Good area to stay outside of downtown San Diego

[lucywestie]

Hey there, getting some great tips about things to do in San Diego for our mini 3 day break post-cruise. Just wondering about a good, reasonably safe, friendly area to start looking at hotels in. I have the San Diego 2007 travel guide but there seem to be so many area, Mission Bay, Chula Vista etc etc.

We will have a car for the days we are in the city and we love to drive. We disembark on a Friday and fly back home on the following Monday. Obviously the prices drop as you move away from the downtown core so which area is better to look at. North of the city? east county etc.

Not really looking for hotel recommendations so much as a good area that will be reasonably priced and from which we can drive to beaches, the zoo, casinos and all that kind of stuff.

Many thanks

Pete

[Darlipoo]

Look at hotels and motels in Hotel Circle which is in the Mission Valley area. It is surounded by 2 big malls, right next to one of the main freeways (-8-)taking you everywhere. Very near the park and the zoo and within minutes of all S.D. tourist visits except Wild Animal Park. There are lots of restaurants and two big movie theaters across the street also. Many have pools. Almost all are very reasonable.

[Splinter]

I would second Mission Valley/Hotel Circle. Close to all the tourist attractions, right on 4 major freeways, good access to the Trolley (cheaper to do this to get to the Gaslamp than a car, due to high parking fees downtown), and a wide range of prices for both motels and hotels. Many have free or much lower cost parking than downtown too. The restaraunts are not the high-light there (except for fast food), but you are close to Hillcrest which has great restaurants.

 

I would not do East or South or North county if you want to see the things you mentioned.

[Bruin Steve]

I would not venture too far out, especially to the South or East...You might find good prices in Chula Vista...but, no offense to my friends in Chula Vista, but it's not exactly a desirable neighborhood...and the price break you may get staying there isn't worth the location, the extra drive and traffic time or the dearth of things to do, eat, etc. nearby...

 

The only direction I would ever go out of San Diego is North...but unlikely you're going to save money doing it...La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, La Costa, etc. are all very nice...and with a car, reasonably close...even inland in Rancho Bernardo or Poway is relatively nice...These areas have a different attraction than San Diego proper: Golf, the horse track at Del Mar, the restaurants and shops at La Jolla...Of course, if you're looking for "cheap", you're better off staying in San Diego proper...

 

I would prefer to stay in the Gaslamp or down by Seaport Village...but, for selection and value, I agree, Hotel Circle/Mission Valley is probably the first area to look...and not only is there a lot of shopping, but plenty of restaurants as well...and very close to the Zoo and Sea World...

 

Have fun...

[lucywestie]

Ok, thanks for all the info, hotel circle it probably will be!

[STACEYSGRAN]

I live in North San Diego and although it is true that hotel circle is close to everything, because it is off the 8 the traffic is pretty bad. I would recommend mission bay instead where you will be off the 5 instead. The sea world area is pretty good.

[Darlipoo]

While Mission Bay is nice, I think traffic on the 8 is only bad around 7-8 a.m. and 5-6 p.m. Other than that, Mission Valley is really the most convenient for all the things this family wants. And, they can get to Old Town from there without ever getting on any of the freeways (Taylor st.)

[murphysmum]

Hello...

 

I spend a fair amount of time visiting friends in San Diego and I have to agree with Staceysgran about the Sea World/Mission Bay area being a better place to stay. It's less expensive than Downtown and, although everything that everyone has said about Mission Valley/Hotel Circle is true, it is one of the most commercial (ugly) areas in San Diego.

 

If ambiance/charm/enjoyment of your surroundings is in any way important to you, I would stay in Mission Bay. It's very easy to get around in there and being on or near the water is lovely.

 

murphysmum;)

[Splinter]

Why I would not stay in the Mission Bay area:

 

If you stay on the east side (Hilton) there is NOTHING to do around the hotel. No restaurants, shops, difficult to access public transportation.

 

If you stay on the west side (Islandia, Bahia, Catamaran, etc.) the traffic to get there during afternoon rush hour is really bad. Waits to get on on-ramps to 5 (the only close-by freeway) entail long lines and long waits in the AM. Again, public transportation sucks. No access to the Trolley. Parking (outside of your hotel) is horrible, so if you can't walk to a restaurant or shops, you will have a hard time finding a place to park. Restaurants are OK, but not great.

 

It is too cold to swim in the ocean from late October until May. I would never swim in Mission Bay....it is notoriously polluted, and usually closed to swimming after any rains. Mission Beach is one of the more rowdy beaches. Common to have problems there with wild parties and drunks. I avoid it and much prefer OB or Coronado or La Jolla Shores.

 

Not close to the Zoo, the Gaslamp, the port, or many other sights. OK if you just want to go to Seaworld, but I avoid that like the plague (live in San Diego and have not been in years).

 

Also, there was a question about casinos. All our casinos are on Native American reservations (of which we have more than any other county in the USA). The closest to downtown is about a 40 mile drive one way. The largest are Sycuan, Barona, and Viejas.

[lucywestie]

Alrighty then! I still think it will be the Mission Valley area. Not worried about living in a built up concrete jungle for a few days as we will be out and about at all hours. Will spend an evening at a casino just for fun and distance really isnt an issue as we love driving.

I do have one more question and Splinter you can probably answer this. National Parks around the San Diego area. Is there anywhere worth going for an afternoon. Bearing in mind we are limited to the Friday we land then Saturday and Sunday and then departing Monday morning back up to Canada. Maybe we are trying to pack to much in, who knows. I have a copy of the 59 mile scenic drive from the San Diego Tourism website and maybe it seems like a lot of driving. Is there anything that is "typically San Diego" that even the locals love to do. I have always followed the guideline the old adage "if the locals eat there, then it must be ok"! Just wondering if the same for sites to see. Being originally from the UK I like older architecture, great views, the ocean, warm beer [ok, had to throw that one in there, I hate warm beer] San Diego was always in our top five list of destinations to visit in the U.S. and although we would have liked to spend longer its just not do-able right now.

Anyway, thanks for all the help, I search the internet for ideas but usually local knowledge is way more valuable

Cheers

Pete, from a Sunny and Thundery Ontario, Canada

[Splinter]

We don't have any nearby National Parks in San Diego. We do have one National Monument (Cabrillo National Monument) which I highly recommend. It is the most visited national monument in the USA and has great views of the bay. Only open during daylight hours, as you must pass through military land to get there.

 

Torrey Pines State Reserve has one of the few stands of these trees any place in the world. They have a great view also, to the state beach below the cliffs (a great place to walk) and there are nice docent led hikes or hikes on your own from the visitor's center.

 

In our mountains to the east you will find Cuyamaca State Park, which is still recovering from our horrible fires of 3 years ago. Anza Borrego State Park is in the desert and is VERY hot in the summer, but a great place to visit in the spring to see the wild flowers.

 

To the north there is Palmomar Mountain State Park, which also houses the Palomar Observatory.

 

I personally always take new people to San Diego on the 59 mile drive. My favorite places along that route include the Hotel del Coronado and the Coronado Bridge, Point Loma and the Cabillo Monument, Mission Bay (to drive around), La Jolla Cove and the Hang Gliding and Glider port in La Jolla Farms area. Of course Balboa Park and the Zoo are the jewels of our city. The Gaslamp is the place to eat, drink and party. A harbor cruise is fun, or if you are here on a weekend, take a sail on a former America's Cup sailboat. The USS Midway museum, which is just a stone's throw from the cruise ship pier is also very interesting. If you like history, Old Town State Park has some good places to visit, and you can go to the San Diego Mission (at the east end of Mission Valley) which was built in 1769.

[lucywestie]

Excellent, thanks for the info Splinter

[socallisa]

Balboa park, Seaport Village, "Old Town," and Coronado are some good historical sites. I would definitely eat in the Gaslamp District. Have fun! It's my favorite city in Southern California!

[Ottawa_Guy]

Pete

 

Any Hotel you pick will be great .

You will be with the love of your life , Loret and you will be on Vacation .

Enjoy every min. buddy

 

GB

[lucywestie]

Gord, what do you mean?

 

How can I take the love of my life on board a ship? After all there is no way Catherine Zeta Jones would go with me, guess I will have to take the missus instead!!;)

 

Pete

[Ottawa_Guy]

Pet given that Catherine Zeta Jones was once a man I am just a little concerned : - 0 Ha Ha .

 

In any case you better bring Loret or else .

 

Cheers Mate