When planning a trip to San Diego, you might have a difficult time deciding on where to stay. I'm not talking about which condo or rental house you'll choose - I mean which area of San Diego will you want to call your home away from home. The county has several fascinating communities within its borders, each with its own personality, unique styles, entertainment, scenery and lodging choices.

LA JOLLA
San Diego's oldest community, La Jolla has a Mediterranean feel to it. It's practically surrounded by the Pacific, with Mt. Soledad towering in the background. Its famous beaches provide many opportunities for family fun, like La Jolla Shores in the northern section, with the calmest surf in the entire region. Great surfing beaches like Windansea are found in south La Jolla. The Stephen Birch Aquarium is here, as well as numerous restaurants and a large shopping distric with unusual items. Torrey Pines has world-class golfing and scenic hiking trails. For a great panoramic view, book a room right on the ocean.

DEL MAR
Often referred to as "where the surf meets the turf," Del Mar is home to the Del Mar Racetrack and some spectacular surfing beaches. The area is flanked by farms, rolling hills and horse ranches. In fact, you might catch a glimse of lithe thoroughbreds stretching their long legs on the beach. Del Mar has two family parks, Sea Grove and Powerhouse, that provide picnic spots, playgrounds, and public showers and restrooms. Plenty of dining venues will delight patrons, especially the oceanside seafood restaurants. You'll find upscale shopping, especially works of art, antiques, and hand-crafted furniture. You'll find reasonable lodging rates near the freeway, with pricier accommodations near the racetrack and Fairbanks Ranch.

MISSION BAY
If you love the water, Mission Bay is the place for you. Its 4,600-acre water park, the largest in the world, along with 15 miles of beaches, provide great swimming, kayaking, fishing, boating and sailing. You'll also find public grilling areas, playgrounds, courts for volleyball and basketball, and miles of paths for walking, jogging, cycling, and skating. You'll also find plenty of shopping, restaurants, golf, and...Seaworld!

PACIFIC BEACH
For the quintessential California beach experience, book a room at Pacific Beach. The area has a lot of cultural diversity, with hard-muscled surfers to shaggy skaters to business executives, all living in peace and welcoming outsiders to their community. This is a bustling area, with crowded beaches, seaside bars and resturants, the Big Dipper roller coaster, and sidewalk stands selling Mexican food and hotdogs. Shopping ranges from street vendors to beachwear. The local boutiques specialize in retro items like blacklight posters, bell bottoms, peace signs, and love beads. Pacific Beach is a noisy, busy, fun melting pot of society.

HILLCREST
A fascinating community, Hillcrest is home to Balboa Park, with its outdoor theaters, playgrounds, museums, art galleries, sports grounds, and the San Diego Zoo. It's a great place to experience is the Old Globe Theater, a replica of Shakespeare's stage. Enjoy a play in the cozy 16th-century English edifice, or check out the Fleet Space IMAX Theater. Numerous fine restaurants, trendy shopping, intimate cafes, antiques stores, gay bars, adult bookstores, and nightclubs are found in "The Village" section of Hillcrest.

GASLAMP QUARTER
If you want to have your finger right on the pulse of the city, you'll love the historic downtown Gaslamp Quarter. Thirty-five exciting night clubs, more than 100 restaurants, charming rooftop lounges, live theater, art galleries, musems and premium shopping all reside in close proximity, so leave your car parked and stroll the fascinating streets of the Quarter. The action is virtually non-stop, but sooner or later you'll need a spot to lay your weary head. The Quarter offers a wide range of lodging prices.

Choose the perfect area for you and your family to stay, depending on your tastes and budget. Once you've decided on a location, all you have to do is pick your accomodation. With the huge offering of lodging types available in San Diego, you'll have your work cut out for you. But no matter your choice, you're sure to enjoy the beauty and diversity of the area.

This tidbit of real travel advice was contributed by Holle Abee.