I am going to fly to SD the last week of July. My first trip to that area. where to stay so I can enjoy both beaches and downtown shopping?
What area should I avoid?

Interesting question.  I have lived in San Deigo for 30 years.  You will really enjoy your visit in July.  The weather should be beautiful.  There are so many choices - some quite expensive.  The Omni downtown is great and next to a very vibrant night club area (gas lamp district).  On Mission Bay I might stay at a hotel called Paradise Point.  Lovely bungelows.  For real beaches but removed a bit I also might think about Loews on Coronado.  I live in Del Mar a little up the coast.  A beautiful hotel here is L'Auberge-very expensive.  Great beach, great restaurants, not much shopping.  The horse races are on in Del Mar in July so the town is a zoo.  Let us know what you decide.

just some extra info...the last week in july is when the San Diego Comic Con takes place.   Basically about 150 thousand people roll into SD and take up a lot of space in downtown and the surrouding area.  I would suggest north of San Diego proper...like the Fashion Valley or Mission Valley area..or maybe Point Loma

I would stay in Mission / Fashion Valley area or maybe La Jolla area.
The Del Mar Races will be going as well, so it may be hard to find a place north near that area.
You may want to check out some of these hotels..

In the Valley...Lots of the chain hotels.

In La Jolla:
Sheraton La Jolla
Hotel La Jolla
La Jolla Shores Hotel

Tower 23 (Pacific Beach)
There are of course the chains and some private owned places near the beach area.
Hope that is helpful,
J. L.

-- Modified on 6/20/2007 9:19:02 PM

Thank you all for help. So after your recommendation I decided to move my plans a little and wait until the comics convention is over.

not a bad move...but the convention brings in a ton of people who probably haven't had any "relations" since the Clinton Administration and will have some extra money to spend.  I would suggest getting to SD that Saturday or Sunday.  The con ends sunday evening.

Si is the con the last week of june or july?

last week of july...starting wednesday night on the 25th and ending Sunday night the 29th

To hear you tell it the people that go to Comic Con are running around like 40 year old virgins and are all men.
If I remeber from last year.. I saw people of all ages and plenty of women. I'm sure there is lov'n in the land of geek. There is in mine..hehehe
Are you speaking from personal experince? LMAO...
Just kidding.. I'm just laughing because I picture a bunch of Urkels running around downtown, with high water pants and pocket protectors. I know my CC friends are far from.
You are too funny!

-- Modified on 6/25/2007 8:47:48 PM

That was not my intent at all.  the land of the comic book geek is a large and varied land.  i haven't been there in about 6 years and when i was there you could walk and see a princess leia and right behind her a hobbit.  i'm sure if i hung around long enough i would have seen the Hobbit inside Princess Leia.  anyway, i'm just trying to spread the Con love and the hobby love all at the same time.