hotel ? for Sea World & Zoo

My husband, 7 yr old daughter and I will be visiting SD in May %26#39;08. First time there and we%26#39;ll have 3 days. We want to take her to Sea World and the Zoo, but am confused as to where to stay. We%26#39;ll have a rental car to get around, but am concerned about hotel parking (I%26#39;d like to avoid street parking). Walking distance to restaurants would be great. Price range is about $150. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

hotel ? for Sea World %26amp; Zoo

Most of the attraction in San Diego are relatively close to one another, easily within 20 to maybe 30 minutes by car. There are a ton of decent hotels in the ';Hotel Circle'; area, which is actually located right between the zoo and Sea World. I would start there. But there are a few lesser quality hotels there, so you might want to find a few of them, and post them here for some more specific reviews.

I wouldn%26#39;t think you%26#39;d have any trouble finding something for $150ish.

I would also recommend the Old Town Trolley Tour, which takes you all around beautiful San Diego. It%26#39;s a great way to see many different areas of the city in a relatively fast and economical manner. The roads in SD can be a bit confusing if you%26#39;ve never been here. If you do the tour, do it as soon as possible during your trip, because it may actually help you learn your way around town better.

hotel ? for Sea World %26amp; Zoo

If you want to be walking distance to restaurants, then I would stay away from Hotel Circle - that is an area surrounded by highways, and not pedestrian friendly.

I would look at Sommerset Suites in Hillcrest - lots of restaurants in easy walking distance - 2 miles to the zoo, 7 miles to Seaworld. Also Balboa Park Inn, right across the street from the zoo, a very nice residential neighborhood, not as close to restaurants though. The Little Italy neighborhood of downtown is very pedestrian friendly, lots of restaurants, and about 3 miles to zoo, 6 miles to Seaworld. I%26#39;d check out La Pensione, Hampton Inn (get a room on the front to avoid street noise), or Porto Vista Hotel.

I also would look at Old Town - La Quinta or Western Inn - both in easily walkable area, about 3 miles from the zoo, six miles from Seaworld.

thanks for the great info, it%26#39;s very helpful!

You may want to look into the Crowne Plaza San Diego - Mission Valley on Hotel Circle North. There is a nice restaurant there and you can take the shuttle to the nearby mall for some more restaurants. Kids like the pool, the waterfalls, and the koi ponds.

Secured parking for only $10 a night.

Walking distance to no where, but a very nice tropical feeling. The best views are lower floor, pool side.

www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/sancp

Check Embassy Suits Downtown (near Seaport Village) - our friends stayed there and location is good for many trips by foot or by car. There are also Embassy in La Jolla/UTC area. With kids it%26#39;s always more convenient choice.

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