Can anyone recommend me a better area to stay in San Diego? Is the Waterfront far away from Balboa Park? Where it would be best to stay: waterfront, downtown? The plan is just go for several days to look around and go to the Zoo and/or Sea World.
Thanks in advance!

We like the Gas Lamp area. Great location with lots of dining options and good transit options.

SD is not that large for travelers to experience.

Pick a hotel in/near downtown and you'll be fine.

Check out La Jolla, if you can.

I would absolutely choose the zoo, which is world famous, over some sea animal circus.

There are a number of great beach hotels in San Diego.
One of the best ones with children's services is Hilton San Diego Resort in Mission Bay. They have babysitting, a children's day camp, and Thursday night movies outdoors by the pool. There's also a park with a playground nearby.

rasta is right Waterfront & Downtown are pretty much equal distance to the Zoo in Balboa Park. The GasLamp area is in downtown and is a busy, bustling, area with lots of restaurants, night clubs, bars, art galleries, shops, etc. The Waterfront is quieter - better for strolling along the wharf & watching the ships.

I like Coronado, if you have children, it has a number of community parks, a local rec center with a beautiful pool (and our weather will most likely be sunny), you can rent bikes and peddle around the island. Coronado is just over the bridge from the Zoo (maybe 10 min. max driving time).

La Jolla is nice as well, but you are further away from the Zoo and Balboa Park area. About 20-30 min drive.

If you are going to be in Balboa Park and you have any interest in planes, astronauts, pilots, WWI, WWII, Vietnam pilots, you should check out the Aero Space Museum. I've lived here most of my life and I've never been before last week. It is an amazing place to visit. They have some fun stuff for kids as well.

http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/

You may have already read this trip report but if you haven't you might enjoy reading it for ideas:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-san-diego.cfm

[I don't know where the assumption was that the OP has children. I don't believe that to be the case from her other postings.]

I used this for our very first trip to San Diego. It was very helpful.

BTW - we use public transit while in SD, even from Gas Lamp to Zoo/Balboa park. Also, consider getting one of the passes at Balboa - http://www.balboapark.org/deals

shoot, forgot the link:

http://www.localwally.com/

Thank you so much to all!
There is some inexpensive Wyndham Bayside(former Holiday Inn) which seems to be right next to Maritime Museum (on the map), they have shuttles to Balboa park and airport, but people's reviews say it's quite an old building.
There is also Hilton Bayside or Marriott Marina, but they don't provide transportation, though seem like much better hotels obviously.
Now I see that going to the Zoo and Balboa Park is a must, and so I'd rather have convenient location and possible shuttles, but then you don't want to end up in a dump... Maybe someone knows that Wyndham?
Thanks to all again, all comments were very helpful.

You don't need to limit yourself to a hotel with a shuttle. It is VERY easy to simply take a public transit bus.


http://www.sdmts.com/tripplanner.asp

I want to be near the water, and they have this great Marriott Marquis, but seems like a long walk to transportation.

There's a Trolley Stop right across the street from the Marriott!

I used to stay frequently at that Wyndham (when it was a Holiday Inn) when traveling to SD on business. Even back then it was dated but I LOVED the location.

Being a local, I would definately choose waterfront. Try Humphreys Half Moon Inn, Kona Kai resort, or Island Palms on Shelter Island. You will want a car anyway. there is nothing decent by the Zoo, and you will want to go to Coronado and Sea World, the beaches, and want a car. The waterfront is beautiful. There is also an Embassy Suites right by Seaport Village with easy access to public transportation. Find a hotel with free parking-you will save money and time in the long run.

You didn't say if you were bringing kids. Stay away from Gaslamp if you are bringing kids, but fun for a couple or singles. It's a swinging place and fun to walk around at night, but not quiet.

I've stayed at that Marriott before. It's a very nice hotel. And also conveniently located.

Thank you all, the trip was great. I was really impressed with the public transportation system, so easy to use.

So where did you stay and what did you see?

Marriott at the waterfront (really great hotel and right next to the green line trolley stop, so convenient). And walking distance to Gaslamp and Seaport Village.

Saw everything except for the Sea World ($80/ticket - too much!). The Balboa Park and the Zoo were excellent; the Gaslamp so crowded with erstaurants, so lively; Coronado; Old Town San Diego; some of Pacific Coast to the North up to La Jolla, very, very picturesue.

It was really a great trip.

We do enjoy living in SD - with the best weather on the mainland.

Oh, who would not enjoy living there! I'm so sold, almost looking for a job there to move .