Hello. I am planning a trip to San Diego this July for my family of 4 (wife and 2 daughters 11 and 8). I'm looking for a reasonably priced hotel, preferably a suite hotel with 2 bedrooms or a bedroom/living room with a pullout. I'd also consider a condo. We will have a car, so location isn't as important as price. Some activities we'd be looking at are the beach, zoo, Balboa Park, etc. (typically touristy things). Does anyone have any suggestions?

For a suite hotel, there is an Embassy Suites in the La Jolla UTC area. It is a corporate environment with a nearby mall (UTC), but it is safe and pretty easily accessible from everywhere around the area through the nearby Freeway.

Downtown is about a 15 min. drive away, La Jolla's beautiful Cove area with lots of upscale shops, nice restaurants and unbeatable views is just a short away by car, too. The beach at Del Mar, which I like a lot, is also pretty close.

I have not stayed at this hotel, so I cannot comment on its quality. I only stayed "across the street" at the Marriott and the nearby Hyatt at Aventine.

If you're not set on a suite hotel, I have repeatedly been able to secure very reasonable rates at the Doubletree Hotel Del Mar (a bit further North from UTC, also in a corporate environment, but basically adjacent to the Freeway. The hotel doesn't have a noise issue inside, only at their otherwise pretty pool. Parking is free and it's a nice enough property if you can secure a rate at not more than US$ 140.00 IMHO).

Another option might be the Del Mar Hilton. It is located pretty much adjacent to the Race Track and it's just a 2 min. drive from the beach. My last visit dates back a while and back then I wasn't satisfied with the state of my room (which on a visit even before this had been immaculate). However, I hear that they recently underwent extensive renovations and the property did look fine when I stopped by there last fall just to pick something up.

There is also a suite hotel in downtown, Sheraton Suites, I believe. No experience with that.

However, my preferred areas would be either La Jolla/ Del Mar, Downtown or Coronado. I am not a big fan of the centrally located Hotel Circle, which consists mostly of chain hotels and malls. San Diego is easy to navigate and unless you hit the I-5 during rush hour, driving times are very reasonable. Thus, I believe with the areas indicated above you would not go wrong.
This said, I believe many families with children and the intention to visit Sea World also like to stay in the Mission Beach area. I am not much of an expert there - the only advice I have is to stay away from the Hyatt Islandia, which is a dreadful place at the Hyatt prices.

there is also an embassy suites downtown that a lot of families like. you could also look at capri by the sea in pacific beach or the bahia.

dfr1966

If you have not done so go to www.sandiego.org and request a San Deigo Visitors Planning Guide. Tons of information at this convention and visitors bureau site including money off coupons and special offers on hotels.

The Ocean Park Inn is located on the beach at 710 Grand Avenue - www.oceanparkinn.com The minirefrigerators, microwave and continental breakfast are included. Grocery store, coffee shop, eating places all in walking distance. I think your girls would like this area.

Inn at Sunset Cliffs, 1370 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. is located on the cliffs of the Pacific www.innatsunsetcliffs.com Some of the units have kitchens and they have 2 bedroom units as well as the fold out sofa. Complimentary breakfast served on weekends on their patio in front of the Pacific, coffee other days. Free parking is included here and that saves quite a bit.

I have stayed at both of these hotels and would do so again. I found with the Inn at Sunset Cliffs that I got a much cheaper rate by calling them or you can e-mail.

See reviews on both of these hotels and others at www.tripadvisor.com

Good luck and enjoy beautiful San Diego. I can't wait to go back.

Sandy

ocean park inn gets good reviews and is in a good location to enjoy the beach and boardwalk.

We like the Bahia. Prices in July may be too much but call property directly.

When we go to San Diego we stay for a week and rent a condo from Dave Stubbs Realty (put it in a search engine and the site will come up). Their condos are in Solana Beach right by Del Mar for the most part, which is a half hour outside San Diego. But if you're also going to be visiting Legoland and want to be near the water, they're good and much nicer than a hotel.

MOst of the condos in Mission Beach are Saturday to Saturday rentals. If you are planning to be away for that long, I would check this route. You have lots of room and a kitchen and is cheaper overall per day, than a hotel.