Local Day Use--Northern San Diego area

[Hart99]

Hi Everybody - I just created an account because I had some questions about being in a great position for day use and want to see if there is anything I'm not thinking about.

I'm lucky enough to live in northern San Diego and there is an abundance of timeshares around. I'm looking to purchase one on the resale market here at TUG to take advantage of using the pool/gym on a regular basis with my family. When I look at the yearly maint fees for some locations it makes more sense to go down this route than joining a country club or pool club, plus I get the advantage of staying at the resort with my family for a week out of the year or using it to hosts friends/family when they come to visit. Has anybody else thought of this idea and are there specific questions I should pose to the resorts when I call them about day use? Since we live local we don't necessarily need to stay the full week at the resort when our time comes so how easy is it to sell the unused days or have the company do it? Just starting down this path to see what can happen so I appreciate any feedback!

 

[rboesl]

I do know that Welk in Escondido offers owners day use. I don't know all of the questions you need to ask. But, the first one I would ask, if I were in your shoes, is if you buy on the resale market do you get day use privileges'.

 

[DaveNV]

Check out the Carlsbad Inn. Has day use (or it used to), and is part of Grand Pacific, so offers a great internal exchange system.

Dave

 

[kckaren21]

Just read the Hyatt Residence Club is acquiring Welk, so ask if that may affect day use!

 

[buzglyd]

Many of the Grand Pacific resorts have day use. I own Carlsbad Inn and Seapointe. We tend to day use more at Seapointe because we live in the La Costa area and it’s closer. The pool is better at Seapointe than Carlsbad Inn. The beach is better at Carlsbad Inn. The Oceanside resort has day use but there is not much to use there other than bikes perhaps.

I have some friends who own a float season Seapointe that they would love to give away. Their kids are grown and they don’t use it anymore.

 

[presley]

Another that has day use is Grand Pacific Palisades. You may want to walk around the properties before you buy to see where you prefer the pools/gyms. Grand Pacific Palisades the best pools, but I don't know how the gym compares to others.

 

[rhonda]

Another that has day use is Grand Pacific Palisades. You may want to walk around the properties before you buy to see where you prefer the pools/gyms. Grand Pacific Palisades the best pools, but I don't know how the gym compares to others.

We purchased GPP for the day use.
Haven't been in a while ... but the gym was pretty fair (in a good way)! Not huge but there was always plenty of equipment, plenty of space, TVs, etc. Love that it included a sauna!

Note: GPP offers underground parking. You can park directly below the gym ... which also becomes your changing station when visiting for day use, checking out pool towels, etc.

If I get back to the coast ... I'll have to visit again. Hmm.

 

[Hart99]

We purchased GPP for the day use.
Haven't been in a while ... but the gym was pretty fair (in a good way)! Not huge but there was always plenty of equipment, plenty of space, TVs, etc. Love that it included a sauna!

Note: GPP offers underground parking. You can park directly below the gym ... which also becomes your changing station when visiting for day use, checking out pool towels, etc.

If I get back to the coast ... I'll have to visit again. Hmm.

Thanks! GPP is at the top of our list right now because they do have a very nice pool and plenty of parking. Do you need to check with the front desk to get a parking pass to park below or can you just park and go straight up? Being Carlsbad, one of the priorities we are looking for is easy parking. I love Tamarack Beach Resort since it's across the street from the beach but from what I know is that you don't get parking unless you are staying there and trying to get a spot a block from the beach during a summer weekend is impossible.

 

[Hart99]

Many of the Grand Pacific resorts have day use. I own Carlsbad Inn and Seapointe. We tend to day use more at Seapointe because we live in the La Costa area and it’s closer. The pool is better at Seapointe than Carlsbad Inn. The beach is better at Carlsbad Inn. The Oceanside resort has day use but there is not much to use there other than bikes perhaps.

I have some friends who own a float season Seapointe that they would love to give away. Their kids are grown and they don’t use it anymore.

What's the day-use parking policy with Carlsbad Inn? I know they have a shared underground lot with Fidels (Norte) and it can get a bit hectic down there during weekends.

 

[rhonda]

Thanks! GPP is at the top of our list right now because they do have a very nice pool and plenty of parking. Do you need to check with the front desk to get a parking pass to park below or can you just park and go straight up? Being Carlsbad, one of the priorities we are looking for is easy parking. I love Tamarack Beach Resort since it's across the street from the beach but from what I know is that you don't get parking unless you are staying there and trying to get a spot a block from the beach during a summer weekend is impossible.

Sorry, I haven't been in ages. (I moved up to the San Diego mountain region ... and very rarely make it back to the coast.)
From past experience, parking was open (no fee; no check-in) but one did need to check-in for day-use wrist bands, changing room locker assignment, and pool towels. To my memory, this was done at the fitness center ... but may have moved since.

 

[rhonda]

A question to ask in your research, if you wish to minimize costs: Does an every-other-year ownership provide Day Use during the off years?

To the best of my knowledge, GPP honors Day Use for all owners, all years, even if the ownership is only in odd or even years.

 

[buzglyd]

What's the day-use parking policy with Carlsbad Inn? I know they have a shared underground lot with Fidels (Norte) and it can get a bit hectic down there during weekends.

It’s called “it depends.” During summer when the resort is full you probably won’t be able to park down there. I just ask the guard and if there is room, he lets me in. Sometimes I ride my motorcycle which gets me in every time. There are public lots only a couple of blocks away so it’s not bad.

 

[Guitarmom]

Hi Hart99! I'm a long-time Welk owner and can answer some of your questions.

I'll start with the worst news first: Due to COVID-19, Day Use at Welk is temporarily suspended. I have no idea when this suspension will be lifted.

Now on to other aspects. I'll use past tense verbs because of the current suspension.
- Yes, resale owners got Day Use Privileges. Other than some discounts on food and golf, resale owners got all the privileges of Direct-Welk owners. The discounts were WAY not worth the additional cost to buy from the developer.
- Yes, the recent purchase of Welk by Marriott (to be branded as Hyatt Residence Club) may affect Day Use privileges. None of us know anything EXCEPT that they tell us there will be no changes for about two years. We'll see.
- There was (and is) a lot more to do at Welk than at the Carlsbad Inn. My mother has owned timeshares at both resorts, so I've been to both. Then again, if you want the beach, Carlsbad Inn is the better choice. There are four different pools at Welk. There are exercise classes and art classes that were available through with Day Use.
- Every-Other-Year owners got Day Use privileges.

Keep in mind that Welk is inland and no where near the beach. I personally don't enjoy the traffic and congestion at the beach (grew up here, so no big whoop for me,) and I find Welk to be a peace-filled get-away. But I also know that the beach is incredibly important to many people, and Welk will not meet the needs of those people.

If you have other questions about Welk, ask away!

 

[hptravel01]

I am looking at Grand Pacific Palisades as well. I assume that the day pass is only offered to owners of that resort and not for other Grand Pacific properties. Is that correct?

 

[buzglyd]

I am looking at Grand Pacific Palisades as well. I assume that the day pass is only offered to owners of that resort and not for other Grand Pacific properties. Is that correct?

yes. Day use is only at your ownership resort.

 

[Hart99]

Hi Hart99! I'm a long-time Welk owner and can answer some of your questions.

I'll start with the worst news first: Due to COVID-19, Day Use at Welk is temporarily suspended. I have no idea when this suspension will be lifted.

Now on to other aspects. I'll use past tense verbs because of the current suspension.
- Yes, resale owners got Day Use Privileges. Other than some discounts on food and golf, resale owners got all the privileges of Direct-Welk owners. The discounts were WAY not worth the additional cost to buy from the developer.
- Yes, the recent purchase of Welk by Marriott (to be branded as Hyatt Residence Club) may affect Day Use privileges. None of us know anything EXCEPT that they tell us there will be no changes for about two years. We'll see.
- There was (and is) a lot more to do at Welk than at the Carlsbad Inn. My mother has owned timeshares at both resorts, so I've been to both. Then again, if you want the beach, Carlsbad Inn is the better choice. There are four different pools at Welk. There are exercise classes and art classes that were available through with Day Use.
- Every-Other-Year owners got Day Use privileges.

Keep in mind that Welk is inland and no where near the beach. I personally don't enjoy the traffic and congestion at the beach (grew up here, so no big whoop for me,) and I find Welk to be a peace-filled get-away. But I also know that the beach is incredibly important to many people, and Welk will not meet the needs of those people.

If you have other questions about Welk, ask away!

Thanks for the input. I've stayed at Welk before and think it's great but looking for something closer to the coast. These are exactly some of the questions I'm looking to get answered though. I've reached out to GPP and Marbrisa and haven't really received any informative responses. I'm surprised their sales team hasn't pounced on me to do a pitch. Almost like walking onto a car lot and having to track down a salesman!

 

[buzglyd]

Thanks for the input. I've stayed at Welk before and think it's great but looking for something closer to the coast. These are exactly some of the questions I'm looking to get answered though. I've reached out to GPP and Marbrisa and haven't really received any informative responses. I'm surprised their sales team hasn't pounced on me to do a pitch. Almost like walking onto a car lot and having to track down a salesman!

Just decide which resort you'll think you'll use most and buy one out of the Tug marketplace. The HGV MarBrisa units do not include day use unless you find an old deed that was sold prior to HGV.

 

[Guitarmom]

Thanks for the input. I've stayed at Welk before and think it's great but looking for something closer to the coast. These are exactly some of the questions I'm looking to get answered though. I've reached out to GPP and Marbrisa and haven't really received any informative responses. I'm surprised their sales team hasn't pounced on me to do a pitch. Almost like walking onto a car lot and having to track down a salesman!

I understand wanting the actual, really-o, true-lio coast. I wish you well in your search.

Here's a low-key but well run resort: Sand Pebbles in Solana Beach. It's older and shows it, but if you're going to spend all day at the beach, who cares where you sleep? A two-bedroom with low maintenance fees is available through my favorite timeshare broker for only $3,000: http://www.calresorts.com/Sand-Pebbles.html

While this broker specializes in Welk resales, he does have some other California inventory. You can see what's available here:http://www.calresorts.com/SDTimeshare.html

Good luck!

 

[mamilovestotravel]

OP, did you ever make a final decision? I find myself in the same boat now. I was going to purchase a Carlsbad Inn resale but wondering if there is anything better out there. I do know they started up day use again but you have to make a reservation beforehand and parking may not be included. The classes at welk sound like a nice offer. Nothing is close to me since I am inland so the best day-use amenities are what I am interested in for sure.

 

[JohnPaul]

FWIW Just stayed at Seapointe and an owner told me day use does NOT include parking but that they never had a problem with parking. (Didn’t clarify but assume they mean street or state park parking )

 

[mamilovestotravel]

Good to know!

FWIW Just stayed at Seapointe and an owner told me day use does NOT include parking but that they never had a problem with parking. (Didn’t clarify but assume they mean street or state park parking )

 

[Hart99]

OP, did you ever make a final decision? I find myself in the same boat now. I was going to purchase a Carlsbad Inn resale but wondering if there is anything better out there. I do know they started up day use again but you have to make a reservation beforehand and parking may not be included. The classes at welk sound like a nice offer. Nothing is close to me since I am inland so the best day-use amenities are what I am interested in for sure.

Yes, I had my mind set on GPP so I waited until I found somebody basically giving it away. It's in closing now. All the staff there that I've spoken to said day-use is fairly normal and they've told me previously I can park underground and they usually give a key good for a month if you go enough times to save everybody the hassle of checking in with the desk all the time. I have friends that have units at both Tamarack Beach Resort and Carlsbad Inn and they've said it's great being next to the ocean but impossible to find parking in the summer unless they have their week reserved.

 

[buzglyd]

Yes, I had my mind set on GPP so I waited until I found somebody basically giving it away. It's in closing now. All the staff there that I've spoken to said day-use is fairly normal and they've told me previously I can park underground and they usually give a key good for a month if you go enough times to save everybody the hassle of checking in with the desk all the time. I have friends that have units at both Tamarack Beach Resort and Carlsbad Inn and they've said it's great being next to the ocean but impossible to find parking in the summer unless they have their week reserved.

Parking at the resort is difficult but the City of Carlsbad has several free lots only a block or two away.

 

[mamilovestotravel]

Parking at the resort is difficult but the City of Carlsbad has several free lots only a block or two away.

Thanks, OP! I do want to be close to the beach so GPP would not work for me. I like Carlsbad Inn but it seems those summer weeks really are at a premium price. I tried to buy thru the resale at the Inn but I felt they just wanted to unload and did not really care what I wanted. They also said that now with the remodel they will enter a 3-day process which will increase prices. I don't know if it was true so I never mind. I am thinking maybe Seapoint EOY might be a good way to go instead. I actually want to use my summer week, not just day use. I live in SD and never go to the beach because it is such a pain. My hope is to make that easier with day use. But, I am not sure how parking would be at Seapointe for day use.

 

[buzglyd]

Thanks, OP! I do want to be close to the beach so GPP would not work for me. I like Carlsbad Inn but it seems those summer weeks really are at a premium price. I tried to buy thru the resale at the Inn but I felt they just wanted to unload and did not really care what I wanted. They also said that now with the remodel they will enter a 3-day process which will increase prices. I don't know if it was true so I never mind. I am thinking maybe Seapoint EOY might be a good way to go instead. I actually want to use my summer week, not just day use. I live in SD and never go to the beach because it is such a pain. My hope is to make that easier with day use. But, I am not sure how parking would be at Seapointe for day use.

Parking at Seapointe is never an issue. I don’t even use the garage as there is a public street in front of Seapointe. I own at Carlsbad Inn and Seapointe.