Southern California San Diego Advice, including Hotel Rec's?

[lilibc]

Hello!

We are now less than a month away from our first trip to Disney! I'm super excited. We're staying at the Disneyland Hotel for the first 7 nights of our trip, then renting a car and going to San Diego for the last 4 nights. We have two little girls, 2 and 5.

We are going to do the Zoo and Sea World in San Diego. We don't have any other plans yet and don't know much at all about San Diego. We would love some beach time.....

Any advice on hotels or areas to stay? I like the idea of being within walking distance to something of interest e.g. walking out to the beach or walking out to restaurants/shopping. We're happy to pay for super clean (I don't like a hotel that is not SUPER clean), but don't want to spend a fortune as we're splurging for the Disneyland Hotel for the first week. A suite/separate bedroom would be a bonus so we could stay up a bit later than the kids.

Any other tips for San Diego? Must do's?

Thank you!

 

[KateDrake]

Last time we went, we stayed at a Days Inn right next to Old Town, and it was surprisingly nice. I can't remember what the name was (I think there are like 5 Days in San Diego) but this was the only one by Old Town. It had a new wing that is devoted to business travel, and the rooms were far nicer than you would normally find at a hotel of that type. So that might be a good option. If money was no object, I'd say the Hotel del Coronado, which is my favorite hotel ever, but it's pretty dang pricey, especially on top of the DLH bill!

We love the usual San Diego stuff like Sea World, San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Wild Animal Park, but there are lots of other hidden gems. I love strolling around Old Town and checking out all the fun little history exhibits and little shops, followed by lunch or dinner at one of the Mexican restaurants.

Another family favorite is to drive (or better yet, bike) around Balboa park and just explore. Take a picnic and let the kids run wild around the Spreckles Organ Pavillion if there isn't a concert going on. The Japanese Friendship Garden and Botanical Gardens are really beautiful as well.

If you want to go to the beach, I'd highly recommend driving out to Coronado Island and setting yourself up on the groomed beaches of the Del. The beach is open to the public, and it's so clean and well cared for (so many of the beaches down there are kind of scary and have broken bottles, etc.) You can order lunch from the hotel, which is fun. And their ice cream shop has the best ice cream! I don't know what it is, but for some reason it is just better than any other ice cream I've had.

Anyway, hope that helps! I'm sure you guys will have a great time!

 

[PHXscuba]

If you're staying 4 nights, you might look into a 1-bedroom condo. For about the same price as a hotel suite, you could also have a kitchen and potentially a nice beachside location.

We rented a condo on Mission Bay where the waves aren't big and we could walk out the back door of the condo right onto the sand. Sea World was right over the bridge.

PHXscuba

 

[bjscheel]

I haven't been there yet, but I have read a lot on TripAdvisor. For our San Diego portion of our trip we are staying at The Dana on Mission Bay. It is right next door to Sea World and there is a free shuttle, which might save you on parking. It is also about a mile to Mission Beach and walkable. There are bike rentals and marina rentals right there, and Mission Bay Park with boating and play areas. We liked that it was more of a resort feel than just a hotel or a downtown location. We will be carless so we'll take the shuttle to SW and walk or bike to the beach. They don't have free breakfast, which is disappointing. I'm not sure if they have suites with a separate bedroom.

Since you're going in a month, you might be able to do the 3rd night free special. Go to their specials and pick that one. We are getting that for our June trip which was a great deal to me- we saved $250. Some nights are blocked out.

There are two sections to The Dana- older, and newer Water's Edge with bay views. From what I read, you want Water's Edge and the bay view. There is a big difference.

 

[SingWithFlowers]

Hi, I live in San Diego

My extended family just visited and they stayed at Paradise Point which was very very nice! It's super close (they claim "closest resort") to SeaWorld, right on Mission Bay, and it actually has a water taxi that goes to SeaWorld. The resort sits right on the water and has it's own beach fire pit area. All of the rooms look like little bungalows and you can also get some that are right in the sand with private fire pits & connecting rooms. They also have 4 person bike, Segway, and scooter rentals on site. Two heated pools which include hot tubs and fire pits.

I really recommend this place for a nice San Diego experience.

I haven't been to the zoo in a long time so I'm not sure if that'll take all day, but it's in Balboa Park which you'll probably want to check out as well. I know I loved the Ruben H Fleet Science Center as a kid which is right over there.

If you stay around SeaWorld you'll be close to a place called Hodad's which I think is a must-try if you enjoy a good burger.

 

[Purrkins]

Hello!

We are now less than a month away from our first trip to Disney! I'm super excited. We're staying at the Disneyland Hotel for the first 7 nights of our trip, then renting a car and going to San Diego for the last 4 nights. We have two little girls, 2 and 5.

We are going to do the Zoo and Sea World in San Diego. We don't have any other plans yet and don't know much at all about San Diego. We would love some beach time.....

Any advice on hotels or areas to stay? I like the idea of being within walking distance to something of interest e.g. walking out to the beach or walking out to restaurants/shopping. We're happy to pay for super clean (I don't like a hotel that is not SUPER clean), but don't want to spend a fortune as we're splurging for the Disneyland Hotel for the first week. A suite/separate bedroom would be a bonus so we could stay up a bit later than the kids.

Any other tips for San Diego? Must do's?

Thank you!

I'd avoid "Hotel Circle" - urban sprawl and not much around. The Embassy Suites in Downtown San Diego might be worth looking into. Close to the Zoo and Sea World (about 10 minutes driving to both) and plenty of places to walk to for food and drink plus the Maritime Museum is close by and the Midway aircraft carrier museum. Great Children's Museum just down the street as well.

San Diego has great fish tacos and beer.

Be sure to rent a car - everything here is spread out and our public transportation is horrid.

 

[lilibc]

Hi, I live in San Diego

My extended family just visited and they stayed at Paradise Point which was very very nice! It's super close (they claim "closest resort") to SeaWorld, right on Mission Bay, and it actually has a water taxi that goes to SeaWorld. The resort sits right on the water and has it's own beach fire pit area. All of the rooms look like little bungalows and you can also get some that are right in the sand with private fire pits & connecting rooms. They also have 4 person bike, Segway, and scooter rentals on site. Two heated pools which include hot tubs and fire pits.

I really recommend this place for a nice San Diego experience.

I haven't been to the zoo in a long time so I'm not sure if that'll take all day, but it's in Balboa Park which you'll probably want to check out as well. I know I loved the Ruben H Fleet Science Center as a kid which is right over there.

If you stay around SeaWorld you'll be close to a place called Hodad's which I think is a must-try if you enjoy a good burger.

This place looks lovely! But there is a huge difference in price depending on the room. Are the standard rooms decent? Or do you have to get a garden or bay room to be really nice? The price range of those may be out of our budget unfortunately....... :-(

 

[lilibc]

Any other hotel suggestions? Dana is out.....

 

[julm26]

We are staying on Shelter Island at the Best Western Island Palms.