Hotels

San Diego offers a variety of places to stay, ranging from hip high-rises to spa- and golf-blessed resorts, from inexpensive cookie-cutter motels to out-of-the-ordinary B&Bs.

High season is vaguely defined as the summer period between Memorial Day and Labor Day -- some hotels inch rates higher still in July and August. Because San Diego is a very popular convention destination, however, you'll find that rates for the larger downtown hotels and a few of the Mission Valley hotels are largely determined by the ebb and flow of conventions in town during the week -- which means that weekend and holiday rates can be good bargains. On the other hand, leisure-oriented hotels along the coast and in Mission Valley are generally busier on weekends, especially in summer, so midweek deals are easier to snag. Here's an idea to maximize your discounts: Spend the weekend at a downtown high-rise and duck into a beach bungalow on Monday.

Downtown, the Gaslamp & Little Italy

San Diego's downtown is an excellent place for leisure travelers to stay. The nightlife and dining in the Gaslamp Quarter and Horton Plaza shopping are close at hand; Balboa Park, Hillcrest, Old Town, and Coronado are less than 10 minutes away by car; and beaches aren't much farther. It's also the city's public-transportation hub, and thus very convenient for car-free visitors.

Many downtown hotels seem designed for the expense-account crowd, but there are more moderately priced choices. There's the colorful, modern Bristol Hotel, 1055 First Ave. (tel. 800/662-4477 or 619/232-6141; www.thebristolsandiego.com), adjacent to the Gaslamp Quarter. In the budget category, you can't beat the 258-room 500 West, 500 W. Broadway (tel. 866/315-4251; www.500westhotel.com). It offers small but comfortable rooms for $79 to $99 a night in a seven-story building dating to 1924. It has contemporary style, history, and a good location, but bathrooms are down the hall. Cheaper still are downtown's two hostels.

Inexpensive -- Inexpensive motels line Pacific Highway between the airport and downtown. The Harbor View Days Inn Suites, 1919 Pacific Hwy. at Grape Street (tel. 800/329-7466 or 619/232-1077; www.daysinn.com), is within walking distance of the Embarcadero, the Maritime Museum, and the Harbor Excursion. Rates start around $90.

Hillcrest & Uptown

The gentrified historic neighborhoods north of downtown are something of a bargain; they're convenient to Balboa Park and offer easy access to the rest of town. Filled with casual and upscale restaurants, eclectic shops, and percolating nightlife, the area is also easy to navigate. All of the following accommodations cater to the mainstream market and attract a gay and lesbian clientele, as well.

A note on driving directions: You can reach all of these accommodations from I-5.

Old Town & Mission Valley

Old Town is a popular area for families because of its proximity to Old Town State Historic Park and other attractions that are within walking distance. SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo are within a 10-minute drive. Around the corner is Mission Valley, where you'll find the city's largest collection of hotels offering rooms under $100 a night. Mission Valley lacks much personality -- this is the spot for chain restaurants and shopping malls, not gardens or water views. But it caters to convention groups, families visiting the University of San Diego or San Diego State University, and leisure travelers drawn by the lower prices and competitive facilities. A note on driving directions: All Old Town and Mission Valley hotels are reached from either I-5 or I-8.

Inexpensive -- Room rates at properties on Hotel Circle are significantly cheaper than those in many other parts of the city. You'll find a cluster of inexpensive chain hotels and motels, including Best Western Seven Seas (tel. 800/421-6662 or 619/291-1300), Mission Valley Travelodge (tel. 800/255-3050 or 619/297-2271), Ramada Plaza (tel. 800/532-4241 or 619/291-6500), and Vagabond Inn-Hotel Circle (tel. 800/522-1555 or 619/297-1691).

Mission Bay & the Beaches -- If the beach and aquatic activities are front-and-center on your San Diego agenda, this part of town may be just the ticket. Although the beach communities don't offer much in the way of cultural or upscale attractions, downtown and Balboa Park are only a 15-minute drive away. Some hotels are right on Mission Bay, San Diego's water playground; they're usually good choices for families. Ocean Beach is more neighborhood-oriented and easygoing, while Mission Beach and Pacific Beach provide a taste of the beach-bum lifestyle -- they can be a bit raucous at times, especially in summer. If you're looking for a more refined landing, head to La Jolla or Coronado.

Accommodations here tend to book up solid on summer weekends and even some weekdays (rates shown are for summer). But discounts can be found, especially for those who try walk-up bookings on the afternoon of arrival -- admittedly, a risky proposition on a Friday or Saturday in July and August. A note on driving directions: All directions are provided from I-5.

La Jolla

"La Jolla" is thought by many to be misspelled Spanish for "the jewel," while others believe the name is derived from an indigenous word. One look at La Jolla's beautiful coastline and upscale downtown village, and you'll be firmly in the Spanish camp. Bargain accommodations aren't easy to find in this wealthy, conservative community. But remember, most hotels -- even those in the "Very Expensive" category -- have occupancy-driven rates.

If a modern business hotel is more your style, chain hotels farther afield include the Hyatt Regency, 3777 La Jolla Village Dr. (tel. 800/233-1234 or 858/552-1234). It's a glam, business-oriented place with several good restaurants next door. The Residence Inn by Marriott, 8901 Gilman Dr. (tel. 800/331-3131 or 858/587-1770), is a good choice for those who want a fully equipped kitchen and more space. Both are near the University of California, San Diego.

A note on driving directions: From I-5 N., use the La Jolla Parkway exit or from I-5 S. take the La Jolla Village Drive West exit, both of which merge with Torrey Pines Road.

Inexpensive -- Wealthy, image-conscious La Jolla is really not the best place for deep bargains, but if you're determined to stay here as cheaply as possible, you won't do better than the La Jolla Village Lodge, 1141 Silverado St., at Herschel Avenue (tel. 877/551-2001 or 858/551-2001; www.lajollavillagelodge.com). This 30-room motel is standard Americana, arranged around a small parking lot with cinder-block construction and small, basic rooms. Rates vary wildly by season and day of the week -- a room that costs $90 midweek in February doubles in price for a summer weekend.

Coronado

The "island" (really a peninsula) of Coronado is a great escape. It has quiet, architecturally rich streets, a small-town, navy-oriented atmosphere, and one of the state's most beautiful and welcoming beaches. Coronado's resorts are especially popular with Southern California and Arizona families for weekend escapes. Although downtown San Diego is just a 10-minute drive or 15-minute ferry ride away, you may feel a bit isolated in Coronado, so it isn't your best choice if you're planning to spend lots of time in more central parts of the city.

A note on driving directions: To reach the places listed here, take I-5 to the Coronado Bridge, and then follow individual directions.

Near the Airport

San Diego's airport has the unusual distinction of being virtually in the downtown area. This is good news for travelers: The accommodations reviewed in the downtown, Hillcrest, and Old Town/Mission Valley sections are only 5 to 15 minutes from the airport.

For those who wish to stay even closer, there are two good airport hotels, both bayside properties. The 1,044-room Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Dr. (tel. 800/325-3535 or 619/291-2900; www.starwoodhotels.com), offers rooms from $249. At the 211-room Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island, 1960 Harbor Island Dr. (tel. 800/445-8667 or 619/291-6700; www.hilton.com), rooms start at $245. Both hotels offer a marina view, a pool, and a 10-minute drive to downtown San Diego -- as always, hefty discounts are usually available.

The Road to Wellness -- Healthful Havens

Health-conscious San Diego is home to a collection of some of the finest fitness spas in the country. These aren't pedicure-and-a-sauna resort spas, but places where you will engage in regimented mind-and-body workouts that just might change your life.

The Golden Door, 777 Deer Springs Rd., Escondido (tel. 800/424-0777; www.goldendoor.com), is a Zen-influenced sanctuary in the North County where a maximum of 40 people engage in a weeklong program of massage, beauty treatments, and fitness activities like yoga, tennis, and hiking. Most weeks are same-sex, but coed stays are also available; a 4-to-1 ratio of staff (including a fitness guide, dietician, and esthetician) to guest helps explain the $7,995 price tag. Accommodations and gourmet spa-cuisine meals, featuring products grown on-site, are included.

Rancho La Puerta, Carretera A Km 5, Tecate, Mexico (tel. 800/443-7565; www.rancholapuerta.com), is the Golden Door's sister property, located about an hour from San Diego, just across the border in Baja California. Opened in 1940, it lays claim to being the world's first fitness spa. This elegant, beautifully landscaped resort is set on some 3,000 acres and encompasses part of a mountain held sacred by the indigenous Kumeyaay people. Weeklong residences are encouraged, but a limited number of partial stays are available. More than 70 classes and activities are held each week. All-inclusive rates range from $2,795 to $4,375.

Cal-a-Vie, 29402 Spa Havens Way, Vista (tel. 866/772-4283; www.cal-a-vie.com), sits on 200-plus acres in San Diego's North County, offering 3-, 4-, and 7-night packages. A maximum of 24 guests enjoy exceptional spa cuisine, fitness classes, hiking, lectures, and spa treatments. A nearby golf course provides a golf option. Rates run from $3,595 to $7,395.

Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Costa del Mar Rd., Carlsbad (tel. 888/424-6772; www.chopra.com), is located on the grounds of the La Costa Resort and Spa. Founded by holistic guru Deepak Chopra, the center has yoga and meditation classes daily (including a free group meditation held every day), spa treatments based on 5,000-year-old Ayurvedic principles, 3- and 5-day healing programs, and a gift store with books, jewelry, and more. An overnight stay is not required.

Warner Springs Ranch, 31652 Hwy. 79, Warner Springs (tel. 760/782-4200; www.warnersprings.com), was established in 1844, but Spanish explorers and Native Americans had long known about the area's rejuvenating mineral springs. Located in the Cleveland National Forest, about an hour and a half from San Diego, the ranch features three large pools of hot mineral or fresh water; there is also an equestrian center, golfing, and hiking trails. Overnight accommodations and packages run from $78 to $159.