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Today I finally got a late February trip booked. I will be taking the LSL and CZ to San Francisco.(Hoping to see lots of snow in the Rockies from the window while in the warmth of a cozy Roomette.) While there will spend some time at the Cable Car Museum and other indoor sites since I expect it will be cold there. Will then take a combo of trains and bus to San Diego to spend four days there. Then it is off to AZ on the SWC to spend time with family. Will then resume trip on SWC and LSL back to CT.
Am looking for suggestions for hotel accommodations in San Diego. I am looking for clean and frugal. Frills not required. Some suggestions for places to eat would be most welcome as this is my first visit there.
Preparing for this trip will sure make the post-holiday let down go away.
Dee
Posts: 460 | From: North Central CT | Registered: May 2004
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When I was in San Diego this August, I stayed for quite a bargain Triple A price (esp considering it was August) at the Comfort Inn Downtown, 719 Ash between 7th & 8th, 619-232-2525, 800-404-6835, www.comfortinnsandiego.com. I am not sure I can recommend it wholeheartedly--depends on your tastes and needs. For me, it was basically fine, though I'd try others and compare prices before going back to it. First off, they lost my reservation. This was no problem, they still had a room and gave me the rate I'd booked, but it was most odd, in fact, I don't think it ever happened to me before! The continental breakfast was fine, as was the room, quite comfortable and large, but the courtyard and elevator (it was motellish but had 3 floors, so there was an elevator) were a little dumpy. And it was in a slightly further location from harborfront sites, on a hill (depending on the direction from which you approached) you may not like walking up! However, they did have a free shuttle that picked me up and dropped me at the train station AND to the main part of Balboa Park (I walked back, definitely a long walk but I'm a big walker), although I believe most other hotels in downtown SD also have free shuttles too (I did give a tip each time).
They had a sister property in the Quality Inn across the street, slightly higher price but more stars from Triple A and looked nicer too, though on the same hill.
You might check if you can get a good rate at the Best Western Bayside Inn, 555 W Ash nr Columbia St (or Av), several streets closer to the harbor, 619-233-7500, 800-341-1818, www.baysideinn.com. This place's Triple A rate was about $30 higher than the Comfort Inn for when I checked, but in February you might get a better Triple A rate, esp as construction was going on near the pool. It also included continental breakfast and had a free shuttle.
I'd also check the Hampton Inn Downtown/Airport, 1531 Pacific Hwy near Hawthorn, 619-233-8408, 1-800-HAMPTON, fairly close to the Amtrak Station; and the lively Holiday Inn on the Bay, 1355 N Harbor Dr at Ash St, 619-232-3861/6044, 800-877-8920, 800-224-2610, www.holiday-inn.com/aaa, which was a larger more "happening" place right by the cruise terminal and very close to the train station. It took had a free shuttle to the zoo. However, because of its proximity to the cruise terminal, I suspect prices here could be high in February too. In fact, for all I know, February could be high season, pricewise, at all hotels . . . now that I think of it . . . since San Diego has such good weather!
Re eating: By the time I reached San Diego on my trip, my illness precluded my eating much at all. It was so sad, to be 15 miles from Mexico and unable to eat Mexican food! I did notice that the restaurants in Gaslamp area were rather pricey, esp the Italian ones. And I did have a plain chicken sandwich (alas, all I could eat!) in a pleasant Italian place in the Little Italy neighborhood, not too expensive but not so cheap either, called Sogno DiVino, at Cedar & India.
Up by Old Town, which I enjoyed visiting, (I took a trolley here and back), just outside the restoration was a street of many mostly Mexican cantinas, where I could not eat, but I went into a cafe and had a toasted bagel (with jam, no butter or cream cheese!) and tea.
When I took the ferry over to Coronado Island and then the bus to the Hotel Del Coronado, I accidentally wandered into a business gathering where I likely could have eaten some hors d'oevres for free, but all I was "eating" was bottled water, boohoo!!! I walked back across the island, btw, another long walk I enjoyed.
I also really enjoyed Balboa Park, not just the zoo (which was pricey and I'd been there before many moons ago), but even more the areas at or near the Prado (main drag), like the desert garden down past the natural history museum, and the Alcazar Garden just off the Prado, and just the architecture of the buildings here. Most of the museums weren't too expensive, and some were free; I even took a little tour of the place, also free, from the main office on the Prado there. Note that a few places were closed on Mondays. There was a lovely-looking, perhaps pricey place to eat here, but I could not try it!
I am told that Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill, a local chain with first location at 4504 E Mission Bay Dr, 858-272-2801, has the best fish tacos (something of a local specialty) in San Diego but again, I could not try them!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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My experience is that it's not really likely to get a bargain anywhere in San Diego at this time of year. I have tried Priceline doggedly and fruitlessly. I suggest La Pensione which is in Little Italy, central, walking distance to the depot and actually quite nice for about $75 plus tax. They have a website.
You might consider the San Remo Hotel in SF - it's in North Beach, somewhat near the Cable Car Museum
Posts: 326 | From: San Antonio Texas USA | Registered: Dec 2003
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