Traveling to San Diego in early August with my wife and 17 y.o. twins (boy & girl). Do not know the area well, but would like to find some reasonably upscale lodging , that is family friendly-- preferably beach or ocean-oriented. A suite or suitable adjoining rooms would be great. We are open to La Jolla, Coronado, or other desireable destination in the area. Your thoughts and experiences would be really helpful --

PS -- Looked at the Hotel del Coronado, but it is fairly booked up except for very priciest suites, and i don't need to hit that level of luxury!

Thanks for your feedback

I live in the area so never book hotels here but Look at tripadvisor.com or yelp.com they get much more traffic and more reliable reviews than here.

My daughter and I were just in San Diego last Thursday & Friday. We stayed the the Blue Sea Lodge and loved the location. Your kids will love the area.

http://www.bestwestern-bluesea.com/

Also check Blue Sea's parent company site:

www.pacificahotels.com

look at the valencia hotel or hotel parisi in la jolla village...they are boutique hotels in great locations...

another thought would be for you guys to rent a 2-br house in la jolla shores, my favorite beach area in the region. it's walking distance to the beach and there are some cool little shops and restaurants in the neighborhood.

Check Humphrey's on Shelter Island. Nice rooms. It also has a concert hall (check their schedule). Its right on the water and very close to all the tourist sites. You could also check out some of the Gaslamp hotels but they aren't right on the water.

With four of you, I'm going to suggest a 3 bedroom condo. We've stayed here a couple times. It's in Encinitas, which is a little north of San Diego. Cute town, fantastic beach.

http://lodging4vacations.com/moonlight-beach-condo/

I book marked that Cristy. We live in OC but have rented a house in Newport Beach a few times. I am from San Diego and that is a sweet condo and a good deal for 4 bedrooms.

I would NOT have my 17 year olds hang out in Pacific Beach for no amount of $$..sketch, homeless and lots of college age kids partying..bayfront is quieter and better..maybe Paradise Point in Mission Bay.
LJ, I would stay at the Grande Colonial hotel in the village of LJ.
Hotel La Jolla or Estancia resort and spa.
Close to LJ shores but reasonable, since August is triple in price.
Love La Valencia hotel but rooms can be small.
Hotel LJ Shores is a solid 3* resort oceanfront and one of the best beaches in SD.
With the Del Mar Racetrack and the busiest time of year, you better move on it quick and be prepared to spend some $$$.
Try expedia.com
Loew's in Coronado had some great deals.

I would NOT have my 17 year olds hang out in Pacific Beach for no amount of $$..sketch, homeless and lots of college age kids partying..
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ksucat is right. With teenagers avoid staying at PB. It is probably in your best interest that Hotel Del Coronado is booked up. It was WILD there over the 4th of July weekend. Big summer destination for international tourism. Our friends with their children enjoy staying at Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa along Mission Bay. It's close to Sea World. And IMO, Encinitas is too far north. The farthest north I'd go is La Jolla. Loew's on Coronado Island feels really removed to me also.

Oh I should agree with socal - Encinitas is too far north for this poster. I would like to stay there though.

AVOID PB might be the best advice you have received thus far.

I have stayed at the Paradise Point and can see a family really enjoying their stay there. I also agree that Loews is just too far removed. I have enjoyed the Marriott on Coronado which use to be a Le Meridian I believe - the rooms are larger than the average marriott due to that - and it is slightly nicer - but the spa, unless recently redone, leaves much to be desired.

http://socalvacationrentals.com/

I've had good luck renting houses from this group - they have some nice homes and cottages in la jolla shores and the village as well.

Ahhh!! You guys make me feel like a bad mother for staying at PB last week. Yes it was a bit wild, but there were still plenty of families at the beach and hotel. I wouldn't let my teen go by herself and she didn't want to. We left on Sat. morning, just as the wild weekend was gearing up. Nights were alot quieter than I expected since beach drinking is banned and everything is tightly patrolled.

Next time we are down that way I will know better and check here!!

Michelle...don't fret - I *lived in PB part of the time as a teen...and I am here to talk about it ;-)

everything is tightly patrolled.
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Boy was it. San Diego PD was in full force over the weekend. You definitely felt safe.