i all - planning an extended family trip to san diego over thanksgiving. (grandparents, parents, kids)
leaning towards staying in old town. Will the weather permit swiming at all - could make a difference in choice of hotel.

Any suggestions for lodgings would be appreciated. Thanks!

I think it really depends on where you are coming from and if you get lucky regarding weather. SD doesn't get a lot of rain, but it does get some and November is one of the months that it usually rains a bit. Temperatures will likely be in the 60s during the day, so if you are from a much cooler climate, that may be swimming weather. As a Californian, I don't get in the pool unless temperatures have broken 80F.

If the pool is heated, then swimming should be OK. Thanksgiving is often warm, sunny and dry, but there'sno guarantee. The temp should be high 60s and maybe even low 70s for a few hours in the middle of the day. I know I usually melt when I'm cooking the turkey!

i'm from a cooler climate and i have definitly spent time at the pool and beach (not in the ocean) in november.

San Diego has 4 climate zones (you should see the weather reports every night) - coast, inland, mountains, desert. Depending on where you will be actually located most of the time, the weather can vary dramatically. November is pretty nice here, 70s and blue skies inland, a bit cooler and maybe cloudy on the coast. Mountains will start having chilly nights, but the desert will still be warmish. Most of the pools you'll find any any zone here will be heated, so swimming should be no problem. The ocean is cold, however. Alaska current or some such. In the summer on a good day it gets to 69F. Your kids will be kidsicles if they go in the ocean in November.

Old Town is close to the coast, so you will be in the cooler area. You'll definitely need a sweater at night. Lots to do there, as far as shopping. Little stores, not all overpriced. It's very touristy, which is good and bad. Some decent little resteraunts where you can feed a family of 4 well for under $50.

Old Town is not far from the Zoo and Balboa Park, which are both lots of fun. Sea World is nearby, which is also fun for kids but a bit pricey.

You're coming in the "off" season, so rates should drop a bit (unless they gouge for the holiday). There are a lot of hotes in Mission Valley, near two rather large malls. Most of the chains are represented there. It's a central corridor on the I-8 and convenient to most of San Diego. If you prefer to save a little money on the motel, go farther east on the I-8. Once you get out of the tourist zone, you can get a room for at least 20% less than over by the coast.

Best of luck, and enjoy while you are here!

PS While here, you might try what used to be called "The Molly Trolly" (I think it has a different name now). A green and orange trolly car that takes you on a tour of parts of the city. You can also get cheap harbor tours that take you out by the big navy ships, etc - kids seem to love aircraft carriers....

There really isn't an "off" season in San Diego.

In the summer, the ocean water often is a toasty 72-73F.

The "Old Town Trolley" has been mentioned here often. I have never heard it called the "Molly Trolley" though.

Barbara - Molly Trolley is how I learned it years ago. They've probably changed the name at least once since then. I used to take my kid on it when she was a toddler (she thought it was Mr. Rogers' Trolley) and the guys always let her ring the bell. Motel rates do drop a bit after the summer tourist rush is over, and go back up again in late spring, at least in Mission Valley (Hotel Circle) and surrounding areas. We never had guests spending lots of money on the upscale places, so I can't comment on them. There are also hotels further inland that are decent and cheaper than on the coast. It depends on where you want to leave your money! November is a great time to visit.