Loews Coronado Bay Resort
Best for: Families, couples
On-site amenities: Separate pool areas for families and adults, spa, bar, beach club
Pros: The bay views from all corners of the property are fantastic and peaceful, especially in the Bay Terrace bar area. The fantastic staff helps keep kids entertained at the pool, and daily activities are all included in the resort fee.
Cons: The resort and parking fees add up on a long family vacation, and the hotelâs distance from Coronadoâs town center and downtown San Diego can feel inconvenient when you want to explore. Similarly, the lack of direct beachfront access is something to consider as shuttle access can be challenging off-season.
Coronado might be synonymous with the famous Hotel Del Coronado, but for a cheaper beach resort getaway, the Loews Coronado Bay Resort is a solid option without compromising on comfort or style.
Situated at the end of a private 15-acre peninsula, Loews Coronado offers a hip but relaxed vibe with a luxury lean, plus excellent grounds, amenities, and scenic 360-degree bay views.
Though beach access is located across a highway and requires a free hotel shuttle, thereâs plenty to enjoy on-site including the large pool deck with reserved space for both adults and kids, a spa, and a terrace bar with ample views. Itâs also a bit quieter than Hotel Del, surrounded by natural elements and removed from the city bustle. Rooms are chic and in line with the high-end Loews brand.
COVID-19 procedures are availablehere.
What To Do In Hillcrest
Eat. Shop. Drink. Repeat! Hillcrests community feel and endless good vibes make it the perfect place to brunch the day away, stock up on some unique local souvenirs and bar crawl once the sun goes down. And the best thing? The diversity of this burb means theres thousands of different experiences to have while youre here.
First up, take a snap with the historic neon Hillcrest sign, then decide on your budget and hit the shops. Whether you want to scour through vintage threads, designer boutiques or cheap and cheerful craft stalls, Hillcrests streets and plazas are a shopaholics dream, no matter what youre searching for. Visit Codys for little home decorations and Footnote Books to see an incredible collection of well-looked-after reads.
Feel like a bit of beauty therapy? Youll find loads of salons and barbers here too, so its the perfect place for a mid-adventure trim or style. We recommend Detour Salon for gals and Winns Barbershop for the lads. And if youre a bit of a culture vulture, Landmark Theatres is home to an excellent show list of indie and foreign films.
Aside from everything going on inside the neighbourhood, Hillcrests location is ideal for exploring San Diegos stunning Balboa Park, the largest urban park in the USA. Boasting over 1,200 acres of gardens, 16 museums, multiple performing arts venues and a Spanish arts village, you can see it all by foot, by a trolley tour or even by Segway.
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Homewood Suites San Diego Airport
Homewood Suites is located right near the San Diego Airport, and that also means that its close to a lot of other great things to see.
Breakfast can be opted-in for, and theres a great kid-friendly hotel pool at the middle of the suites.
Theres no club for kids part of the HomewoodSuites, but everything that your kids might want to see are justt a few minutes away by shuttle or taxi.
Amenities are just enough to take the pressure off, and includes laundry and cleaning services, wi-fi and a TV and kitchen to every room.
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What Do You Really Think Are The Best Kid
I receive this question almost daily, mostly because families have a hard time weighing the San Diego hotel choices. I try to answer this for readers based on what they have told me are their most important criteria.
However, certain hotels on this list receive consistently rave reviews from readers and clients while also offering fantastic front-facing and behind-the-scenes service . These are:
I believe that once Hotel del Coronado is finished renovating in 2021 that I can also put them on this list.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Formerly called the San Diego Wild Animal Park, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is one of those iconic kid-friendly activities near San Diego. Its located in Escondido, about 35 minutes north of downtown San Diego and 30 minutes east of Carlsbad.
The Safari Park is unlike any traditional zoo youve been to. Rather than keeping each animal in a small enclosure while visitors walk from one to the next, the majority of the park is wide-open spaces with geographically-based habitats. The animals at least the ones that wont kill each other live together just as they would in the wild. Visitors can choose from one of several Safari options to visit the region that mosts interests them: African savannah , Asian savannah or a longer tour that combines them both. We opted for the African cart safari when our kids were 1 and 3 and it was perfect for the whole family!
There are also areas of the park available to explore on foot like the Australian habitat, Gorilla Forest and Tiger Trail. One unique feature of the Safari Park is its conservation-focused breeding program that has earned it a reputation as the nursery for Americas zoos. This is a great activity for school age kids in San Diego because theyll enjoy learning more about the parks behind-the-scenes work.
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Guide To San Diegos Best Restaurants
San Diego was once known as a culinary wasteland. That has changed and there are all kinds of dining options. Fun Diego Family is focused on discovering exciting places to eat that are family-friendly and will not break the budget. This is our guide to San Diegos Best Restaurants.
Upfront, we will say that Fun Diego Family is not the place to come if you are a foodie or looking for the latest trendy hotspot. Our focus is on hidden gems that may not show up in the tourist guides. We are also looking to go deeper into the many individual neighborhoods of San Diego City and County.
If you want the best information on top end San Diego restaurants, we recommend Eater San Diego. This site provides a regularly updated list of the 38 essential San Diego restaurants. They also have an ongoing list of the current hottest San Diego restaurants.
You will find that we cover some of the Eater San Diego restaurants. However, we are looking to go beyond that list. Fun Diego Family is focused on more of the family-friendly options. We are also focused on crowd-pleasing food like pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and, of course, Mexican food.
In the case of the top restaurants on Eater San Diego, many we have not yet visited. Others we have visited but consider over-rated. We do not cover the ones we feel are over-rated because in many cases we only have made one visit. However, if you have a question about a specific restaurant please let us know.
When To Come To San Diego
The best beach weather in San Diego is in late summer into early fall when temperatures reach into the high 70s near the coast. Summer is the high season for tourism in California, so if you want the best weather without the crowds, plan your visit for mid-September.
For a more detailed guide on times to visit the city, check out my article on the best time of year to visit San Diego. If you do decide to visit in Summer, be sure to book your lodging at least 6 months in advance as they fill up fast.
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Things To See And Do In Ocean Beach
- Shop for fruits, vegetables, sweets and treats at the Ocean Beach Farmers Market.
- Take a walk along the more than 600 meters long OB Pier, one of the most famous places to visit in San Diego.
- Spot crustaceans and sea anemones in the Ocean Beach Tidepools.
- Visit Newport Avenue Beach where you can paddle out into the waves and try to hang ten.
- Take a walk along the Sunset Cliffs and watch the sun dip below the horizon.
- Build sandcastles and play in the sand at Voltaire Street Beach.
A Complete Guide Of Where To Stay In San Diego
From waterside, to city center, to theme park convenient, it can be hard to choose where to stay. Here’s a look at some of the best San Diego family lodging options.
On the Water
As the Frog Family, were naturally drawn to water. If we have the chance to stay near the beach or the bay, we always take it. Mission Bay is a popular destination for families. It offers plenty of water sports and outdoor activities and a number of resorts. Its also just a hop, skip and a jump from neighboring SeaWorld San Diego. The San Diego Mission Bay Resort offers all of the fun of being on the water. Rent watercraft or bikes to explore the bay. Make s’mores at night. That’s what we’re talking about!
Nearby Ocean Beach is a great spot to visit. It has a beachfront amusement park, tide pools to explore, a pier and paved pathways for bike rides and walks along the beach. The Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina is located in the marina near Sea World and offers three heated pools and multiple waterslides. It’s about a 15-minute walk to Mission beach. It’s a good option for families of four or fewer members.
Guests will find plenty of accommodations along the coast to suit every budget. There are pricier options in La Jolla and Coronado. These are two of the most spectacular areas near San Diego. You just might find that paying a little more for these locations is worth it.
Downtown
Where to Stay in San Diego Near the Major Attractions
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Best Place To Stay In San Diego For Families With Kids
When trying to figure out where to stay in San Diego with kids you will have a lot of options to choose from.
However, right off the bat, the Gaslamp Quarter is probably not a great idea due to its nightlife scene.
This neighborhood aside, you are spoilt for choice with two options standing out with the most to offer your family.
Below is more about them and what makes them particularly special for families with kids of all ages.
Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara North San Diego
The Residence Club is located in North San Diego, and is part of the luxurious Four Seasons resort chain.
They offer exactly the kind of luxurious stay that you would expect from the Four Seasons, and great amenities part of your stay including wi-fi throughout the resort, a complimentary breakfast that welcomes you to the resort, a huge games room and access to a pool with a spectacular view.
Theres no club for kids at the Four Seasons, but the amount of things to do at the Residence Club more than makes up for it.
Kids can even rent board games from the front desk for a fun games night.
Parents can enjoy the on-site spa or visit any number of the on-site restaurants.
For parents with younger kids, theres also an optional minder service.
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Best Location In San Diego Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best area to stay in San Diego for sightseeing?
Downtown San Diego is the best place to stay in the city for a first visit or sightseeing, in general. In Downtown, youll find attractions like the San Diego Zoo and the gorgeous Balboa Park. This area also has the best transport connections.But, if you want to visit SeaWorld, you should stay in Mission Beach.
What is the best area to stay in San Diego with kids?
If youre traveling to San Diego with kids, it may be in your best interest to stay near SeaWorld. By remaining close to the park, youll enjoy early shows and spend less time and money on public transport.Downtown is also a good place to stay in San Diego for family trips because it is close to the zoo.
Whats the best area to stay in San Diego near the beach?
If you wonder where to stay near the beach in San Diego, look no further than La Jolla. The beach in La Jolla is beautiful, and the area is still close to most of the citys attractions.For a couples getaway, you could try staying in the stunning and romantic Coronado.
Whats the best area to stay in San Diego to visit SeaWorld?
SeaWorld is in Mission Bay, so thats the part of San Diego where you should stay to visit the park. Mission Bay has many accommodation options very close to SeaWorld.
What is the best location in San Diego for nightlife?Where to stay in San Diego without a car?What is the best area in San Diego for LGBT travelers?
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Best Apartment Rental In Ocean Beach: Sunset Cottage
This bright and breezy 2 br 1 Bath beach bungalow is a short walk to beaches, shops, restaurants, and weekly farmers market. Your home away from home lends itself to a relaxing and fun visit, vacation, or extended stay in the youthful and energetic city of San Diego.
- Getting to Ocean Beach
- From the I-5, to the 8/Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and follow that to Bacon Street. There is free street parking in residential areas of Ocean Beach and metered parking in the main areas.
- Bus #35 runs from Old Town to Ocean Beach. Bus #923 runs from downtown San Diego to Ocean Beach.
- Taxis frequently run to and from Ocean Beach, but youll likely have to call one in advance.
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Where To Stay In San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter
This vibrant downtown neighborhood is the place for nightlife, with plenty of nightclubs, live music, comedy shows, rooftop bars, gastropubs, and late-night dining to keep visitors busy. It’s a blend of historic and modern, with lively streets, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants ranging from casual to upscale. Choose one of the Quarter’s hotels for a delightful stay and an easy walk back at the end of a big night out on the town.
Andaz San Diego
Set in a historic 1913 building and updated in contemporary style, Andaz San Diego, operated by Hyatt, offers guestrooms and suites, a pool, private cabanas, the STK restaurant steakhouse, and a rooftop bar and lounge with views of the city skyline.
600 F Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
The rock vibes begin with the lobby lounge and continue through a stunning rooftop pool bar and urban garden, state-of-the-art fitness center, and high-tech amenities, such as each room’s integrated plug and play sound system. Complimentary Electra bicycles and dining at Nobu add to the fun.
207 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
To book:hardrockhotelsd.com
Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Conveniently located near the Convention Center and Petco Park, this pet-friendly boutique hotel boasts a roof garden and Level 9 Rooftop Bar with cozy fire pits for chilly evenings.
509 9th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
To book:ihg.com
La Jolla Best Place To Stay In San Diego For Beach Lovers
La Jolla is one of the most scenic and beautiful places to stay in San Diego. With its gentle waves, sandy beaches, and stunning sunsets, its no wonder that La Jolla is often referred to as the jewel of San Diego.
La Jolla is also home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and galleries, making it the perfect place to stay if youre looking for a little bit of everything. And with its close proximity to downtown San Diego, La Jolla is also a great choice for those who want to be close to all the action.
Whether youre looking for a romantic getaway or a family-friendly vacation spot, La Jolla is sure to please.
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Mission Bay Mission Beach & pacific Beach
North of Ocean Beach, across the San Diego River, lie the most popular of San Diegos city beaches. Mission Beach and Pacific Beach stand on a narrow sandbar between the ocean and Mission Bay Park, a water wonderland of marinas, sheltered beaches, and resorts. On the bay you can rent kayaks, sailboats, paddle-boats, and SUPs, but the area is best known for SeaWorld San Diego. Mission Beach spans nearly two miles of sand, lined by the always humming Ocean Front Walk. The biggest non-beach attraction here is Belmont Park, an old-fashioned amusement park with a landmark rollercoaster . Mission Boulevard runs from Mission Beach north to Pacific Beach and is full of casual cafes, womens clothing boutiques, yoga studios, and bars. Pacific Beach is a slightly hipper beach community with a cluster of fashionable beach bars along the shore and restaurants and coffee shops along the main street, Garnet Avenue. This area tends to draw a young, bar-hopping crowd. Surfing is big here South Coast and Pacific Beach Surf Shop are top spots for gear, board rentals, and lessons. Staying in Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, or Mission Bay can be lots of fun, with access to the beach, surf, and some great places to eat and drink. Its not so convenient for exploring the rest of the city, however, with long bus rides or drives to Downtown and elsewhere.