When you arrive at the airport, after you pick up your luggage,
go to any pay phone and call the 800 number and they will come
pick you up.
On Thursday and Friday, the motel will furnish your transportation
to and from the base for all activities. On Friday, after the
graduation, they will take you AND the new Marine back to the
airport and it is all free. You do not need
car rental or taxis. Shuttles from the Airport run from 10am
to 8pm. Shuttles from the hotel to the Airport run from 6am
- 2pm. The shuttle service does not provide
car seats for young travelers. If a car seat is required be
sure and bring one with you.
As you will see, when I get into the events on the base for
Thursday, you will get back to the motel at around 7:00 P.M.
on that Thursday afternoon. What are you going to do for supper
Thursday night? Answer: there are 13 restaurants within a 3-block
radius of the motel so you still do not need car rental or taxi.
What if you got to San Diego and realized, "I left my tooth
brush at home," guess what, there is a shopping center
straight across the street from the motel.
If you and I were at Gate 2 of the Marine base and we walked
left 3 blocks to Rosecrans Street and then right 3 blocks, we
would be in front of the Howard Johnson. In other words, the
motel is only 6 blocks from the base. The motel is located in
an area of San Diego called "Old Town." Right next
to Old Town is an area called Hotel Circle.
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| La Quinta Inn
Click Pictures for a Larger Image
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The other motel is the La Quinta (pronounced La KIN-ta) Inn.
Although, at this time they do not have the free transportation,
the Inn has been completely remodeled, is a 10-minute walk from
the base and is only 2 blocks from Historic Old Town. In the
Old Town area, there are blocks of shops and restaurants. This
area is the ORIGINAL San Diego. Although the San Diego Zoo and
Sea World are the top advertised attractions in the city, if
you are at either motel, and have time, DON'T miss Old Town.
For reservations at La Quinta, call (800) 638-0379.
In the nearly 14 years and 95,000 families, 99% of them have
stayed in this area. As of this date, by virtue of location,
there has NEVER been a family shot at, stabbed, knocked down,
run over, etc. I do not care how much money you have, the one
thing you CANNOT purchase is your SAFETY. That is most important
to me.
If you use the motels I recommend, when you call them and
they answer, the first words out of your mouth will be, "MAX
FROM KANSAS CITY SAID FOR ME TO CALL YOU".
Reason, like I said, I am not a travel agent, therefore, you
will get a special rate if you use my name.
Also, if you are going out early or staying over after graduation
to go to Sea World, the Howard Johnson furnishes the transportation
FREE. If you will travel with smaller children or anyone that,
due to health, will have trouble with stair steps or walking,
let the motels know at the time you make your reservations.
One more suggestion, even though the motel
has alarm radios in each room to wake you, if you have a travel
wind up alarm clock, take it with you.
If you are going to drive out and you are going through Barstow
on Interstate 15 or 40, or if through Phoenix on 10, you will
go South on 15 to San Diego. If through Yuma, you will be on
Interstate 8. If South from Los Angeles, on Interstate 5. If
you are on Interstate 15, stay on it until you get to Interstate
8 in San Diego and go right (West) on 8 until 8 and 5 cross.
Where Interstates 8 and 5 cross, there is the Rosecrans exit.
Take the Rosecrans exit a few blocks and the first stoplight
will be at Sports Arena Blvd. Stay on Rosecrans and the next
light will be at Midway. Go 1 block further on Rosecrans and
on your right is Howard Johnson. The La Quinta is on Moore Street,
on the north side of Interstate 5.
If you are driving on the base, you MIGHT be asked for ID,
if so, a driver’s license with your picture will be fine,
but have some form of ID with you. Also, leave early due to
time involved with security checks of auto and passengers.
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