San Diego for 3 days
 

I'm planing to go to San Diego area on late May. 4 adults and 2 kids(3,5) looking for a 2 br suite. Many posts recommanded the residence inn in mission valley, but they sold out, and the one in downtown seems not so impressive by many posters. Any other recommandation?
Sea world will be a must, Zoo has been ruled out(too many times) and looking at the Legoland. Any suggestion?
Thanks!!

I bet your kids would enjoy looking at some tide pools. There are some good ones out at Point Loma and I hear the tide pools at La Jolla are good too.

Embassy Suites in Downtown and La Jolla will be an excellent choice. Legoland is perfect for the age of your children, if they were older I would definitely say skip Legoland. The beach in La Jolla shores is perfect for families. It is my favorite beach in the San Diego with incredible views of the area. La Jolla has many options for dinner with a vary lively downtown area on Prospect. Have fun.

Thanks for the heads up. I actually tried the embassy suites, but they both sold out. I'll keep calling them up see if I can get a two br suite...
I guess the number of 2br suite just so limited.

Why on earth people would suggest to stay in Mission Valley is beyond me...I live here and Mission Valley is just a chain of chain restaurants and car dealerships! I would check out the Embassy Suites in UTC/La Jolla, or the Hyatt there, its abit more of a drive to everything (about 10 more minutes), but much better than Mission Valley...I vote for downtown as well too!

You're lucky the downtown Embassy Suites was sold out; unless it's been completely renovated in the last 3 years, it was a dump!
LaJolla Embassy is much, much nicer!

Mission Valley's not a bad place to stay, not perhaps the most scenic but also not the most expensive. In fact, hundreds of people stay there every year. There are way more hotels than auto dealerships. Unless you're looking for them you won't even notice the auto dealerships.

Several of the hotels in Mission Valley get quite good reviews. Just because they're not 4 star doesn't mean they're bad.

Having a variety of resaurants close by is considered a good thing by many travellers.

The freeway which runs through the middle of the valley helps ensure quick, easy access to most of the locations that most tourists are interested in visiting.

mightitrip, I'm sorry you're having difficulty finding the accommodation you need. I hope you find something that will suit your needs.

Why was the Zoo ruled out?

There's a residence Inn in La Jolla too. The rooms aren't plush by any stretch of the imagination but they're clean, 2 bedrooms with a kitchen and free breakfast in the morning, pool, parking, etc. I think the 2nd room is a loft upstairs with it's own bathroom and a tv/vcr on each level. It's been awhile since I've visited people staying there...

There's a Homewood Suites scheduled to open in Del Mar on May 26th. They usually have 2 br suites. How late in May are you going? Homewood is my favorite choice in suite hotels.

Thanks!
To Barbara: Both parents been to SD zoo twice and we don't think the zoo would make any difference to the smaller kids, so...
The residence inn in La Jolla has vacant, but the review seems not so impressive from other posters, I guess I'll try that one if I cannot find any others. And I'll definite give that Homewood suite a try! Any other 2br suite recommandation? Thanks!!

Have you tried the Hampton Inn in Del Mar? It is half way between Seaworld & Legoland. Or you can try 2 connected rooms @ Holiday Inn.

K.

I agree with Kayla and Del Mar area. If all is sold out, what about one of the chains at Carmel Valley near Del Mar Heights? It is centrally located although in a business area.

My kids and my husband and I love Legoland! The mellow pace is soo nice! No pushing and huge lines. Sea world handles crowds well.

The families might enjoy Coronado Island if down that far.

I disagree that Carmel Valley is centrally located. If the only place you can find is there, then it is a nice area, but not central. You would have a relatively long drive to anywhere other than Legoland, the beach at Torrey Pines and Del Mar.

Homewood suite sold out as well, even they have not yet open!
How do you guys feel about the La Jolla area? I tend to live closer to downtown SD, maybe we have time at the evening and we can go there for some kids friendly places or restaurant.
Thanks!!

The La Jolla area, both the village and the not-really-La Jolla part east of I-5 would be great for you. Plenty of restaurants to choose from and closer to downtown, and Coronado and wherever else you'd want to go. East of I-5 is more a business and University of California area but it's quite upscale.

I would think twice about staying in La Jolla Village; getting in & out is a hassel. UTC would be easy to get around since it is nearby both 5 & 805.

The reason, I suggested the Hampton Inn in Delmar because it is right by the freeway 5 and have suites; easy to get around. Some time the long route takes less time since it is freeway drive. :>) There may be hiccups if one travels north of jucntion 5 & 805 betw peak hrs on weekdays, though. Not sure if mig

I agree that both La Jolla & the upper part has many restaurants & shops; however, getting in & out of the village is a hassel. UTC would be a better choice since it is easy to get around (nearby both 5 & 805). As mightitrip wrote Embassy Ste (in UTC area) is not availle.

The reason I suggested the Hampton Inn in Delmar because it is right by the freeway 5 and have suites; easy to get around. Some time the long route takes less time since it is freeway drive. :>) There may be hiccups if one travels north of jucntion 5 & 805 betw peak hrs on weekdays, though. Not sure if mightitrip would be in SD during the weekend.

My 2 cents.

K.

The residence inn la jolla isn't in the village - it's about ½ a mile off the 5 one exit before nobel (if you're headed north)- one stop light, straight shot down whatever the street is. Or you could even take nobel west, go past the mall with the theater and trader joes, hang a left right right - very residential area and easy access to freeway without being right on it (like in UTC)

mightitrip

The Ocean Park Inn www.oceanparkinn.com may work for you. Location is on the ocean and a lively area. I have stayed here and would do so again. See reviews on www.tripadvisor.com

The Inn at Sunset Cliffs located on the cliffs across from the ocean, Point Loma is another possibility www.innatsunsetcliffs.com
I have stayed here and would do so again. Again reviews on www.tripadvisor.com

Another good site to look for a hotel is on www.sandiego.org which is the official San Diego tourist information site.

I note you said four (4) adults and two (2) children. Are you locked in to the 2 bedroom suite?

Good luck and enjoy beautiful San Diego.

Sandy

Thanks so much for the keep coming suggestion!
Hampton Inn in Del Mar, OceanPark and the Sunset Cliffs are all out of 2br suite... I think 2br suite is just good for two families, so we pretty much stick with it.
Now it seems to me that I don't have too much choice, the only thing available so far is the Residence Inn, one in La Jolla($229/nite), the other in SD downtown($256/nite). Which one would you pick?
BTW, what exactly is UTC? I know it must be something to do with La Jolla area. Thanks!!