San Diego -- Help!

[jam217]

I'm planning a trip for my 17-year-old son and I for the last week of July, and I have some questions.

I'm not sure where I want to stay but have narrowed it down to a couple of places thanks to Trip Advisor and am looking for feedback-- Old Town Inn, 4444 Pacific Highway; Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Airport and Liberty Station, 2592 Laning Road; or Beach Hut B&B, 3761 Rivera Drive.

My preference is not to rent a car and just use the trolley system but I don't know if that's realistic. It looks like Old Town Inn is close to a trolley station and within walking distance to shops and dining. The Marriott has a free shuttle to and from the airport but doesn't look like it's close to public transportation.

Our itinerary includes the zoo, hitting the beach, Sea World, riding bikes, and seeing a couple of Padre games. Is there way to do all this via public transportation?

I'm open to other hotel suggestions. I don't need 5 Star but would like it to be clean. It'd be nice if breakfast was included but if not, that's okay, too. My reason for not wanting to rent a car is because I have issues with driving in unfamiliar areas, but if I need be, I'll just get over it. TIA.
jill

 

[eduk8r26]

You can take the buses just about anywhere. If you are near the airport, you are close to downtown and the stadium. I know you can take the bus to Sea World and the zoo.

 

[skiingfast]

My preference is not to rent a car and just use the trolley system but I don't know if that's realistic. It looks like Old Town Inn is close to a trolley station and within walking distance to shops and dining. The Marriott has a free shuttle to and from the airport but doesn't look like it's close to public transportation.

Our itinerary includes the zoo, hitting the beach, Sea World, riding bikes, and seeing a couple of Padre games. Is there way to do all this via public transportation?


jill

Jill I would really think about that Old Town inn. In a sense the other places near the airport are in the middle of nowhere. But walking to old town and the troller will be a benefit. Also you might look down town as well. I know there are a few 4 star hotels close to the train station. From there you can take the coaster north to a few beach areas.

Might check out the Hotel Solomar it's a Kimpton inn, kind of chique but always nice.

Also from a downtown hotel or the trolley down town it's easy to get to Petco Park and Gaslamp Quarter where there is dining and shopping. There is also a mall right downtown, Horton Plaza.

 

[sueg]

We are long time WDW vacationers & we are trying a San Diego & DL vacation this Aug. I had the same question about public transportation because we are not sure we will rent a car, esp, since all the hotels charge so much to park, up to $35 daily for valet only.
I am looking at downtown hotels, but have read many complaints about train noise w/ whistle blowing in the middle of the night. I am not a great sleeper, so this concerns me esp. since we will be there 4 nights. I'm booked at Hampton Inn on Pacific Coast Highway & read scary reviews, we are also considering Hilton Gaslight, but these are train complaints there too. Any info would be appreciated. SGG

 

[skiingfast]

We are long time WDW vacationers & we are trying a San Diego & DL vacation this Aug. I had the same question about public transportation because we are not sure we will rent a car, esp, since all the hotels charge so much to park, up to $35 daily for valet only.
I am looking at downtown hotels, but have read many complaints about train noise w/ whistle blowing in the middle of the night. I am not a great sleeper, so this concerns me esp. since we will be there 4 nights. I'm booked at Hampton Inn on Pacific Coast Highway & read scary reviews, we are also considering Hilton Gaslight, but these are train complaints there too. Any info would be appreciated. SGG

If you are worried about the train noise , it is a problem anywhere near this area. The Hiton you mention is just off the tracks and near a rail yard which would cause more horns as trains depart and enter the yard. The Hampton is a few blocks from a intersection where many more trains cross each day each sounding their horn. Not to mention I-5 is also a couple blocks away.

If noise is that big a deal I would try to get a few blocks into downtown where you can walk to the trains station but not be off the tracks. Also the more stories up near the track or being behind some building so you are not in the line of site will help. Look at the Hotel Solomar it is a bit isolated from the tracks. You could also ask that your room face away from the tracks.

 

[sueg]

Thanks for the suggestion, but the Hotel Solomar only offers us a king size bed & we are traveling w/ our son. We need two beds, preferably Qn.

 

[munchkinsmom]

I'm not sure where I want to stay but have narrowed it down to a couple of places thanks to Trip Advisor and am looking for feedback-- Old Town Inn, 4444 Pacific Highway; Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Airport and Liberty Station, 2592 Laning Road; or Beach Hut B&B, 3761 Rivera Drive.

As a local, I'd probably choose the Courtyard by Marriott-Liberty Station out of the three you mentioned above, but with your needs, these places wouldn't be the ideal locations to stay.

My preference is not to rent a car and just use the trolley system but I don't know if that's realistic. It looks like Old Town Inn is close to a trolley station and within walking distance to shops and dining. The Marriott has a free shuttle to and from the airport but doesn't look like it's close to public transportation...Our itinerary includes the zoo, hitting the beach, Sea World, riding bikes, and seeing a couple of Padre games. Is there way to do all this via public transportation?

My first choice for you would be The Doubletree Hotel in Mission Valley (on Hazard Center Road). It's located right next to the San Diego Trolley Line, which would take you straight to downtown, Petco Park, and other touristy areas nearby. Mission Valley is also close to the beach and Sea World, so if you needed to take a taxi there, it wouldn't cost as much as staying downtown. It's also a relatively easy drive if you decide to rent a car.

The Old Town Trolley Tours might be nice option for you if you need to get to the zoo. It's a nice tour with on/off privileges throughout the day. It has a stop at the Zoo/Balboa Park: http://www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/. If you stayed at the Doubletree Mission Valley, take the San Diego Trolley to the Old Town Station, get off and then pick up the Old Town Trolley tour which would bring you to the zoo. The trolley tour will also take you to Coronado, which will give you an option of visiting Hotel Del Coronado and Coronado Beach! ADDED INFORMATION: The Old Town trolley tour also has a hotel shuttle service from various hotels around town which could take you straight to one of their stops: http://www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/shuttle.asp. I mention this because this shuttle service could potentially open the door for other possible hotels to stay at. Just something to think about.

There are also some nice hotels downtown, along Harbor Drive: Holiday Inn on Harbor, Embassy Suites Downtown, a Hyatt and a couple of Marriott Hotels (one on Harbor, another right next to Petco), all within walking distance to the trolley.

HTH! Good luck in your choice and have a great time in San Diego!

 

[jam217]

Thank you for all your responses. I ended up booking the Holiday Inn on the Bay on Harbor Drive for a couple of reasons. Price was reasonable -- about $150 a night. Also, they provide shuttle service to and from the airport and the zoo.

I'll admit that I'm a little concerned about noise coming from the trains and cruise ships but my son and I just decided that we'll take ear plugs and tough it out.

And after checking out car rental prices and hotel parking charges, we decided we'll just try to make do with public transportation and taxis. Thanks again for all your suggestions.

 

[munchkinsmom]

Good choice. I really don't think the trains or cruise ships will be too much of an issue when you stay there.

The Holiday Inn is not only near the San Diego Trolley station, it's also close to the Coronado Ferry. Coronado is a really nice place to go biking with amazing views of the downtown San Diego skyline. There's a bike rental place in the Coronado Ferry Landing shopping area and the ferry landing is a short taxi ride to the Del and Coronado Beach.

The Holiday Inn is also close to Seaport Village, the USS Midway, nice restaurants and shopping (Horton Plaza).


Have fun!

 

[jam217]

Thank you Munchkinsmom for the vote of confidence! You made me feel better about my choice.

Do you have suggestions on places to eat? I'm not looking for places that are really fancy, but would just like good food and maybe a nice view. Thanks.
jill

 

[munchkinsmom]

Thank you Munchkinsmom for the vote of confidence! You made me feel better about my choice.

You're welcome!!!

Do you have suggestions on places to eat? I'm not looking for places that are really fancy, but would just like good food and maybe a nice view. Thanks. jill

Here are some choices within walking distance from your hotel:

The Fish Market (there are two restaurants at this location...the bottom floor is the more reasonably priced of the two): http://www.thefishmarket.com/locations.aspx?id=6

Anthony's Fish Grotto & Fishette, located right across the street from the hotel: http://www.gofishanthonys.com/index2.html

Seaport Village has plenty of restaurants with nice views: http://www.seaportvillage.com/

If you take the trolley, there are some restaurants that you might want to try:

Filippi's Pizza Grotto (in Little Italy): http://www.realcheesepizza.com/

Rockin' Baja Lobster (in Old Town): http://www.rockinbaja.com/

People from out of town recommend trying "The Old Town Mexican Cafe" for Mexican food, but I think it's just okay: http://www.oldtownmexcafe.com/

I also posted a link in another thread of places to eat downtown, near Petco Park: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2438858

For a restaurant next to Petco Park, my DH recommends "The Tin Fish": http://www.thetinfish.net/tinfish.php?nav_ID=99

HTH!