THE PACIFIC, San Diego

The Pacific sits on Pacific Highway in San Diego's vibrant Little Italy neighborhood. The Little Italy trolley station is a 2-minute walk, giving easy access to the Gaslamp Quarter (4 stops), Petco Park, Old Town, and the San Ysidro border. The Santa Fe Depot is also within a 10-minute walk. Across the street, a waterfront park offers trails and water play areas; it's a 5-minute stroll to the USS Midway Museum and Seaport Village. The airport is a 5-minute drive away. Jack in the Box is right next door for quick eats. Parking is free but limited - the lot can be crowded at peak times.

Rooms vary in size from compact to spacious. Many feature carpeted floors and older furnishings. Air conditioning units can be noisy but are effective. Rooms usually include a microwave, but mini-fridges and coffee makers are not guaranteed - check at check-in. Some rooms have a jacuzzi tub. Noise from the adjacent highway, train tracks, and neighboring rooms is common, so lighter sleepers should request a quiet room away from the road. The property is showing its age and not all rooms have been updated equally.

The Pacific does not operate a restaurant or provide breakfast on site. A Jack in the Box drive-thru is immediately next door. The vibrant Little Italy district is a 2-5 minute walk and offers dozens of Italian restaurants, cafés, and bistros including Civico 1845, Buon Appetito, Monello, and Cafe Gratitude. A 7-Eleven is a 2-minute walk for snacks and drinks. The hotel office offers coffee in the morning.

The hotel features a small outdoor swimming pool, open all year, which is suitable for a refreshing dip. A golf course is located within 3 km for those wanting to play a round. The waterfront park across the street has water play areas and jogging paths. The trolley provides easy access to Balboa Park and its museums and gardens.

Free private parking is available on site (reservation not needed) but the lot is small and often fills by evening. The 24-hour front desk offers luggage storage and a safety deposit box. Daily housekeeping is provided; key cards may deprogram occasionally - the front desk can reissue them. Wi-Fi is available for a daily charge. Fax and photocopying services are available. The property has CCTV, smoke alarms, and fire extinguishers. The outdoor pool is open all year. No hair dryers are provided in rooms, but they are available from reception on request.