San Diego Hotels/Tourist Attractions

[SusieV]

We're looking at going to San Diego next year for a Panama Canal cruise, but we plan on staying a few days in the area. I know we want to go to the zoo, but we're not sure what else there is to see.

 

Can anyone recommend a good hotel that is near the airport and cruise port (we will have to take taxis because we can't rent a car), and hopefully is not that far from some good attractions?

 

Thanks!

[Northshorecruisers]

I'm in the process of researching San Diego right now for our October cruise. We were in San Diego previously for a cruise on the Oosterdam in Jan 2006 but arrived at the airport at 9:30 on Friday night so we didn't get to see much.

This time, we're spending 2 days pre-cruise and 1 day post-cruise.

For pre-cruise, we're staying at Holiday Inn On The Bay. We stayed there the last time we sailed from San Diego. Hotel is OK - not great. Clean, good service - don't see anything wrong with the place. Good restaurant off the lobby. It's great to get a bayside room and go out on the balcony early in the morning to see your ship. You're right across the street from the cruise terminal. Also, the hotel will shuttle you for free from the airport to hotel and hotel to cruiseport (of course, tips are always appreciated).

We arrive at 9:30am on Thursday morning and are planning to do the Aircraft Carrier Museum and Seaport Village that day. They are an easy walk from the hotel.

On Friday, we're going to pick up the trolley tour. You pay once and get on and off as much as you want. There is a stop just down the road from the hotel. Planning to do Gaslamp Quarter that day.

When we get back from our cruise, we're looking at Handlery Resort in Mission Valley. Looks nice, I'm waiting to hear back from someone on our roll call that lives in SD as to whether it would be a good choice. It's close to Old Town and they have a festival on Saturdays that I'd like to walk through.

 

Deb

[Splinter]

There is a lot to do in San Diego. You can use the search function here to find many previous posts. Here are a few:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=194021&highlight=Cabrillo

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=514159&highlight=Cabrillo

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=452726&highlight=Cabrillo

 

 

San Diego can be done without a car, but it is Southern California, so a car makes life easier. With a car you have a much wider range of where to stay. For example, Mission Valley has less expensive hotels, and is still centrally located with easy freeway access and short drives to most attractions, as well as easy San Diego Trolley access.

 

Don't confuse the Old Town Trolley (a commercial jitney-type tour company) with the San Diego Trolley (our light rail system).

 

You might want to consider La Pensione in Little Italy for a good quality hotel with easy trolley access and short cab rides to the Zoo, Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter and the airport and pier. They don't have a shuttle or free parking, but you can easily walk to great restaurants.