Advice on booked hotels

Question

Hi there.

We are a UK couple early sixties finishing a 5 week long road trip in San Diego on 16 Nov 25.

We have 7 nights in San Diego area and have booked 2 hotels ( but both are cancellable without charge) Plantai Inn La Jolla for 2 nights and Hilton San Diego Gas Lamp area for last 4 nights. We have 1 night 18 Nov not booked, and any suggestions welcome. We are ok with moving hotels.We enjoy good restaurants and live music. We have a rental car in La Jolla which we return on 18 Nov. We then have 5 nights without a car before return flight home on 23 Nov.

Are the hotel choices ok ( safe areas).

We are very grateful to the forum for any feednack.

Answer

Your planned hotels in San Diego are both solid choices and are generally considered safe and convenient for visitors. Here’s a detailed breakdown of your current bookings and suggestions for the unbooked night.

The Plantai Inn in La Jolla is a charming area known for its upscale shops, galleries, and coastal scenery. It’s a safe neighborhood and ideal if you want a quieter, scenic start to your San Diego stay. Having a rental car here works well, as you can explore the coastline, visit La Jolla Cove, and drive to nearby neighborhoods or beaches with ease.

The Hilton in the Gaslamp Quarter is in the heart of downtown San Diego. This area is vibrant, with lots of restaurants, bars, live music venues, and nightlife. While it’s very safe overall, especially during the day and early evening, it’s an urban downtown area, so standard city precautions apply (e.g., watch your belongings and avoid poorly lit side streets at night). For a couple interested in dining and entertainment, it’s an excellent location.

For the unbooked night on 18 Nov, you might consider a hotel that bridges La Jolla and downtown, particularly if you want to return the rental car and settle into downtown before exploring without a car. Options include areas like Mission Valley or nearby coastal neighborhoods. Here are some ideas:

Mission Valley: Convenient for returning your rental car, well-connected to public transit, many mid-range hotels with pools and restaurants.
Hotel Circle near Mission Valley: Easy access to freeways and a variety of hotel choices, usually more spacious rooms.
La Jolla or Pacific Beach: If you want to linger near the coast one more night, consider moving to a boutique hotel or inn closer to the beach. You could drive back to downtown the next day before returning the car.
Coronado: Short drive from La Jolla or downtown, charming, historic, and scenic. Offers a quieter coastal experience before heading into downtown for your last nights.

Overall, your hotel choices are well thought out, safe, and offer different experiences: a coastal, relaxed stay in La Jolla and a lively downtown urban experience in the Gaslamp Quarter. For the single night in between, consider a place that is convenient for dropping off the car and transitioning to a walkable downtown experience for your remaining nights. This way, you can maximize convenience while still enjoying good restaurants and live music without needing a car.

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