Can we do this trip without a car?

[nancy drew]

Do we need a car in San Diego if we are just staying for 4 nights and planning on doing Sea World, the zoo, and Lego Land and maybe a beach? I guess what I mean is: are there hotels that have shuttles to/from these attractions (even paid shuttles are fine)? I found a couple of hotels that advertise shuttles to Sea World, but there isn't info on the zoo or LL.

I'm trying to avoid the expense of renting a car and driving in an unfamiliar area, which completely stresses me out.

 

[chelleydi77]

I would think you will need a car. Legoland is in Carlsbad, north of San Diego (30 miles maybe?). Depending on where you are staying you could take the city bus to the zoo.

 

[yupikgal]

nancydrew (love your name!) we never rented a car in 2009, and we're going this summer again, and not planning on getting this time either...if you are staying in the Old Town/Downtown area, you can catch the MTS trolley (public transportation) which can take you to several areas, not Legoland though...

Here's another option for touring, we loved it, and it's only about $30pp. http://www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/
It's a hop-on, hop-off tour that takes you to Coronado Island, Old Town, Downtown, Seaport Village, Balboa Park, which is where the zoo is.

By the way, the Holiday Inn Express has a shuttle that will pick you up from the airport or train station, and bring you to the Zoo & Seaworld! They also feature a complimentary breakfast, etc. http://www.hioldtownhotel.com/services_and_amenities/
We were going to stay there, but decided to stay on Coronado Island instead at the historic Glorietta Bay Inn. www.gloriettabayinn.com
It's across the street from the famous Hotel Del/Coronado Beach, and we can take a ferry to downtown San Diego or take the Old Town trolley tour again if we choose to!

Have a great visit, we love San Diego, and your kids will love Legoland! The only solution to getting there would be renting a car or you may be able to take the train, not sure where it stops in Carlsbad, if at all, but I'm sure it goes by it because we've taken it from Anaheim to San Diego, and that's what we're doing this summer.

 

[nancy drew]

never mind

 

[yupikgal]

nancy, did you cancel your trip? We are heading there on the 26th of this month...hope you can make it another time if you can??

 

[nancy drew]

Hi, thanks so much for checking in with me

I didn't cancel the trip, I just decided that this time we will stay in Anaheim and do day trips to Sea World and Legoland via Gray Line Tours. That way I don't have to stress about driving in a new place, or bringing the kids' booster seats. Then in a year or two we will do a longer trip and stay in San Diego, then move up to Anaheim. I figure I'll try to pay attention on the tour so I am somewhat familiar with how easy (or difficult!!) the driving and navigation will be for me.

I appreciate the info about the hotels and shuttles, though! I will remember that when we go to SD!

Have fun on your trip!

 

[ncc1701]

Hi, thanks so much for checking in with me

I didn't cancel the trip, I just decided that this time we will stay in Anaheim and do day trips to Sea World and Legoland via Gray Line Tours. That way I don't have to stress about driving in a new place, or bringing the kids' booster seats. Then in a year or two we will do a longer trip and stay in San Diego, then move up to Anaheim. I figure I'll try to pay attention on the tour so I am somewhat familiar with how easy (or difficult!!) the driving and navigation will be for me.

I appreciate the info about the hotels and shuttles, though! I will remember that when we go to SD!

Have fun on your trip!

For your future trip you might consider doing what DH & I have done on our 2 trips to San Diego.We used a combo of cabs,public transpit & the trolley a PP mentioned while staying in SD.Then when we went north to Huntington Beach (which is only 30min or so from DL) we rented a car at the SD airport and drove
This saves on hotel parking fees and cuts down the rental car expense.

 

[nancy drew]

For your future trip you might consider doing what DH & I have done on our 2 trips to San Diego.We used a combo of cabs,public transpit & the trolley a PP mentioned while staying in SD.Then when we went north to Huntington Beach (which is only 30min or so from DL) we rented a car at the SD airport and drove
This saves on hotel parking fees and cuts down the rental car expense.

Thank you! I didn't even think about cabs. Duh!