Catamaran or Paradise Point

My family is traveling to San Diego from March 15 through 19 and we can%26#39;t decide between the Catamaran or Paradise point. We have three kids - 2, 6 and 7, and will probably do legoland, the zoo and sea world. We%26#39;re looking at the bayview suite at the Catamaran and the bayside bungalow (25% off) at Paradise Point. Does anyone have any recommendations on which would be better, and/or pros or cons on each? Thanks.

Catamaran or Paradise Point

I haven%26#39;t stayed at either. The biggest difference is location. Paradise Point is more secluded and you would have to drive to eat at restaurants other than those at the hotel. The Catamaran is walking distance to the ocean and to restaurants.

I usually tell people to factor in parking fees and other resort charges and then take the best deal.

Catamaran or Paradise Point

I like the Cat better...easy access to the bay and beach, restaurants included. I think your kids will enjoy the birds and pool as well.

Oh, definitely the Catamaran. Everyone raves about it. 25% is cool but it%26#39;s vacation... it%26#39;s worth the extra money. :-)

Haven%26#39;t stayed at either but have spent quite a bit of time at both places. Pacific Beach where the Cat is can get a little rough. The hotel itself is fine but I%26#39;m not a big fan of the area. Paradise point on the other hand is a much much of a resorty feel with a phenomenal location right on the bay. Everyone I know that has stayed there was very impressed. It%26#39;s a really unique and beautiful bay front property. Cat is ho hum and wouldn%26#39;t reccommend unless it was a really, really, good deal.

Thank you for your responses. The rough water makes me nervous and if there is more to do on the grounds at PP than the Cat, I think that would be better. We do like to go out to eat so that is a consideration, however, we won%26#39;t be doing any nightlife outside of the hotel with the kids. Because we need a suite to accommodate 5, PP with the discount is still more than the Cat. We are having a hard time deciding. Any more thoughts would be most helpful. If you know of another hotel that would be better, we are open for suggestions. We want to be on the water and we don%26#39;t want to get too far away from Sea World and the Zoo. I have never been to CA before so any help is most appreciated! Thanks!!

Having lived in PB for 25+ years, the area around the Cat is just fine. There is also a booze ban on the beach. There is a Best Western within a block as well. You are in walking distance of several restaurants. Considering the ages of your kids, Burger King and IHOP are really close, not to mention PB鈥檚 own World Famous, The Eggery, and Konos. The Cat also has plenty of bay activities and equipment rentals.

You are not within walking distance to any restaurant at the other place; however, you could walk to Sea World after crossing a small bridge. I never stayed at this place. I have and my sister鈥檚 family stayed at the Cat before and we all loved the place.

SmithN, The poster who mentioned the ';rough area'; meant people not water. I do not think you will have any probs at either place. Take your best deal. We understand that you won%26#39;t take the kids to nightlife but families often want to eat a meal outside their hotel.IF you are at Paradise POint you will have to drive to any restaurant other than the hotel%26#39;s.IF you do not care and WANT to spend more money then go ahead.Have you looked at the Dana in the new roomswhich might be less expensive but you%26#39;d still have to drive a bit to reataurants. Would you consider being away from the beach/bay??

Thanks for the responses. I haven%26#39;t looked at the Dana - is it in the same area as the Catamaran? We would consider being away from the bay, but would like to stay near the beach (I realize it will be too cold to swim). My husband stayed at the Sea Lodge 20+ years ago and remembers it being very nice. However, in looking at the reviews, it sounds like it may be a little run down now. Would you recommend the La Jolla area over Mission Bay? The Del looks really nice, but it is expensive and a ocean front room is a couple hundred more per night than the bay front suite at the Catamaran. We%26#39;re meeting family there who is looking for something a little more affordable. Thanks again for your help.

My vote is for the Cat. I think it will suit what you are looking for better.

It has a great location: bay, ocean, grocery, drug store, starbucks, dining, all close by. It is also close to Sea World.

It is hard to pass up being on the bay and so close to the Pacific Ocean, even in ';non swimming'; weather.

The children will enjoy just walking in the sand and playing there. The sand is so soft.

I don%26#39;t think it is in ';too rough'; of an area for families with young children. I wouldn%26#39;t hesitate for the young or old to stay in this area of San Diego, and we are conservative non-drinkers in our family. It is pretty laid back and casual, so is relaxing.

I%26#39;m sure the children would also enjoy seeing the seals at the children%26#39;s pool beach in La Jolla. La Jolla%26#39;s beaches are a lot different. They have more rocks, clifts, scenic beauty, more climbing up and down, so it probably would be harder for the youngest child to navigate the area. Pacific Beach is the plain wide sand beach... easy for the youngsters to get around on, walk and play. La Jolla shores beach would be comparable to flat sand beaches. La Jolla is a more expensive area than Pacific Beach.

The Cat. resort has many amenities that your young children would enjoy. It is kid friendly. Free arcade, fish, ducks, ponds, pool, hot tub, birds, waterfall in lobby with fish in its pond, etc.

Very fun for the young ones.

If you decide to stay at the Cat... don%26#39;t miss the Eggery. good food and prices.

Whereever you choose to stay, Enjoy! San Diego iis one of our most favorite vacation destinations!

I forgot to mention that if you are staying in a bayview suite at the Catamaran your Views from your balcony will be awesome! It is a definite Plus. We stayed in a bayview room on the 9th floor and it was incredible... the mountains/laguna in the distance to our left, then downtown San Diego, directly in front of our room the Bay, and to our right the Pacific Ocean. It was quite impressive. My husband took a bunch of pictures, and thought that this was

the ';best'; feature of the Cat. We had 2 chairs and a table on our private balcony, and we could bring out the bar stools in our room through the patio door for extra seating.