Property
A grand Victorian gem smack-dab on the beach. Resort experience with stores, restaurants and activities, including a kids’ club in summer, all on site.

Location
Coronado is its own little island over a bridge from the downtown, Gas Lamp area of San Diego. It has a bay and beach side and a cute downtown. The Zoo, Children’s Museum, and Balboa Park are all a 5-minute car ride away.

Sleeps
Book a junior suite.  Two queens and a fold-out couch cut down on all the you’re-on-my-side fighting.

Highlights
It’s on the perfect sandy beach with low-breaking waves and a tide pools nearby.   It’s rare to get a place in San Diego where can stumble out to the beach from your room and have towels and chairs provided.  Having the hotel set you up with a campfire and s’mores at night is worth the expense.

Good to know
Stay in the Victorian hotel instead of newer buildings that look like apartments. Try to get on the 2nd or 3rd floor in West Wing toward the back. It’s noisy on 1st floor and rooms are more cramped higher up and closer to the lobby. Skip eating the average food there and head into town instead.

Contact
http://www.hoteldel.com/

Written by auto_mode

Property
The Rancho Bernardo Inn is a classic California luxury resort with a casual feel. The resort rolls out the red carpet for kids and their families, making this mom very, very happy. The 287 guest rooms and suites were recently renovated and include: 42” flat screen televisions, private balconies or patios overlooking the beautiful grounds, a huge bathroom with a separate shower and tub, wireless internet, and a small fridge.

Location
Located in a quiet residential neighborhood in the hills of San Diego. It’s a few miles away from Escondido, making it the perfect location for a visit to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. It’s about a 15-30 minute drive to other San Diego attractions, such as LEGOLAND, Seaworld and the San Diego Zoo.

Sleeps
2-4.

Highlights
The family pool, filled with all sorts of swim toys, was the place to unwind after a day of sightseeing. Besides the super awesome Wii lounge, my son’s second favorite activity was strolling the grounds in the evening. We spotted bunnies, fountains, and listened to the frogs in the pond. Pardon our enthusiasm, we don’t hear frogs in dry California very often.

We stayed during their summer Kidcation special and enjoyed such perks as a free daily pastry and drink for my son at the café, and a small camp-out in our room. My son got his own little tent, s’mores granola bar, and a stuffed animal to cuddle up with. Shhh, it’s time to go in the special quiet-time tent!

Good to know
Check the resort’s website for their special family programs. With the Kidcation package, for example, families can take advantage of the free kids meals at the on-site restaurants, family golf at the putting green, family fitness classes, and an in-room movie and pizza night. And if my son had gotten in touch with his feminine side (he didn’t), we could have gotten manicures and pedicures (his would have been free).

Contact
http://www.ranchobernardoinn.com

Written by Carolina Papa

Property
If you look fabulous in a bikini, even after birthing three children, you’ll fit right in at La Costa. This golf, tennis, spa, pool resort just north of San Diego in Carlsbad, California is expensive but kid-friendly.  The property has 3 pools: one is shallow with a sandy beach entrance, one is a standard swimming pool for hanging out, and one is the landing spot for adventurous souls going down their two fabulous slides.

Location
It’s a 10-minute drive from the Pacific Ocean and 15-minute drive from Legoland. It’s 30-40 minutes from Sea World.

Sleeps
One room sleeps 4 on beds, more on the floor.

Highlights
While at La Costa, pick up a schedule of hotel activities. There are usually several freebies per week. While we were there, they had an after-dinner S’mores making session, where you could roast marshmallows over a pit fire, and encase the gooey mess in, you guessed it, graham crackers and chocolate. One afternoon (while we were at Legoland) the kids could make picture frames near the pool, with the Kidtopioa staff. And one morning, a local Crocodile Dundee guy came with his assortment of snakes and lizards, putting on an entertaining 45-minute show.

Good to know
The parking lot is far from the rooms.  It’s expensive.

Contact
http://www.lacosta.com

Written by Debbie Abrams Kaplan

Property
The Hyatt Regency Mission Bay clearly caters to business travelers and conference attendees, but they are stepping up efforts to bring in families—and very successfully so. You’ll find no shortage of playmates for your children at the multiple swimming pools here, including one with a gradual slope where toddlers enjoy easing themselves in and out of the shallow water. It’s proximity to Sea World, beaches, and other attractions make it a great stay for families vacationing in San Diego.

Location
The Hyatt is located on the yacht-lined Mission Bay, just a few minutes’ drive to Mission Beach. In theory you can walk to the beach from the hotel (about 15 minutes), but most visitors prefer to drive. Sea World is very close at hand, and can be reached by car in about 8 minutes. There is also easy access to I-5 for quick drives to Old Town, the San Diego Zoo, and other attractions.

Sleeps
1-4.

Highlights
Three heated outdoor pools, with three waterslides running daily, and Jacuzzi. Views of either the pool or marina are quite nice, too. Slip out the back gate for strolls along the marina and morning coffee while watching the kayakers come and go and listening to the sea lions bark at the pelicans on their own stretch of dock nearby. You can also rent a paddleboat (seating 2 or 4) to cruise around the marina and get up close to the sea lions—bring your camera.

Good to know
Cribs and rollaway beds are available on request, but if you book a king room you will likely have a shower only, and no bathtub (book a room with 2 queens if a tub is important to you). Self-parking your car will cost you $20 a day (valet is $25), so be sure to factor that in to your hotel rate as you budget for your trip. Rooms have refrigerators, though very small. You’ll have to walk to the nearby Einstein Brothers on the marina for your coffee-a lovely spot to have it though, and any bagels, muffins, milk, or fruit your family might enjoy for breakfast.

Contact
http://missionbay.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

Written by Shelly Rivoli

Property
Let’s talk value. This new, squeaky-clean property in Carlsbad offers the conveniences of home (kitchenettes with dishwasher and microwave, multiple flat-screen TV’s, Wi-Fi, etc.) in suites with upscale, modern décor. PLUS luxe appointments like granite counters and fine bed and bath linens. PLUS complimentary hot breakfast and evening receptions with pasta, meatloaf, or other hot dishes. PLUS an outdoor heated pool and spa. All for a rate comparable to a dated, standard hotel closer to the beach.

Location
Have car, will travel from this conveniently-located launch pad not far from I-5. It’s a ten-minute drive to LEGOLAND. Carlsbad’s charming downtown, as well as Carlsbad State Beach, is less than 15 minutes away. San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park in Escondido is a 30-minute drive (conveniently passing by the In-N-Out Burger location in Vista!).

Sleeps
Spacious one- and two-bedroom suites include a kitchen and living area with a full-size sofa sleeper positioned next to separate bedroom(s) containing one king or two queen-sized beds.

Highlights
Insomniacs will find the cure here, atop an extra-thick mattress and several fluffy pillows. In the morning you’ll want to bring these crisp sheets and plump duvet home. Lucky for you, the “Homewood Collection” is actually available for purchase online!

Good to know
Check in early if you need a portable play yard for Junior. They have a very limited number, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact
www.homewoodcarlsbad.com

Written by Traci Suppa

Property
The Omni hotel, in family friendly downtown San Diego, has 511 guest rooms and suites, a restaurant, coffee shop, and a small pool terrace. If you have little baseball fans, use the convenient pedestrian sky bridge connecting the hotel to PETCO Park and go see a San Diego Padres game.

Location
The Omni is centrally located in the Gaslamp Quarter, right next to PETCO Park. The oceanfront marina and Seaport Village are also within walking distance. It is less than 10-minute drive to San Diego Zoo and Coronado. The nearby Hillcrest neighborhood is a good place to drive to for less expensive restaurants and a Whole Foods market.

Sleeps
2-6 (a few suites have connecting rooms and sleeper sofas).

Highlights
Ask if your room rate includes kid-friendly amenities such as complimentary backpacks filled with goodies at check-in, and suitcases filled with books and games to borrow.

Good to know
If you do stay during baseball season (April- October) check the game schedule, because it will be more crowded both at the hotel and in the surrounding area. During game time, certain streets around the hotel will be closed. We found this out as we tried to get back, tired and cranky, after a full day of sightseeing. This problem can be avoided by checking the hotel’s website for alternate directions to the hotel on game nights.

Contact
www.omnisandiegohotel.com

Written by Carolina Papa

Property
The Sheraton Carlsbad provides comfort and convenience for families on a trip to Southern California. This is the newest resort hotel adjacent to Legoland, with 250 spacious guest rooms that have small fridges, comfy Sweet Sleeper beds, free wireless and Starbucks coffee.

Location
The hotel sits atop coastal bluffs in the town of Carlsbad, with a scenic view of the ocean in the distance and of a giant Lego castle nearby. It is about a 20-minute drive east to the San Diego Wild Animal Park and 25 minutes south to San Diego.

Sleeps
2-4 (5 with crib or rollaway bed)

Highlights
The hotel has a private entrance to Legoland, so you can be inside the park and riding the Dragon Coaster before most families have found a parking space. The large, child-friendly pool is a treat to come back to in the evenings, and offers seasonal poolside food service.

Good to Know
The hotel is not within walking distance to restaurants or shops other than those already at the resort. If the special entrance to Legoland is not open, there is a hotel shuttle that will take you there. Comfort comes with a hefty bill, so check the hotel website for online deals.

Contact
www.sheratoncarlsbad.com/

Written by Carolina Papa

Property
This great San Diego find is at Shelter Island, encircled by San Diego Bay and fronted by a 180-boat private marina. Warm cookies welcome you. Two-room suites include a kitchen, a balcony (request a marina view), free HBO, pay-per-view movies and Nintendo. Hotel décor features waterfalls and tiki torches that glow at dusk. The restaurant, terrace and pool have beautiful marina views. Away from the busy city, this is the perfect place to relax after a day trip to Legoland or Sea World.

Location
The hotel is less than three miles from the San Diego Convention Center. The Gaslamp Quarter is less than four miles away. The property is five miles from the San Diego International Airport. Most importantly, it’s 10 minutes from Sea World.

Sleeps
Junior suites can sleep up to six. Some larger suites are available.

Highlights
Pretty, quiet setting but within easy access to tourist attractions. Wonderful staff.

Good to know
There is a lovely picnic spot across the street from the hotel with barbecue grills, benches and exquisite views of San Diego Bay and the city skyline.

Written by Jane Rytina

Property
Don’t you love it when the large chain hotels actually consider that you may want to take your family to a city? The Embassy Suites comes up trumps! Large two-room suites contain the regular conveniences such as TV in each room, coffee maker and ironing board. They have also thoughtfully added a small fridge and microwave. Rates include breakfast, kids’ menu available. Ask them if they have any special children’s activities (most recent was a “build a bear” kit) when you book. To distract your young children from diving into the very pleasant hotel waterfalls and fishponds, grab a coffee from the on-site Starbucks and take those rascals to the hotel’s indoor pool.

Location
Perfect location for San Diego, so convenient you may want to consider not renting a car. The hotel is minutes from the entertaining Gaslight district, where you can find plenty of restaurants and nightlife. It is 3 blocks from the Trolley, which takes you anywhere in the city. If you are a flexible sort, combining family and business, the San Diego Convention Center is walking distance. Airport is within easy access.

Sleeps
Up to 4 in 2-room suites. Some 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom suites are available as well.

Highlights
Charming staff; walking distance to the fun Gaslight district; bay view (from some rooms).

Good to know
They frequently have vacation specials – ask when you book. Budget for hotel parking, if driving.

Written by Jane Rytina