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 San Diego: Smart SplurgesPlanning a perfect San Diego vacation that assures rewarding cultural encounters, memorable hotel stays, and select high-end perks that add up to trip-of-a-lifetime memories isn’t just a matter of spending more money – with so many choices, you’ve got to know where to spend it. From hotels offering just the right combination of location, historical ambiance, and state-of-the-art élan to destination-defining culinary and shopping experiences, our San Diego Smart Splurges may require a slight increase in your travel budget, but they're absolutely worth the increase in your travel budget! Hotel Del Coronado Since 1879, this Victorian landmark has been a haven for presidents and movie stars alike; choose between modern rooms, original rooms with ocean-view balconies, and private cottages. Coronado; 1500 Orange Ave.; 800-468-3533; www.hoteldel.com Island Prime Jutting out over the ocean, Island Prime serves dangerously good cocktails (try the pomegranate pearl martini) and seafood; try the hazelnut crusted diver scallops, sweet Alaskan crab legs, or the plank salmon. Harbor Island; 880 Harbor Island Dr.; 619-298-6802; www.cohnrestaurants.com La Valencia La Valencia's location alone is nothing short of spectacular: nestled cliffside in the upscale La Jolla neighborhood, the hotel's distinctive gold-domed tower is a prime spot for gazing at stunning sea views and coastal mountain vistas. Opened in 1926, La Valencia evokes a timeless sense of class, recalling the days when moneyed elite and Hollywood luminaries such as Charlie Chaplin and Groucho Marx were among its avid devotees. Modern-day visitors will be just as captivated by La Valencia, however, after walking through the palm-shaded front patio and into the hotel's lobby, where magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Pacific. The 117 rooms are all designed with a sumptuous European flair, though some may find them a bit dated. Standard rooms and suites range in size, but are all spacious, and furnished with queen or king beds, floral headboards, gold chandeliers, fringed curtains, and marble bathrooms. The newer, sun-filled ocean villas are the size of one- or two-bedroom apartments, and are lavishly appointed with beamed ceilings, marble floors, hand-painted Mexican tiles, and fireplaces. La Jolla; 1132 Prospect St.; 858-454-0771; www.lavalencia.com Sea World New rides, more restaurants, and spruced up shows make this classic attraction better than ever. Few know about the Dolphin Interactive Program, where, for an extra fee ($150, plus park admission), guests can suit up and join these amazing mammals in the tank. Mission Bay; www.seaworld.com The Ivy Hotel After a $75 million renovation, this full-service downtown hideaway attracts the beau monde with its new rooftop pool and four-level nightclub; even pets get their own bed and amenities. Gaslamp Quarter; 600 F St.; 619-814-1000; www.ivyhotel.com The Keating Hotel Über exclusive and worth every cent, the 35 sleek rooms and suites here were designed by Pininfarina, the Italian design company behind Ferrari and Maserati; giant windows show off the city skyline. Downtown; 432 F St.; 877-753-2846; www.thekeating.com The Sky Room Located on the 10th floor of La Valencia Hotel, the Sky Room serves distinctive French cuisine at only 12 exclusive booths and tables; jackets required, tie optional, reservations a must. La Jolla; 1132 Prospect St.; 858-454-0771; www.lavalencia.com
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