San Diego Hotels?

We will be staying in San Diego for a few days and are looking for a nice hotel to stay in. Any suggestions? We would like to go to Sea World and then maybe drive up to Universal Studios. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Steven

How can you go to San Diego and skip the San Diego Zoo or San Diego Wild Animal Park!!! I would pick this over Sea World in a heartbeat, esp. if you have ever been to any other Sea Worlds (they are all pretty much the same), and the zoo will cost you about half of the Sea World rate.

Plan on a long and tiring day if you are going to drive up to LA (3 hours minimum without traffic one way) to see Universal Studios. There is so much more to see in San Diego without driving to LA and risking getting stuck in a lot of traffic.

There are many hotels and motels in Mission Valley in San Diego. I would pick one of these. Here is a site that lists lots of hotels and motels, and the Visitor's Center can help you find a place that meets your budget needs.

Splinter,

My husband and I will be staying in San Diego for a day and a half before our crusie leaves (May 1st)....

You said in your above post that there are lots of things to do in San Diego....I would love to hear some of your suggestions. We wanted to get a trolly pass and tour the city, but so far that is all we have thought of. We are in our early 30's..... Are there any amusement parks in SD? What resturants would you suggest? Any fun night spots?

Thanks!

Hi to All...

Since you are young, then might I suggest the "Gaslamp" section. Dine at Dakota's, Croce's is fun, and the area is just a nice place to hang out in. On India Street, it is Little Italy, with some nice places to eat. AS for traveling to LA, that traffic is murder, please choose your times carefully, a noraml drive will take you about 2 hours, but with traffic, it can easily double. Might I suggest a drive up to Temecula and visit the wineries.The wines are rapidly gaining National acclaim. Pechanga Indian Casino is nearby, in fact, there are 5 others within 15 miles in that area.

In San Diego, take the ferry to Coronado and visit the Hotel Del. In Seaport Village they have some good fresh seafood as does the Anthony's. Balboa Park has some fine museums. Take the trolley to Hillcrest or Old Town, BUT...DO...NOT...GO...TO....Tijuana, Mexico!!!!!!!! If you need more information, I'll check back and see if I can get the information.........Dennis

Another vote for avoiding Universal Studios and all the traffic there and back again. There is so much to see and do in San Diego, you really won't miss it. I would start the first day with a Trolley Tour, then you will see what you would really like to go back to. You could easily fill a week and still not see everything. We love Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo is a must, Seaworld is awesome. Then there is Old Town, Gaslamp, Coronado, Seaport Village, just to name a few.

There are so many hotels in many different areas, it would be hard to pin one down. The only hotels I would avoid are budget hotels near Sea World, we have never had good luck with them. Not knowing your budget, it is hard to recomend, why not do a search on Expedia?

Chefajax...just re-read your post about Tijuana, cracked me up! The last time we went there (a very long time ago) we were there for less than an hour, thank goodness we walked over the border, it would have taken longer than that to get back into the US. We will never go there again. Sadly, what a dump.

Just a few of my favorites. I am a native San Diegian, so totally unbiased of course....

San Diego Zoo: near downtown and in the heart of Balboa Park. Lush vegetation, many unusual animals. Take the bus tour first then walk back to the areas you want to see in more depth. Plan on most of the day.

San Diego Wild Animal Park: about 40 miles north, a large park with animals in natural environment roaming relatively free. Owned by the San Diego zoo, this is where there endangered species breeding program is based. Organized into areas by continent (ie, Asia, Africa). Currently there is a monorail tour, but this will be replaced soon by truck bed tours. A full day trip. (car required to get here)

Sea World: expensive, but fun exp. with kids. The closest we have to an amusement park with lots of rides. I don't like it much as I would rather see animals in their natural environment and hate the "cute" acts they have here.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography: a small aquarium in La Jolla, but with great exhibits of both marine biology and oceanography. Great views of the La Jolla shoreline too.

Balboa Park: just north of downtown, it is one of the great urban parks. The Zoo, Natural History Museum, Museum of Man, Museum of Photographic Arts, Automotive Museum, Aerospace Museum, San Diego Art Museum, Fleet Science and Space Center, Timkin (art) Museum, La Raza Center, Veterans Memorial chapel. Nice gardens and artists studios in the Spanish Village where you can see artists at work and buy their works.

Midway Museum: visit the historic Midway aircraft carrier (near the cruise ship terminal). Displays about naval aviation on the flight deck with many planes. A new attraction.

The San Diego Maritime Museum: near the cruise ship terminal. The Star of India (oldest iron sailing ship in the world), the Berkley ferry (museum), the Surprise (from Master & Commander), and several vintage yachts. 1 ticket to visit all.

America's Cup sailing: $100 per person for a 2 hour sail on one of Dennis Connor's America's Cup boats. The trip of a lifetime for a real sailor (like my dad).

Petco Park: if you are here during baseball season, this new downtown ballpark is beautiful, intimate and a great way to see baseball. Go Padres!

The Hotel del Coronado (the Del). One of the last remaining turn of the (last) century west coast resort hotels. The first hotel on the west coast with electricity, and a system installed by Edison himself. Beautiful lobby. Take a free tour, watch for celebrities, stroll on their beach (my favorite). Coronado is a good place to eat, shop, or relax in a small town atmosphere. You drive over the spectacular Coronado Bridge to get here from downtown.

Cabrillo National Monument: the most visited national monument in the USA. Spectacular views of the city and bay as well as the ocean on the other side of Point Loma. Museum has displays about the grey whale migration as well as about Cabrillo, who was the first westerner to see San Diego harbor. Drive past one of the most beautiful national veteran's cemetaries to get here. The tide pools on the west side of Point Loma are some of the best in the area (all protected).

Old Town State Park: where San Diego began. Restored and reconstructed period buildings and museums. Restaurants and shops.

San Diego Mission: the first of the 21 California Missions, founded in 1769. Still a functioning church, but also a interesting museum and charming gardens.

La Jolla: a toney part of San Diego. Elegant shops and galleries, wonderful beach at the Cove, great restaurants. The "village" is a walking place (and parking is awful).

Torrey Pines State Park: see the rare Torrey Pines, great views, nice hiking trails, docent tours. About 15 miles north of downtown (you need a car).

Legoland: about 30 miles north. Great for kids of all ages. (car required to get here)

You can take the Old Town Trolley to see much of this, getting on and off as at any stop and staying as long as you want for one price. If you don't get off at all, it takes about 2 hours.

Beaches (need we say more?). Just remember that our water here is cold. The warmest it gets in the summer is in the 68-70 degree F range, and in the winter it can be in the 50s. Swim, or watch the surfers and other beach folk. Coronado is a good family beach (few rowdies). Ocean Beach (OB) is big with surfers and 1960s hippie types (getting pretty grey now). Mission Beach boardwalk is the place to see and be seen in little more than a handkerchief. Black's Beach requires a long walk, and used to be legally nude...now it is illegal but still commonly practiced. It is a beautiful walk, regardless.

Shopping:

Horton Plaza shopping center downtown, great food court, unusual architecture.

Seaport Village: on the waterfront. Shops and restaurants

Here is a good website for much more information and links:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/visitorsguide/

The best restaurants are either downtown in the Gaslamp, or in the Uptown/Hillcrest area, or in La Jolla or Del Mar (north). San Diego is very ethnically diverse, so you can find just about any kind of ethnic food (lots of Southeast Asian that is great), and there are many fine (and expensive) steakhouses, and of course you MUST eat seafood in San Diego.

If you MUST go to Tijuana (I never do), don't drive. Take the San Diego Trolley to the border and walk across. Much safer, and cheaper too.

You have reminded me why we enjoy San Diego so much. We visit at least once a year and always do something different. You have given me some ideas for our next vacation there. We will be staying on Shelter Island on our next visit, our first time in that area. We don't know too much about it, is there actually anything out there of interest for a family? Our kids are teens, not littles ones.

Is the Surprise still in San Diego? I read somewhere recently it had moved, we have some great pictures of it from last year.

One thing you did not mention was the harbor tour, we have done the Hornblower cruise (brunch, not dinner) I know there are others as well.

SPLINTER

Thank you for an excellent response of what to do in San Diego. You have certainly given me "food for thought". On the food subject, would you have any recommendations for seafood in the downtown/gaslamp district?

I just found out that the Surprise is back in Mexico, but we currently have 3 other tall ships here on display.

Shelter Island has good views, lots of boats, a few decent restaruants and hotels, but not much else. You are at the foot of Point Loma, so only a short drive over the hill to Ocean Beach or Sunset Cliffs to watch the surfers, and close to Cabrillo National Monument.

For seafood inexpensively, I would suggest either Anthony's (right next to the cruise ship pier) or downstairs at the Fish Market (about 1/2 mile south). For elegant, Antony's Star of the Sea or upstairs at the Fishmarket at the Top of the Market (in the same buildings) are also good. If you go to the Fish Market you HAVE to have their cheese bread....it is to die for. They all have great harbor views.

Wow Splinter you are awesome! Ever thought about going into the Visitor Center business?? You have sold me on San Diego, now I want to stay longer.

Thanks to everyone for their responses and keep 'em coming!

Steven

Splinter....

Very nice job. But please don't forget about "Little Italy", throw in Kobey's swap meet, US Olympic training center, and the historic missions. With all this, why would I move? :)...........Dennis

I have been keeping up with this thread and so far...no one has really answered the OP question on hotels. I am also intersted in something close to the cruise port and within reason (around $150.)

Which way do you recommend to tour? the Trolley or the Coaster?

Here's a link to the holiday inn across from the cruise ship terminal in San Diego:

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/sanem?irs=null

Hope this helps

Cheers

Dennis

Hi to All....

Sorry about not answering that part about hotels, but since I live here, I can not answer that honestly. I can suggest the Holiday Inn, only because other cruisers have been there. The good thing is that the port is very close to everything. Shelter Island offers some nice places and is 1 mile away from the port and near the airport. Hotel circle is about 3 miles away, but hard to access unless you have a car. By Seaport Village is the Marriott and across the street from the Gaslamp District and only 1/2 mile or less from the port.I hope this helps as you check the web hotel sites.............Dennis

Splinter, Thank-you for your detailed reply. You have been very helpful.

I was wondering if anyone knows which district I need to bid in if I were to use Priceline. We are probably going to use the trolly to get around so somewhere on the trolly route and close to the cruise terminal would be great. Thanks.

Take a look at this thread::)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=33653&highlight=San+Diego

Thank-you. That is what I was looking for. It even has maps and links....

I think recommending a hotel in San Diego is difficult because there are so many choices. It is a tourist town and there are choices ranging from very inexpensive to way over the top. Your best bet is to visit a site that pretty much lists all choices, such as Expedia. You know your budget and what is priority for you. All I can recomend is to stay away from the cheaper budget hotels in the Sea World area, we have stayed there a couple of times and have been disappointed with our choices there. If you want to be close to the port, seeing the ocean, you can expect premium rates.

Any info on the new Marriott Gaslamp Quarter? it just opened in December.

I went ahead and booked the Marriott Gaslamp Quarter, sight unseen or without any reviews. Hope we like it! Cost us $246 including tax for a city view. :eek:

Hi to All....

Sorry about not answering that part about hotels, but since I live here, I can not answer that honestly. I can suggest the Holiday Inn, only because other cruisers have been there. The good thing is that the port is very close to everything. Shelter Island offers some nice places and is 1 mile away from the port and near the airport. Hotel circle is about 3 miles away, but hard to access unless you have a car. By Seaport Village is the Marriott and across the street from the Gaslamp District and only 1/2 mile or less from the port.I hope this helps as you check the web hotel sites.............Dennis

Dennis - Are you familiar with Hampton Inn Downtown or Harbor? Are they in safe areas? I've been happy with Hampton in other cities. How much is the trolley ride around town and is it accessible from these hotels? Can one get to Coronado by public transportation or taxi (approx. cost from downtown?). People have suggested so many wonderful places I wish I would be able to spend more than 2 days pre-cruise.

Eleanor

We've stayed several times at the Marriott, downtown area. It is a great location within walking distance of the Gas Lamp district and out the back side there is the water.. off to the right out the back side is a dockside village area that has a number of shops and restaurants. Off to the left there is a nice city park.

If you get a chance, take the water taxi from the rear of the hotel across the bay to the Marriott on the island. They have a fantastic Sunday brunch!!:D

I have not stayed at that Marriott, but have been by. You will not be disappointed in your choice, great location!

Thanks! I just wish that I could see a pic of it. I can't believe that it is a month old and Marriott hasn't put any photo's on their web site.

Only a month old??? Hummm, we talking about the same hote? The San Diego Marriott on the water has been there for several years, though they have been doing some remodeling. Anyway.. not to worry.

Dean