San Diego Travel Forum

In looking for budget accomodations in San Diego, the most reasonable seemed to be in the Imperial Beach area. I read on the net that this might not be the best of areas. Any advice on the safest neighborhoods, or any other accomodations would be appreciated, evenly locally owned, not necessarily a chain. thank you

Pacific Shores Inn is a couple of blocks from the ocean in Pacific Beach. I've never actually been able to get it at a reasonable rate, but they often run specials and it gets good reviews.
There's an independent motel in Imperial Beach right on the ocean that's typically around $70 (although that's not for oceanview, of course). That's about the best deal you'll get in San Diego for a beachfront hotel. But, yes, Imperial Beach is not a great area. There's a reason "South Bay" hotels are usually the cheapest.
Point Loma Inn runs specials for $59 sometimes. I just booked it for $69 for a weekend in January (there's a convention in town). http://www.pointlomainnsd.com/
Old Town Inn is also usually very reasonable.
What else are you looking for? B&B type place? Any particulars on what you want to see while in town? Do you mind paying for parking? When are you going?
hth

Thanks for the info. I'll check on the places you mentioned. Plan to be in the San Diego area for a week. Just to get warm. I hate winter and the climate in San Diego is great. Will probably do the usual tourist stuff, Sea World, Disneyland, Balboa Park and so on. We usually stay at Days Inn or Super 8 or one of the chain budge hotels. They do not offer much in the way of luxury but we usually keep busy all day and don't need much in the way of facilities. Thanks again - Lar

Hi Lar,

Speaking of "budget accomodations" in San Diego, a general rule is that the price of a room will reflect the area the hotel is in--most are actually safe, but not necessarily pretty. It will also relfect the popularity of the area with tourists, the proximity to favored tourist sites and the style of the hotel, including the amenities offered.

The main reason Imperial Beach hotels, at the beach, are more reasonable is that IB is not as popular a destination, nor as centrally located as Mission Beach or Pacific Beach. The safety factor is not really the reason. Another thing is that IB is not as posh, pretentious, or active as the other beach areas mentioned.

The people who usually hang around IB, in the beach area, are serious surfers, fishermen and locals rather than tourists.

However, if it is warmth you are seeking, I would say that a place near the beach would be cooler most of the time than a place a bit more inland.

Old Town, as mentioned or Hotel Circle will not be as cool an area as at the beach and do offer budget lodging, especially during the winter months.

In San Diego, "locally owned" accomodations are usually more expensive than chains because the price of property in SD is higher and the chain companies can bare the cost easier than an individual.

You can read more about IB, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and Old Town on my pages if you'd like to see which area would appeal to you more. I haven't added hotels for Hotel Circle on my San Diego page yet but am able to answer some questions if you have a particular place in mind.

Hope this helps,
Linda

Thanks Imkluque for your input it was most helpful. I looked at your travel pages and found that you have gone to several places that I have visited. Nice to hear from you.