San Diego Hotel Prices are Not that Bad This Summer

If you're looking for a great vacation, don't let San Diego stop you. It's welcoming visitors with that warm southern hospitality it is famous for. One of our friends says that when you live in San Diego, you just know that when traffic stops, someone is probably giving a tourist directions. It's that popular -- and that friendly. Like any city, use caution, however, especially at night.

So you're thinking of hitting the mean streets of Gaslamp Quarter at night for some fine dining, music and beverage. Then stay at the Gaslamp Quarter hotels so you don't have to drive after drinking. There are a number of fine hotels in and around Gaslamp.

Not your bag? The pick a family destination hotel such as Town & Country, next to a shopping mall. The hotel includes several swimming pools and a family vibe. It's a favorite our family enjoys.

Beach vacations are tops and there are a few beaches where you can stay right next to the sand. They include Mission Beach, Mission Bay and Pacific Beach. Ocean Beach has a few hotels but not as much.

Get packing, and get heading to San Diego. It's the greatest sunshine on the planet!

Time to Visit San Diego

It's time to visit San Diego. When driving through San Pedro today, we were reminded of Point Loma in San Diego. Boy, this would be a great place to live, we said! The hills were steep, the homes unique, and even little cottages offered views of the sea. In reality they showed the Los Angele port and harbor. Point Loma is simarly situated up a steep incline with houses also sporting views of the bay to the south in the San Diego harbor. It isn't the only reason I miss San Diego, but it certainly makes me want to make a drive and visit my favorite Southern California city once again.

vacations this summer include boat rides

If you haven't spent much time exploring San Diego, there are a few secrets the insiders know--and they involve boats. By staying at either the Bahia or the Catamaran hotel, both on bays, you can get a free ride on the hotel's very own sternwheeler boat, the Bahia Belle, that goes out every night in the summer. We've ridden it a few times and found that it's nice and mellow on the upper deck, but downtstairs at the bar it really becomes a part boat, complete with live band.

I am not usually a party animal on boats. I'm more into watching the city lights. But the beauty of this free ride is that you can have it your way. Families with kids are prohibited from taking the children on the boat after about 8:30. You can still buy a ticket and ride the boat from the Bahia, but why not just book the room and get the ride free?

Legoland California Water Park Opens This Friday

The temperatures better start warming up for the unveiling of the newest San Diego County water park at Legoland in Carlsbad. One of three parks in the complex (Legoland, Sea Life Aquarium, and Water Park), the newest family member will include bright colored slides, a super-duper fountain kids will love to stand under, and other fun stuff. As is true with Lego's mission to entertain children and families, the newest theme park carries the theme of Lego brick designs, and family & kid-friendly fun for the youngest of young. What about the weather? Many say we're having our coolest spring ever in Southern California. But temps are predicted to rise for Memorial Weekend when the water park is open for business. Legoland has some ticket specials only good through May 31.

photos of the Belle

If you want to be the belle of the ball this spring, the sternwheeler in San Diego that travels between two hotels (Catamaran & Bahia) is a cheap date. Hotel guests are free riders, and others pay $10. It's worth it because there's so much to see. Bahia Belle can be boarded at either hotel. Best time to go is after kids curfew(8:30 p.m.) Then it switches to 21 and older for a night of partying.

San Diego's 250+ Hotels Make it a Fun Search for The Vacation

There are over 250 hotels in San Diego for excellent vacations at the beach, near the zoo, or in the wine country, and Wild Animal Park from Escondido to Temecula, part of Riverside County. So how do you pick a spot? What's become extremely popular this season are the packages that combine hotels and theme park attractions into one booking. One of the most affordable hotels with bays & beaches is Bahia Resort.

With prices recently posted around $99 for a Garden View Room in the next week or two, this is a heck of a deal.What people don't know about Bahia is the Bahia Belle, a steamroller style boat that offers guests rides on certain nights. In the summer the schedule is more frequent.

San Diego Hotel Prices Have Gone Up for Summer 2010

So much for the deals we were touting recently. The prices of rooms have gone up considerably in San Diego, and for those on a budget, your best deals will have to come from the budget hotels this season. Ramada, Value Inn, and other such names will become the budget travelers best friend on San Diego vacations.

Previously we reported that the Hiltons and other new properties downtown had some amazing deals--but currently we're not seeing the pricing offered just a week or two ago. With summer coming on, the hotels are hoping that travelers will pay the higher rates that have gone up anyhwere from $25 more per night to $100. And, in San Diego, the problem with the room rates are those taxes that tack on for each stay. For those who can afford to have fun, the weather is perfect, and we just reported that there will be a Sicilian Festival in Little Italy on May 23. It's the perfect time to see what San Diego is about--parties.