San Diego

C

CowTipper

Member
Location
Toronto
Car
2010 FX35
I've noticed that we have a few SoCal members here and I'm hoping that those in the San Diego area can help.

Last August, me and the family headed to San Diego for a beach vacation. We stayed in the PB area and specifically at the Catamaran...shout out here to the Mission Cafe, The Rubicon, World Famous and Cruiser King Cycles as Mrs CowTipper is now riding around Toronto in a bona fide white So Cal beach cruiser bling'd out with a wicker basket and a bell that looks like a pink rose. (We don't have those kind of bicycles up here and she turns heads when she's on it...I'd like to say they are looking at her, but I'm a realist :tongue:)

We may be going back this August and we are in love with PB and Mission Bay but we weren't overly impressed with the Catamaran. The staff was delightful and they treated us well, but it is a bit run down and the front room where the wife and I slept had no ventilation and you couldn't open the window so that room had this musty smell to it.

do any of you have any other resort-like recommendations in PB? We would also consider staying in La Jolla, but being steps away from a beach is mandatory for us.

Much appreciated from the great white north, eh?
 
Hey! I'm sure there are plenty of nice hotels in that area, but I live here so I never stay at hotels. I do know that La Jolla Shores Hotel is nice and has a great restaurant, and it's literally on the sand. It's a couple minutes from downtown La Jolla, too. I stayed there once before moving to San Diego. If you can get a deal at the Hotel del Coronado, you'd probably enjoy that. Coronado is beautiful, and just going for a walk through town is fun. There's a great small theater there, too. Have seen a couple plays there. I'm not as familiar with PB or Mission Bay hotels though, sorry!
 
I've never stayed at the Catamaran, but I understand what you mean with your description. IMO, you're describing a nice but casual beach front hotel. Many of them can have a certain ambiance similar to your description. Much of it is the attitiude of the beach lifestyle and comes with the territory. I've experienced that all up and down the California coast.
I like to stay in Solana Beach or Cardiff, but you'll still get that beachy relaxy feel. It's a different kind if 'refined' for sure. I think you'll find more of what you're looking for in La Jolla Shores. There are some nice places in the downtown harbor area also. Marriott marina for instance. But, you'll be on harbor water, not prime beach water. I mostly enjoy staying in the Shelter Island area. Kona Kai or Humphrey's, but then again, you'll be in the harbor.
Can't go wrong at Coronado.
 
Thanks FX4BR and porkandbeans

Yeah, that casual beach-front property. I've heard a lot about La Jolla Shores and Coronado from others who have visited but I wanted to hear from the experts. Thanks for the guidance!

I'd do the Catamaran again in a heart-beat if it wasn't for our experience with the room.

Thanks again.
 
CowTipper...I grew up here but that's not why I know most of the hotels around here...went through a divorce a couple years ago and agreed to be out of the house every weekend (more like a party for me though LOL)...

Is it just you and your wife ? Kids ? How old are you ? You looking for quiet or party or both ?

Josh
 
Check out the Oceanside Pier area. A few higher end resorts have recently rebuilt there, and they are all steps from the sand... also look a little farther south in Carlsbad. You can often pick up a beachfront condo in Carlsbad pretty cheap.
 
I'm also a local to San Diego. Give us some specifics on what you are looking for other than beachfront. I have a few ideas, but want to see what your looking for. ($$ for the week)
 
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