First time in California - SD help

First trip to California ..we were going to spend just one day in SD but after researching the area have decided that we need at least two full days, 3 nights..

...we want to spend most of one day at the zoo and then will try to see as much of SD on the afternoon we arrive and on the other day...

Hotel suggestions would be very helpful we will be arriving from LA and think that we would like the Gaslamp area, we will have a car and would like a place with guaranteed parking...

we will at this stage be in about the middle of a 25 day tour of Ca. We have looked at the forum but not knowing the layout would appreciate some local knowledge and advice

thankyou...

First time in California - SD help

...forgot to mention...we will be there around the middle of October 12th - 14th...is this a busy time?

First time in California - SD help

Unless there is a large convention ,that is not a particularly busy time to visit SanDiego. There are many hotels to choose from downtown /gaslamp.

Can you give me an idea of your price range??

The hotels range from the Omni,Hard Rock,modern highrise to Solamar,smaller boutique to low rise etc.

There are prices from $200ish up(sometimes lower)

most of the hotels have valet parking for about $30 per daywith in and out priviledges. We have stayed downtown ourselves and found other parking garages for less money overnight ($13)BUT no in and out,you just park and leave the car til the next day.

Let me know a little more about who is in your group and the price you are willing to pay ,and perhaps the style of hotel with which you are most comfortable.

hi

san diego is a great city - you will enjoy it

its pretty sprawling but the traffic flows freely

the zoo is great and its in the balboa park which is nice in its own right plus has stacks of museaums

the old town is fun

and i think you may be there at the right time of year for whale watching

if you go down to the main port area where the cruise ships come in and out you will find the whale watching boats

also close by is an area called something like seaport village - it has loads of little shops studios and eating places - plus it is where the trollet starts from - taking the trolley tour is fun and a good way to get orientated

la jolla would be a good place to stay - sightsee by day then put the car away and go out for an evening stroll and dinner (it is a bit pricey though)

ehwther or not yo ustay there, do visit at lunchtime and have lunch on the terrace level of georges at the cove

great food

good prices

wonderful views

not cheap but a fun place to stay is crystal pier

yo ugot a lovely little %26#39;cottage%26#39; with its own deck area right on the pier - waken to the gently swaying pier as the tide comes in and watch the surfers while you have a leisurely breakfast

thankyou for responding..the trip is to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary so we are not young, late 50s, but fit active and open to new experiences....about 200 dollars would be okay, more for something really special..however it is a 25 day trip we are financing and we have to economise on some of the days...maybe somewhere else, not SD.....we realise we have to pay for parking in hotels but would prefer self parking......

would like to be able to walk out on an evening, but have easy access to the zoo and other places of interest especially Gaslamp area and maybe the waterfront, but not necessarily to stay at the waterfront, perhaps just visit there and have lunch

just dinner and maybe a drink on an evening, read about some Irish pubs on another post, and since hubby is Irish may give them a visit

OKnow , You are my age, so let%26#39;s see what I can suggest. Downtown is along the waterfront so they are not 2 different locations. It is an easy bus ride or drive to the zoo and Balboa Park in which the zoo is located.Parking at the zoo and park is free.

You could check the rates at the Horton Grand Hotel and the Sofia for your dates .There is also the Best Western Bayview which is not IN the gaslamp but IN downtown close enough for a nice walk and may be less expensive.Any of the downtown hotels would be fine IF the price was right.

Right across from Balboa Park is the BalboaPark Inn which is in a residential area where you could park on the street.It is a short bus or taxi ride from downtown.

YOu may also want to consider the area of Little Italy just north of the main downtown area where there are restaurants,wine bars and a pub. Th ePorto Vista hotels is there as well as the Little Italy Inn an dthe very inexpensive La Pensione.

The next area north is Oldtown Park where there are many motels .The La quinta-Oldtown is very reasonable.

I wouldn%26#39;t limit yourselves to the downtown gaslamp area which can have expensive restaurants and bars for the young beautiful 30 somethings.Don%26#39;t get me wrong, we have stayed there for in-town getaways ,and had fun ,BUT the price was VERY good on those nights.

Soo ,if price is a consideration then you don%26#39;t have to stay in the gaslamp to have a good visit.

thankyou for your help...I will research all of the hotels you mention.....and also thanks for putting me right on the proximity of Gaslamp and waterfront...that will be a big help.....making it easier to get around and see more....