Hello Fodorites!

My husband and I WERE planning a trip to the Caribbean with our 2 yr. old daughter for next March. (Those of you who read the Caribbean forum provided lots of helpful advice). However, we now have to do some expensive, but necessary, home repairs that will eat up most of our travel budget. So, we're considering something less expensive and San Diego seems to be it!

Long story, short (too late)-- we want a hotel in La Jolla or somewhere else near the beach. We want something family friendly, but not terribly cheesey. A pool is important; a balcony would really be a bonus!

Any suggestions? I've consulted tripadvisor, but there are just so many hotels to choose from...

Thank you!

Forgot to add: based on prices from Expedia, we're looking for something in the 3 to 4 star range.

siena1

Hello, I'll get you started with a couple of suggestions that you can check out at www.tripadivsor.com

The Ocean Park Inn perhaps would work for you. We paid extra to ensure one of the rooms on an upper floor with balcony - so worth it. www.oceanparkinn.com Hotel has parking underground and serves breakfast.

Just down the boardwalk but more $'s is The Pacific Terrace Hotel which looks very nice and gets high marks is another option you may want to consider www.pacificterrance.com

Have a look on www.sandiego.org for visitor information and offers.

Sandy

siena1

Sorry the link to The Pacific Terrace Hotel is not working - try htpp://pacificterrace.com

Sandy

For La Jolla hotels you will pay a lot more to be on or near the beach.

I think SandyBrit's suggestions are for hotels in Pacific Beach which is one beach town south of La Jolla and a good choice if you have a toddler. La Jolla's beaches are then a 5 minute drive north.

I would also look into Coronado which is very family friendly, and has less traffic, and the best beach in Calif (IMHO)

siena1-I would look at Coronado also. As nanbee said, very good beaches there. La Jolla doesn't have alot of sandy beaches unless you are in the La Jolla Shores area. You could check out La Jolla Shores Hotel.

You said you are coming next March. I want to point out that San Diego is not warm in March like it would be in the Carribean. I don't think you'd be doing any pool swimming and the ocean will be very cold. The average high temperature for La Jolla in March is only 66 degrees and March is also one of the rainy months (if we get rain that year). Yes we can have a heat spell but you never really know that ahead of time.

I think in March in San Diego you could do things like the Zoo, Sea World and Legoland but I don't see you spending much time at the beach.

Thank you so much for all of the great info! This is a huge help.

As for temp, I know that it might be a little chilly. I'm hoping to possibly find a heated pool (don't know if this is possible.) As for the beach, I mainly just want my daughter to see the ocean, go running in the sand, build a sand castle, etc. Not the same as a warm tropical setting, but better than the Midwest in March!

We're thinking of doing the following: zoo, Sea World, Balboa Park, maybe find an interesting neighborhood to walk around, check out the beach, etc. I'd like to visit the contemporary art museum, but that will depend on my daughter's mood...not sure if she'll be too keen on that.

Thoughts?

Thanks again!

SandyBrit, Ocean Park Inn looks promising.

I like the suggestion for spending time in Coronado, the stretch of beach there is very pretty. I hope you get to SeaWorld, it's a really fun place to spend time in while in San Diego. Have fun! ***kim***

You said a 3 to 4 star range but don't know what actual price range you are looking for. I would look at Glorietta Bay Inn in Coronado. Right across the street for the Hotel Del and walking distance to shops and restaurants. I think they have a heated pool They have a Junior Suite with a kitchenette and a sofa bed for around $260 a night. Don't know exactly what days in March you are looking at. Depending on Spring Break time, prices could go up a little but San Diego is not a big Spring Break destination because of the chilly weather. www.gloriettabayinn.com

Are you going to have a car? You would definitely need one if you stay in La Jolla and I would suggest one no matter where you stay.

We were in San Diego in May. We stayed at the Homewood Suites Del Mar-it is a little out of town, but right near the Torrey Pines Beach.
The hotel has a very nice pool and the hotel is child friendly. They have a nice breakfast and evening drinks and snacks(is enough for a light dinner) included in the price.

Although I like Coronado more than Pacific Beach, my aunt and uncle have stayed many times at Ocean Park Inn and have really liked it. It seems you can even get a suite type room with an oceanview for a very good price in March. Just make sure to get a room away from the fire station and the bar. An oceanview room on the 3rd floor would be perfect.

There are some homeless who hang out in Pacific Beach but I have mostly seem them in summer. Don't know about the cooler months. They don't bother anybody so they were never a problem for my aunt and uncle.

To answer a few questions:

Yes, we're planning on renting a car.

In terms of price, we're looking at about $150 per night.

Paula--thanks for the info about the fire station, etc. near Ocean Park Inn. Good to know.

Will look into Glorietta Bay, but might be too expensive. I can always see if I can find a deal on Expedia.

The Homewood Suites--Del Mar suggestion is looking good. Great reviews on tripadvisor. Found a good price on Expedia.

Glorietta looks lovely, but is too expensive. Maybe next time.

Continuing to look...

Homewood Suites, Liberty Station. Not particularly close to the beach, but very central. It's lovely - very clean and new. When we first arrived there (in June) I was wondering if we'd done the right thing and might've been better choosing a hotel on Pacific Beach or similar. However, it turned out to be perfect.

siena1-Yes the Homewood Suites might be a good fit for you because of your daughter. Glad to see your price range because really in San Diego a 3 to 4 star hotel goes for more than $150. In the summer a lot more but for March you can usually get some deals.

The one thing about the Homewood Suites Del Mar is that it really is in a business park area that shuts down at night. So you will have to drive to everything. Sounds like that's not a problem as you will have a car. You will also be dealing with traffic in and out of San Diego as you go to the Zoo, Seaworld etc. I am not trying to talk you out of it, just giving some perspective.

Maybe you should look at the Homewood Suites Liberty Station as suggested by wildblueyonder. It's right downtown San Diego and much closer. It is probably a little more expensive but might be worth the few extra dollars considering the time and gas money you will save. Also I think there places to eat around Liberty Station that you just walk to.

Here is a link to info about Liberty Station.

www.libertystation.com/index.html

Looks like a good location for your family.

a word of encouragement...i've had family down in march and we've spent days at the beach. if you ware wanting to stay in the water for long, you'll want a wet suit. but, for playing in the sand and sticking your toes in the water, between 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and be very nice.
if you have a heated pool, it can be lovely to hang around in march.

How about the Bay Club on Shelter Island? I got it right thru work for $130 per night (corporate rates). It has a pool, great view and is across from a park on the water. Not a beach but its not far from any of the beaches and is an easy drive to downtown / airport.

I would look at Best Western Suites in Coronado, Humphreys Half Moon Bay, and anything on Harbor Island.