Hi all,
Planning a trip to San Diego for the first week of July (2 adults). I've narrowed down hotel choices to the Island Palms on Shelter Island, Hampton Inn Downtown and Best Western in Old Town. In terms of sightseeing, is it better to be downtown or in Old Town (is San Diego a 'walkable' city>) or does one need a car? Of these hotels, which would be convenient?> (I know none of them are 'deluxe', so any comments on quality would be appreciated too!). Our plans include a day at Balboa Park, enjoying the city, a day trip to La Jolla, Sea World, etc.

Thanks for any advice.

Well....Old Town is a much bigger and loosley defined geographical area than most mean.. look up how close the Trolley is to the Best Western otherwiae I just don't recommend staying in Old Town. Some parts sleazy and unsafe, some are noiser next to freeway/airport some are just not close to any restaurants.

Unless you have a car the Trolley is the best way to get to downtown/bus stations that can get you around to other locations unless hotel offers shuttle to Seaworld. San Diego is prety much a car town.

If you can possible afford the Embassy Suites downtown it is the best location...to walkable SEaport village and the Waterfront, Gaslamp. Parking downtown is expensive with a rental car tho. (add 25.00 a day.)

Island Palms is a nice location on Shelter Island but not walkable to anywhere..it does have a nice safe parklike green area where you can see the bay right across the street and the views of downtown on the water at sunset are great. Since it is on an Island it has a nice open California feel.Parking is free on the street and it is generally a nice quiet place to come back too.
Humphreys By the Bay (2 hotels down from the Island PAlms has Outdoor concerts ...kind a quintensentsial (sp) California experience. Great Sunday Brunch too...

We stayed at the Best Western in Old town several years ago. From what I have read on this forum Old town is not what it use to be. It has great access to major highways and the BW was just o.k. We had a car and could scoot around anywhere quickly. I would think the trolley is still there but it is $25.00 a day. You can get on and off as many times as you like. If you are staying for a week I would highly suggest a car. S.D is not easy to get a round without a car. It depends on how long you are staying. If you are set against a car rental then by all means stay downtown where you might have better transit opportunities. I think personally you should try to rent a car. You won't get to La Jolla or sea world easily. You would spend as much utilizing the trolley on a daily basis. The Palms in pretty but on Shelter Island with no transportation available.

I think you need a car for San Diego - but we found it a very driveable city.

Stayed at Island Palms Shelter Island 3 years ago - great experience. Had 2 room suite, full kitchen, deck overlooking marina. Everything worked, pool was beautiful. Since Shelter Island is a narrow spit of land (not really an island - man-made narrow peninsula) we had views of both sides of "island" - other had constant parade of Navy ships.

We enjoyed the tranquil location after day of touring. Never felt it was too out of the way.

Thanks for the tips. We will have a car during our stay; I was just wondering if we were staying downtown, if we would need it to get around in the general area(in order words, can one walk from seaport village to gaslamp area to Balboa Park or do you need a car even in the city?)

Based on your recs, I think we will stay at the Island Palms (maybe check out Humphreys). It is over July 4th (both places have availability). I like the idea of a quiet place to come back to.

We will be leaving the area for a few days and returning for an early a.m. flight - is there a cheap, clean hotel close to the airport? (our flight is at 7 a.m.) I know that Island Palms is closeby, but don't want to spend too much just for our last night.

Lastly, any great restaurant recs?
Thanks so much for all your help!

Shelter Island is a great location for 4th of July. My friends from Arizona come over for the summer and have stayed a few times on Shelter Island (can't remember which hotel right now). There are many fireworks shows in San Diego with the biggest one being in the bay. We just crossed the street, sat on the rocks by the bay and saw the best fireworks show I have ever seen. The year before, they stayed at a downtown San Diego hotel and we went up on the roof to see the fireworks but being on Shelter Island was much better.

As far as transportation, if you stay downtown you can walk to the gaslamp district and to Seaport village. Everything else is a drive plus you have to deal with downtown traffic and one way streets getting in and out. Since you have to drive, I would go for Shelter Island especially for the July 4th holiday.