San Diego first-timer
 

I've never been to San Diego and we'd like to spend a day or two there around the beginning of May. We'll be driving in from Vegas on a Friday, and then leaving sometime Sunday on a flight to New York.

-What are some moderately-priced hotels?
-How close is SD to the beaches?
-Any other recommendations?

It's just me and hubby, both in our 30s.

Thanks all!

Hi NYgirl!

We just got back from SD and I'm no expert but San Diego is right on the beach. The coastline at La Jolla is gorgeous and it's worth driving out to Point Loma for great views of the city and a quick look at the Cabrillo National Monument.

We stayed at the Marriott in the Gaslamp district (close to all the restaurants and shops). I recommend this hotel but we stayed using points and I'm not sure what their rates are like. Old Town is also interesting and a good place for Mexican food.

We also liked The Royal Thai (spicy!) :0
in the Gas Lamp district.

Enjoy San Diego it's beautiful!

San Diego is a great place. I've been their twice and will probably be going back again this Spring.

San Diego is definitely right on the beach. The downtown area borders the harbor - there are lots of choices here. The Gaslamp District has a lot of restaurants and bars, so for nightlife, staying in downtown would be good. Coronado Island is across the harbor from downtown and has some nice beaches on the ocean side. It is a more expensive area, but I got a good deal on a hotel through Priceline on our last trip. Northwest of downtown is the Mission Beach and Mission Bay area. Mission Beach is a fun, funky area - same with Ocean Beach with some reasonably priced lodging. La Jolla is a bit farther north, but still in San Diego. It's more expensive.

There is a corridor along Hwy 8 called Hotel Circle. It's right off the freeway and pretty uninspired, but the lodging rates are very reasonable and it's right off the freeway, so if you have a car it's pretty convinient to get places. Not bad if all you want is a place to hang your hat.

Old Town has some reasonably priced lodging as well.

If Priceline works for you, which is might since you are only 2 people, you might consider it for getting a nice hotel for a budget hotel price.

I stayed in Old Town and just loved that area. With a car, all above is easily accessible. I did Priceline, as well- but for Old Town alone. The hotel circle described above is not that far away, but not a fraction of the same atmosphere. We truly enjoyed walking through Old Town in the evenings and pubs, cafes etc. there. The hotels were much more reasonably priced, rack rate or any online hotel vendor, in Old Town than at the beach, of course. Coronado area on Priceline might get you a good price also.

hotel circle has your most inexpensive hotels/motels but a freeway is right there so nothing nice to look at.
for great location in the pacific beach area, i'd recommend checking into the surfer motor lodge (great location, stayed there years ago and i think it's newly renovated), pacific terrace inn, catamaran, ocean park inn.
old town is a very good central location

I think Mission Beach/Ocean Beach is great- we stayed at the Best Western Blue Seas Lodge- right on the beach- you can hear the waves all night long- lots of fun activity-
I always stay in Carlbad now- daughter lives there - but think its a cute place/Carlsbad State Park is great beach/
and there are some reasonably priced hotels there - Inns of America- and only 2 blocks to walk to beach.

You asked about the beach - it likely be too cold to swim in early May. Being geography challenged, I assumed since San Diego was in Southern California, it was always hot there. Not so. But the beaches are beautiful - don't know if you want to walk, listen to ocean or actually swim, though.

www.surferbeachhotel.com

www.shelterpointe. com

Clarkgriswald, where did this hotel come from? It is the building that houses World Famous? Did this used to be apartments? The Capri I am thinking or some other place.

This hotel looks pretty cool...

In March last year we stayed in the Hacienda Suites in Old Town for 5 days. Old town is a great place to walk around. Casa Bandini's is a fun place. Great Maragaritas as well. It is close to major attractions. If you want to stay closer to the beach, then Pacific Beach would be fine. There is Pacific Terrace right on the beach which generally gets good reviews.

I visited San Diego for the first time last September and the highlight of my trip was a half-day sailboat trip. Classic Sailing Adventures was the name of the company... it cost me about $65. Worth every penny and it's the first place I'll go back to when I visit San Diego again.

I also got a good deal for a hotel in Old Town on Priceline. Got the Marriott for $50 a night... could have probably gotten it for less but was actually trying to win a bid in the shelter island area. But I was VERY happy with staying in Old Town.

We went hiking at Torrey Pines - and then spent the rest of the day at the beach- some nice trails at Torrey Pines

Used to go to Florida for brain break but, airfare is the same price to Fla and Cal so we've going to Cal. Do the Priceline thing. I usually go to www.biddingfortravel.com and get the general drift of how much to bid and where. The last two times I bid $85 for the San Diego downtown district and got place at the Hilton in the Gaslamp area. Also placed a $110 for Coronado and got the Mariott. Once you get the hang of ...biddingfor... you usually can predict where and how much.

Go to www.sandiego.org and you will a lot of information on San Diego.

Sandy

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