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Hello Gang, Wife and I are headed back to southern California in May and wondering about best places to stay in San Diego for a three day visit. We will be doing the SWC from Chicago to Fullerton and then Surfliner to San Diego. Wondering if the San Diego regular station or Old Town station is the best place to get off and find a hotel. We do not want to rent a car but just ride the trolley system around to see the sights. Any help is always appreciated. Railroad and Mrs. Bill
smitty195 Member # 5102
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I just got back from San Diego yesterday. I rode the Surfliners out of both Old Town and the Santa Fe (downtown) station. Not all Surfliner trains stop at Old Town---just a few. But they ALL stop at the Santa Fe station, which is the end of the line.
The San Diego Trolley (their light rail system) serves both the Old Town and Santa Fe locations. I found that the San Diego Trolley website was extremely difficult to understand and figure out. If you have any questions about this, please let me know. I figured it out by just showing up at the Trolley station and reading the signs. It's a pretty simple thing to do.
Regarding hotels, I have LOTS AND LOTS of information on where to stay. But I don't know what you are interested in paying, and what type of hotel you like to stay at. I have stayed in Old Town at the Holiday Inn Express, and just yesterday I checked out of the Omni Hotel after a 4 day stay. The Omni is incredible---absolutely beautiful. But you will pay for it (about $400 per night). San Diego hotel rooms are EXTREMELY expensive!!! I've only seen similar prices when staying in Manhattan. Also keep in mind that most of the Old Town hotels and downtown hotels (the good ones) sell out many months in advance, due to the constant parade of cruise ships and conventions.
Here is some quick hotel information:
OLD TOWN: Holiday Inn Express Courtyard by Marriott La Quinta
All three of those are nice, clean, and offer identical amenities (free high speed internet, free breakfast). They are all within walking distance of each other in Old Town. The Holiday Inn Express is probably the furthest away from the Old Town Transit Center (this is where the Trolley and Amtrak stations are located). It's about a 5 minute walk---flat---no hills.
DOWNTOWN:
Omni Marriott
Their front doors are about 100 feet from each other. Both hotels are VERY nice. Omni is connected to PETCO park. The closest Trolley station to both of these hotels is the "Gaslamp" station. The Trolley that serves this station does NOT serve Old Town.
Check out this link for my review of the Omni, including photos, and info that I wrote about the walk to the "12th and Imperial" Trolley stop.
Great review. I would add the Wyndham which is in the same general area. I've stayed there for as little as $89.00 a night. If you join "Wyndham by Request" they toss in a welcome half bottle of wine and cheese and crackers (or your choice of beverage).
Frank in cloudy SBA
railrev Member # 2640
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If you want to stay in Old Town, keep in mind that it is a brief trolley ride back north from the Santa Fe Depot. Probably 5 minutes.
IIRC, and I don't always, Amtrak only stops in Old Town on Weekends.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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I certainly agree with Mr. Frank. Wyndham apparently has the best "goodie bag going" for their rewards club members (pretty sure they "whacked" me as I haven't stayed at one in about three years).
Unfortunately, they just "don't seem to be where I go", but then I'm not what is called adventuresome in this life and about to seek them out. Admittedly, I always seem to stay at the same places when traveling, even though the hotel at which I stay when visiting family (Hyatt; Greenwich CT) has a way of pushing my rate "obscenity button" and I'm muttering "I'm staying somewhere else this time".
But suffice to say where do I end up?
Railroad Bill Member # 5097
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Thanks very much for the advice. We generally stay at Comfort Suites or Holiday Inn Express but certainly open to all your great suggestions. I noticed that the Surfliner indeed does not have early morning northbound trips from the Old Town station and we would be leaving SD later that week for a northbound ride on Surfliner/Coast Starlight to Portland. Three days in Portland and then a quick ride up the Cascade to Seattle and home on the EB. Going to have to bite the bullet on hotels in San Diego. Thats what happens when you want to go to the same places that everyone else wants Thanks again for the information. Railroad Bill
amtraxmaniac Member # 2251
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I would think there are some more affordable hotels inland towards QualComm Stadium??? It seemed like there might be last time I was down there. The trolley goes right out there...all the way to QualComm.
I'm incredibly CHEAP when I travel. I'll lodge anywhere I don't have to worry about a drive by or being solicited. LOL. Motel 6's, Super 8's, even Howard Johnsons...but fat chance at finding any of these closer than hmmmmm....Poway.
P.S- check out some often overlooked gems down there: Lo Jolla Cove/Scripts Aquarium, definately Old Town, Seaport Village, Balboa Park/museums, and Gaslamp. The mission is very enchanting too. The obvious spots: Sea World and the Zoo....I'm pea green with envy! Have fun!
Railroad Bill Member # 5097
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Thanks for the tourist ideas as well. Definitely want to see the San Diego Zoo, Gaslamp District, some museums and ride all the trolleys. Sorry my planning was off since my Cincinnati Reds would be in town the weekend before we arrive. Anyway looking forward to seeing this great city. Also hoping the new Pacific Parlor cars will be on the Coast Starlight by late May. That should be a treat as well on our trip to Portland. Best wishes Railroad Bill
smitty195 Member # 5102
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The official re-launch date of the Coast Starlight is May 8, 2008. This includes the newly refurbished Pacific Parlour Cars, so you should have one on your train if all goes according to plan. What's that famous saying about the best laid plans??
City of Miami Member # 2922
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I have enjoyed La Pensione (they have a website) which is in a swell location in Little Italy.
Doc Brown Member # 4724
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We stayed at the Ramada Limited Airport: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-397181-ramada_limited_san_diego_airport-i. Reasonably priced, only about 10-15 minutes from downtown and Olde Town. Actually, getting around SD is easy and most things aren't too far away from the downtown and the airport. Lots and lots of good restaraunts. Go to Coronado at night if you can and get a classic view of the city from Centennial park. This is one of the photos I got there: http://coldwater.smugmug.com/photos/55706649-L-3.jpg. Also, if you do visit Seaport Village, the Maritime Museum and the USS Midway are nearby. As far as I know both are open late too.
Have a great time. San Diego is a beautiful city. One of the things that impressed us most was the civic pride. On serveral occassions, complete strangers thanked us for visting and made various recommendations on what to see. We would not have seen La Jolla without following one of those recommendations.
train lady Member # 3920
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Doc that is one beautiful picture, thanks for sharing!!!
Railroad Bill Member # 5097
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Yes, what a great photo. Can hardly wait to get out there. Thanks everyone for all your help Railroad Bill
sojourner Member # 3134
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Hi Bill, Sorry I was away when you first posted your queries. I was in San Diego the summer before this as part of a cross-country-plus-train trip down the CA coast; had a wonderful time.
I stayed at the Comfort Inn Downtown, but I don't think I'd stay there again. It was quite cheap, with a decent breakfast and good rooms, but I didn't like the layout for a woman alone--rooms were off a courtyard, motellish, never as secure as rooms accessed through a lobby. Also, though not too far from downtown, it was on a fairly steep hill.
I decided if I went again, I'd stay at the Best Western Bayside Inn on Ash, if that remained affordable. It was a little more but a better place and better location. I think I prefer downtown to Old Town because I like the idea of dinner in Gastown or Little Italy, but I'm not really sure, Old Town had plenty of fine-looking restaurants too.
The Marriott is quite impressive (in an ultramodern way) but too pricey for me. One hotel I'd love to stay in for a different kind of vacation is the Hotel del Coronado on Coronado island; but it's inconvenient for San Diego. Still, I do recommend a ferry trip over, and then the little bus; I really loved Coronado Island! and there is beach there. . . .
Balboa Park had much to offer beyond the zoo, and quite a bit of it a lot less expensive. I esp loved the cactus garden and the Alcazar Garden and the Prado walkway; I took a little free walking tour from the House of Hospitality that was quite good. Note that some of the museums here are closed Mondays.
Old Town was quite nice too, as were the harborfront, Gastown, and Little Italy for dining.
I think if I went again I'd also check out the Cabrillo Monument and La Jolla.
Have a great time!
Railroad Bob Member # 3508
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We (San Diegans) also have a fine model RR museum with 4 track gauges in the Prado/Balboa Park area, that many visitors don't even realize is there. It is in a basement by the Museum of Photography. Being a native San Diegan, I take the place for granted a bit...and <gasp> actually prefer LA over SD. I like places with a stronger world culture, such as is found in LA. Still the weather in SD is just about the best you can find, though we did have a very bad fire season this year. Good luck on your SD adventure, RR Bill!
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