Marriot Pulse in San Diego

[gwberg]

We have reservations at this Pulse resort for 10 days in September. Question: could we avoid renting a car (resort parking fees are expensive)? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.


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[mjm1]

You also have to pay for parking- about $40 per night at the resort or about $20 per night at a local lot about 1/2 mile away.

If you like to walk, there is a lot to see in the downtown area that may cover a couple days. Balboa Park, which hosts the world famous San Diego Zoo, and some museums is walkable if you are in good condition. Otherwise, it’s a short ride away. There are a lot of restaurants in the Gaslight District too. And if the Padres are in town you can catch a game or two.

However, for the beaches, Coronado, Sea World and anything else you would need a car. If you don’t want to rent a car for the entire time you could rent one on specific days. There is definitely much to see and do outside of the downtown area.

Best regards.

Mike

 

[Luanne]

Every time we've visited San Diego we've gotten a car. There is so much to do and see outside of the area that a car is essential. If you want to go to Coronado, you need a car. If you want to drive up the coast, you need a car. If you want to go to a restaurant that is outside of walking distance, you need a car. There is a trolley service we used the last time we were there, that was handy, but it still limited where we could go.

 

[BigDawgTUG]

$40/$20 per night saved will cover a good amount of Uber or Lyft rides. Just depends how far you intend to go outside the local area.

 

[zentraveler]

$40/$20 per night saved will cover a good amount of Uber or Lyft rides. Just depends how far you intend to go outside the local area.

...and how often.

 

[Luanne]

For us, a big advantage of having a car is the ability to be more spontaneous and not having to worry about arranging transportation.

The daily parking fee is a big deal. We had to pay $20/day on our last visit. We just chalked it up to a cost of the vacation.

 

[b2bailey]

I visit San Diego often without renting a car.
If it is your first visit, I'd suggest doing red trolley tour. It's a hop on/off.
It will take you to Coronado, Balboa Park, Old town.
Just rent a car for a few days.

 

[Luanne]

I visit San Diego often without renting a car.
If it is your first visit, I'd suggest doing red trolley tour. It's a hop on/off.
It will take you to Coronado, Balboa Park, Old town.
Just rent a car for a few days.

We used the trolley to get to Old Town, Little Italy and Seaport Village. I didn't know it went to Coronado or Balboa Park (at least not up into the park). I'm looking at the map of the trolley routes and trying to figure out which stops would be for Coronado and Balboa Park.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Currently, rental cars are few and far between, and if you're lucky enough to find one then don't forget to pay BIG bucks.

That said, plan on renting a car just for a specific day or so, and hoof it or Uber it for the rest of your stay. You'll save yourself that daily rental fee plus the daily parking fee at the Pulse......


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[b2bailey]

We used the trolley to get to Old Town, Little Italy and Seaport Village. I didn't know it went to Coronado or Balboa Park (at least not up into the park). I'm looking at the map of the trolley routes and trying to figure out which stops would be for Coronado and Balboa Park.

I'm speaking of the private tour company, not the city trolley lines.

 

[davidvel]

I would use Uber for anything near downtown (take ferry to Coronado), or Sea World, beaches. For other areas like North county rent for a few days through traditional or Turo.

 

[Luanne]

I'm speaking of the private tour company, not the city trolley lines.

Thanks for the clarification. We only used the city trolley lines, then used our car for places the trolley didn't go.

 

[gwberg]

I’m grateful for all the advice and suggestions. We have some tough decisions to make, but each of your comments will help immensely. Thanks, everyone!


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