Where to stay in SanDiego with kids?
 

We are planning a trip to San Diego/ LA in last week of June. This will be our first trip to CA. We will be flying to San Diego and spending 4 days there, and then driving down to LA. We have 3 kids. 5 year old and two 3 years old. In San Diego, we are thinking to visit Sea World, Safari park and/or Zoo. May be one day at a beach or a park to relax. We need suggestions for kids friendly places to stay. We would like to stay close by to attractions. We will have a car so driving around won't be a problem. Also, looking for any good places to stop by on the way to LA from San Diego. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Han - here we say we drive up to LA. :)

There are several fun places to stay on SD Bay - with their own beaches on the more peaceful Bay and it's a short walk over to the Ocean. Try Paradise Point Resort - walking distance to Sea World - or the Catamaran or the Bahia - and even the Hilton by Fiesta Island.

And between SD and LA - Disneyland or Knotts Berry farm in Orange County are probably your best bets - especially for the wee ones.

You don't mention where you are heading to in Los Angeles, but the drive from SD is not terribly long (unless you run into traffic, of course!). If you just want to pull off and have lunch, San Clemente is a nice little town with a pier and beach.

Hanover:

Go to http://www.sandiego.org the official tourist information site for lots of good information and discount coupons.

With 3 small children you may like Homewood Suites lactated in Liberty Station, 2576 Laning Road. We have stayed here several times and there have always been quite a number of families. I believe the appeal is the very nice breakfast spread and the small evening meal offered Mon thru Thurs. included in the cost.

Hotel has a nice pool and you can walk to a close park with swing set etc. The small kitchen is helpful for drinks and snacks. Look on http://www.homewoodsuites3.hilton.com
Oh and the parking is free.

Good luck you will enjoy San Diego.

Sandy

Tomsd: We are already going to Disneyland when in LA. I will definitely look into Knotts Berry Farm.

Jglags: Yes, I was looking for a quick stop over in between. Thanks.

Sandy: I like your idea of having a small kitchen, specially with the kids.

Thank you for your suggestions. I really appreciate it.

Yes, Sandy - Liberty Station is a nice place - with good shopping at Trader Joe's and the fun Corvette Diner for kids, etc.

I like the San Juan Capistrano Mission as a good stop between San Diego and LA. The Mission (ruin) is beautiful and there are a lot of restaurants right in the area.

Yes, the San Juan Capistrano Mission is a great place to visit with kids (or not!). Good idea, Monica.

I second the sandybrit's recommendation of the Homewood Suites. We stayed there three years ago, and it's location was excellent for us.

I would again suggest you check out stayng at a place on Mission Bay - where you could walk along the beach/swim, etc.

Don't know your budget but they are not that expensive.

LEGOLAND is on the way to LA from SD and perfect for your little ones as it is geared to their ages.
If you stay in the Mission Bay area of San Diego you'll be near Sea World. We stayed there with our kids and later our grandkids. The Hyatt Mission Bay has a water taxi that takes you directly to Sea World skipping the parking hassles and fees.

We took our 3 year old in March and rented a house on Mission Beach, which we thought was a great location. Here is the agency we used which I highly recommend:

http://www.710beachrentals.com/