San Diego Hotels & Restaurants with Teens

[Mary Popppins]

Greetings, San Diego experts. We are going to a conference, staying at the Rancho Bernardo Inn last week in June. We would then like to go back to SanDiego proper and stay a few days to do some kid things (Disneyland will be done earlier in the week). Our kids are 15 (boy) and 11 (girl).

Which hotels would you recommend that are:
- 3 or 4 star, no BUDGET hotels (although I'm not in the league of the Four Seasons, if you know what I mean -- but we like nice hotels that are kid-friendly)
- Have a fantastic pool (we're from the northeast, so swimming is a treat)
- Not BORING or stuffy to teens.

Also, can you recommend any fun restaurants with lots of character and personality that have great food?

Thanks for your help.

 

[poohj80]

My favorite restaurant in San Diego is the Corvette Diner (http://www.corvettediner.signonsandiego.com/). I think your kids would love it!

 

[thatgirl'smom]

I live in San Diego and was emailing someone about this hotel the other day. Are you familiar with Coronado? The island across the bay from downtown San Diego? This is my FAVORITE place and here is a great hotel right along the lines of what I believe you are looking for... the Coronado Marriott on the bay side of the island in an area called Ferry Landing. There is a beautiful wide walkway (1/2-1 mile long)... very scenic and lovely. Lots of walkers, bikers, joggers,etc. From the Marriott facing across the bay to the city, to the right towards the bridge about a 1/4 mile down the walkway is a fantastic park with a fun playground area and a HUGE open grassy area (which I know wouldn't matter to teens, but it does matter to my 3 year old!). To the left about a 1/4 mile down the walkway is Ferry Landing, with shops and restaurants (casual as well as fancy... Il Fornaio is my absolute favorite!) and the actual ferry landing pier where there is a little beach, the perfect size for getting your toes in the sand. You can take the ferry across to downtown San Diego (about a 15 minute ride) and visit Seaport Village, where there are more shops, restaurants, and lots of room to walk and get energy out. From the ferry (or harbor tour, or water taxi) you can see lots of Navy ships, which is pretty neat. The San Diego side of the bay offers many harbor tours. The view across the bay towards the city at night is really stunning! Something I've always wanted to do but haven't yet is rent a bicycle from Ferry Landing and explore the island by bike.

The hotel
http://marriott.com/property/propertypage.mi?marshaCode=SANCI

Ferry Landing
http://gothere.com/coronado/FerryLanding.htm

Seaport Village
http://www.spvillage.com/

Coronado/San Diego Ferry
http://www.sdhe.com/san-diego-bay-ferry.html

Harbor tours
http://www.sdhe.com/

Hope this helps! There is also a nice Marriot on the San Diego side of the bay... and you could do/visit everything I described from there. This hotel is about 10 minutes (if not less) from the airport. Coronado is more like 15 minutes away from the airport. Very centrally located as far as city attractions (Seaworld, Zoo, etc.) are concerned.

 

[Tink33]

I agree with the Corvette Diner, my kids love it. Joe's Crab Shack is another favorite.

 

[Redcon1]

Speaking of Coronado, there's a great Mexican place we always make a point of eating at, Miguel's Cocina, right across the street from the Hotel Del Coronado.
The atmosphere is wonderful, especially if you sit outside in the evening. It's situated in the courtyard of the Hotel Cordova hotel. The prices are reasonable too.

 

[Mary Popppins]

Sounds great. Will try those. Any more restaurant ideas?