Changing plans - adding in San Diego?

[C4rla]

This year we (husband and I) were planning a 'cheaper' non WDW holiday, as we love it so much there but try to go every other year. I found some great flights to LAX so we're going in October. We then booked a hotel in Anaheim for 7 nights (Friday to Friday), knowing that it's too long to spend at Disneyland/DCA but thinking we want a relaxing holiday without driving in LA and thinking we can head over to the packing district/spend an afternoon at the cinema etc. I've also been looking at tours which start in Anaheim, as we kind of felt we should do the sights while we are there. We're not really into big cities, but it's hard to tell if we'd come back feeling we'd missed something if we didn't see the Chinese Theatre/Hollywood sign etc.

Recently I've started thinking about hiring a car for a day or so in case we want to go out somewhere a bit different. But this has gotten quite out of control and now I'm in danger of going too far! So I'd really appreciate thoughts on our two plans and how practical they are.

Original plan
Holiday is Friday to Friday, staying at Hilton by the convention centre, Anaheim. 4 day Disney tickets (not all full days, appreciating there is not enough to fill this time, but we do enjoy spending time in a Disney Park people watching etc) spread out with 2 tours from the Anaheim tour company, the Outlets at Orange Mall and a trip to the packing district to eat.

New plan
Arrive Friday, uber to hotel.
Saturday/Sunday/Monday spent at DCA/Disneyland. Slightly concerned that as this is over the weekend it will be busier. But knowing us from other holidays we will be there first thing in the morning and head back to the hotel mid afternoon. Monday likely to be a full day doing as much as we can.
Hire car from enterprise (pick up next to hotel) and drive to San Diego Tuesday, thinking we might find a hotel at Mission Bay as it's close to what we'd like to see, but not on the beach as that seems a little bit too partyish for us! Now I've only just started looking at San Diego, but there seems to be so much that looks good for us here. Really want to see the zoo, potential to go to Seaworld or maybe find something a bit more different for us to try. Then on Friday, drive from San Diego to LAX (dropping off car here) in time for a 4.45pm flight. Should have enough time for the journey not to be stressful, but given what I've read about traffic I'd probably aim to get close to the airport as early as we can, then maybe find something nearby to do, so I don't get all stressed about potential delays.

Sorry for a long rambling post, but I keep changing my mind about what's best and when I talk to my husband he just tends to agree with whatever I'm saying at the time

Appreciate any thoughts on whether you would change plans as I've suggested? How you think the driving would be if we went for the new plan? Things to do/where to stay in San Diego? Or if you'd go somewhere else instead?

[jengibbo]

Hi,
We loved San Diego and we were there 4 nights in April. We stayed at the best western on shelter island and it was a great location.
We went on the USS Midway which was amazing and then we walked around the city on our first day. We went to the Cheesecake Factory, seaport village and the gas lamp quarter. We had a full day at Pacific beach and dinner in La Jolla. Then Balboa park and Coronado island.
We left first thing to get back to LA and stopped off at an outlet mall and Griffith park. Our flight wasn’t until 9.30 but the traffic in LA was awful. It took 90 mins to go 10 miles. I think it’s doable but I would drive straight back to the airport on your departure day.

[C4rla]

Originally Posted by jengibbo

Hi,
We loved San Diego and we were there 4 nights in April. We stayed at the best western on shelter island and it was a great location.
We went on the USS Midway which was amazing and then we walked around the city on our first day. We went to the Cheesecake Factory, seaport village and the gas lamp quarter. We had a full day at Pacific beach and dinner in La Jolla. Then Balboa park and Coronado island.
We left first thing to get back to LA and stopped off at an outlet mall and Griffith park. Our flight wasn’t until 9.30 but the traffic in LA was awful. It took 90 mins to go 10 miles. I think it’s doable but I would drive straight back to the airport on your departure day.

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Thanks for that. Just had a quick look at that hotel and it looks really nice. Also the USS Midway looks amazing, just my kind of thing and I hadn't heard about it at all. I need to do some more research

[400ixl]

San Diego plan works. The Old Town is a nice place to visit if you like history (as much as the US has).

If you did want to stay in Anaheim for the week, you could hire a car and do day trips.

1 day to Long Beach - Queen Mary and USS Iowa
1 day to Hollywood - Hollywood, Warner Bros Studio Tour, Griffith Observatory
1 day to coast - Venice Beach, Marina Del Ray, Santa Monica etc up to Malibu

Would still give you a day to play with in doing something else. You could also get another beach morning in on the final day going to somewhere like Redondo Beach (nice piers and a Cheesecake Factory) which is then only 30 minutes or so from the hire car drop off.

[Aims]

Hi C4rka! I have a San Diego sticky thread pinned at the top of this forum (or link in my signature below). I have a list of what there is to see and do in San Diego, as well as hotel suggestions. The Best Western Island Palms that you have already looked at is an excellent location and a popular favorite with a lot of Dibbers. I have also stayed there and can vouch for it too. 😊

[happytraveller]

You won’t regret San Diego. It’s beautiful. We stayed at Shelter Island and also homewood suites Bayside as my son got sick so we had to extend our stay.