Best area to stay in San Diego?

[Anonymous]

We have 7 and 9 year old kids and are wondering where to stay for a week in SD. Is the Gas Lamp District better for its proximity to restaurants (though it's not like we'll be hitting the bars with our kids!), or is the marina fine considering it's lower prices? Anywhere else?

[Anonymous]

Absolutely recommend Coronado if you can afford it! Check out AirBnbs and VRBOs! So many cute restaurants and shops, walkability, ride your bikes everywhere - access to the beach and the bay. Can take the ferry over to the Gaslamp District. It's the perfect area for 2 kids that age. I lived there for 3 years and would happily answer any questions.

[Anonymous]

We stayed in Little Italy on a recent trip. It was great. We only have one child. We rented an apartment through AirBnb. There were lots of restaurants nearby and it was a quick walk to the marina and short drive to the zoo/balboa park.

[Anonymous]

Chiming in to ask if there's a Marriott in SD folks would recommend (also with kids).

[Anonymous]

I found the Gas Lamp district to be VERY touristy - it gets old after about two hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Chiming in to ask if there's a Marriott in SD folks would recommend (also with kids).

There’s a Marriott on Coronado Island. Not really walkable to shopping or restaurants, but a nice place to stay and it’s easy to get around.

[Anonymous]

Do not waste your money to stay at the Del. It is a dump!

[Anonymous]

La jolla. Hands down.

[Anonymous]

Little Italy area is better than Gas Lamp with kids. Gas Lamp gets rowdy at night. Little Italy is more mellow with cute restaurants.

You will have a car, right? If so, it's a matter of whether you will be driving to dinner or if you can walk to dinner.

[Anonymous]

I lived in San Diego for several years, and recently was there twice, once for vacation with family (actually stayed in North County, close to Legoland) and once for work (downtown).

Have you been before? Agree with the other poster that Gaslamp is super touristy--you won't get a good feel for SD staying there. Not sure about your budget, but yes, staying in Coronado is great--the Del is a super fancy and expensive hotel there.

If I were to go right now w/our 6yo, I might choose to stay in downtown La Jolla, or maybe at the Mission Bay Hilton (great for kids). There are also a bunch of mid-priced hotels in the Mission Valley area that are central to everything.

San Diego is such a great place to visit with kids. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely recommend Coronado if you can afford it! Check out AirBnbs and VRBOs! So many cute restaurants and shops, walkability, ride your bikes everywhere - access to the beach and the bay. Can take the ferry over to the Gaslamp District. It's the perfect area for 2 kids that age. I lived there for 3 years and would happily answer any questions.

+1 for Coronado

[Anonymous]

Well I am partial to La Jolla, Del Mar, Solana beach

[Anonymous]

The Del is overpriced and overrated. Go there for drinks or lunch, but the rooms are shabby.

[Anonymous]

When are you going?

[Anonymous]

Mission beach