San Diego or Palm Desert?

[Rponies]

Hi, new to timesharing although I've been investigating. I live in San Diego and would like to purchase within driving distance as my husband doesn't really do plane trips much. I've been checking the listings on eBay and a couple broker sites. I like the resorts in Carlsbad and Palm Desert. there's a listing in San Clemente and one in Coronado that might be nice. Does anyone have opinions on any of these or can you direct me to where I could find more relevant info on trading power and such? I'd like to have some flexibility for trading in the future, but want to stay close so we'll use it.

Thanks for any recommendations you can offer.

 

[DeniseM]

Anything on the beach will have higher trading power. The Palm Springs area is rather over-built with timeshares and there is more demand for the beach.

Just so you know - the exchange companies do no reveal or publish trading power, so what we know, we know from experience. If you join TUG you will have access to the TUG ratings and reviews, and that is a great source of info. about the quality of timeshares.

 

[Rent_Share]

Take a look at Google maps for the converted motel in San Clemente

There is a reason it is so "reaasonable"

 

[Rponies]

Anything on the beach will have higher trading power. The Palm Springs area is rather over-built with timeshares and there is more demand for the beach.

Just so you know - the exchange companies do no reveal or publish trading power, so what we know, we know from experience. If you join TUG you will have access to the TUG ratings and reviews, and that is a great source of info. about the quality of timeshares.

Awesome. Thanks. I guess that's why I hadn't found the info I was seeking yet. I just joined and I guess it takes a day or so to kick in so as soon as it's official, I'll be reading those reviews. We had been to one in Rancho Mirage and it was really nice so that's one reason I was looking in that area. But I guess it's all about location, location, location. <g>

I'll check out the San Clemente map and see if I can spot the problem.

I saw one in Palm Canyon that looks cute with fun water slides - lol - but I've been to Palm Canyon...so I don't think there's much trading power there.

Thanks so much for the tips.

 

[Karen G]

I just joined and I guess it takes a day or so to kick in so as soon as it's official, I'll be reading those reviews.

If you have joined TUG and paid the membership fee, there is something else you need to do. See this info to make the transition from guest to member and thereby have access to the Sightings forum and reviews.

 

[mjm1]

You may want to check out the Welk Resort in Escondido. The older villas are large two bedroom units that are available on eBay for a very reasonable price. Since you live in the area, you could drive to the resort to check it out for yourselves. The resort is beautiful. It is about 30 minutes from the coast- Carlsbad and Oceanside. In the desert, there are 3 different Marriott resorts and all of them are available on eBay as well. We like the desert and are in the process of buying a unit at Marriott Desert Springs I. You can also look at the Marketplace here on TUG for units being offered for sale. That is where we found the Marriott we are buying. Good luck.

 

[funtime]

I would consider buying a resort in the RCI trading system - I strongly prefer II (Interval International trading system) myself but unless you get your husband to move around a little bit, RCI has a stronger So Cal presence. If you do that, look at buying a Grand Pacific resort as they are good traders and you will not be blocked by their 1 in 4 rule for non owners.

However, if you think that in a year or two with good experience that he will become adventurous, buy a good Marriott Desert Springs or Shadow Ridge on ebay - you can't go wrong as you can lock these off and get great Marriott trades in the II system which I prefer.

 

[rhonda]

Rponies -

Do include Welk in Escondido, Grand Pacific Resorts and Worldmark in your search consideration. Reasons:

• Welk in Escondio is a reasonable drive from most parts of San Diego while feeling 'a world away.' I hear owners are offered year-round day use of the resort amenities.
• Grand Pacific Resorts has several properties in SoCal area including Carlsbad and Coronado. Owners are permitted day-use access of their home resort and certain exchange benefits w/in the GPR family of resorts.
• Worldmark offers a huge selection of resort locations w/out having to 'exchange.' Flexible points based mini-system with lots of destination choices. Beaches? Oceanside, Pismo Beach, Marina Dunes, Rosarito (MX), and more in OR/WA. Desert? Palm Springs, Indio (great pools!), Vegas, Tuscon, etc. Skiing? Big Bear, Wolf Creek, Whistler, etc.

Of these, we own GPR at Grand Pacific Palisades (Carlsbad) and Worldmark and very much enjoy the "local" aspect. We tend to "timeshare" in some fashion at least 2 weekends each month.

From this past weekend in the local mountains at Warner Springs Ranch: