{"id":2847,"date":"2009-12-08T08:19:13","date_gmt":"2009-12-08T14:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=2847"},"modified":"2021-11-19T15:23:44","modified_gmt":"2021-11-19T21:23:44","slug":"san-diego-hotels-attractions-perfect-for-holiday-vacation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2009\/12\/san-diego-hotels-attractions-perfect-for-holiday-vacation\/","title":{"rendered":"San Diego hotels, attractions perfect for holiday vacation"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Lena Katz<\/em><\/p>\n

San Diego County is so California, it makes the other counties jealous. Its weather is the 80-degree-year-’round gold standard; its beaches are miles upon miles of golden sand and perfect waves; its parks and zoos are bigger than anywhere else; its golf courses and spas are better; downtown San Diego hotels<\/strong><\/a> are hipper\u2026. See where I\u2019m going with this? For an annual family getaway, a San Diego vacation<\/strong><\/a> is way at the top of my list — and I think the holidays are a great time to visit.<\/p>\n

Santa Claus and Sunbathing<\/strong>
\nWhat a great combination, right? And let\u2019s be honest, the picture-perfect beaches are what 90 percent of people come here to enjoy. Whether you join the splashing masses at Coronado Beach, stroll theboardwalk at Pacific Beach Park, take the family for a day of boating activities and picnics on Mission Bay, or try boogie boarding\u00a0 at picturesque La Jolla Shores, you\u2019re not going to be disappointed by San Diego\u2019s multifaceted beachside scene. It looks just like on the postcards, and lives up to the hype.<\/p>\n

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Hotel del Coronado<\/p><\/div>\n

San Diego hotels run the gamut from resort-style to funky motels. The Hotel del Coronado<\/strong><\/a> is a landmark, but detractors warn that it can be too crowded\/lively\/touristy during high-season. Oddly, though, even they concede that spending at least half a day here — possibly for lunch or cocktails — is a mandatory San Diego vacation activity. Paradise Point at Mission Bay is an ever-popular choice, now more than ever, since it just completed an extensive renovation. Other San Diego hotels that top my pick list include Pacific Terrace Hotel<\/strong><\/a>, Surfer Beach Hotel<\/strong> and hipster-friendly Tower 23<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

North County Explorations<\/strong>
\n\"SanSo what does San Diego have left when you\u2019re done with the beach attractions? Not much, just \u2026 golf courses, spas, world-class shopping, theme parks, a race track \u2026 Seriously. Don\u2019t even think you\u2019re going to hit all the high points on one San Diego vacation. Just pick your top five, and leave the other 5,000 for next time.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re on a San Diego vacation with kids, allocate at least a day to LEGOLAND<\/strong><\/a> and a day to the San Diego Wild Animal Park<\/strong><\/a>. LEGOLAND is a one of a kind in North America, with rides and interactive attractions and an ever-changing array of life-size LEGO sculptures. Special for the holidays, the park has built an interactive moving marching band, and a life-sized LEGO Santa Claus with attendant reindeer.<\/p>\n

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San Diego Wild Animal Park (Photo: San Diego Zoo)<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s an easy mistake to make, but don\u2019t join the masses who confuse the San Diego Wild Animal Park with its southerly older sister, the San Diego Zoo. The Wild Animal Park is actually located slightly east of the beaten path, just east of Escondido. It\u2019s a vast compound originally used as a breeding facility by the San Diego Zoo, and while there are some exhibits you can reach on foot, the best activities are the special small-group activities like the Segway tours, the brand-new mule rides, and the Flightline (longest zipline in the continental United States).<\/p>\n

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Four Seasons Aviara<\/p><\/div>\n

Grownups should set aside some \u201cme time\u201d to take advantage of North County\u2019s intensive shopping\/spa\/golf scene. Go label hunting in La Jolla, at Prospect or Girard streets; look for last-season discounts at Carlsbad Premium Outlets<\/strong>; or scout for one-of-a-kind finds at Cedros Design District<\/strong> in Solana Beach.<\/p>\n

Spa ranges from super-posh Grand Del Mar<\/strong><\/a> (the men\u2019s side is outfitted with leather armchairs and robes that resemble smoking jackets) to medi-spa specialized Four Seasons Aviara<\/strong><\/a> to famous wellness retreats Golden Door<\/strong> and Cal-A-Vie<\/strong>. L’Auberge del Mar<\/strong><\/a> has the newest spa in San Diego County. As far as golf goes, world-famous Torrey Pines<\/strong><\/a> is by far the standout (and inexpensive, too, because it\u2019s a public course).<\/p>\n

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Sheraton Carlsbad<\/p><\/div>\n

Though you wouldn\u2019t necessarily see this coming, Sheraton Carlsbad<\/strong><\/a> is actually one of the friendliest San Diego hotels for kids — it has its own private \u201cVIP\u201d entrance to LEGOLAND. The property runs a variety of children\u2019s programs, including a candy-centric kiddie spa menu. If you want something sophisticated and ornate, the new Grand Del Mar<\/strong> is a stunner with award-winning restaurants and golf. On the other side of the scale, the Del Mar Motel<\/strong><\/a> offers simple, inexpensive digs on the beach, walking distance away from Del Mar village.<\/p>\n

The Rancho Bernardo Inn<\/strong><\/a> is often at the top of people\u2019s lists, for its accommodating service and fun, buzz-garnering promotions as much as its picturesque grounds. And for s San Diego vacation where small-group bonding is a priority — girlfriend getaway, spa weekend with sisters, honeymoon or babymoon, etc. — sister properties L’Auberge del Mar<\/strong> and Estancia La Jolla<\/strong><\/a> give the perfect vibe. Sunny, friendly, San Diego sweet life \u2026you\u2019ll seriously never want to leave.<\/p>\n

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Action for All Ages<\/strong>
\nThough most of San Diego County is laid-back and outdoorsy, the downtown, waterfront and Balboa Park<\/a><\/strong> areas are built out and buzzing with people. From world-famous attractions like the San Diego Zoo to unexpected and quirky little attractions like the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater<\/strong><\/a> and \u201cFrisbee-golfing\u201d at Morley Field, Balboa Park never ceases to surprise and entertain. Insiders remind you: check out the antique carousel, ride the \u201clittle train\u201d through the park, and visit the landmark Prado. Parents are loving the New Children\u2019s Museum<\/strong><\/a> located right across from the harbor, although the savvier ones warn you: bring the youngsters, not ‘tweens, and prepare for long lines.<\/p>\n

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Rooftop pool at the Ivy Hotel<\/p><\/div>\n

In the past five years downtown San Diego\u2019s become known for its hipster hotels — and the lineup keeps getting better. At Hard Rock Hotel<\/strong><\/a> and the Ivy Hotel<\/strong><\/a>, bikini models, rock stars, poker players and gamblers congregate by the pool wearing as little as possible. In the newly opened Se<\/strong><\/a> and the renovated landmark The US GRANT<\/strong><\/a>, the scene\u2019s more sophisticated, the guests decidedly more buttoned-up (in attitude and clothing), and the surroundings more highly polished. There are tons (scientific quantifier) of other San Diego hotels here, ranging from the new Hilton Bayfront<\/strong><\/a> to insider fave Little Italy Hotel<\/strong>, located in the up-and-coming neighborhood of the same name.<\/p>\n

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong><\/h3>\n