We are going to be in San Diego for four nights in Jan. we prefer smaller but nice hotels in areas of cities that are pedestrian friendly, with nice restaurants but we will rent a car and are not adverse to city driving. Please provide recommendations for hotels or areas to look for hotels?? We will likely go on one or more commercial walking tours as well as explore on our own. We like to walk and explore areas. Any suggestions beyound what is generally written upt in Fodors, Frommers etc?

Budget?

Good question. we visit NYC often and so we are used to spending $300+/- for hotels, as noted we prefer small charming hotels.

One of my favorites is a Victorian themed B & B close to Old Town called the Heritage Park Inn. Various size rooms and suites. http://www.heritageparkinn.com/hpidet.htm

For history and charm, treat yourself to the Hotel Del Coronado; it's a quick trip over bridge from the city; it is peaceful, quiet, majestic. January rates are manageable, no crowds to deal with. Great beach for walking, beautiful architecture to discover on nearby streets. Very walkable. You can also ferry over to downtown for hassle-free touring, and take your car for venture out to Pt. Loma (nicely laid out 2 mi. walk there) and other points north. A stay in the original Del buildings is a not-to-miss experience at least once.

The Del is great - and there are also some classic hotels in the charming village of La Jolla, including the La Valencia, the Grand Colonial - and the Kimpton group's - Hotel La Jolla. https://www.google.com/#q=luxury+hotels+in+la+jolla

A bit further up the coast - Del Mar also has a classic - L'Auberge - and there are others. https://www.google.com/#q=luxury+hotels+in+la+jolla

Oops - here is the L'Auberge page: https://www.google.com/#q=l'auberge+del+mar - and it's also fun to walk around Del Mar - as well as La Jolla.

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La Pensione in Little Italy
http://www.lapensionehotel.com/

Hotel Vyvant - Little Italy
http://www.hotelvyvant.com/

1906 Lodge on Coronado
http://www.1906lodge.com/

glorietta bay on coronado

Thanks for the input, anyone familiar with Hotel Vyvant? Sounds interesting but we are concerned about noise and parking based upon reviews at Trip Advisor etc. Is the neighborhood safe and fun to explore on foot?

Had no idea about this hotel - although after googling it - I can understand possible noise concerns - being near the freeway, and I have probably driven by it hundreds of times.

This review seems to indicate noise was not a problem - so this is the best I can do. Best of luck:

https://plus.google.com/110558385167...ut?gl=us&hl=en

As for the neighborhood - I never recommend going out too much on foot after dark - but it's pretty safe.

Geesh - forgot to add (distracted watching scores on ESPN) - yes, you are very close to Little Italy - a great place to saunter around - and within walking distance of downtown, but again - if it's after dark when you are returning - suggest you grab a cab - and it's not that far/expensive.

You are also close enough to walk down to the Embarcadero - and take the ferry over to Coronado, etc.

Re the reviews on TA . . . Lots of 'Excellent' . . . But the majority of those (I only went back 12 months) are from people w/ one and only one ever TA review. They registered on TA simply to post one glowing review and never posted anything else.

I tend to look at that more than simply the raw numbers - if it looks like a whole lot of 'planted' reviews I look deeper at what others say. It does look like a nice place - but I'd take all those 5 star reviews w/ a grain of salt.

My aunt and uncle live in university heights/hillcrest area of san diego. That area has a lot of great restaurants and places to walk to. it is also very close to the freeway. 10- 15 drive to balboa park and downtown.

We always stay at the sommmerset suites.

http://www.sommersetsuites.com/

If your looking for something a little more charming look into the lafayette hotel as well.

http://www.lafayettehotelsd.com/

Our son lives in San Diego & we've stayed at the US Grant, the Coronado & Sheraton Suites (great bargain/value in downtown SD next to Symphony Hall). We prefer the Valencia Hotel in LaJolla, which is one of my favorite hotels. Ocean views, impeccable service, great location: http://www.lavalencia.com/

Agree Grace - I think La Valencia in La Jolla has the most style of all. For years - used to have an office a block away - and while I didn't frequent it that much - the Whaling bar- since closed - was legendary for it's patrons and good times.

It might have gotten a little tired toward the end - but in it's prime time - was the place to be. http://www.yelp.com/biz/whaling-bar-and-grill-la-jolla

Got to hand it to you tom . . . you know about more places that are long closed than anyone else

I wonder what hotel they decided on. Hotel Vyvant is right IN Little Italy so no need for a taxi. I, female, walk alone there at night all the time. Little Italy is great and safe to walk.

elizze - don't know if they have yet made there trip here - but I do hope they file a trip report. Always like to read those.

And yes, we also love Little Italy - and my wife and sister will take our little visiting Pug there today - to the Sat morning/Farmer's Market. My favorite place for coffee is at Cafe Italia - http://www.caffeitalialittleitaly.com/ but there are many cute places in Little Italy.

At Cafe Italia - I always talk/joke with the owner about our hapless Padres - and he is a big Red Sox fan.