There are so many interesting sounding places to visit in the Sd area that I'm overwhelmed. Right now my itinerary is to stay 2 nights in Old Town, 2 nights with relatives in Oceanside (sightsee from there), and the last 2 nights on Coronado Island. Would it be better to change Old Town to 1 night, and stay in La Jolla, Balboa Park, or Gaslamp district 1 night for variety?

The area from Old Town to the Gaslamp District is compact and downtown is between the two. The Little Red Trolley runs between all three as is a fun and convenient way to get around. If it were me, I would stay in or near the Gaslamp and visit Old Town. It's a neat area for shopping, dining, and history but I think you'll find the Gaslamp a much more interesting place to stay.

I agree, we stayed at the Marriot next to the convention center and it was a great location. You are in the middle of Sea World, Old Town, the zoo, Coronado Island and we were able walk out behind our hotel and walk along Seaport Village down to the piers where visiting ships and cruise ships come in/out of. They have a light rail system that can get you around as well as the bus tour. Old Town looked interesting but it isn't very far from the Gaslamp area and there is a little more to do in that area.

I agree with the other posters about staying downtown and visiting Od Town for the day. My husband and I enjoyed Old Town a lot, but I think staying downtown or by the beach is better.

Here's another vote for staying downtown and visiting Old Town by trolley. Downtown is SO much fun!!
Tons of things to do are withing walking distance. You will have a great time. San Diego is an amazing city.....

I'm surprised at the replies because I've seen so many positive posts about Old Town. What are your hotel suggestions for Gaslamp/downtown? Would I need a car for the first 2 days?

blpar, On our trip we stayed at the Embassy Suites (located across from Seaport Village) for 1 week and did not have a car except for the day we went to La Jolla. There is a ferry from downtown to Coronado - when you want to go over there. Plus the trolleys took us out to Old Town, Qualcomm Stadium, shopping outside of downtown, etc. We took a bus the day we went to the zoo. It stopped right in front of our hotel and dropped us off right at the zoo. We thought the Embassy was beautifully located and within walking distance of everything we wanted to do in the Gaslamp/downtown area.... We had a wonderful time the week we were there.

Not on your list but... One of my favorite things to do in SAN is to go down to Ensenada and have a wonderful lobster dinner on the beach at sunset.
Spectacular!

And where/how can you have that dinner????? Sounds good to me, how far is Ensenada from downtown San Diego?

There are lobster places all over the north coastal area of Baja. Several really good ones are concentrated in a tiny little town south of Tijuana called Puerto Nuevo (Newport). To answer the specific question, Ensenada is 116 kilometers (70 miles) south of the border and downtown San Diego is about another 20 miles. If I remember correctly, Puerto Nuevo is only 15-20 miles south of the border.