San Diego in mid - September
 

My girlfriend and I are looking to go to San Diego in mid-Sept. We are flying into Vegas, staying there for 2 nights and then renting a car and driving to San Diego, planning on staying in the area fro 3-4 days and then driving back to Vegas for a night and flying home.
We are both in our early 30's and are pretty active.

I have no idea for an itinerary for San Diego, but here goes:
Day 1 - Check into Hotel, Relax by Pool or Beach, have a nice dinner
Day 2 - Go to the San Diego Zoo
Day 3 - Either go to the Wild Animal Park or take a trip La Jolla
Day 4 - Any ideas.

What I'm looking for are suggestions and for a place that is centrally located to stay, what part of San diego would you recommend?? I wouldn't mind staying on or "close (walking distance)" to the ocean. We are looking at spending about $100-$150/night and I have AAA if necessary.

I'm not familiar with the area, so if anyone has any suggestions on things to do and places to see and stay, that would be great. I'm pretty open-minded, as we only have two things in mind that we want to check out - the zoo and the beach.

Also, I don't have to stay in a really classy place, but something that is clean and convenient is key!!

Thanks for any of you recommendations!!!

mainetoday

You may like the Ocean Park Inn, 710 Grand Avenue located on the beach. Look at www.oceanparkinn.com. We enjoyed our stay at this hotel in 2003 but I do think you have to spent the extra $'s to be sure of getting a second or third floor room with balcony facing the ocean. There have been some mixed reviews on www.tripadvisor.com as of late. This is probably the area that you and your girlfriend would enjoy

You may also want to take a look at Inn at Sunset Cliffs, 1370 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. www.innatsunsetcliffs.com You can also see reviews at www.tripadvisor.com There smaller rooms located by their pool are probably within your budget. We recently stayed here in one of their one bedroom suites. Very nic hotel and will return.

I do hope you will post back as to what you decide. Good luck and enjoy beautiful San Diego.

Sandy

Hey Sandi, thx for your advice so far, well I checked out the Inn at Sunset Cliffs and they get great reviews on tripadvisor.com. This looks like a cool place. i called them up and they said a rate of $125/night for the poolside Queen or $175 for the kitchenette king. Do you think it's worth the extra $$$ for the one bedroom suite?? So far this place is tops on my list...

Unfortunately the Ocean Park Inn looked good thru the website, but got some really bad posts on tripadvisor.com, so I'm a little sketched out about the location, neighborhood, etc.

I'm will keep searching and if you have any other recommendations, please let me know.

Also, do you have an recommendations on places to eat?? Have you been to the zoo's at all, what are your thoughts on them??

Thx again...

We go to the San Diego area often. We love the LaJolla area, for its small European village feel, wonderful restaurants, and close proximity to the ocean. We love Sea Lodge, which is right on the beach. It that's too pricey, we have stayed many times @ the Best Western Inn by the Sea. It doesn't get great reviews, but we are very picky and we've always liked this motel when on a budget. It is within walking distance to the ocean, right in the village, so walking distance to many restaurants and shopping, which is a plus because of the parking problem! We have found it to be quite easy to access the freeway from LaJolla which doesn't take long to get anywhere.
We have also stayed at the Catamaran Resort down in the Pacific Beach area of San Diego. Very close to the ocean, the resort was nice,but we don't care for the area, kinda seedy with alot of transients on the beach area. People selling drugs right on Pacific Beach. Another area you might want to consider is the Marriott or Hyatt near SeaPort Village. It is right on the bay, not to be confused with the beautiful areas of ocean just a little north.
As for things to do; SeaWorld is always a must for us, we actually enjoy that more than the Zoo. The Zoo is great too. The Wild Animal Park is okay, but quite inland, and alot hotter. All the animal have always been sleeping on the two times we went. I would opt for the Zoo instead. Definitely a day trip to LaJolla if you don't stay there. There is a wonderful breakfast place in LaJolla called Brockton Villa. Perched right on a cliff next to the ocean with beautiful views and wonderful french toast! Let me know what area you stay, and I can give you suggestions on more restaurants! Also, allow some time for SeaPort Village if you like shopping. They have unique shops and wonderful restaurants. We also do a daytrip to Coronado Island and do lunch at the Famous Hotel Del. Great beachcombing on Coronado Island especially in the early morning. If you want more information on specifics, you can email me @ [email protected] Have Fun!

16 of us stayed in San Diego in December. I agree about Sea World, and the Zoo. Skip the Wildlife... Pacific Beach is iffy. It is where we stayed. The beach was nice but nighttime was a bit tougher. There is a great restaurant there though called World Famous that is directly on the beach. We liked that. I would stay in LaJolla if I ever returned. We stayed across from the Catamaran and would choose another area.
Lots of roller blading, running on the strip. Surfers galore.
Have a great time.

You might think about getting your room off of Priceline. If there is just two of you, you can get a pretty good hotel for a great price. It is a throw of the dice, b/c you would need to bid the Coastline area, but if you check Biddingfortravel.com you can see where the awards are going these days and for what. By Sept, the crowds have left and SD is much easier to get around, IMO.

La Jolla is a great suggestion for two ladies. Great, safe place to walk around in, nice shops, great restaurants.

The zoo is a must, early in the morning. Take good walking shoes, it is also a wonderful place to get in a hearty two/three mile walk, with hills.

If you don't want to gamble on PL, try hotels.com, they have good prices on hotels and you can "choose" where and who you want to stay with. There are many good choices in SD.

mainetoday

Mission Bay/Mission Beach/Pacific Beach seems to be very popular with the younger crowd. The Ocean Park Inn is located here across from the boardwalk that goes for about two miles. The area is full of in-line skaters, skate-boarders, bicyclists, joggers and walkers. We felt very safe in this area. Did not see any drug dealing. Homeless people do gather in front of this hotel but they never bothered us in the least. The life guard station is located close by. The remodel of the hotel balconies is finished. A grocery store, Starbucks and many eating places are within walking distance. If you do decide to stay here you need to pay extra to ensure one of the rooms facing the ocean and on the upper floors. The unhappy posters on trip advisor seemed to be on the first floor. Or opt for a cheaper room on the side or in the back. For this location this is a good hotel for the $'s. The pool is small. Adequate breakfast, coffee, tea and juice available all day.

Inn at Stunset Cliffs is located directly overlooking the Pacific Ocean. However there is no direct beach access from this hotel. They do have two wonderful viewing areas with tables and chairs that you can sit and enjoy. Pool is big. Breakfast only on weekends. Good coffee every day. You can walk into Ocean Beach and lots of places to eat. Hotel is located within walking distance of our son who we visit yearly so will stay here again. Loved the long walks along the cliffs.

Look at www.sandiego.org - Lots of good information, coupons and offers here.

Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego is a narrated, sightseeing tour that you can hop on and off with your boarding pass. Takes you over to Coronado www.historictours.com - We enjoyed this on our first visit to San Diego

Glad to see you have response from other posters. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Sandy

Hey Sandy and others, thx for the help again so far, still trying to narrow it down, I guess I'm looking at going from Sept. 20th to 23rd, which is a Tues. to a Fri., so i guess I can take advantage of the winter rates. The Inn at Sunset Cliffs is still a possibility. On the other hand, i have been reading a lot of other reviews and found the Best Western Island Palms on Shelter Island to be another decent option close to the water.

On the other hand, the Best Western Cabrillo Garden Inn in downtown San Diego sounded really nice and it's been totally remodeled, close to downtown and the Best Western Hacienda Suites in Old Town both sounded interesting as well being close to Old Town, clean and convenient. I'm not normally on a BW kick, but this seems to be close to my price range.

Finally, I've heard good things about the Hampton Inn Kearny Mesa and the Radisson Hotel La Jolla (beautiful grounds, but is this place walking distance to the beach at all??)

I grew up at resorts and my mother still owns a hotel in Downeast Maine, so I know when I find a good place at a good price. Plus, we're staying at the Bellagio for 2 nights before we head to San Diego, so I don't need ultimate luxury when I get to San Diego are, just the scenery, ocean,zoo, etc. (we've never seen the Pacific...)

I've checked out the Ocean Park Inn and not sure if that will interest me, also the Sea Lodge looks like a great place, but not sure if I want to spend the $$$.

Basically, I'm proposing to my girlfriend in front of the Bellagio fountains on the previous Monday, so this will be our little getaway after that. So, with the cost of the ring, vacation, etc., You know the deal, hahahaha

Anyways, I look more on the sandiego.org site, but if anyone else has any recommendations based on what you see, please let me know.

Thanks,

Mike

The Radisson in La Jolla is not at all walking distance to the beach. In fact I would not want to walk anywhere from there. It is located in the Golden Triangle, close to Freeway 5, UCSD and close to a couple of malls and offices with a busy street (La Jolla Village Drive) running in front of it.

This is not to say that its location is bad at all. In fact it is quite convenient as you can reach downtown within 15 to 20 minutes, get to the beach within 10 minutes and to the village of La Jolla for an evening out or some sightseeing during the day within 5 to 10 minutes, too. It is just not walking distance to anything.

It's crept up in price, but how about the Grande Colonial on Prospect in La Jolla? It's right in the Village, walking distance to everything, down the street from George's at the Cove, and its own restaurant, Nine Ten, is pretty great too. Not right on the beach, but so what? It's very comfy. And LJ is no more than a 15-minute drive to downtown SD.

I stayed at the Best Western in Old Town that you just mentioned. I got it on Priceline.

We had a great time in San Diego in October going on three years ago.

We did most of the things mentioned above and we are real zoo people-so we did both parks. The zoo had hills that just about killed me and I am a walker.

That BW was older but just fine and we absolutely loved that we could walk Old Town at night.

Do not even consider the Hampton Inn Kearny Mesa. It would be fine for a business trip, but really doesn't fit your needs/wants.

I would narrow your choice to the BW Island Palms (water, but no beach and you will have to drive to everything, but Shelter Island would be very relaxing), and the BW Hacienda Suites in Old Town. The BW in Old Town would be my first choice. There are quite a few restaurants you can walk to and the views are great. Also, they make good margaritas!

Have a great time.

Ok, thanks for all your help so far. I want to make this a fun trip for myself and my girlfriend. So I think I'm ready to make a decision, let me know your thoughts or recommendations.

Day 1 - Arrive in San Diego from Vegas, stay at Bay Club Hotel & Marina on Shelter Island for 2 nights with the "San Diego Zoo 4 Two" package (includings lodging w/ view, free breakfast for 2 and 2 free zoo passes). I figured since the zoo passes are $32/piece, it makes the room only $132/night and includes breakfast w/ a room and a view?? Any thoughts??
Day 2 - Still at Bay Club - going to zoo today and relax at pool/hotel later on...
Day 3 - Leave the Bay Club and go into Old Town and stay at the Best Western Hacienda for only $139/night - relax there, walk around Old Town, maybe drive up to La Jolla for the day...
Day 4 - Still at BW Hacienda - hang out, go check out Balboa Park, etc.
Then drive back to Vegas the next day...

I also got a good deal at the Sheraton in Mission Valley for $139/night, but would have to walk everywhere. The Radisson in La Jolla for only $138/night and some others. We are both in our 30's and like to be able to walk around to places from the hotels we stay at. Don't mind driving somewhere during the day to site see though...

Please let me know your thoughts...

Thanks, Mike

Oh yeah, obviously the Bay Club Hotel package was $164/night w/ a 2 night minimum....

Mike,

Great combos! I did think that I would have liked to split the stay a bit more than we did. Your two places will give you different feels, and sounds almost ideal.

We did a bunch of driving on the coastal areas when we were there, by the Naval facilities etc., harbor, and to the cemetaries because my guy is a Vet with attachments/memories.

There is enough to see for a week and the weather will be great in mid-Sept. We were there the week the World Series was on in Oct. and it was so beautiful that we wore shorts. Have a great time!

Well, changed my mind a little again, but still decided to stay a Bay Club the first 2 nights, but will stay at the Holiday Inn Express - San Diego/Old Town the last 2 nights. It got great reviews over the BW Hacienda Old Town, any one stay there???

Decent enough choices in my opinion. If you like to drink/party/club-hop, then a visit to the downtown Gaslamp area is a MUST!!

As I always say on San Diego related posts, La Jolla is the best that SD has to offer to kill a day or two.

As many have said, Pacific Beach (and Mission Beach) is a sewer. Full of transients and low-lifes overall. I know, I have to deal with them daily at work

thanks for the info everyone. Does anyone else have any other ideas or thoughts?? thanks in advance

one site worth looking at is vrbo.com, private parties rent their vacation homes & condo's, several are available on Mission Beach, also for $95,I believe, you can join the zoological society of San Diego which includes, 2 annual passes to the zoo, 2 guest passes & 2 passes to the wild animal park @ sandiegozoo.org

I'm a bit surprised that no one has suggested Coronado Island. We stayed 2 nights last year and loved the location. If you can afford it, the Hotel Del is right on a gorgeous beach, great walking, beautiful safe area with lots of restaurants and cafes with a small area. Our budget ran to La Avenida Inn, a short walk from the Del and easily within walking distance of everything. It's easy enough to drive to all the other locations as there is a causeway from the island. We loved the laid back atmosphere on Coronada and would return in a heartbeat. Have a great trip.

Jackie,

Coronado is certainly extremely nice - but also expensive. And as mainetoday originally wanted to spend only US$ 100.00 to 150.00 this does indeed limit the options on Coronado and most certainly won't buy the Del, which I do agree, is a wonderfully historic property.

Granted I missed that at first. However I did say that we stayed at La Avenida Inn. We paid $140/night last summer (high season) with free parking and continental breakfast included. The rooms are clean, big enough for two and in a perfect location.

Hey there, thanks for the additional info about Coronado, definately looks like a nice place to stay. La Avenida actually looks like a good deal, can book it for only about $100 or so per night, but not sure if it's in the type of location that we prefer. Is it close to the beach?? Are there a lot of restaurants right in the general area that you can walk to?? I'm not that familiar w/ the area, but I know we wanted to stay at a place on the water for two nights (Bay Club) and some place in town the last two (Holiday Inn Express) with places that we can walk to. At least these are the choices I have so far, but thx for the ideas, I will look into this a little bit more...

La Avenida is within walking distance of everything, the beach, restaurants, cafes and the hotel Del. Restaurants range from bagel shops and burgers to very upscale. In the evening you can stroll the main street, read all the menus and then decide where to eat. The atmosphere is exactly what we wanted. The beach is a quintessential California beach, wide, deep, lots of white sand, really gorgeous. I don't know anything about the Bay Hotel, but years ago we stayed at Paradise Point which is located on a island in Mission Bay. The beach, which I'm assuming is man-made, is totally forgettable. I think in San Diego being on the water doesn't necessarily mean that there will be a nice beach. We were really glad that we chose Coronado.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip.

Just wanted to thank everyone that helped out. We stayed at the Bay Club the first 2 nights and then at Humphreys the last 2 nights. We ended up going to the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Balboa Park, La Jolla and downtown San Diego. Great place. Thanks again!!!

Glad your trip was a success.
For others looking, I suggest a tour to Ensenada or Tijuana. There are also a few Casinos near San Diego if you have the urge for more gambling.

http://www.gotobus.com