Hello All -

I am starting to plan a long weekend girls trip in San Diego. We are all in our early 30s. Our visit will entail sight seeing, eating, drinking and some tourist shopping. We are trying to determine which area of town to stay. People have suggested that we stay in La Jolla, Coronado or downtown. Any comments on these areas would greatly be appreciated. Would like to pay < 200/night for a hotel.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

All 3 locations are good. Since you are 3 single girls, I would opt for downtown the gas light district. You don't mention if you will have a car, but if you do not downtown would be best. There is Horton Plaza for shopping, Seaport Village and many restaurants. There is a trolley, to take you to the zoo if you want to go there. It is a fabulous zoo like no other so try and get there. There is a short harbor cruise, close by. Westgate Plaza is a nice hotel also. I would visit La Jolla if possible. It is a nice town, with nice shops and restaurants. A nice day trip outside of that there isn't much to do there. You don't mention also the time of year. If it is summer maybe you would want to reconsider staying in La Jolla since it is on the beach. I am assuming it was going to be fairly soon.Also visit Old Town for shops and history. Must have a Margarita in Old Town. Whatever you stay-- have fun.

Thank you xxx for your comments.

We are probably going in Jan or Feb. We all just want to get away for a short time, and none of us have been to San Diego. We will rent a car.

In that case I will stick with my original thoughts. La Jolla is more upscale but not over conveniently located to attractions. The most you could do is walk the beach. Downtown will not put you close to a beach. Coronado is a lovely Island but you have to come across the ferry to go anywhere. The truth is if I were going there for a visit, and needed to stay in a hotel even I would have a difficult time trying to decide. I like all 3 areas but for a girls long weekend, I would pick downtown or La Jolla. Lets see what other say!

For a girl's getaway vacation? No doubt - stay downtown. Lots to do, you will have the car for anything that might be a distance, and will be much more appealing to you. In Jan/Feb can't really do the beach anyway, so what's point of staying elsewhere?

I don't think you'll go wrong with downtown. Have a great time!

Um, I'm not sure the last time xxx was in town but there's been a bridge connecting Coronado to San Diego for many years. Takes about 10 minutes to get downtown. That said, I'd pick downtown if you want to have lots of activities and a big mall, La Jolla or Coronado to be pampered spa like and do little boutiquey type shopping.

I would NOT stay downtown if you are going to rent a car,you'll see what a waste that would be because riding the trolley is safe,easy and cheap.I would decide which area you would want to spend more time at-La Jolla or Gaslamp and then choose a hotel in that area.There's so much in SD to see-do,a car is really on needed if you plan on going to SD wild animal park,some beaches,horse track in Del-mar,ect.

Another thought on having a car downtown. Plan to spend $8.00 or more pem night for on site parking at the hotels.

I agree that dowtown would be the best bet. If you rent a car you will have to pay for parking at your hotel, but between all of you it won't break the bank! When you're planning when to come, don't forget that the Superbowl is in San Diego this year.

Thanks for all of your replies; I can now narrow down my hotel search. Sounds like gaslight district/downtown will work just fine for us.

Thanks Barbara for the heads up on the Superbowl. Since the Cowboys started sucking so bad, I don't pay much attention to pro football anymore.

Alice I was born and raised in San Diego. You are so correct I do know the bridge. What is the name of the bridge? It is a toll bridge isn't it? I have been home for many visits. I just don't go to Coronado often.

It's the Coronado Brideg (actually think it has a highway designation as well but I couldn't tell you what they numbered it). Used to cost $1 to cross into Coronado, they did away with that in June, now free both ways. They also still ahve the ferry but it only takes tourists over now, they got rid of the car ones.

I Vote for DOWNTOWN. There is a Westin adjacent to Horton Plaza. Plus downtown is convienent, with lots of choices for entertainment and restaurants. The trolley is great to get out to Fashion Valley (Great shopping) and you can keep the car for the drive up to La Jolla and a drive through Balboa Park. For the scenic route to La Jolla, take Mission blvd all the way up. Beach drive the whole way.

One of my favorite things to do is go over to Shelter Island and just enjoy the view of downtown, or you can get the same view from Coronado (different angle) and it's more upscale. If you drive to Shelter Island, head all the way out to Cabrillo National Park. It's a great place to view the entire area. From there is wouldn't be hard to pick up a route to head up to LaJolla via Mission Blvd. Would make for a great way to spend a sunny day.

Have a good time.