Finding the right hotel, hostel, or vacation rental for your stay in San Diego is a very important part of your vacation planning. The right location can add incredible value to your trip by saving you time, money, and hassle. Let's be honest, the price matters but so does a lot of other things. Is the rental in close proximity to the places that you want to visit? Is it kid and family friendly? Will you lose time because of San Diego traffic? What will the weather be like in my particular micro climate? Can I prepare my own meals there? All of these questions are relevant to you where in the city you plan on staying for your trip as well as what type of accommodations you expect to purchase.
By far the best combination of value and luxury that you can find in a vacation to San Diego is to get a San Diego vacation rental. These are perfect for families or large groups traveling to San Diego for at least a week at a time, but increase in value if you can stay for a month. A large family might have to rent two or even three hotel rooms to comfortable fit their entire family. With a rental property you can house your whole family under the same roof, and have the privacy of walking to each and every room that you occupy in comfortable night wear without having to travel through a public hall. Most vacation rentals also have a kitchen, which can save you lots of money on meals by giving you a chance to buy and store your own food from grocery stores, a much cheaper alternative to eating out every meal. Even if you don't want to cook, the savings from being able to buy some milk, cereal, and some fruits and vegetables for breakfasts and snacks can be both health conscious and budget saving.
Hotels also offer travelers a good choice, but these are usually just as expensive for longer stays as a vacation rental but have all the drawbacks of not being able to purchase your own food as well as some of the privacy and security concerns. San Diego hotels are a good option though for short term vacationers who only are coming in and out of San Diego. They are generally very close to major freeways, allowing you easy access to the major arteries of travel. Some hotels are even within walking distance of many of the places you will want o visit, such as Sea World, Sea Port Village, or various beaches - but be warned, these hotels are usually much more expensive than hotels a little farther away. You will pay a premium for their location.
When all is said and done it is best to make the choice that best fits your vacationing needs. There is no wrong choice because San Diego accommodations are generally nice and clean, but making the best choice will really enhance your stay in San Diego.
Finding the Right Place to Stay On Your San Diego Vacation
Take a Vacation to San Diego For the Weather
San Diego is a great place to take a vacation the whole year round. The temperate climate never gets too cold with the lowest historical monthly average coming in December at 49 degrees Fahrenheit. The highest historical monthly average is in August which measures in at 78 degrees. But don't let the averages fool you, the months that typically have the highest temperatures are September and October - both of which have record highs above 105. The months also have some fairly cool days as well which accounts for the lower average temperature.
The wettest month in San Diego for vacation purposes are January through March, but even then there is little rain compared to many places in the United States. Traveling to San Diego for vacation during these months will not only afford you an opportunity to see a green San Diego, but it opens up additional recreation opportunities for you. Not only is the beach still open to you (and relatively uncrowded at that) but there are also the mountains an hour or two outside of San Diego for you to go skiing, snow boarding, or inner tubing!
Consider a San Diego Vacation During the Off Season
So not only does traveling to San Diego in the Winter give you more choices, it also will mean less crowds for you at San Diego's major attractions. Sea World, the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, Lego Land, and the countless historical parks and monuments that dot the San Diego landscape see fewer visitors in these months - thus giving travelers more opportunities to see what they want instead of waiting in line!
Rates for San Diego vacation rentals also see a decline during these months, increasing the level of savings available to individuals traveling on a budget. There is nothing quite like saving money and having a great time.
Transportation for Your San Diego Vacation
Getting around San Diego can be difficult while on vacation, but it doesn't have to be if you do things right. There are all the major transportation options of any major city, except that San Diego suffers from a massive suburban sprawl which can limit the effectiveness of public transportation. However, with some careful planning you can get around just fine in buses, trolleys, and trains.
To start your search for affordable public transportation for your San Diego vacation head on over to 511sd.com, a very helpful sight that includes bus, trolley, and train schedules as well as an extremely useful trip planner. Using the trip planner will allow you to enter in where you are leaving from and where you want to go. It will then tell you how far you need to walk to get to the nearest bus/trolley/train, which stop you need to ravel to, how much it will cost, and what time you can expect to arrive at your destination. One word of caution is that it is sometimes better to buy a day pass for the public transit system if you expect to ride multiple lines throughout the day as the buses and trolleys do not give transfers. If you are arriving at the San Diego International Airport, there is a bus line that runs by there but if it is rainy be sure to have an umbrella because you will have to walk under the open sky to get the bus terminal. Luckily it hardly rains in San Diego!
In addition to the publicly available transportation San Diego also has many taxis and rental car services scattered all across the county for those traveling on a San Diego vacation. All the major national players are here - Avis, Budget, National, Enterprise, etc. Taxis are also plentiful and most are just a phone call away if you are not in the downtown area. These are much more expensive than the other option, but the freedom they provide will be a necessity for many travelers as well as those who want to benefit from the wide range of activities across the entire San Diego region.
San Diego Vacations Are About the Beach
There are a lot of places that you could go on a vacation, but San Diego beats them all. In San Diego you have the beach which offers a wide variety of leisure activities that can occupy couples and families for hours. A San Diego vacation near the beach lets you surf, body board, snorkel, scuba, kayak, swim, sail, or sun. It doesn't matter which you chose, because San Diego lets you enjoy them all at many locations throughout the city.
If you are traveling to San Diego for its beaches, there are a few beaches near La Jolla (La Jolla Shores and La Jolla Cove) that might tickle your fancy. At these beaches you can enjoy the warm, white sand just a stones throw away from seals and other aquatic animals. Kayaking and snorkeling are also very popular in and around the La Jolla Cove. The natural kelp beds that line the shore are natural and safe place to watch the underwater world come to life. For the more adventurous swimmers, swimming from La Jolla Shores to La Jolla Cove (about 1 mile each way) offers some nice physical activity to bring vigor and life to your San Diego vacation. Boogie boarding is also available, and since the waves are generally smaller at La Jolla Shores it offers individuals on vacation in San Diego the chance to enjoy the power of riding a wave without the fear or danger associated with large waves. It is perfect for families with children or those wishing to give riding waves a try.
A little north of La Jolla Shores is Blacks Beach which offers great breaks for surfers in need of getting out on the water and letting all the stress of life just slip away. Blacks beach is a little remote and does take some time to get to through trails down the cliff or by walking up the beach from La Jolla Shores, so you may need to ask a local or two about how to get there. It is also a clothes optional beach, so if you have children with you it might be a better idea to take them all elsewhere. But if you just want to get out and ride some waves, Blacks Beach may be the place for you.
Vacation San Diego wants to make your stay in San Diego lovely. If you have a review of La Jolla Shores, La Jolla Cove, or Blacks Beach please leave a comment and let us know what you thought about them. It will help us all.
Welcome to Vacation San Diego
Thanks for visiting Vacation San Diego, your spot to find information on taking a vacation in San Diego. We have taken the time to organize ideas and information that can help you to learn about vacationing in San Diego and the surrounding area. If you’re looking to vacation in San Diego, or Southern California in general, you have come to the right place.
If any of you would like more information about San Diego vacations, please feel free to let us know. Thanks again for the visit and make sure to check back often to receive additional information on taking a vacation to sunny San Diego.