San Diego's Hillcrest district features boutique hotels in walking distance from antique shops, bookstores and elegant restaurants. (Photo credit: Karyl Camignani) RELATED LINKS Return to San Diego City Guide

When planning where to stay in this sprawling city of congested freeways and limited public transportation, choosing the right location is just as important as finding a hotel that matches your budget and sense of style. Here are some basic guidelines for visitors:

— Meetings and trade shows account for much of San Diego's visitor traffic, and thousands of rooms in various categories are available in downtown business hotels convenient to the bay-front convention center. Meeting delegates who prefer not to stay downtown should consider booking accommodations along one of the city's two interlinked trolley lines (www.sdcommute.com/Rider_Information), which provide easy access to the convention center with no worries about traffic or parking.

— If you want to stay close to the surf, plenty of options are available in Coronado, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and La Jolla. Just remember that you'll always pay a premium for the best seaside locations. Budget accommodations do exist in the beach communities, but as a general rule, the low-end properties are basic and utilitarian at best.

— For a good selection of midrange chain hotels and motels, head for the "Hotel Circle" district off Interstate 8 in Mission Valley northeast of the airport. The surroundings are nothing special, but you'll be minutes away from Old Town San Diego, Mission Bay and Balboa Park.

— The Uptown/Hillcrest district, an older residential area west and north of Balboa Park, is a good place to look for affordable boutique hotels and atmospheric B&Bs. Bear in mind, however, that as in other communities north of downtown, there's a good chance you'll find yourself under the flight path of jets arriving and departing from San Diego's centrally located airport. If you're sensitive to noise, ask about aircraft traffic before booking a room.