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.

La Quinta Inn Click Pictures for a Larger Image Visit their Website!

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 75,000 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.