LOCAL WALLY'S
GUIDE TO SAN DIEGO HOTELS

Let Local Wally guide you to your ultimate hotel, and help you stay away from the dumps. So students, class is in session. PAY ATTENTION and follow these instructions. First, click over to Local Wally's Discount Hotel Search. You might want to open a new window so you can read along. You will see a drop down menu that says "showing hotels in...". You see it? Speak up! OK, so what I have done is to go through each area and list the places that are my top picks - places I would stay at. If I don't list an area below, it's because I don't recommend you stay there. For example, while you will see hotels listed on my booking site in the East County of San Diego, I would never send you there - it's hotter than Africa during a drought in summer, it's too far away, and it's just not the sort of place I would go on vacation. Sorry Chamber of Commerces, but it's the truth - it's factual - It must meet Wally's Satisfactual Seal of Approval to be listed below.

"BUT WALLY, I FOUND WHAT LOOKS LIKE GREAT PLACE THAT YOU DON'T LIST!" I am not saying it it isn't on the list that it's no good, but it's at your own risk. And remember, you can also read what others have said by clicking over to the Local Wally Message Board to read reviews from past San Diego visitors. In fact, when you return from your trip, take a minute to write a review of your hotel on the Message Board to help your fellow traveler. Be the Wally.

AREA 1: BEACH AND BAY

When most people think of a San Diego vacation, they're thinking the beach. Picture yourself in a tropical resort with a room facing the ocean, the sound of the waves, the seagulls in the distance going through the garbage.... Ahhh, this is going to be some vacation! Well, good news if this is your dream. San Diego is home to plenty of Beach and Bay resorts and hotels, but note that they are not all the same. Let's start with the difference between the beach and the bay. The beach is the ultimate with clean sand, crashing waves, sunshine... but unlike Hawaii, we have very few actual beach resorts. If this is what you want, just pick The Hotel Del Coronado and forget about the rest.

San Diego also has 2 bays - Mission Bay is where we stuck all of our good tropical resorts. The bay is not the ocean - remember, no waves in a bay - but it's a great choice if you have little ones as you don't have to worry about things like riptides, jellyfish, sharks. As a bonus, you can jetski, sail, swim, or just float in Mission Bay, so it's still very "interactive". The other bay, called The Big Bay by the San Diego marketing people, is really named San Diego Bay. It's the one with the Coronado Bridge and aircraft carriers in it. You can sail and jetski in it, but you never see people actually swim in it. The bayside hotels in this section are in Mission Bay.

The Legendary Hotel Del Coronado

Local Wally's Top Beach and Bay Picks! 1. The Hotel Del Coronado Ocean View, Beach Front - Wally says "Book It if you can Afford It" It just doesn't get much better than this. The "Del", as locals call it, was build in 1888 and harkens back to a past that seems somehow grander than today. Stay in the original hotel where the movies stars of the 40's and 50's stayed, not the newer highrises, to get the full impact of the lifestyles of the rich and famous of years gone by. You want charm? How about elevators that are the original steel cages with the attendants that look like they were there when it opened? Or a killer Sunday Brunch in an awesome dining room that will have you wondering if you somehow became royalty? Even if you don't stay here, cruise the shops and look for photos in the hallways of Marilyn Monroe from the movie "Some Like It Hot", shot here in the hotel. And as if that wasn't enough, the beach outside the resort is a GREAT beach with a no abrupt "drop offs", making it perfect for families with small kids. Look, Wally loves the Del. It's a great place to hang out for an afternoon, sipping one of their wonderfully weird martini's outside while watching white legged tourist gawk at the beach. It's about as good as it gets. LOCAL WALLY HOT DEL TIP: You can stay in the original main hotel, or the newer towers. For my money, the main hotel is the only way I would do the Del. If you got the bucks, splurge and get a room on the back of the hotel facing the ocean. Nothing more romantic than the sound of the surf and the cool ocean breeze blowing the white sheer curtains... The rooms might be not quite "Four Seasons" caliber, but the view is definitely the best in San Diego.

Paradise Point is... Paradise!

If you can't afford the big Sunday Brunch, the restaurant with the outside patio facing the ocean is excellent and offers cooked to order omelettes, piles of bagels and lox, vats of bacon and sausage, and big bowls of fresh berries and fruit for less than twenty bones. Thinking of staying at the Del? Then come check out the photos of Wally's visit to the Del to see why the Del is the number one choice. Too cheap to stay at the Del? Across the street is El Cordova Hotel. It's a small boutique, it's pink like the Del, and it's a crosswalk away from the big bucks. You can still use the beach, still eat at their restaurants, still drink in their fantastic bars, but sleep cheaper at El Cordova. 2. Paradise Point Resort Bayfront, feels like Hawaii. Top notch. Wally says "Aloha" How much do I love this place, let me count the ways. Paradise Point feels so much like Hawaii that you might think you forgot to get off the plane and landed on Maui. It's a full size, large scale resort with lots of grounds, a big pool (nice one), private beach, and lots of hospitality. The rooms are actually small, separate buildings (call them cabanas if you want) versus large towers of rooms found in most corporate hotels. Decorated nice and upscale French Country, but not too stuffy for the family. Romantic. Their signature restaurant, Baleen, offers superb dining and a fantastic bay view, and the Barfoot Bar next door is an outdoor "put your toes in the sand" sort of place. 3. Pacific Terrace Hotel Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Small boutique...Wally recommends for tired executives who need a week on the sand If you're dreaming of a smaller hotel on the beach, Pacific Terrace can't be beat. With incredible ocean views on a nice, family oriented beach in the Pacific Beach area, this place screams "I'm on vacation!". But don't be confused - it is not a big resort, does not have tropical grounds, but rather is a very nice hotel in a killer location. If you are looking for a place right on the beach where every morning you can take a stroll on the sand, and every evening toast the sunset, in a less touristy location, then Pacific Terrace is your place. And yes, it's nice. 4. Hilton San Diego Resort Big resort, bayfront. Wally says "find me at the bar" Don't let the location right off the 5 freeway scare you. This is one of the nicer resorts in San Diego with the back facing Mission Bay. This is the place to bring the family, with its giant pool and waterfalls and bayfront beach. If you're looking for the big family vacation resort, you won't be disappointed. Great location with easy access to all the tourist destinations. Remember, it's bayside so you won't get the crashing waves. But being on the bay also makes it safer if you have little ones who might make a nice appetizer for a shark. Plus - you can sail or jet ski right off the back of your resort. How cool is that?

Pacific Terrace - on the beach!

5. The Catamaran Great moderate hotel/resort, on the bay. Wally says "Hey, do I look like I'm made of money?" OK, The Cat aint the Del, but it's a lot cheaper and might be just what you are looking for if you want a moderately priced hotel that is not a total dump. (Whew, was that a complement??) It's a decent place, great lobby with koi fish, and a nice tropical setting. It's the kind of place my wife would describe as "pretty good, decent" - and if you're from a square state that doesn't border water, you'll love having the bay right outside the resort. Busy street location, but tropical once you enter the lobby doors. Also consider Bahia Resort if you want the same sort of moderate/not a dump resort but off the busy street. The Bahia is still on the bay, and has live seals swimming in a big pond as you enter. Like the Cat, it's nice, decent - call it 3 stars. It was just remodeled in 2007, so not a bad choice for those wanting a great location and a decent, although not perfect, "semi-resort". 6. Loews Coronado Bay Resort On the wrong side of the ocean, far, far away... Wally says "Nice, but know what you're buying" OCEAN VIEWS! Hey, I'm not saying that Loews isn't a great place. It's on the water, it's nice and upscale, it's near the marina where you can take a romantic gondola ride. It's just that Loews is barely Coronado. In fact, I bet you could spit and have it end up in Imperial Beach - not that there's anything wrong with the area, but it's not the Coronado you think with the little shops and snobby little old ladies wondering where you got your manners. No, Loews is on the wrong side of the water, on the marina side, far down south. If you want secluded, well, this might fit the bill. And it IS nice, even if it is a bit odd to see military stuff on the nearby beaches. Just don't get this confused with the real Coronado. LOCAL WALLY HOT GONDOLA TIP: Here's a weird one. When I think of San Diego, the last thing that comes to mind is a gondola ride through a canal. But maybe I should rethink that! Afterall, in the Coronado Cays, right next to Loews, is The Gondola Company, offering romantic rides in the, yes, canals of Coronado. Like I said, weird. 7. Coronado Island Marriott Resort Nice enough, great bay views, quiet location. Wally says "Nice resort, great view" It's not a mega resort like the giant Marriott on Harbor Drive. It's located a bit off to itself, away from the shops and restaurants of the downtown Coronado area, but with a great San Diego Bay view. I describe the Marriott as being the place for someone who is there with his/her spouse for a little getaway. Unlike the Hotel Del Coronado, which is a destination in itself, the Marriott is just a nice hotel with a great view of San Diego. You won't be going into the water as you might on Mission Bay (where most of the other bayside resorts are located), but you will get to watch the sailboats and aircraft carriers go by. If you can tell that I'm not ranting and raving about this place, don't get me wrong. It's very respectable. But it doesn't have the bold personality of some of the other resorts. If you want a "getaway" from the major tourist resorts, good pick. 8. Hyatt Islandia Very nice bayside hotel, up to date, good choice for families. Wally says "Second tier resort, but high quality" This is the sort of place you might stay at on a good business trip. It's solid, it's clean, it's in a great location. Nice bars, sunsets - but not exactly Top Tier. It's very good. I mean it, very good, and you won't be disappointed with the area or when you drive up to the resort. But it lacks the upscale polish of the best San Diego resorts. Nonetheless, for families it's a solid choice and gets consistantly good feedback from Wally's traverlers. Go for it if you get a good rate and are looking for a great location and an above average hotel. 9. Hotel La Jolla Ocean views in La Jolla! Wally says "Great prices for 4 Stars" It's not ON the water, but you'll get great views if you can pop for the ocean side of the hotel. Even if you can't, the location will be hard to beat if you are looking for a beach sort of vacation. Down the street is La Jolla Shores Beach. OK, it's a tiny bit far to walk if you are a carbivor (noun; a carb loving human who seeks out "all you can eat fries"), but do it anyway! You won't find parking much closer, the walk will do you good, and the beach is FANTASTIC. LJ Shores is the quintessential San Diego beach. Sure, some locals will argue with me on that, and honestly, I stopped going there due to the crowds, but it it you're a tourist here to visit the beach, you will LOVE La Jolla Shores. Nearby is Piatti's, one of Local Wally's favorite upscale but casual Italian restaurants. Oh, the hotel... it's a tower job with plenty of 4 star ammenities. It does not have acres of lush grounds like the resorts on Mission Bay, but it does have La Jolla - and that's hard to beat! 10. La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club Right on the beach in La Jolla, it's the perfect family beach resort! Holy smokes, you walk right out your room and you are on the sand in La Jolla . I am not joking, this place rocks! You'll feel like you are staying at a private country club for the wealthy, which is what it once use to be. Of course, now they let just about anybody in, which is great because you gotta love a resort that has a La Jolla beach in its backyard. Imagine sitting in a low sand chair, sipping a glass of wine, watching the sunset, then walking a few feet back to your room! You typically don't find this sort of thing in San Diego, and it's almost a hidden gem, so if you want sand, you want service, and you want La Jolla, look no further. I'm talking snorkeling and kayaking right outside your room - so what if the rooms are not "perfect", the grounds are beautiful, and who can argue with a La Jolla beach location? Families, this is it.

AREA 2: CORONADO

Back in 1800's, Coronado was a sandy, undeveloped peninsula off San Diego. Sold in the mid-1800's for a thousand bucks, it skyrocketed in value in just 39 years to be resold for $110,000. Beach lots were subdivided in 1886 and sold for $500 to $1600. That was a pretty good deal, considering that a hundred and twenty years later, just staying a night in an ocean view room at the Hotel Del Coronado will set you back about $500 a night! So is it worth it? It sure is. Coronado is one of those picture perfect towns, a seaside community filled with charming cottages, chic neighborhood eateries, and lots of ocean views. It's not really an island - it connects to San Diego if you drive south far enough - but will certainly feel like one.

You get to San Diego by taking the giant Coronado Bridge. Amaze and delight your passengers by telling them of the legend that the bridge is made to actually float if knocked down! No one will believe you, so tell them that this was done to ensure our nations safety, as we could not risk our harbor being blocked so a floating bridge could be pushed out of the way. Say it strong and with authority! Of course, it isn't true, but it is one of those local urban myths that even long time San Diegans still believe. Floating bridge made of cement?? Only in San Diego.

Note that many of the hotels listed in this section have already been described in the Beach and Bay section. To save space (and to not drive you crazy), I've listed all the good Coronado Hotels below but did not repeat the descriptions if already reviewed.

Loews Coronado

Local Wally's Top Coronado Picks!

1. Hotel Del Coronado The Ultimate Beach Resort. Wally will say it again - "Book it!" 2. El Cordova Save some bucks by staying at this boutique across the street from the Del. Wally says "Use the Del's facilities, then sleet here." 3. Loews Coronado Bay Resort The wrong side of the bay, but a nice place. Wally says "If you want to be away from it all, this is it!" Gondola rides nearby... odd, I know. 4. Coronado Island Marriott Nice, not blow away, but above average. Wally says "excellent bay location with views of downtown San Diego"

AREA 3: DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO

When you think of a big city downtown, images of New York City, Los Angeles, or San Francisco come to mind. But not San Diego. That's because even though San Diego is the 2nd largest city in California and the 6th largest in the US, we've been able to keep our small town charm and feel. Sure, it's busy and bursting with energy, but it's not itimidating like LA. OK, you'll see more weirdos and whackos if you stay downtown. But even that has tapered down as downtown continues to transform itself into a trendy and vibrant place.

BUT WALLY, I WANT STYLE, I WANT ELEGANCE, AND I WANT IT NOW! Calm down, Veruca, we've got you covered. If you're looking for the hip part of town, the clubs, the restaurants, the place to be seen, then you want downtown. It's not tropical. It's not the beach. But it is where we put our giant glass sided monsters, our old historic hotels and our hip boutiques. It's also walking distance to the Gaslamp District (clubs and restaurants), perfect for DUI-challenged, party-tolerant young people, as well as the oddly named but cool Petco Park, our new smaller ballpark and home to the SD Padres. Stay in downtown and you'll get that cool vibe of a big city. Plus, you'll get to laugh at all the businespeople in ties and suits as they go to work while YOU are on vacation! Ahh, life is sweet!

Gigantic Marriott

Local Wally's Top Downtown Picks! 1. San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina It's Bigger than Godzilla! Wally says "Don't hate me because I love luxury" Top notch and gigantic, the Marriott Hotel and Marina is the ultimate businessperson's hotel. Located next to the Convention Center, expect lots of business travers with nametags. OK, that's not a selling point. But the Marriott is perhaps the ultimate giant hotel with the huge lobby, the tropical pool with waterfall, the incredible city or bay views.... You just can't go wrong if you want BIG and Top of the Line. From the Marriott you can walk to the picturesque marina, walk along the boardwalk to the tourist trap Seaport Village, walk to the Gaslamp District for great dining and clubs. Location is excellent, and the hotel is top notch. The south tower is the newer one, but either way you cannot go wrong. Now yes, I said "businessperson", but that doesn't mean a family won't LOVE this place as well with the waterfall pool and tropical setting. It's impressive. 2. Manchester Grand Hyatt The Biggest hotel in San Diego! Wally says "Perfect for over-the-top opulance!" Your eyes just might pop out of your head when you walk into the lobby (pick them up if they do as no one wants to see eyeballs in the lobby). Wow, this is some type of fancy ce-ment hotel! You want art on the walls? You got it. You want a lounge at the top of the 33rd floor? You got it. You want a view of the bay? Yes, you got it. This place is, as they say, the bomb for those of you with big bucks and big expectations. The rooms are above average and nicely done, and the only drawback is the small pool (remember, this is more of a convention hotel than a family resort). Other than that, it is a killer location and a top of the line Hyatt. 3. Omni San Diego Connected to PETCO Park! Wally says "You like luxury, you like baseball? You'll LOVE the Omni!" If you haven't been to San Diego in the past couple of years, you might not recognize this area. Out of the dust of what was a seedy part of town has risen a true gem, the cool downtown baseball park with a gigantic Omni hotel attached to it via a walkway. You're so close to the park that you can actually watch the game from your room (well, sort of) and if they shoot off fireworks after the game you'll be right in the action. The location is a bit less bustling than the Marriott and Hyatt reviewed above, but still close to everything and still with the great views of the bay and the Coronado Bridge. Nice place, and nearly brand new. Ask about baseball packages if you are a fan. 4. Westin Horton Plaza Shop till you drop at adjoining Horton Plaza! Wally says "Anyone seen my wife?" The Westin is a top notch, high quality fancy pants hotel connected to the odd Horton Plaza shopping mall. Horton Plaza has all the stores a typical mall has - Norstrom, Victoria's Secret (pay attention, men), etc - but it's so different in its architectual style that is just so San Diego. You might freak out when you pull up to the Westin and see the tacky giant water fountain. Go ahead - laugh. You'll see what I mean when you get there. It's BAD! But walk into the hotel and you'll feel better about your choice. This is a great choice. LOCAL WALLY HOT BBQ TIP: If you love meat (and lots of it) across the street is Rei Do Gado, a Brazilian BBQ place that serves fantastic "all you can eat" BBQ. The servers cook it up on metal skewers and come to your table where they will plop a juicy piece on your plate. Not recommeded for vegetarians. 5. W Hotel Cool and trendy boutique hotel. Wally says "It's a nightclub with a cool hotel attached!" What the heck is the W Hotel? It's a one of a kind sort of place with a hip nightclub at the top. In fact, it's most famous around town as being one of the hippest nightclubs that just so happens to also have a most unique hotel. OK, so if you're bringing Grandma or the rug rats to San Diego, this might not be your pick (no one wants to see Grandma rapping to hip hop). But if you're hip and cool (check to see if you have a tattoo on your back), then this is the place. This is NOT the Marriott! Stay here if you want something different. As they say, this is one sick place! It's that cool! 6. Hilton San Diego Gaslamp A really nice, new, smaller hotel in a top location. Wally says "Great if you want to be in the Gaslamp, but away from the huge crowds" Wally usually doesn't like Hilton's (sorry, Paris, but I did like your video) because they don't seem to give the top value for the top dollar they often charge. But this Hilton is very cool. It's located across from the Convention Center and right at the start of the Gaslamp District. Great location, nice and clean and safe. But what makes this a great choice is that this Hilton feels more like an independent boutique hotel than a giant corporate. It has a cosmopolitan trendy urban feel, but is unpretentious and very friendly. You'll get a nice, small hotel feel - plus getting in and out will be a lot easier than the giant hotels. Top pick. 7. The Westgate Hotel The oldest "fancy" hotel in San Diego. Wally says "A Thurston Howel sort of place" Let me first start by saying that the Westgate is not the sort of place I usually stay at. Why? Because it has that sort of stuffy, pretentious, "better than you" sort of attitude. But if you really are better than the rest of us, then this is your hotel! OK, we're talking about the Westgate so let's get serious. This is really a nice hotel, the sort of place your rich father in law would like. It's not a kid place, but you'll love it if you are looking for a very upscale, impressive hotel.

AREA 4: HARBOR ISLAND/SHELTER ISLAND

You might get a bit confused if you look on a map of San Diego expecting to find these elusive "islands". That's because neither Harbor Island or Shelter Island are actually islands - they're actually small penninsulas. Home to our boat marinas, they're both excellent places to stay. You'll be on the bay with great views of the boats and the skyline in the background. Harbor Island is actually adjoining the airport, so expect some noise. Shelter Island is not far away, and has a bit more local charm with local fishermen and small restaurants in the area. But remember - unlike Mission Bay, you are not going to be swimming in the water at either location.

Bay views at Hilton

Local Wally's Top Harbor Island/Shelter Island Picks! 1. Humphrey's Half Moon Inn and Suites It's a tiki torch sort of place on Shelter Island. Wally says "Feels like The Brady Bunch go to Hawaii" Located at the far end of Shelter Island (and that's good as it's more secluded), Humphrey's has a 1950's sort of Hawaii kitsch going for it. But don't let that scare you. It's also cool and contemporary with lots of tropical plants and excellent grounds. You'll be surrounded by the blue San Diego Bay waters and million dollar yachts, making you feel like you made the right choice for a vacation resort. Great for families. And yes, this is the same place that has the Concerts by the Bay series in summer, a long time San Diego tradition. Make sure you check the schedule and try to plan your trip around a show you might want to see. It's classic San Diego to sit outside on a warm summer evening watching a show at Humphrey's. Great bar and restaurant as well, with live music as well. Top pick! 2. Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina A top notch Sheraton with marina views. Wally says "Views with a Room" OK, before you book here you better know that this place on Harbor Island is darn near connected to the airport parking lot. But does that mean it's bad? Heck no - in fact, think of it as you getting to start your vacation a lot faster! The Sheraton is a great property with fantastic marina and city views. The lobby is impressive, and the rooms above average. Airport noise is not usually a problem. Good choice if you are coming here on business due to location, but families will love it as well. 3. Hilton San Diego Airport Harbor Island Not in same class as the others, but excellent views. Wally says "Good choice for those on a budget looking for water views"" Local Wally doesn't necessarily recommend this Hilton, per se. It was once a Travelodge, so you can expect a moderate approach, 2.5 stars, decent but not great hotel. However, the location is fantastic. You get the same views as the Sheraton, but often at a third less. I get a lot of requests from visitors looking for a place with a water view at freeway prices. This is it. So yes, you will have to put up with average service, and basic rooms. But wow, it's a great view! Don't get me wrong - this is not a dump! The location on Harbor Island makes it a top pick for those on a tough budget.

AREA 5: LA JOLLA

La Jolla, the jewel of San Diego, is north of the downtown area. Considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the world, La Jolla lives up to its reputation. From the white, sandy beaches of La Jolla Shores to the thrill of seeing live seals (better than dead ones) warming themselves on the sand at the Children's Pool area, this is paradise on Earth - in a way, more beautiful than Hawaii, and lots closer.

But don't think just because La Jolla is famous for its beaches that you will find lots of beachside hotels - you won't. In fact, a lot of hotels with a La Jolla address are pretty darn far away from the water! So follow Wally's advice below and make sure you get what you are paying for.

Parisi is where Madonna stays

Local Wally's Top La Jolla Picks! 1. La Valencia, La Jolla Old, Elegant, Historic, and Fantastic! Wally says "If it was good enough for Ricky Ricardo, it's good enough for me! OCEAN VIEWS! This place is both fancy and shmanzy. The pink hotel overlooking La Jolla is a jewel, a first class sort of place for the rich and famous - or for those with a big vacation budget. But unlike some high priced places that fail to deliver, La Valencia will surpass your expectations. Walk into the Old World lobby and your mouth will fall open (watch for flies) when you see the view. This is where the rich movie stars of the past, like Desi Arnez and Bing Crosby, would hang out. Imagine the looks on their faces if they could see you and your family walk in today! But I digress... La Valencia is a classic hotel filled with elegant touches. Rooms are small, but the ocean is big and the views stunning. This isn't a giant Marriott - it's a one of a kind experience for those of you who can afford the very best. 2. The Grande Colonial Classy and elegant boutique with OCEAN VIEWS! Wally says "It's like the Del, only smaller and cozier" I travel on business a lot and I've stayed in more cookie cutter hotels than I can count. And you know, I get a bit tired of the same old thing - the same artwork on the walls, the same beige "bellhop" looking uniforms, heck, the same darn chocolate chip cookie they hand to you when you check in. If you're like me, sometimes it's nice to get a room that's unique, something elegant yet comfortable, and yes, something with ocean views where you can actually OPEN the windows! Well, that would be The Grande Colonial in La Jolla, located right in the heart of the good stuff and right down the street from the famous La Valencia. From the moment you walk into the lobby you know you stepped into something special. Built in 1913, this wonderful old hotel has kept up with the times with it's welcoming interior design - I'm no expert, but I'd call it upscale beach cottage mixed with cozy traditional. The rooms are all a bit different, and the ocean view rooms (yes, worth it) give you a nice view of the tropical blue waters of La Jolla - nice, very nice. And the rooms are very un-Marriot-like, which to me is very, very appealing. Right down the street is the beach (yes, the famous La Jolla Cove) as well as fantastic restaurants (Georges at the Cove's rooftop Ocean Terrace is a standout for sunset dining). And the hotel restaurant, Nine-Ten, is a local favorite as well. Good choice, you'll be thanking Wally again and again! 3. La Jolla Inn Down the street from La Valencia. Wally says "It's small, it's boutiquey, and it's in a perfect location!" Local Wally loves La Jolla, and the La Jolla Inn is located on the same block of the expensive La Valencia hotel. Now don't get me wrong - this is a small, unassuming and not so glamourous little hotel. But sometimes it's all about location, and this little guy has one of the best. You'll be located close to a great beach - a few blocks away - and can actually walk to some of the best restaurants in San Diego / La Jolla. Kayak the sea caves, walk on the sea wall and oogle the seals, or just hang out and people watch. It's not fancy, but it gets the job done if you want location, location, location. 4. La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club Right on the beach location makes this a top pick! Wally says "Hey, could you shake the sand off your feet before jumping in bed?" Beach hotels in San Diego are hard to come by, but the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club not only sits on the beach, but one of the best as well. It's located right on La Jolla Shores, one of San Diego's top beaches. You'll walk from your room to the sand - that's pretty bitchin', as they say. It's not the most luxurious or upscale place (which is odd, considering the address), but it gets the job done if you want sand, sun, and lots of it.

Golf paradise at Torrey Lodge

Also consider Sea Lodge on La Jolla Shores if you want a beach hotel. Same great location, but knock it down a half notch as far as luxury goes. Either one will give you a great vacation spot. I mean, come on, walk out your door to the beach? That's fantastic! 5. Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Golfers love this place! Wally says "Where's Tiger?" While the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines does not sit on the beach, it does have an ocean view. But the main attraction here is the close proximity to Torrey Pines Golf Course. The hotel itself is nice and upscale. It's classy, well done, and sure to please if you're a 4 star sort of person. In fact, it's probably darn close to a 5 star once you factor in the view. 6. The Lodge at Torrey Pines Right on the Torrey Pines golf course! Wally says "Pacific Ocean views and a world class golf course makes this a winner!" Recently refurbished, this lodge looks a lot like something you might find up in the mountains. Well, something really nice up in the mountains. With an ocean view. And a famous golf course. Wait, I just described The Lodge at Torrey Pines. Surrounded by torrey pines (really, I don't make this up), this is a upscale and fancy lodgey place. You'll be instantly comfortable when you walk in, but it's not John Candy sort of comfy, but rather like a place you might find pro-golfers hanging out at. If you golf, you'll want a tee time at Torrey Pines. It's worth it - and so is this lodge. 7. Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa Peaceful. Relaxing. Old Californa feel, nicely upscale. Wally says "Luxurious" A newcomer to the San Diego and La Jolla resort theme, Estancia will take you to old California. It harkens back to an old rancho along the coast.... you know, a rancho with a spa and lots of top notch servants running around to serve you. That kind of rancho. I guess that would be called a La Jolla rancho :-) OK, so what's this place all about? It's about serenity, peacefulness, relaxation. If you're tired of the standard hotel room that you will find at the Hiltons, Marriotts, and Hyatts, try Estancia. 8. Hyatt Regency at the Aventine Oddly different, eclectic and upscale. Wally says "Great place, but barely La Jolla" Let's get this straight before we start. The Hyatt Aventine is not in what most people call La Jolla. It's actually right off the 5 Freeway. So forget ocean views, walks to the beach, or anything old and elegant. Rather, the Hyatt Aventine is cool and upscale with unpredictable architecture and a fun, trendy feel inside. If you are here on business, you'll feel like your boss finally recognizes your talents and booked you into a great place. If you're here on vacation, you'll love the heated pool, the fancy restaurants and the location close enough to all the attractions. LOCAL WALLY HOT FOODIE TIP: Located next to the hotel is Wally's favorite steakhouse, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse. Get the ribeye. Or, if you love sushi and hot bodies, you'll find both at Cafe Japengo, a sushi bar scene where you'll want to be seen.

AREA 6: MISSION VALLEY / OLD TOWN

When I first moved to San Diego in the 70's, there were still cows roaming the valley floor. Since then, we've moved those pesky cows out of there ("Hello cow, come meet my friend, Ruth's Chris") and replaced it with lots of car lots, shopping centers, and moderately priced hotels. That's progress! So what about Mission Valley? Good place or dump? Well, that depends. My mom and dad would rather stay in Mission Valley than a 5 star resort (I can see my dad grumbling right now about how they charged him to park his car). If you want a place to crash after a long day of sightseeing, and all you want is a clean bed and a soft pillow, then Mission Valley might be your place.

But you gots to be careful where you stay in the valley, as there are some highly questionable places that prey on people like you. Let Wally guide you to the best.

Best Western Old Town...Nice!

Local Wally's Top Mission Valley / Old Town picks! 1. Doubletree San Diego Mission Valley The McDonalds of hotel chains - you know this place. Wally says "extra cookie, please" If you've stayed at a Doubletree, you know what I mean. It's my pick for the best moderate. It's solid - nothing cheap and chintzy here. It's clean, it's up to date, and the free cookie is nearly worth the stay by itself. The hotel is located in a busy shopping mall, so be ready to fight traffic around the hotel. The mall itself is nothing special, so don't waste time there... Don't waste a meal at Prego's (looks nice, but food is below average for the price) or Joe's Crab Shack (come on, get serious, you can get better seafood than that in San Diego!) 2. San Diego Marriott Mission Valley Very nice medium sized Marriot, off the beaten path. Wally says "Think of it as a mini-resort" What I like about this Marriott is that it's not right on the freeway. It's a nice moderate with lots of palm trees and a good pool. OK, you won't confuse this hotel with one of the larger, fancier resorts, but you also won't freak out when you pull up to it. In fact, I predict your spouse and kids will say "you da bomb" or "you da man" or any of those trendy hip sayings that mean "good job, dude". 3. Hilton San Diego Mission Valley Right off the freeway, good moderate. Wally says "Not for light sleepers due to freeway noise, but nice moderate hotel" Unlike the Marriott or Doubletree in Mission Valley, the Hilton is located right off the freeway. This is makes freeway noise a bit of a problem, so make sure you're OK with that before you book. The hotel itself is nice, a good choice if you're on a budget. It's not a dive - it's very respectable with a nice lobby and good staff. 4. Best Western Hacienda Old Town Great Old Town Location. Walk to restaurants, walk to bars, crawl back to room - fantastic! Wally says "Great for a Best Western" Can we talk honestly here? When you talk Best Westerns, you normally do not expect anything but a room and a bed. But this Best Western has a great location as well, right in Old Town San Diego. You'll love not having to get into a car to go to dinner. And Old Town has some great Mexican restaurants - and decent margaritas. The hotel itself is good - you might even call it fancy when you remember that it's a Best Western. If you want to stay in Old Town, this is the only place decent enough for a Local Wally recommendation. Down the street is Zocalo Grill, a great place to get a drink and appetizers on their patio while you watch the poor folks try to get a place to park.

AREA 7: NORTH COUNTY / DEL MAR TO CARLSBAD

Psst - here's a little Local Wally secret that most tourists don't know. If you travel up the coast a bit north of Del Mar, you run into some of the best beaches and beach towns in Southern California. When La Jolla is packed to the gills with screaming kids and sunburned parents, North County is feeling groovy with a cool ocean breeze and significantly fewer tourists. But all of this seclusion comes at a cost - traffic in and out of North County can be brutal, especially at rush hour (which runs from 7am to 930am going south, and 3pm to 630pm coming back north). How brutal? How about unicyle slow?

So the traffic stinks, right? But let's say you've been to San Diego many times and might only want to visit the zoo or Balboa Park one day, but spend the rest of the time at the beach? Well, this is your place. Great beaches and restaurants are what the North County is all about.

LOCAL WALLY HOT TRAFFIC TIP: Keep this number handy for accurate traffic reports: 866-500-0977. It's only for traffic between Carlsbad and Coronado, but it's very accurate.

You just might fall in love with North County. Small beach towns, local sand, friendly locals. And some great hotels and resorts!

Elegant L'Auberge in Del Mar

Local Wally's Top North County Picks! 1. L'Auberge, Del Mar First Class Hotel in Del Mar. Wally says "It's gorgeous, romantic, and spitting distance to the beach!" If you don't know about Del Mar, it's one of those rich little beach towns filled with charming little cottages (No, you cannot afford one), a fantastic "near-local" beach, and lots of snooty folks we lovingly call Del Martians. Del Mar is a great place to visit, and you will want to live there once you see it. The resort is first class - upscale, well maintained, with a sort of rich and casual elegance to it. Lots of old pics on the hallway walls of life as it was - when the movie stars used to hang out in Del Mar. Take a drive up the Coast Highway 101 and you'll find little beach towns with unique character and excellent beaches. Yes, stay here for that sort of vacation. Highly recommended - if you don't plan to drive into San Diego every day. 2. Four Seasons Aviara, South Carlsbad The only 5 Star Resort in San Diego. Wally says "It's worth every star" The Four Seasons Aviara is everything you would expect from a 5 Star Resort. Located in South Carlsbad on a bluff, the ocean views are stunning. As soon as you walk into the lobby and see the drop dead gorgeous view, you'll know you're in a 5 Star. Incredible restaurants, including a great seafood buffet on Friday at the California Bistro. As nice as it is, it's not on the beach, however. But chances are you won't care after you pull into the valet and are treated like royalty. 3. La Costa Resort, South Carlsbad 4+ Stars, Upscale and Elegant. Wally says "You'll feel like a movie star here" Located in the very south part of Carlsbad, La Costa Resort is famous not only for it's classy elegance, but for it's world class "good enough for Tiger Woods" golf course. It's a fancy, Mediterranean looking sort of place with lots of flowers and landscaping to keep you happy as you stroll along the grounds. The lobby is huge and gorgeous, with wood burning fireplaces and lots of comfy chairs. Rooms are above average, perhaps a bit less as grande as the lobby, but very nice nonetheless. This is not a true 5 Star Resort, but it's close. Very close. If you stay at La Costa Resort, make sure you whack the golfball not only at their famous course but down the street at Four Seasons Aviara as well, as it is one heck of a beautiful (and expensive) course. If you want cheaper golf with distant ocean views, check out Encinitas Ranch for a super good muni course. But enough on golf - La Costa Resort is the top pick for Carslbad if you want a fancy place that isn't stuffy. It is not a beach resort, but the beach is only a mile or so away. LOCAL WALLY HOT LOCAL STRAWBERRY TIP: Right on La Costa Blvd. and Saxony is one of the last real local fruit stands along the coast. It's real, meaning the strawberries are grown locally and picked ripe and juicy, versus shipped in green from some third world country and spray painted red. (Say NO to crunchy strawberries!) If it's summer, get a basket of fresh local strawberries. And they have excellent chips and local salsa (great for when you get tired of paying a fortune for room service) and homemade TAMALES! I say get some tamales, salsa, chips, and strawberries and head over to the beach. Look for me - I'm the guy with the tamales, salsa, chips and strawberries. 4. Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort In the middle of Carlsbad Village, where the action is! Wally says "fantastic location and well done small resort" Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort is not a full blown giant resort, but it is a very respectable and well done small resort - right on the ocean! The location just cannot be beat. Music on the lawn in the summer, the smell of bbq's mixed with the salty ocean breeze, and walking distance to some of the best Mexican food in San Diego - as well as the great shops of Carlsbad Village. This resort is for families looking for a place close to Legoland (poor parents, lucky kids) that's above average. You will write home about the Carlsbad Inn because it's just so darn good. Sure, the pool is rather small but the ocean is steps away. Best bet for Carlsbad area. LOCAL WALLY HOT MEXICAN FOOD TIP: Fidels is one of the top Mexican restaurants in San Diego. It's 100 times more authentic than the Mexiamerican places in Old Town, and about a billion times better than El Torito or any of the chain places (yuck). Las Olas is another good one down the street, and if you come in Nov to around Feb you can get Puerto Nuevo style lobster for about $35 - fantastic lobster with tortillas and beans, do this if you are lucky enough to be around the time of year they carry it. 5. Hilton Garden Inn, Carlsbad Across the street from the beach, away from the crowds. Wally says "3 Stars on the Beach" Do not confuse the Hilton Garden Inn with other fancy and expensive beach front resorts. It's a moderate, but a very good one, and it's fairly new. The main attraction here is the beach, and it's right across the street. It's all by itself, so you lose a bit of that fun of being able to walk out your door to a restaurant as you would in Carlsbad Village area, but it's a good pick if crowds and people scare you - and if you are looling for a true beach front hotel for not a lot of cash. If you stay, watch for the people tossing radio controlled gliders off the cliffs across the street from the hotel. It's pretty cool how they can make the little model gliders do all the tricks as they catch the ocean breeze. 6. Best Western Beach View, Carlsbad Budget Beach Hotel never looked so good! Wally says "What a bargain for ocean front!" Look, just because you don't want to spend a ton of cash doesn't mean you have to settle for a rent by the hour "Ho-tel". The Best Western in Carlsbad has been recently remodeled and is up to par with the ocean view. With balconies facing the ocean, you'll watch the sun set over the ocean every night and fall asleep to crashing waves. OK, so what's the beef with this place? Perhaps the only issue will be that while it is across the street from the beach, the road is Coast Highway 101, meaning lots of cars. So crashing waves, an occasional crashing car, whadda ya want for such good rates. A solid and clean hotel, with the added bonus of being right down the street to some of Carlsbad's finest restaurants and the village area. Kitchenettes in some rooms. You'll park your car and never have to get in it again until it's time to go home.

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