Southern California san diego - help on choosing a hotel

[Happy99]

We are two adults and DS who will be 17 by then.

Having never been to San Diego it is hard to figure out which area to stay. We like nicer hotels, at WDW we normally stay at the deluxe hotels.

We are traveling early to mid November and I know it isn't swimming weather but I would still like an ocean view if possible. Do not want to spend more than $400 per night

I looked at the hotel del Coronado and they have some specials but the trip advisor reviews and some of the room photos of run down rooms have me concerned (the photos are from early 2013)
Seems like Pacific Beach would also be a good option but a neighbor's son told me it is a big college hang out area

Any suggestions?

Thank you

 

[ImDMous]

The Hotel Del has beautiful grounds and common spaces, but it is a historic hotel. As such, the rooms are small, a bit dark, and a bit aged.

Pacific Beach is where the college kids live and/or go to get trashed, I wouldn't stay there.

Del Mar and La Jolla will have some very nice hotels. Del Mar is a little farther away from downtown but a quick drive on the I-5. La Jolla might be a little pricey, depending on what hotel.

Even hotels that are downtown San Diego will have ocean views. There are several Marriotts, Hiltons, and Hyatts that are in downtown San Diego with great views, nice grounds and great surrounding atmosphere. We like the Hilton San Diego Bayfront and the Manchester Grand Hyatt.

You could also try Mission Bay. Paradise Point is a great resort with tons of atmosphere you won't get in a big chain.

 

[momjeeps]

I grew up in San Diego area. Do not opt for PB. Definitely college kid scene.

LaJolla or Carlsbad are better areas. DH and I stayed at a beach front resort in Carlsbad for our our first honeymoon night. Walked along the beach in the evening. Loved it.

When I am unsure I do Travelocity secret deals for anything with four stars or higher and I've had some nice surprises on some great deals. I've never been disappointed.

 

[Happy99]

thank you

 

[bjscheel]

The Dana on Mission Bay doesn't have an ocean view, but a bay view. We stayed there this month. The new section with a bay view is nice, you wouldn't want the old section. We had a bay view room. The bathroom has slate tile in the shower and on the floor- loved that. The pool on that side was very nice. Lovely grounds. Mission Beach and the ocean was about a mile away over the bridge and we walked it twice, it was easy.

 

[Purrkins]

PB is pretty dirty.

The Pearl in Pt. Loma

The W (Harbor view) in Downtown

The La Valencia in La Jolla

The Lodge at Torrey Pines (just North of La Jolla on the golf course)

Last two are very, very, nice.

 

[ncc1701]

We have stayed at the Del the last 2 years and have also stayed the Manchester Grand Hyatt
in San Diego.
The Hyatt is finishing up it's renovations and is about a 15+ minute walk to the Gaslamp & right next door to Seaport Village.
Our rooms in the Del were in the Cabana & Tower buildings.They were clean and done in yellow/green tones . The main building rooms were renovated in the last year or so. The lobby area and some of the public areas are dark but that was the style when the hotel was built.
There are also several restaurants within walking distance .Plus IMO you can't go wrong if you can eat lunch overlooking the Pacific at your hotel.
Both hotels are near stops for the Old Town Trolley tour which will also take you to Old Town and Balboa Park .
They are both among our top places to stay. The others being POFQ & the Hyatts in Huntington Beach,CA and Fishermans' Wharf San Francisco, CA

 

[Happy99]

thank you

By the way we have stayed at the Hyatt Huntington Beach and it was great

 

[Albertan mom]

Is there hotels in San Diego that are right on the beach? That you can swim at?

Sorry, I am a first timer to SD and don't know anything about it!

Looking for a hotel that isn't crazy expensive for Aug 9, 10, 11, 12 for DH, me, DD18 and DS15.

Thanks in advance for any ideas or recommendations!

 

[sonnyjane]

Is there hotels in San Diego that are right on the beach? That you can swim at?

Sorry, I am a first timer to SD and don't know anything about it!

Looking for a hotel that isn't crazy expensive for Aug 9, 10, 11, 12 for DH, me, DD18 and DS15.

Thanks in advance for any ideas or recommendations!

There are a couple of hotels that are actually on the beach where you can swim, unfortunately that whole "not crazy expensive" part makes it tricky.

Click on this link to look at the "beachfront" hotels for your dates: http://travel.travelocity.com/hotel...gDate=08/12/2013&dateFormat=mm/dd/yyyy&#F0001

A few of those pop up but they aren't actually on a beach, just overlooking a bay. For example that Wyndham San Diego Bayside shouldn't be on that list. That Hotel Sante Fe (#16) shouldn't be on there at all.

Sadly it's kind of short notice so if you want to be on a swimmable beach, you'll have to pay for it