san diego - hotels? what can't me missed?

[memobrien]

so i was thinking about planning a trip with my 7 year old daughter to san diego in june. however, i've never been to California, let alone San Diego. so i'm really looking for some help! suggestions on hotels, restaurants.. what we can't miss while we are there.

thanks!

maura

 

[KCmike]

For hotels you can't miss the Hotel Del Coronado. Simply spectacular and far and away the best beach for families in all of california.

Then you've got SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, and a short drive to Disneyland.

 

[MadtownMama]

Balboa Park... which is near the zoo.

 

[MarilIncredible]

The San Diego Zoo and Sea World San Diego would probably interest your daughter. Also, you might want to consier the Birch Aquarium at Scripps up in La Jolla.

 

[amandamims]

I live in San Diego and there is sooo much to do here. I second the Hotel del Coronado. Its beautiful. Also right across the bay from there, you have Seaport Village which is really nice. Lots of shops and restaurants to eat at. Then, there's Sea World, Belmont Park at Mission Beach, and Fiesta Island, which are literally all around each other. If you go inland, there's Balboa Park with museums and an IMAX theater. There's certain museums free on Tuesdays, but can't think of them off the top of my head. Right next door there is the Zoo which is fun. If you drive north maybe 20 or 30 minutes, there's the Wild Animal Park. Oh, and its just a short drive to Legoland, Disneyland, Birch Aquariam, Knotts Berry Farm, Six Flags and the beaches along Pacific Highway. That's all I can think of right now, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Aardvarks]

Thanks for starting this thread.

We are coming to Sandiego for 7 nights last week of August.

Flying into LA and spending 7 nights in Anaheim and then driving to SD for 6 nights before flying back to the UK from SD.

We know about Disney and Universal and Seaworld and now this Hotel that needs to be seen, can we walk in and eat and just look around it?

What needs to be seen and what are the things that we can avoid.

We normally go to WDW so this is something new for us all.

We are 50, 49, 19, 17 and we love looking at stuff, learning things, eating things, buying things and taking 000s of photos. we like buying music related things like CDs, DVD's Guitars, strings, music books, effects pedals. Basically we save all year and then come to the USA, usually Florida, to help your economy

Is it worth getting the trolley to Mexico?

 

[KCmike]

From what I hear it is too dangerous to go into Mexico right now. I wouldn't do it. I've heard too many horror stories about people being robbed etc. when crossing the border. Be careful.

PS. Thanks for helping the economy.

 

[munchkinsmom]

we like buying music related things like CDs, DVD's Guitars, strings, music books, effects pedals.

You might be interested in the "Museum of Making Music" in Carlsbad, right next to Legoland:

http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/

We enjoy visiting this place!

 

[twingirlsmom2]

I am also going to San Diego in July and am looking for a hotel. the Del needs a 3 might minimum for our weekend so was wondering where else. I have had rec. for the Catamaran, the Dana, pacific Terrace and the Westgate. Any thoughts good or bad? Any other ideas? WE are only going to the Zoo and Wild Animal park and we'll only be there for 2 night. My main concern is cleanliness and safety. Thanks

 

[Aardvarks]

You might be interested in the "Museum of Making Music" in Carlsbad, right next to Legoland:

http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/

We enjoy visiting this place!

Thank you so much for this gem

 

[momrek06]

Awww... San Diego, you all will LOVE visiting SD!!! The weather is always so NICE, make all the plans you want and you will never have to worry about cancelling them due to inclement weather!!!

We have only been here since Jan BUT we love it so much!!!

 

[Spacepest]

Balboa Park...it has a zoo and children's hands on science museum. You could easily spend a couple of days there!

I have family that currently lives in San Diego, and they have curtailed all their trips to Mexico because crime has gotten so bad over there. Even the higher end tourist areas are no longer safe.

 

[photomama]

Hotel Del Coronado WOW - we are going to be in San Diego in mid August maybe they'll have some specials??

 

[AliciaS]

For those interested in "the del", but can't swing the price - we chose the Glorietta Bay Inn across the street. We can still hand out at "the del" and shop there and go on the beach. We'll be near the beach and a few doors down from that great fifties diner - yum. I can't wait to spend time on the beach, rent bikes to ride around Coronado, and take the ferry over to the maritime museum and Seaport Village. We plan on getting a two-day pass to the trolley, which goes by the hotel, and use it to get to Old Town and Balboa Park. Another day we will drive up to Julian and do an old mine train tour and eat apple pie 'til we get sick! Then we're going out to the state park up there to look at the stars. Ahhhhh......

On the Glorietta Bay Inn we got a good Internet deal and when I mentioned how excited I was she added in free parking. The price comes with wireless and breakfast and afternoon cookies and lemonade!

 

[nunzia]

We are in San Diego right now, doing Sea World, Legoland and the beach. We went to LaJolla, very nice, and are staying at Comfort Suites Mission Valley..about 5 minutes from Sea World. There are TONS of hotels and restaurants. San Diego has always been such a nice place. You might want to think about Legoland also, and isn't there a downtown trolley thing? The Wild Animal Park is nice..lots to do!
BTW, we're from close to Juarez, and although that place is by far the worst as far as border violence, I would NOT venture into Mexico anywhere along the border. Frankly..the border towns are icky imo..if you had time to go to one of the resorts outside Cancun, by air, that would be different.
Have fun