Trip review and suggestions for others

Question

First off we absolutely loved our San Diego trip! We had a hard time deciding where to stay between Bahia, Mission Bay, Ocean park inn and south pier inn. We went with Bahia- great resort with basically everything you could need. Definitely seemed to have a lot geared towards kid's. Huge hot tub but often full of kid's. We enjoyed our stay here ,but had stayed at Mission Bay our previous trip and it was better taken care of/ more recently renovated, and had a adults only hot tub which is great while vacationing without kid's! Bahia was within walking distance of the ocean and restaurants as Mission Bay was more by itself. We drove to Ocean Park inn and the area was very busy do glad we opted against staying there. We drove to Pier South also and the beach was empty on a Saturday! It didn't smell at all while we were there, but I definitely wouldn't go in the water. We went to MT Soledad- amazing views! We took the 2 hour Bay boat tour and we loved it! Absolutely must do in our opinion! We parked underground about a block away and didn't have to fight the backed up traffic getting to the parking by the water. We went to LA Jolla cove and it smelled terrible. The best food we had was Remy Steakhouse, waygu filet mignon was one of the best steaks I've ever had. Everyone had something different and loved it. We used TURO and rented a corvette convertible (fun little car) however there were times we had to re route because the car was so low and some of the roads had dips in them we couldn't take. (Especially going up in elevation) this wasn't something I would've thought about before hand. Some of the food places I remember by name, Corvette Diner- neat 50's/60's style diner, American food, shakes and full bar. Pizza Nova- on the water and tons of sail boats, good pizza and pasta. Bahia- we had the pizza (I'd pass on that) The pool had a limited menu, (a portion of the restaurants menu) we grabbed some burgers at the pool and that was decent. We stayed 4 nights and stayed plenty busy, we could have easily used a few more days. We also rented a floating lounge chair with motor to cruise around the bay, it was fun. Hope this helps someone!

Answer

It sounds like you had a fantastic San Diego trip! Your review gives a great overview of accommodations, activities, and dining options that can really help future travelers decide what works best for them.

Regarding hotels:

Bahia Resort: Excellent for families, lots of amenities, large hot tub (often crowded with kids), within walking distance to the ocean and restaurants. Best for a lively, full-service resort experience.
Mission Bay: Previously visited by you, adults-friendly hot tub, more recently renovated, a quieter setting. Great for travelers seeking relaxation and less family-focused atmosphere.
Ocean Park Inn: Area is very busy; you were glad to have avoided staying here.
South Pier Inn: Beach was empty and clean, but you noted the water might not be ideal for swimming.

Activities and sightseeing highlights:

Mount Soledad: Amazing views and a great photo opportunity.
San Diego Bay Boat Tour: Two-hour tour highly recommended. Parking nearby was convenient and avoided traffic issues.
La Jolla Cove: Beautiful area but unpleasant odor noted during your visit, so timing and tides may affect experience.
Floating lounge chair rental: Fun way to explore the bay and enjoy some water leisure time.

Food recommendations:

Remy Steakhouse: Outstanding wagyu filet mignon; each dish highly praised.
Corvette Diner: 50's/60's style diner, American food, shakes, and full bar—fun atmosphere.
Pizza Nova: Waterfront location with sailboat views, good pizza and pasta.
Bahia Resort Pool Menu: Limited menu; burgers were decent, pizza was less impressive.

Transportation tips:

Using TURO for a Corvette convertible was fun, but some roads, especially with elevation changes, were tricky due to the car’s low clearance. Plan routes accordingly.

Overall impressions:

Four nights was enough to stay busy, but you could easily spend more days exploring the area. Your combination of sightseeing, dining, and water activities gives a balanced itinerary for first-time or returning visitors.

For travelers, consider the type of experience you want: family-friendly amenities at Bahia, quieter and recently updated accommodations at Mission Bay, and local eateries and unique activities to enhance the stay.

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