Coronado

[FOV]

We are planning our first trip to DL/DCA. We would like to spend 4 days in the parks and then go someplace else for 5 days. We have 3 kids ages 4-9 and we thought someplace beach-oriented and relaxing may be good after Disney.

Any comments on Coronado? Do you think this would be a good place? We were thinking about staying at the Marriott because they allow 5 people in their rooms and we don't want to pay $450/night at the Hotel del Coronado! Any thoughts, comments, suggestions? We will more than likely spend a day at the San Diego Zoo, but other than that we would like to relax.

Also - what is the best time to go for us to be comfortable on the beach and have Disney not be too crowded? Would it be too chilly on the beach the first week in December?

Thanks!

 

[din]

I am assuming that you mean Coronado Marriott Resort. It is a great hotel, and have a beauftiful pool. Most rooms have a varenda that you can relax and also the rooms are bigger than most hotels that we stayed in. There is a boardwalk that faces the city of San Diego, and places to eat at the end ( north end) of the boardwalk. Also if you want a quick breakfast there is a Burger King there also. You can catch a ferry to the city from the hotel.

Coronado itself is beautiful. Getting to the hotel and the attractions are also easy.

San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park is close and also Sea World. I do not know if you have any kids but Legoland is also close by. There are a few state parks that you also visit. Of course there is the city of San Diego itself with all the museums.

You did not say where you are from, but it can get rainy in December. Also the ocean waters can be a little cold. If you go to the beaches on Coronado, there may be strong cold/cool winds blowing.

have fun and please post if you have any more questions.

 

[ceejay13]

I agree that Coronado is beautiful. We have never stayed there but would also opt for the Marriott over the Del. The public beach next to the Del is great. We visit San Diego yearly almost always go over and visit. You won't be disappointed.

 

[FOV]

Thanks for the replies! For the record our kids will be 4, 6, & 9 in the Fall of 2004 and we are coming from Massachusetts. We are WDW veterans but are looking for a new Disney experience.

Ceejay - where do you stay? Is it worth it to stay on Coronado? It is all new to us so we are flexible. I just want to stay someplace where the kids are going to have a great time - and I don't want to over plan. There is just soooo much to do in Southern California!

din - It's great to hear a good review of the Marriott. Thanks! What time of year would be good to go? I would hate to spend a lot of money to be on Coronado but be too cold to enjoy the ocean. We haven't booked anything yet so dates are flexible.

Do you think we should have a rent a car or is the public transportaion (water ferries etc...) easier? Looks like Coronado has lots of bike paths - which would be great.

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

FOV:
Do have a military I.D. card? If so, you might want to consider the Navy Lodge located at North Island (Coronado). It has a great location right on the beach and very reasonable rates.

 

[din]

FOV

I wish I could tell you when the waters will be warm in San Diego, in Northern California, the waters are always cold , maybe other local posters will be able to help.

As for the winter weather, it is mild in San Diego. Mild being relative, having stayed in Ohio for almost twenty years, it tends to be a little cloudy in winter with an occasional rain, temp around mid 60s to 70s, and since you are from Mass, that is on the warm side . To advoid rain you would want to be there after April I think....

If you want to play sand on the beach, that can done just about all year unless there is a strong wind blowing.

If you do stay at the Marriott, the pools I belive are heated. Yes pools, there are three pools in the resort. Oh I forgot to mention you can also rent those 4 wheel bikes to ride along the board walk.

Summer is warm, and San Diego being by the ocean gets a real nice ocean breeze. I belive it tends to be a little foggy in the morning though.

Hope this helps.

 

[Maridw]

I agree with calypso*a*go-go. If you have a military ID you can book the Navy lodge on the North Island Naval Station on Coronado. When we go visit my parents, we usually try to plan a couple days visit to the Navy Lodge. It is right on the beach and about a mile walk to the Hotel Del Coronado, if you want to go check it out.

Here is a link to the Navy Lodge for North Island


North Island Navy Lodge

 

[FOV]

Thanks for all the good info.

Calypso & Maridw - great tip but we do not have a military id card or connection. Sounds lovely though....

din - The 4-wheel bikes sound like a lot of fun. Based on your advice maybe we will shoot for going in early May 2005 instead of November/December - if I can wait that long.
On the other hand if the kids can play in the sand and we can do some family bike riding that is a great back-up plan. The kids will probably go swimming anyway - they are pretty hearty New Englanders, it is their Mom who is the wimp!

Any more tips or suggestions?

 

[din]

Hi FOV;

Not being from southern cal, I would suggest that you check into the ocean currents in San Diego. From observations, Pacific ocean current seems dangerous with rip tides etc...

As I mentioned earlier, San Diego Wild Animal park is nice, big but nice. Legoland is close by and is great for the little kids, actually my then 11 year old DS likes some of the rides there too.

BTW the way there is a parking fee or you can pay for valet parking at the Marriott.

 

[din]

This probabaly is too early for you, but something to bookmark for you future refrence. I got a good rate for the Marriott at this site.

Cal Vacations

 

[mobetsy]

There is a small hotel across the street from the Del that is really great. It is called Villa Capri by the Sea: http://www.villacapribythesea.com/

I stayed there with a group of 12 moms last May, and I can't begin to tell you how great the innkeeper, John, was! He even kept an eye on our lasagna in the oven while we all went over to the Del for a drink It is not the most modern place in Coronado, but the rates are reasonable for the area, it's a block from the beach, and you can get a small suite with a kitchen (oven, stove, regular size fridge, and all dishes/utensils/pans) which is both convenient and saves many $$$ if you are staying several days. It is very clean, and John's attentiveness is fabulous. There is a pool; it was cool but okay for a quick dip in mid-May (I think he actually turned on the heater just for our group!).

Just don't wander too far south on the beach w/o looking at the signs...we did and got a polite warning from a sailor that we'd wandered into Navy SEAL territory