Flying into San Diego?

[Busylady]

Planning a trip from Florida to Disneyland in December. Considering flying into San Diego and exploring there for a day then driving to Anaheim.

Slightly worried about driving - any insight into the drive between San Diego and Anaheim? Is traffic always heavy? Or is it more a rush hour concern?

Any recommendations on safe places to stay in San Diego?

 

[LAS2AMS]

Traffic is only an issue during traditional rush hours. It’s mostly vacant, government owned land between San Diego and San Clemente (with the exception of Oceanside) so traffic isn’t much of an issue. Disneyland is about 35 minutes from San Clemente, again, except heavy traffic during normal rush hour.

Traffic use to be brutal traveling north on Sundays - that was mostly people coming home from visiting Mexico, but for obvious reasons, that’s a non-issue at the moment.

 

[Christine]

Traffic is only an issue during traditional rush hours. It’s mostly vacant, government owned land between San Diego and San Clemente (with the exception of Oceanside) so traffic isn’t much of an issue. Disneyland is about 35 minutes from San Clemente, again, except heavy traffic during normal rush hour.

Traffic use to be brutal traveling north on Sundays - that was mostly people coming home from visiting Mexico, but for obvious reasons, that’s a non-issue at the moment.

I didn't realize that about northbound traffic on Sundays (I responded to the OP that Sunday has been one of my best travel days but it's been a few years).

 

[Christine]

I'll put my other response here in case anyone has the same questions on this thread in the future relative to places to stay in SD:



I've stayed in the following places in San Diego:

Liberty Station Marriott Townplace - very close to airport but not walkable. Free breakfast that is mid.

The U.S. Grant (Marriott) Downtown San Diego - right in the downtown business district. About a 20 minute walk to the harbor arear or Little Italy. Old Historic hotel, nice rooms, concierge type service, zero amenities though because of its location.

Hilton Homewood Suites Bayfront. Down the hill from Little Italy but you have to walk through a funky part to get there. I have seen the Disney Cruise Line park out front here. This hotel is popular with those on the Disney Cruise.

Marriott Residence In Bayfront/Harbor area-shares a building with Springwood Suites. Be careful if you're booking because there are 3 of these in close proximity. You don't want the downtown one. Very good free breakfast, nice hotel, right on the harbor, very walkable. You can see the Midway.

Embassy Suites, Downtown Harbor area--Right across the street from Seaport Village so walkable for sure. Great breakfast. Nice rooms.

Marriott Marquis - Very walkable, fantastic hotel, most people love this.

As I said, my son lives there but I travel there also for work hence the hotels listed and I also get a corporate rate. These hotels might not be affordable if you don't get that--I don't know. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Tink1987]

We’ve driven that route a few times and it’s always been fine. We left San Diego at around 11am on a Friday (this was pre-Covid) to let the rush hour pass and it was fine. It’s a nice drive.

However we always get Amtrak now. Quick Uber from the hotel to the San Diego Old Town train station, decently priced business class ticket and then the Anaheim train station is a quick Uber to your hotel. The train’s are always clean, the staff are friendly. It’s our preferred way now.

We’ve stayed in many places all over San Diego. You do get some crazies around the Gaslamp quarter but only one has ever come up to me and I just walked into a restaurant and he left us. This was early morning too with no one else around, when it gets busier, it’s fine. We like the Margaritaville hotel, Hotel Indigo, Bay Club Hotel (this is more out of the way so probably not great for your 1 night trip)

If you want recommendations on a 1 day itinerary, let me know

 

[mdmost]

If you do the drive from San Diego, I highly recommend a stop off in San Clemente, one of my favorite CA towns. The pier is really awesome to go to. Also, Pizza Port is a great place to stop in for lunch.

 

[VandVsmama]

the Hotel Circle area has a lot of options.

 

[Christine]

the Hotel Circle area has a lot of options.

It does and that will be the most affordable, but it's like right off the interstate and completely unwalkable. But very close to the zoo and Balboa Park.