Is Mission Valley a good place to stay in San Diego?

Mission Valley is a good base if you're driving and want a cheaper hotel in the middle of everything. Most hotels sit on Hotel Circle along Interstate 8, about 10 minutes' drive from downtown, Old Town and SeaWorld, and the Green Line trolley runs through the valley to Old Town and downtown.

The area is built around freeways, malls and offices. Fashion Valley and Mission Valley shopping centres have restaurants and shops, Snapdragon Stadium hosts football and concerts, and the river path offers a little green. Most evenings are spent in hotel restaurants or at the malls.

The downside is that it has no neighbourhood feel. You'll need a car or the trolley for everything, the hotels on Hotel Circle face the freeway, and there's nothing to see within walking distance.

What makes Mission Valley worth considering is value and location. Rooms cost much less than downtown or at the beach, parking is easier, and almost every part of San Diego is within a 15 minute drive. For road trips and families on a budget, it works.