Shelter Island, San Diego
 

Ok, you guys. I need help. I will be attending a two week training in January in San Diego. It is being held at the Best Western Island Palms Hotel on Shelter Island. I can stay at that hotel but I'm hoping to find something close that is not as expensive. I am not sure what area that is or where else I should look. I don't want something to low budget, as I am treating it as a personal retreat but I don't need super high end either. Any suggestions?

The rooms at the Palms Hotel go for $139 a night in January so you are going to be hard pressed (unless you use priceline) for a decent room that is not too "low budget." You can do a search on tripadvisor.com for a listing of shelter island hotels. Some options are the dolphin hotel, vagabond hotel and cabrillo lodge. I haven't stayed at any of them but pass them all the time. They look decent from the street.

Yikes, I don't know hotels around there as well, Cat. How much is the Best Western? How about that cute La Pensione you checked out in Little Italy?

Try the Bay Club next door but $139 sounds like the lowest you are going to get

two weeks? What is the training for Cat?

Regarding your question - I am not sure you can get much cheaper then that unless you do priceline. I stayed on Shelter Island for 50.00 bucks one night when I took my girls to Seaworld - and for the life of me I cannot remember the hotel I stayed at. It was "fine".

Thanks! I really want to be able to walk to the training so La Pensione is out.

I found a rate of around $90 at the Kona Kai but the Trip Advisor reviews were a little sketchy.

I am waiting to see if maybe the seminar has arranged any special rates.

Mom, I'll email you after I get kids to school!

I visit S.D. every year (used to live there) and always stay in Point Loma (Shelter Island Drive). And I always stay at either the Dolphin Motel or at the Vagabond Inn.

The Dolphin Motel is a small, very clean, family-run motel across the street from the water and has off-season rates of $55.00 and up ($65.00 and up during the high season). They might give a discount for a two-week stay, if you ask.

http://www.dolphin-motel.com/bry/dolphin/

The Vagabond Inn is part of really nice CA chain and a bit fancier than the Dolphin. I checked for mid-January, and they are quoting $64.00/night. However, if you call them and say you are staying for two weeks, I'll bet they give you a competitive rate with the Dolphin. This property is right next to Point Loma Seafoods a block from the Dolphin Motel.

http://www.vagabondinn.com/

Both motels are about a block or so from Shelter Island Drive and within walking distance of numerous restaurants.

Thanks, Castle. The Dolphin looks really cute! They are giving me a group rate at the Island Palms of $110. I could get $104 on Expedia but I'd have to pay all up front and no refunds if something happened.

At least now I have a few options.

Ok, I decided on staying at the Palms Hotel. Given the hours of the seminar, I didn't want to be walking back to my hotel late at night.

Now my question is what else is around there? Is there a Trader Joes's close by? How about Starbucks? I will probably bring my own French press but still like the occasional SB fix. What else? Any great inexpensive restaurants? Is there a farmer's market cose by?

Thanks!

Will you have a car? If not there is a Von's store by Ave de Portugal.

If you have a car, there's a Trader Joes on Rosecrans along with some other restuarants. The farmers market in Ocean Beach is on Wed (I think, used to be). Ocean Beach also has a organic food store and upstairs you'll find some excellent take out (vegetarian).

For a large but good breakfast (car) Perry's is great, find someone to split a frittata.

Starbucks are everywhere.

On Rosecrans, Midway and Sports Arena you'll find lots of place to eat.

Old town isn't far. In fact you're centrally located to all of SD.
Enjoy.
If you need something more specific, I know the area pretty well.

But I admit, I rarely go to Shelter Island because it's mostly hotels.

But the area to the west, I know fairly well. Have a good time.

Thanks! I will have a car but want to walk as much as possible. I'll have a fridge in my room so I will be able to keep things fresh.

Within very close driving distance, there is a restaurant called Old Venice that is a standard and favorite. Pretty in white with candles is what I recall. I think there is a Mexican place called Miguel's Cocino....I've never eaten there though. The corner of Rosecrans and Midway has a Jamba Juice, Starbucks and a Henrys which is great for produce. I THINK there is a Thai restaurant in that strip mall that is very good but I don't remember the name. I work near there but never take a lunch break so it's rush in and rush out usually.

Miguels was excellent Mexican food the one time that I ate there. You also have Brigatines (Seafood) and Fiddler's steakhouse as well

Souplantation is an all-you-can eat salad, soup, pasta, etc. bar, at a fair price (around $8 per dinner; a bit cheaper at lunch)
3960 W Point Loma Blvd

Best everyday happy hour is at the Brigantine on Shelter Island..the best fish tacos and marg's that are out of this world good..
You can walk to the Brig from your hotel..
Bali Hai on Shelter Island has the best mai-tai.

www.Brigantine.com

There is no shopping within walking distance.

Brigintine or Umi Sushi or cheapest place a hamburger dive called Boll Weavel you will be walking pretty far and it will be in the dark if after busines hours..very safe area...but still after dark

I your hotel has a car shuttle..I think I've seen it..and pay a couple of extra bucks to go to nearest shoping area with a Vons, restarants Trader Joes, Star Bucks, Panersa...

If you have time and energy for some night life, Humphrey's is just down the street. It's my favorite concert venue in San Diego. Outdoors, on the water, and just the right size (between medium and small)....and great performers/artists.

Sorry about spelling on my previous post.

Humphreys Concerts are in summer only not in January
Sunday Brunch at Humphreys is well liked (but not cheap) and has occ Jazz BAnd. (You could walk there)

You could try as I mentioned in my previous email to use the Hotel Shuttle Van paying a little extra money...for drop off & p/u at Liberty Station. www.libertystation.com

Vons near Ave de Portugal closed & moved to Liberty Station

At intersection just before driving onto Shelter Is drive is a small strip mall closest shopping. Very long hike & frankly I don't now how you would carry groceries.
There is a Subway and a muffin place & a very greasy spoon Chinese place & Sm high priced 7-11 market
There is a new Cafe in same strip mall with decent prices.

lol, JAR, I've lived here 20 years and never put it together that Humphrey's concerts were only in the summertime! Yikes, I need to pay more attention. :)

It's too bad, Cat, that would have been a fun outing.

I second Old Venice, Miguels, and the Brigatine (get the fish tacos). Also try Pizza Nova which is about a block from Shelter Island. Also at Liberty Station, there are some very good places. I am going to try Roseville this weekend. Also at Liberty station is Sammy's Woodfire Pizza which everyone enjoyed. Last week I tried Fresh Greens and really liked it, it is sort of healthy takeout wth great salads. Everyone raves about Wine Steals. Liberty Station is where there are Starbucks, Vons and Trader Joes. Also don't forget about Point Loma Seafoods.

You are centrally located so you can get around and see lots of things.

oooh, I've always heard great things about Point Loma seafood; an institution in that area.

Sammy's has great salads and a sundae to die for for dessert.

Man, when you really look at it, there's so much to offer in this one little corner of SD!

Da nada ncounty.

I hope the Op comes back as everyone has shared generously with their Point Loma favorites.

"Man, when you really look at it, there's so much to offer in this one little corner of SD!"

Yes, and an often overlooked corner of San Diego. It's so close to Old Town, Downtown and the beaches. Not to mention Cabrillo National Monument.
I normally don't suggest that anyone go to OB though. But that's the great thing about staying in a place where you might need groceries.
BTW ncounty, is the Thai place you mentioned Thai Time.

I haven't been to this place in a a couple of years but there's a little Middle Eastern/Greek place, Fairuz (?) The guy who owns it is an artist and he has his work around the restaurant. If you’re looking for a buffet this, to me, is preferable to the Soup Plantation. Plus, I like his art and the vibe of the place.

This has been a really good thread. I forget about Point Loma Seafoods, thanks for the reminders. And I've never been to Fresh Greens.

I don't know the name of the Thai place, LSky. We had it sent in for lunch at work one day and it was so good that I asked where it was from. I was told it was in that Henry's shopping plaza with Jamba Juice.

To add on about great little known dives in the area...there is a little cafe on the other side of Midway from Fairouz in a strip mall called Mardi Gras. Their crawfish etouffe etc was fantastic. And it is truly a hole in the wall.

Another place is called Cafe India, I believe. It is in the strip mall on Sports Arena Blvd near the Sports Arena across the street from Baker's square. They had a great but small lunch buffet with homey hearty healthy Indian food. I think they are semi-retired because last time I tried to go there they were closed and I noted they are only open Friday and Saturdays. What a luxury for them!

I stop at that Henry's fairly often and I've never seen the Thai place. The one I that I meant is on Midway, on the other side of the street from Fairouz and a bit to the east.

Thanks for the tip about Mardi Gras.

Ncounty - I have amazing memories from going to concerts at Humphries. :)

I'll try to find out about that Thai place, LSky.

MomDD....me too! My first concert there was to see Ray Charles and since then I've seen Diana Krall, Linda Eder, and Pink Martini. All amazing.

BTW, MomDD....sorry I missed you in SD! I am away in winter wonderland of Park City.

I'm back! I could only get online sporadically today and it was making me crazy! It started last night.

Anyways, I will have a car if I need one, I just don't want o use it too often, if I can help it.

The places you all listed sound great, and especially Pt. Loma Seafood. I will definitely be checking that place out!

I'm going to be busy most of the time with the training but I"m sure I can get some folks to sneak out for Happy Hour!

ABout Humphrey's, I stayed there many years ago with my mom. We didn't go to the concert but could hear it from our room. I would have gone, but it wasn't someone I was into. Ever since, I've wanted to go back and see someone great! Sounds like a summer GTG in the making...

Just wanted to check back in. I stayed at the Best Western Island Palms Hotel on Shelter Island for two weeks and I just can't recommend that hotel enough. My room was beautiful, in the newer wing, but it was really the staff that made that hotel great! Every time I walked in the lobby, I was greeted with a smile and a friendly hello. One night they knocked on the door to let me know I had left a light on in my car. Every day at 3pm, they have fresh baked cookies in the lobby and at 8:00 am every morning you can hear the Star Spangled Banner playing from the Naval Base across the water.

There were a few things that weren't great - the pillows were horrible but I asked the front desk and immediately they were replaced with feather pillows. The food in the restaurant was unpredictable. When it was good it was great but there were a few times it was not wonderful, but again, the staff really made up for it the few times it was less than great. Monday - Friday they had a special happy hour food in the bar. Fridays was the best, with 2 steak tacos for $4. And their room service menu was the exact same price as the regular menu, which made it nice on those nights when I was just too exhausted to do anything but fall into bed.

Overall, I just really have to say this has gone down as one of my most favorable hotel experiences.

hey cat..
thanks for reporting back!
that's great to know about the BW Palms on Shelter Island..great location and heard they were doing a remodel and for $99 what a deal!
Glad you had a good time.

Glad it worked out well for you and that you had a great time. May be coming out there next week but not sure yet.

Well, if you are there, and you go to the bar or restaurant for breakfast, say hello to Charles, one of the managers. And ask to be in the the 400 or 500 rooms. I think some of the older rooms are smaller but mine was huge!

Glad to hear you had a great time, Cat!

LSky, that Thai restaurant I meant to get back to you about is Antique Thai at the corner of Midway and Rosecrans. They have lunch specials for about $6; amazing.

Cat, you'll have to come back when you have more time and we'll do Happy Hour.

Cat so glad you came back? And so pleased you enjoyed BW & Pt Loma.

Since my last post Boll Weavel went bankrupt & closed.

Going to Roseville Rest. for teh 1st time VAlentine's pm.

When anyone does a GTG for Pt Loma..I 'am in if so.

Oh, I will so come down for a Pt. Loma GTG! We drove by Boll Weevils a few times. It looked pretty grim. Ate at Red Sails twice (part of a big group). Never need to do that again.

I stopped at the Vons on my way into town and they are the nicest Von's I have ever been to! Everyone was just so nice on my entire trip. I had really long days in class (9-9 almost every day) so I didn't get to explore as much as I would have liked but I am so glad I stayed where I stayed!

Thanks for reporting back in Cats :) You and I are very over due for our gtg! With dd now back in school after almost a year - my schedule is a little more free. Let me know. I am in San Diego right now for the weekend. :)

Glad you enjoyed your time on shelter island. I work on shelter island i just love being there every day. it's nice to hear someone enjoyed their 2 weeks there.

1JAR, enjoy your dinner at Roseville, we had our anniversary dinner there in late December. It was very good, but also very $$$$. i will go back but will have to save for awhile first.

I love Pt Loma Seafood on Emerson (couple blocks south of Rosecrans, right next to the docks where the day fishing boats leave from).
Their fish comes in the back door from the fishing boats parked on the dock.

I also like Con Pane Rustic Breads for lunch (I think they are closed on Wed) on Rosecrans.