NYE San Diego or Scottsdale with 2 pre teens

Question

Hi we are planning on a 5 day trip over New Years and hoping to find some decently warm temperatures.

I’ve been to Sam Diego loved it but never Scottsdale.

What I’m looking for is a resort or hotel with a nice pool, if there’s any water slide or any type of entertainment for kids aged 10-12 then huge bonus. We prefer to be walking distance to shops and restaurants. We’ve stayed at the Catamaran and although we loved it we hoped to try something with perhaps a nicer pool and facing the beach.

Should we focus on the Mission Beach area or Coronado? Is Scottsdale downtown a better option for the entire package I’m in search for?

Answer

For a New Year’s trip with pre-teens, both San Diego and Scottsdale offer warm winter weather, but the experiences are very different. Since your priorities include a resort with a pool (ideally with slides or kid-friendly features), walking access to shops and restaurants, and a pleasant atmosphere for kids aged 10-12, it’s worth comparing the options in detail.

San Diego Options: Staying in San Diego gives you direct access to the beach, ocean views, and a variety of family-friendly attractions. Mission Beach and Coronado are both good areas, but they offer different vibes:

Mission Beach: This area is lively and active, with boardwalks, casual shops, and beachfront restaurants. Resorts and hotels in this area often have direct beach access and decent pools, but few have large water slides. Some options to consider:

Hotel del Coronado (technically Coronado, but just across the bay) – iconic beachfront resort with a large pool complex, historic charm, and occasional kid-focused activities.
Catamaran Resort (Mission Bay) – you mentioned you liked it; it’s family-friendly with a lagoon-style pool, but if you want a bigger pool facing the ocean, look for alternatives like Pacific Beach hotels.
Pacific Beach hotels – several boutique hotels offer rooftop pools and direct beach access; some may have smaller kid-friendly pool areas but rarely water slides.

Coronado: Quieter and more upscale, with beautiful beaches and the famous Hotel del Coronado. Pools tend to be smaller and more refined rather than kid-focused, but the beach access is fantastic and the area is very walkable to restaurants and shops.

Scottsdale Options: Scottsdale is a desert destination, so you won’t have beach access, but many resorts are designed for families. Pools are often large with slides, splash areas, and kid-oriented activities:

Arizona Grand Resort – extensive pool complex with a water slide, lazy river, and family-friendly activities.
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort – several pools, waterslides, and a “lazy river” style pool perfect for kids, plus organized activities for different ages.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess – luxurious resort with multiple pools, water slides, and seasonal kids’ activities. Very resort-focused but not walkable to shops; you’d need a car for local excursions.

Additional considerations for your trip:

San Diego offers oceanfront beaches, casual walkable areas, and a variety of attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, and Balboa Park—all easy to combine with a beach day.
Scottsdale provides resort-focused fun, especially for pool-loving kids, but shopping and dining require short drives or resort shuttles. Weather in late December/early January is mild, usually in the mid-60s to low 70s.
For a balance of beach, walkability, and kid-friendly pools, San Diego’s Pacific Beach or Mission Bay areas may offer the best combination. Coronado is quieter and luxurious, better if you prioritize a refined beach stay rather than slides and kid-centric activities.

In summary, if your kids are excited by big pools, slides, and resort entertainment, Scottsdale resorts like Arizona Grand or Hyatt Regency are excellent. If you want a true beach experience with walkable shops and casual dining, San Diego’s Mission Beach or Pacific Beach is preferable, with slightly less emphasis on large water slides but great overall family appeal.