San Diego Travel Forum

Me and two friends are planning a trip to san diego in late june.

I am researching the best locations to stay and party. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

We want to stay on/near the beach. However we need access to where the nightlife resides. Optimum location would be walking distance (4-5 miles).

What street has the most and best quality clubs and bars? Pacific Beach?

What Beaches/clubs/bars are the best for our age range? (23-24) And we like girls.

Money is somewhat a matter. But not much.

Thank you.

You are right on about Pacific Beach for the 20's club area. See the website:http://www.pubclub.com/sandiego/pacificbeach.htm

Pacific Beach (or PB as the locals call it) is probably your best bet. There are a LOT of places to stay that's about 1-2 blocks off the beach. Plus some good bars in the area would mean that you weren't driving around looking for a DUI from your "friendly" neighborhood cops. Much, much safer all around. Lots of bars are right on and around Garnet Ave. Cass Street Bar & Grill (on Cass St off Garnet) is a great place to hang out. There are a TON of bars/clubs down in Pacific Beach. La Jolla (down the street) is also a nice place to stay but is more expensive plus probably a bit more sedate for your taste. Downtown San Diego's happening place is the Gaslamp Quarter which is between Broadway & Market has a lot of bars/clubs/restaurants but farther from the beach (about 8-10 miles away).

Mission Beach offers lots of summer, short time rentals that are located on or very near the beach. There are a few bars near also.

Pacific Beach is the most popular, but here the bars and eateries tend to go up in price range.

Another option for your budget and interests might be Ocean Beach. The Ocean Beach Hotel is moderately priced and located on the corner of Newport Avenue, the main street with all types of bars and restaurants. This hotel is also located just across the street from the beach and near the pier. They have an International Youth Hostel a block or two down Newport, but to stay there you'd have to prove that you have just entered the USA from another country--unless they have changed their rules.

The Gaslamp Quarter is a great vibrant place at night, but be sure to dress your best if you want to feel part of the crowd and the price of things can be much higher than you'd find at the more casual, neighborhood type places in OB.

We are also on foot. Traveling by plane, hoping not to catch swine flu on the way down/back.

So I'm looking at staying at or around Catamaran Resort.

What are the best Beaches? for our age range? Just PB in general?

Thank you for the advice and future advice.

The Link the PB was also very helpful.

The Catamaran is a great resort hotel. It is located near the line between Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. Mission Bay is just a few steps at the back of this hotel and Mission/Pacific Beach is just a block in front, so easy to get there. I will mention that the Catamaran is not a heaven for twenty-somethings in the mood to party. More elegant than a "college-party-center."

There are bars and restaurants withing walking distance from the Catamaran, also there are buses that will take you out of the area to get to other places of interest in San Diego. The Old Town Trolley station is the "hub" for bus and trolley transfers if you are staying in the beach areas.