Hi! We are arriving one evening prior to our cruise departure and need to locate a hotel close by the cruise terminal. We would like to have a nice dinner and stroll around a bit but are unfamiliar with the surroundings. Any suggestions?

holiday inn - on the bay, north harbour drive. request a room facing the bay. great location for your needs.

to clarify the previous poster's recommendation:

the holiday inn on the bay at 1355 n. harbor dr, not to be confused with the Holiday Inn Bayside which also has a N. Harbor Dr. address but is 3 or 4 miles away on the other side of the airport.
the HI will be the best bet for you as it is across the street from the terminal and there are a few restaurants next door and across the street.
should you need a backup, there is the Wyndham Emerald Plaza on Columbia St., the W on West A (or B?) and Best Western on West Ash St. These places are a few blocks farther, but all offer decent accomodations.


and a third holiday Inn in the dowtown area not to be confused with is the HI Harbor View on 1st Ave.

Thanks guys. I called Holiday Inn on the Bay and secured a room for the one night we will be there. Do you think a rental is neccessary or can we walk to some interesting area for a nice dinner?

don't bother with the rental. a ruth's chris steakhouse shares the parking lot with the holiday inn. across the street there's an anthony's fish grotto which is casual seafood, and Anthony's Star of the Sea Room next door with more upscale seafood dining. same goes right down the street with The Fish Market and the Top of the Market.
You can also take a 4 dollar cab ride (there are always multiple cabs parked in front of the hotel) to the gaslamp quarter where there are many many restaurants to choose from.