotel Del? You might also have a look at some of the hotels in the Mission Bay area.

If you can afford the rates, definitely stay at the Hotel Del Coronado.
Personally, our favorite, is just north of San Diego in LaJolla. A place called LaJolla Beach & Tennis Club or Sea Lodge. The Beach & Tennis club caters to families with units that have kitchens, etc. Sea Lodge is same owner, right next door, more like hotel setting. We can stay in an ocean front room w/ balcony at Sea Lodge for 1/2 the price of Hotel Del. Beautiful sunsets, right from your balcony! Also, LaJolla is a very fun place for shopping, restaurants, etc.

In my personal opinion Loews is nice but very far out. The Del would be highly preferred. Coronado can't compare to Mission Beach, but there is a boardwalk and may be more fun for your kids. There is "The Bahia" in Mission, The Catamaran in Pacific Beach. Both across the street from the beach. The other one is Pacific Terrace sits right on the beach. I would start checking into these for starters.

We've stayed at Pacific Terrace and it's awesome. Several people on this board recommended a hotel right next to Pacific Terrace but for the life of me I can't think of the name. Evidently it's a little less expensive than Pac. Terrace. If you haven't already, do a Fodor's search on Pacific Beach and it should pop up. We liked Pacific Beach because it was pretty central to everything--LaJolla one direction and downtown the other.

I've read some of the posts on Pacific Beach and I'm concerned with a comment that it was pretty rough at night. Exactly what does that mean? Also, did you mean the Coronado Beach is better than Mission beach?

The Ocean Park Inn is the other hotel that Tess is thinking of - www.oceanparkinn.com Take a look at the reviews on www.tripadvisor.com

Also go to www.sandiego.org for visitor information. Often specials and coupons offered here.

Sandy

hi, you may consider Del Mar too. Nice beaches and at that time in July, the fair may be there which is always a lot of fun. Legoland is another place you might visit, it's in Carlsbad. My daughter is twelve and thinks that it is too "young" for her now, but she loved it at 9 and 11. We also like Del Mar Plaza for drinks at sunset, very laid back. Del Mar is probably going to be a little more expensive than PB, but it is also a lot safer--different element.
Try this link for more info:
http://www.a-zsandiegobeaches.com/delmar.htm
have a great vacation!

Coronado is more upscale, although not stuffy, whereas Mission Beach is more funky. As to which is better really depends on what you are looking for.

The Hotel Del Coronado would get my vote - it's an old-fashioned seaside resort, very relaxing, very nice, and the beach is right there.

i have stayed at the Best Western Blue Seas Lodge a couple of times- Pacific Beach area - the rooms are OK- some have kitchenettes- nice pool- but best of all is right on the beach- you can hear the waves all night long with the door open a little- its an interesting area - great beach walk that goes for miles/ can rent rent bikes/surfboards/
woke up first morning with a surfing competition going on outside the door.
It of course is nothing like the Del Coronado - just a middle class family hotel right on the beach.

parkcitygal, sorry Coronado Island at one time was where all the Officers lived, and was always quite elite. Mission Bay was, as one said more on the "funky" side. It all depends on your budget, and what you are seeking. La Jolla is also very nice, many shops, I still think the kids would like Mission Beach, PB. In MB you can rent bikes and ride on the beach, rent skateboards,etc. The La Jolla beach and tennis club is also very nice right on La Jolla Shores. Very scenic and upscale town with great restaurants.

I think you'd be happier at La Jolla Shores, or Del Mar, or Coronado than Mission Beach. I don't think Mission Beach and Pacific Beach are the greatest places for young kids.

My daughter was 11 when we stayed at Pacific Terrace and I consider myself a pretty careful mom. I saw nothing that would deter me from taking my kids there again to stay. It seems silly to say I felt safe when there was nothing around that would make me feel otherwise.

i also saw nothing to deter me from the
Mission Beach area - I thought it was a fun interesting area - I mean there were a few scraggly looking people around but I would say most of them were pretty normal looking - might be different if you were out late at night but during day/evening it was fine.
and I liked having the board walk for long walks biking etc
Of course LaJolla and Delmar are great also- and I love Carlsbad too - my daughter lives there so that is where I always stay - close to Legoland

Agree with Tess and sunburn 1944 - we have stayed in this area on one of our yearly visits and loved it. Lots of action here with the busy boardwalk, rental bikes, beach access. Yes a few homeless people around but they never bothered us in any way whatsoever. Observed many young families and in fact a mix of all ages. We are an older couple so do not stay out extremely late but then how late would you be out with children 9 and 11.

Do post back as to where you end up staying.

Best wishes for a great time in beautiful San Diego.

Sandy

There is no question about it, Coronado, La Jolla are far more upscale areas then MB or PB. If your 9 and 11 year old like shopping they will love la Jolla and all the boutique shops. La Jolla is scenic, and a lovely town full of great little restaurants. Do let us know what you decide. Most of all have fun and enjoy beautiful San Diego.

with children, i would definitly choose the pacific beach area. the ocean park inn gets good reveiws for the price. the bahia is another family friendly place to try.
while la jolla is beautiful, i think it would be better for a day or two trip. you have boutiques to waunder through, upscale restaurants but i think surfers, roller blades, fast food places and people watching entertain kids that age much more then boutiques. of course, coronado is a must see for a day.

Thanks for all the info. Boy, we've been busy researching all the properties. We really were interested in the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club but they're already totally booked.

So I think we're back to Loews Coronado and here's why. My husband is having a work meeting there a few days before our "vacation" and I think he'll be able to get a discounted rate for the rest of the vacation (about $210/night). After pricing out all of the other options, its hard to justify NOT staying here. Also, after this part of our trip, we have 4 more nights at Disneyland. I was just pricing those rooms (we want to stay in a Disney property) and found them to be quite pricey. So to offset this expense, Loews is really looking attractive.

If I'm way off base, let me know. It looks like Loews is a pretty nice hotel, with good pools, but just not on the beach.

The Loews Coronado is a nice hotel and since you have a car, I don't think you'll have any problems. It's great they have a golf cart to take you across the street to the beach. You can also just use your car to drive the 1/4 mile up the road and go to the beach by the Hotel Del. You can have lunch on their patio and you are right by all the shops and other restaurants.
With a car, staying at Loews will be no problem.

Great! Thanks for the honest, positive response.