where to stay in Oct?

We%26#39;re coming to San Diego Oct 6 to 10 - first trip to this city. We want to stay downtown if possible and not rent a car - like to walk around cities a lot. Looking at Porto Vista hotel in Little Italy. Any comments on that choice? Is it walking distance to Gastown? And how would we get to Balboa Park from there?

Thanks for your help.

where to stay in Oct?

Gaslamp is a moderate walk (distance wise) but all flat -- so that is reasonable. The SD Trolley (light rail) station is about 3 blocks from Porto Vista. You are right in the middle of Little Italy some nice shops and restaurants right at your door step.

Balboa Park has several options. One is to take a cab to the corner of Laurel and 6th and walk into the Park from 6th Ave. You could also take the trolley to the College Station and then transfer to the #7 bus headed up Park Blvd. Get off opposite the entrance to the San Diego Zoo.

where to stay in Oct?

TripAdvisor.com is a wonderful database of travellers%26#39; comments on hotels, restaurants, attractions, etc. You can go there and search for your hotel name to read reviews on it.

Another good source for things like distances is a MAP. Guide books - Frommers, Fodors, etc. - have maps that actually show where your hotel is in relation to parks and attractions etc. and usually provide the bus numbers as well.

I always think half the fun of travelling is doing the research - enjoy!

P.S. Just to point you in the right direction, Gastown%26#39;s in Vancouver.

I agree with tootall that the Porto Vista is a good budget option. There are nice restaurants nearby . It is about 8blocks to Broadway where you can turn right to the harbor or left to shopping at HortonPlaza and a few blocks fruther to the gaslamp. Tootall has given youdirections already to the zoo. There is also a very good hopon hop off touravailable see:www.trolleytours.com

If you like to walk, it%26#39;s not a bad walk at all from Porto Vista to Balboa Park - I do it both ways almost every other weekend. It%26#39;s less than three miles each way, and a bit uphill on the way to the park, but not a bad trek - an you pass some lovely areas if you walk through Banker%26#39;s Hill. You mentioned that you like to walk around cities, so I thought I%26#39;d throw that option out to you.