May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 4

[granmaz]

We go to San Diego often as youngest DD has been at the University of San Diego for the last four years. If you are looking for recommendations for hotels, let me know. Do you want to be on the beach, downtown, near Old Town or toward La Jolla?

We will be in San Diego from 5/25-30 for Sam's graduation. Our favorite hotel is the Del Coronado but we have stayed in many different hotels all over the San Diego area.

The Del Coronado looks amazing and I would just love to stay there, but not sure we can afford the prices. It will be top prices I imagine for Memorial Day weekend too! It is difficult to decide on an area when basically you want to see everything! I would love a sea/bay view, but they come at a premium too! But of course I will just have had 15 days of sea views!!

I saw your recommendation for rental properties on Mission Beach too.

 

[Tahoe]

Oh thank you so much!!! I will have a good look at the link thanks.

I have spent some time today looking on tripadvisor and on the Southern California threads on this board. There are a few questions about San Diego and hotels. I am sure we want to go for 5 or so days but not sure of which area. Some help in deciding that would be lovely.

There are a ton of nice places to stay all around here and you will get a lot of opinions, but my opinion is that the best place to stay is the downtown area. We had friends from Iowa who came to town for a conference (fellow DISers we met on a cruise!), and they stayed at the Manchester Hyatt. It's on the bay in downtown, not the beach, but it's close to everything--the Gaslamp Quarter and good restaurants, the Maritime museum, including the Star of India and the USS Midway aircraft carrier, which is now a museum. When we met up with them everyday, it was like I was on vacation!

Seaport Village is a quaint little shopping area along the water with great views of the bay and the Coronado Bay bridge. Petco Park (the new Padres baseball stadium) has really revamped the downtown area. It's a fun place to be! You will need a car or get some sort of transportation if you want to go to Sea World, La Jolla, etc. The zoo and the amazing Balboa Park are pretty much downtown, but you wouldn't really want to walk, since it's kind of far.

And a major big shopping mall with "premium" stores is also downtown--called Horton Plaza.

Okay, so downtown is my first choice, but look at Local Wally's site--he gives a good overview of the different sections. I would probably avoid the Mission Valley area, and though I love Coronado and the Hotel Del, it is a little out of the way if you want to do a lot of sightseeing.

Yes--ask Noel about the good hotels to stay in. We haven't actually stayed in too many of them.

 

[granmaz]

Thanks Karin - that is very interesting. I am really looking forward to visiting your city.

 

[granmaz]

Noel, you are going to be there the same time this year as we will be next!! That will be interesting to hear about.

Will this be your last trip for a while with Sam graduating?

 

[birkner]

The Del Coronado looks amazing and I would just love to stay there, but not sure we can afford the prices. It will be top prices I imagine for Memorial Day weekend too! It is difficult to decide on an area when basically you want to see everything! I would love a sea/bay view, but they come at a premium too! But of course I will just have had 15 days of sea views!!

I saw your recommendation for rental properties on Mission Beach too.

Tahoe has some great points about staying in the downtown area. There are many things to see in the downtown area such as Balboa Park and the Gaslight Quarter.We have stayed downtown also but we prefer the beach area.

Some of our favorites are in Mission Beach area. Hotel recommendations will depend upon what you are looking for and in what price range. Are you driving?

As far as shopping we prefer Fashion Valley which is on Friars Road.
http://www.simon.com/mall/mall_info.aspx?ID=765

If you book far enough ahead, you might be able to get some lower rates but since I am staying this Memorial Day weekend, I understand that prices are high. For example, we are paying $143 a night at the Residence Inn for a 1 bedroom with kitchen for the Friday before Memorial Day. Room rates also include a full breakfast and an afternoon snack. The two bedrooms we have rented are $336.00 a night for Saturday-Tuesday during the Memorial Day weekend.

If you give me an idea of what price range and what types of activites you plan to do while in San Diego, I will be happy to let you know what hotels in which we have stayed.

 

[granmaz]

Noel we will be driving. I did fancy Mission Beach/Bay area until Karin mentioned downtown! I imagine we will not get much for under $200 and of course some charge quite a bit for parking. We do like walking around places, boardwalks, beaches, town centres. I think we would go to Seaworld, the Zoo, the Aircraft carrier etc. We are usually not bothered about lying for hours on the beach though. A balcony would be nice!!

 

[granmaz]

Goodnight everyone.

I don't know when you are all travelling to DL, but have safe trips and a great weekend and meet.

 

[LiserAnn]

Anybody have any particular plans for Sunday before the meet?

I am debating if I should stay over on Monday and Tuesday but curious if anyone else will be still there?

Since it's only an hours drive or less, we're just driving up for the meet, but I'd like to hear what you all plan....

 

[birkner]

Noel we will be driving. I did fancy Mission Beach/Bay area until Karin mentioned downtown! I imagine we will not get much for under $200 and of course some charge quite a bit for parking. We do like walking around places, boardwalks, beaches, town centres. I think we would go to Seaworld, the Zoo, the Aircraft carrier etc. We are usually not bothered about lying for hours on the beach though. A balcony would be nice!!

Marilyn, one of the things I dislike about the hotels in San Diego that we have stayed in is many of them charge for parking.

Residence Inn is $10.00 per day
http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/sanhc-residence-inn-san-diego-mission-valley/

Manchester Hyatt is $20.00 per day
http://manchestergrand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

Hyatt Islandia (where we often stay) is $15.00
http://islandia.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

Both the Manchester and Island have balaconies and great views. We had reservations at the Hyatt Islandia prior to their current renovation and the cost would have been $1256.00 for four nights for two from Friday of Memorial weekend checking out on Tuesday.

We changed back to the Residence Inn for the hotel is really a disaster during the renovation which will be complete in September 2007. I highly recommend this hotel and I am sure after the renovation it will be spectacular.

Two other hotels in the Beach area I lreally like are the Catamaran and the Bahia. Both have balconies.

Catamaran hotel to park is $12.00 per day
http://www.catamaranresort.com/

Bahia hotel does not charge hotel guests for parking
http://www.bahiahotel.com/

Why don't you look at these hotel web sites and see if any of these hotels are to your taste. If not, I can recommend more. All are easy driving distance from airport, to Sea World, Zoo, Old Town, Balboa Park and downtown.

As for the Del, you can always drive to the Del Coronado for lunch. They have validated parking if you lunch there and it is a real treat to see. Their Sunday brunch is spectacular!!

http://www.hoteldel.com/

 

[LiserAnn]

We'll be there as soon as we can--I'm guessing 4:15-4:30ish, only because I have to time the valet parking right for the free parking! I'm planning 2 1/2 hours at dinner--what do you think? (Our problem is that the kids have school the next day and it's an hour and a half drive home, otherwise I wouldn't mind closing down the restaurant!)

Maybe I should find out how much it is if you go over your 3 hours....

That's when we're planning to arrive. Will the Grand Cal validate? I know if you dine at one of the downtown disney restaurants they'll validate and you get 5 hours free instead of 3.

 

[TiggersPal]

That was such a memorable evening!

Downtown Disney has free parking for three hours. Add two hours with validation.

Woody

I am finally de-stressing - and I am SOOOO HAPPY that I'll get to see you guys this weekend! I can't wait to hear all about Prague, etc. etc!!! Bring pictures. P.S. Please give Mrs. Woody a huge hug for me, I got the photos before you left for Europe! The cover photos on the CD maker - was so pretty - thanks again for sharing those with me. There were several of the two of you that I thought were just awesome - you two riding off into the sunset... so sweet. Mystic sends her love!

 

[TiggersPal]

We're staying at Peacock Suites (it's about 1 mile from the park), as I had Shell Vacations time share points to use up that were leftover from last year.

I've only stayed at the Anaheim Hilton, Marriot Suites and CandyCane Inn off property.

My guess is we'll go back to the hotel for a mid-afternoon rest on Sunday and then head over to the GC. You can valet park there if you are eating at the restaurant by the way (for like 3 hours or something). I don't know about the other girls, but I'd like to show up around 4PM for some visiting on the patio!

There goes my sister planning and more planning - wonder if we'll have any time to wander - that she doesn't have us "booked" for something.

Ah, the story of my life. My motto (from the last cruise) I don't know what we are doing, I'm just following my sister...!

 

[granmaz]

Marilyn, one of the things I dislike about the hotels in San Diego that we have stayed in is many of them charge for parking.

Residence Inn is $10.00 per day
http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/sanhc-residence-inn-san-diego-mission-valley/

Manchester Hyatt is $20.00 per day
http://manchestergrand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

Hyatt Islandia (where we often stay) is $15.00
http://islandia.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

Both the Manchester and Island have balaconies and great views. We had reservations at the Hyatt Islandia prior to their current renovation and the cost would have been $1256.00 for four nights for two from Friday of Memorial weekend checking out on Tuesday.

We changed back to the Residence Inn for the hotel is really a disaster during the renovation which will be complete in September 2007. I highly recommend this hotel and I am sure after the renovation it will be spectacular.

Two other hotels in the Beach area I lreally like are the Catamaran and the Bahia. Both have balconies.

Catamaran hotel to park is $12.00 per day
http://www.catamaranresort.com/

Bahia hotel does not charge hotel guests for parking
http://www.bahiahotel.com/

Why don't you look at these hotel web sites and see if any of these hotels are to your taste. If not, I can recommend more. All are easy driving distance from airport, to Sea World, Zoo, Old Town, Balboa Park and downtown.

As for the Del, you can always drive to the Del Coronado for lunch. They have validated parking if you lunch there and it is a real treat to see. Their Sunday brunch is spectacular!!

http://www.hoteldel.com/

Thanks Noel.

 

[TiggersPal]

OMG, I had one of the best character interactions with Kenai...I still have the love note 'he' wrote me. "Kenai loves you and fsh". Yes, there is no "i" in fish because the fish he was carrying was mising an eye.


Yes....Saturday will be a madhouse at DLR and our pal NotSoLittleMermaid will be right in the midst of it! Is she a madwoman?...well, only time will tell! Well, if all else fails in trying to find a restaurant...there's alway KFC and our suite!

Wasn't that the time we made up that entire song???? He was helping us "write" it - by writing things down on a piece of paper - then he "fell asleep" on the floor (I think we wore him out) and all the kids came over to our table because they wanted to know what was going on...and I told them that the bear was Hybernating... he stayed on the floor for what seemed like 15 minutes! What a great memory!

 

[lwilliam]

lwilliam (Lucy) here.....I want to wish everyone meeting at DL a VERY FUN TIME I wish my DH Bob and I could attend - if LisaAnn is planning - I know it will be fun!

Having a little meeting ourselves - EllaEnchanted (Deb and John) are meeting Bob and myself tomorrow evening....can't wait to meet a DISer!

I read this thread every single day and I'm trying to keep up with it......
I'm also really interested in the Med crossing right now - I love the posts.

IF anyone else lives near Reading/Allentown, PA and would like to meet up one day, just post.....

(oh, yea, I'm the one who didn't want to leave her children in the beginning - they are ONLY 20 and 15....but, believe me, things have changed and I'm counting the days till the Canal cruise)
Lucy

 

[Tahoe]

Noel we will be driving. I did fancy Mission Beach/Bay area until Karin mentioned downtown! I imagine we will not get much for under $200 and of course some charge quite a bit for parking. We do like walking around places, boardwalks, beaches, town centres. I think we would go to Seaworld, the Zoo, the Aircraft carrier etc. We are usually not bothered about lying for hours on the beach though. A balcony would be nice!!

Yes, my second choice would be the Mission Beach/Bay area (as I spent many an early morning rowing on the bay). Belmont Park has an old wooden roller coaster, which is a short and jerky ride, but fun. The Bahia and Catamaran are quite nice with nice beachy bay property. I think there's also still a river boat that goes between the two hotels.

The Hotel Del has always been my favorite hangout, though I've never stayed there. One of my best memories of my younger single days was having drinks out on the deck over looking the ocean watching the sun set. Now, in my married with kids and a dog days, dog beach at the north end by the naval air station is where we hang out! It's a close to Castaway Cay heaven as I can get without a ship!

Since you have a car, you have more options. There are also smaller hotels that aren't exactly on the bay or beach that are nice. My DIS friend from Iowa wished she had stayed at the Embassy Suites, which is across from the Manchester Hyatt. There's a great yummy BBQ place there, too, called Kansas City Barbecue--where the piano scene in Top Gun was filmed!

I think it's high time I take a vacation in my own city!

 

[Tahoe]

That's when we're planning to arrive. Will the Grand Cal validate? I know if you dine at one of the downtown disney restaurants they'll validate and you get 5 hours free instead of 3.

Good question. I'll try to call tonight and find out. If the DTD parking lot was the same one for the self GC parking, that wouldn't be bad, but I don't know if I want a huge long walk after dinner with the kids, BUT the long walk beforehand would be great to get ready for the buffet!

 

[birkner]

That's when we're planning to arrive. Will the Grand Cal validate? I know if you dine at one of the downtown disney restaurants they'll validate and you get 5 hours free instead of 3.

Since I am staying at the hotel, I checked with the hotel and was told they allow you up to 5 hours free parking with validation.

 

[endkaos]

The Del Coronado looks amazing and I would just love to stay there, but not sure we can afford the prices. It will be top prices I imagine for Memorial Day weekend too! It is difficult to decide on an area when basically you want to see everything! I would love a sea/bay view, but they come at a premium too! But of course I will just have had 15 days of sea views!!

I saw your recommendation for rental properties on Mission Beach too.

The Hotel Del has two types of accommodations. You can stay in the older Victorian part of the hotel where rooms are more expensive or you can stay in the tower. These are modern rooms with minimal character and therefore, they charge less for them. You might have to ask your travel agent or the hotel directly about them.

 

[Tahoe]

Since I am staying at the hotel, I checked with the hotel and was told they allow you up to 5 hours free parking with validation.

Yes! This is just what I just found out too! So 5 hours (we have to remind each other to get our tickets validated by our server) for free--tip only, what a deal.