Southern California I'm so confused...

[MissMet]

My husband & I are planning a 2 night visit in San Diego prior to our first Disneyland/Hollywood visit. I am so confused on what area of San Diego to stay in.

One of the days we'll go to the zoo & the other, something a little more laid back. We'll be there Jan 24-26.

At first I was planning to stay in Gaslamp Quarter per recommendations, because we want a nightlife of some sort. Then I thought Pacific Beach because even though we won't be swimming, my husband LOVES the beach & being outdoors, plus the rest of the trip we'll be staying at the Grand Californian so I thought something beachy would be good... Then I started reading everyone saying not to stay in Pacific Beach since it's a college scene. Then I was thinking Coronado, but people say it's dead by 10pm. Now I'm SO confused!

Here's the facts...

1. We're late 20s early 30s.
2. We not the fancy nightclub type, more the casual bar type. We want something to do at night... something like Waikiki Beach for example. Restaurants, shops, bars... Somewhere to get out at night & walk around & take it all in.
3. We will have a car but we'd rather be walking distance of nightlife & drive to the daytime activities.

Where would you stay?

Here are some hotels I've had my eye on.

Loews Coronado Bay (Coronado)
Tower23 (PB)
Pacific Terrace Hotel (PB)
Andaz (GQ)
Hotel Solamar (GQ)

Please Help!

 

[sonnyjane]

I'm 30 and say Gaslamp is for you! There are plenty of casual bars that I like (The Field, Tipsy Crow...) plus it's a short drive or cab ride to the zoo. Tons of restaurants too. Pacific Beach is TOTALLY college scene. I have a coworker that's younger than me (23) and she occasionally asks me to meet her out in PB and I feel like a grandma lol.

 

[ImDMous]

Ditto, definitely Gaslamp. Coronado rolls up the streets at sunset. Pacific Beach is for the lets-get-drunk-on-a-case-of-PBR crowd. The Gaslamp has tons of places to go at night, lots of great restaurants and if you want water, it's right there too. Walk around Seaport Village and take in the bay, tourist shops and tasty snacks. If you want to head to the beach one day, pack a bag and take the ferry that leaves from downtown and goes straight across to Coronado. There is a shuttle that runs from the ferry dock to the Hotel Del's beach.

 

[Itinkso]

I also agree that Gaslamp is the best choice between the two options.

For a beach location, we like La Jolla. Great restaurants, a museum, shopping and has the "village" feel to it. It's a beautiful, picturesque cove.