Hotel Circle, San Diego refers to an area in San Diego, California where many hotels are located. Hotel Circle North is on the north side of Interstate 8 and Hotel Circle South is on the south side of Interstate 8. It is less than seven miles from the airport. Visitors can take public transportation to area attractions from Hotel Circle.
Some attractions are within five miles of Hotel Circle San Diego. These attractions include Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, the beac,h and Old Town San Diego. Sea World, the beach, and Old Town San Diego are to the west of Hotel Circle. The zoo is located closer to the east end of Hotel Circle. The San Diego beaches near Hotel Circle have places for swimming and lying on the beach. The boardwalk at Mission Beach is a popular place for biking and rollerblading.
Old Town San Diego is also near Hotel Circle. Visitors to Old Town can tour historic sites, see museums, eat and shop. The first permanent site in California where the Spanish settled was in San Diego. The first mission in California was built on a hill that overlooked the area now called Old Town.
The history of Old Town is one of the features of San Diego that attracts visitors to the city. The beaches and the mild climate also draw tourists to the area. Travelers who stay in the Hotel Circle, San Diego area will have convenient access to many of the city's attractions.
Shopping Nearby
People will find many places for shopping in San Diego, California. The area has retail malls, shopping centers and outlet malls. Some parts of the city have many stores clustered together in a small area. Many shopping centers in the city can be reached by bus or trolley.
Retail malls and shopping centers in San Diego include the Fashion Valley Center, the Westfield Mission Valley Shopping Mall and Horton Plaza.
The Fashion Valley Center is an outdoor shopping center located off Highway 163. The mall can be reached by car, bus or trolley. This mall has approximately 200 stores and restaurants. Some of the stores in the mall sell expensive designer items. These stores include Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Louis Vuitton. The mall also has lower priced stores and a movie theater.
The Westfield Mission Valley Shopping Mall is located off Highway 163 and Interstate 8. This mall is accessible by car, bus and trolley. There are over 130 stores in this mall including Macy's and discount stores. There are many clothing stores, restaurants, a movie theater and a gym in this center.
Horton Plaza is next to the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego. It can be reached by car, bus or trolley. There are two department stores here. The mall has clothing stores, shoe store and a movie theater.
Outlet malls in the area include Carlsbad Premium Outlets and Las Americas Premium Outlets.
The Carlsbad outlets are north of San Diego off Interstate 5. This outdoor shopping center can be reached by car or bus. There are approximately 90 stores here. Designer outlets at this location include Coach, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren. Clothing, shoes and home furnishings are sold here. There are several restaurants in the center.
The Las Americas Premium Outlets are 20 minutes from downtown San Diego. The shopping center can be reached from Interstate 5 and Interstate 805. This center is also accessible by bus. There are approximately 125 stores in the center including clothing stores and shoe stores. There is a Nieman Marcus Last Call at this center. Designer stores here include Michael Kors, Coach and Hugo Boss. Dining choices include fast food and a few other restaurants.
There are many small stores in the Gaslamp Quarter and other neighborhoods in San Diego. Visit SanDiego.biz for additional leisure activities and San Diego information.
Visitors could spend many hours shopping in San Diego, California and not visit all the stores in the area.
Dining Options
Kelly's Steakhouse
Welcoming staff, a calm environment, and delicious food make Kelly's Steakhouse a top San Diego, California dining option. Besides offering some of the best steak, prime rib, and barbeque around, Kelly's Steakhouse also features a variety of great-tasting soups. The beef soup is most recommended. Before you leave, consider ordering one of the restaurant's freshly baked desserts. The double fudge chocolate cake and the traditional apple cobbler are truly superb!
Ricky's Family Restaurant
Family-friendly restaurants abound on Hotel Circle. Ricky's Family Restaurant is one such establishment. Top menu items include country-fried steak, French toast, and hash browns. Popular desserts offered at Ricky's Family Restaurant include chocolate cake, sliced pie, and Ricky's famous apple pancake. If you're a fan of low-key restaurants, you'll absolutely love Ricky's Family Restaurant.
The Amigo Spot
The Amigo Spot is a Mexican-themed restaurant. They offer standard chips and salsa, chile rellenos, and even steak asado! The only downside to this restaurant is that it's very easy to miss. Unlike many dining establishments in San Diego, the Amigo Spot boasts top-notch desserts! If you only get the chance to try one dessert, make it the hot apple chimichanga. The Mexican flan isn't all that bad either!
Trellises Garden Grille
If you're looking to dine at a more upscale San Diego restaurant, look no further than Trellises Garden Grille. In addition to featuring fresh food and impeccable service, this restaurant also boasts a beautiful setting. Top menu items include tuxedo linguini, fire roasted shrimp, and bear claws. Unbeknownst to many people, Trellises Garden Grille also boasts an extensive wine list. Be aware, this dining establishment is usually always crowded. Expect a noisy dining environment. If you would rather dine in a more calm or peaceful environment, consider visiting Ricky's Family Restaurant instead.
Postcards American Bistro
At Postcards American Bistro, diners can expect tasty cuisine and live entertainment. A few of the restaurant's best-selling menu items include prime rib, pork chops, and specialty wings. Children will especially enjoy the establishment's spectacular pizza! Contrary to what many people believe, Postcards American Bistro does offer vegetarian fare. The only downside to this restaurant is that service can be a bit slow at times. Even so, reasonable prices and accommodating staff make Postcards American Bistro a memorable San Diego restaurant.
Stuff to Do
Sea World
Many people don't know this, but Sea World in San Diego was the firs Sea World in existence. Most people assume that claim to fame goes to Sea World in Orlando. What many people don't realize is that Sea World in San Diego has many different types of whales to see, including beluga, orca and pilot whales. If that's not enough excitement, then perhaps the polar bears will interest you. These enormous creatures are often active in their large and natural-habitat-like environment. The dolphins are always fun to watch due to their extremely high level of intelligence. The manatees might not do tricks, but you can still watch what are sometimes described as the friendliest creatures on earth. For some humor, visit the penguin exhibit, where the music matches their funny little steps with perfection.
If you want a truly full Sea World San Diego experience, then buy the two-day pass. This will get you the behind-the-scenes tour. This tour is different from one day to the next, but you will always see the pilot whale. If you're lucky, you might also have an opportunity to pet sharks.
La Jolla Children's Pool
In most cities, a children's pool wouldn't be listed as an attraction. However, in San Diego, it's a much different situation. This children's pool of course has a pool, but that's only half the fun. This particular pool is also close to the ocean, where you have an opportunity to snorkel, swim and scuba dive amongst local seals. Even if you don't want to scuba dive, you will still see the seals sunning on the beach or rocks. The views here are superb, and you can even venture into the caves.
Sunset Cliffs
If you're looking for the best views in all of San Diego, then this should be your first choice. Try to go prior to low tide. This will allow you to see the tide pools. Also be sure to check out the Cabrillo Monument. It's recommended that you start on the east side and make your way west.
The Ocean
Once again, San Diego is unlike any other city in the world. In most locations, the ocean wouldn't be listed as an attraction, but here, it would be unfair not to mention the ocean. This is the lifeblood of San Diego. You can sunbathe, surf, body board, parasail and much more. If you want to venture out onto the ocean, then you can go whale watching or fishing.
Wild Animal Park
The Wild Animal Park might be 35 miles away, but it must be mentioned. It's by far the best attraction in San Diego. It's much different from any zoo because the animals are free to roam and happy opposed to locked up in cages. The Wild Animal Park is 2,000 acres of pure paradise. Its size prevents crowds, and you can watch gorillas mimic people, feed giraffes, put yourself within inches of a lion, and eat at a restaurant overlooking a safari-like terrain.
San Diego Fishing Charters
Private party fishing charters for up to 4 people. They specialize in catch and release shark fishing all year long in San Diego. They also run tuna / deep sea trips in the summer months.
Pamo Valley Winery
The Pamo Valley Winery is a small licensed wholesale winery in Ramona, CA. They market their award winning wines to restaurants, stores, events and wine clubs. The wine is extremely tasty and a very elegant piece for every dinner.
Getting Around
Air
The San Diego area is served by one international airport. This airport is located close to the city's central business district and consists of three terminals. Domestic flights are handled in terminals one and two while all international flights are handled only in terminal two. Terminal three is reserved for commuter flights. Most major world airlines depart and arrive from San Diego International, but Southwest Airlines is by far the airports main airline with almost 40 percent of flight traffic. The city is currently in discussion concerning the possiblity of moving the airport away from its central location. Options include building a new airport facility in an area outside the city limits.
Bus
Bus service in San Diego is provided by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Busses are readily available, and the bus routes travel throughout the city to all business centers, hospitals and major attractions. Day passes are available as are monthly passes for those who need to use the bus a long term transportation option.
Trolley
The San Diego Trolley is a light rail system utilizing three regular routes and one special events route. The Blue Line operates from the Mexican border in the south. It travels through Petco Park to the Old Town Transit Center. The Orange Line operates between 12th and Imperial Transit Center to Gillespie Field. The Green Line travels between the Old Town Transit Center and Santee Town Center. The Special Events Line is used mostly when the San Diego Padres and Chargers are playing home games. Each line makes several stops along its route. Trolleys operate throughout the day, and just like the bus service, day passes and monthly passes may be purchased.
Rail
Besides the light rail trolley system, there is a commuter rail system known as Coaster that runs between San Diego and Oceanside, California with stops in between. The route begins in San Diego at the Santa Fe Depot. Stops in San Diego include Old Town and Sorrento Valley. Upon arriving in Oceanside, commuters have the option of taking additional routes to destinations farther north. A full one way trip on Coaster takes approximately one hour.
Taxi
Taxi service in San Diego is regulated by the Metropolitan Transit System. Taxi service is readily available throughout the city and surrounding suburbs.