San Diego Area
 

Thanks for your valuable comments. Just wondering if we should stay in San Diego or Escondido for our 5 day visit to that area. We then need to get to Los Vegas . We will be there in Dec ( know it's cool) and will not have a car at this stage. Anyone's help will be appreciated.

pachet

San Diego.

San Diego without a doubt. You may want to re-consider not having a car. It will be much easier with the car.

San Diego, and it could easily be shorts weather in December.

Thank you so much for your prompt replies.
You have all made up our minds.

Pachet

Tks again, now that we have decided to stay in San Diego city, I wonder if anyone may help with hotels (4star) and which area, marina?? or any suggestions.
Pachet

I would stay at the Marina or in the Gas Lamp, they are walking distance from each other.

When you say December- is it during Christmas? If so, I'd look at staying on Coronado Island, it's quite a magical time. The island and The Del are all decked out.

Do you plan on seeing the major sights? Zoo, Sea World, etc. If that is the case, you'd probably prefer staying somewhere near downtown and visiting Coronado Island.

The link below should be useful.

http://www.sandiego.org/nav/Visitors/WhatToDo

Socaloc and Krgystn, thanks for your good advise and very good link. No, we will be there between 10th Dec to 17th Dec and then going to Los Vegas, ( not sure whether it's best to bus/train or fly to LV)and then we fly back to Australia from LA.

Pachet

What price of hotel for you? You have a number or neighborhoods to choose from depending on what you are looking for; beach experience, walking neighborhood, all inclusive resort, convenient access to other attractions? I suggest Catamaran by the beach, or Islandia Hyatt, or La Jolla area. Coronado is an island. Downtown can get very expensive with parking up to $35 a day. If it were me, I would pick a nice hotel near the beach and rent a car so that I could drive around the city and see the many, many amazing sights of San Diego such as Cabrillo monument, Balboa Park, the zoo, Sunset Cliffs, Del Mar village, etc. Maybe read the San Diego city guide here to get an idea of all the city has to offer. Encinitas is fun too. So many cool beach towns and neighborhoods to explore. Old Town, Little Italy (which is near downtown.) Have fun exploring...

Hard to advise you without knowing your budget and interests.

I agree you need a car and unless you are set on the downtown/gaslamp area where parking is a premium, I wouldn't stay in that area. Coronado would be lovely; the Hotel Del always decorates a big tree and is very festive that time of year. Their rooms are small, but its a beautiful and historic hotel.But there are lots of other areas that might interest you as well.

I would fly to Las Vegas.

Wonderful info, and I appreciate all your help.
pachet