San Diego Airport advice, please

[fionan]

Next month I will get into San Diego International Airport terminal 2 at approx 10.45pm from Mexico via Houston, and my cruise companion will get into terminal 1 at about 10.15pm from San Francisco. We are both staying at the Sheraton Marina hotel that night.

 

How big/difficult is this airport? Do the hotel shuttles have separate pick up points for each terminal, or would the shuttle pickup point be a good (and foolproof) meeting place? I am likely to have a bad case of post-long-flight stupidity. Unless we can work out an easy way to rendezvous at the airport I am very tempted to say that we should each get a cab when we land and see each other at the hotel.

 

Any practical advice would be really welcome.

 

Thank you!

[riffatsea]

Just take the free hotel shuttle and meet at your hotel.

It does not make sense to pay for a taxi if the hotel has a free shuttle. The 2 terminals are totally separate and the pick up points will be at each terminal.

The hotel is sort of across the street so it will be a very short ride. Who knows you may find yourself on the same shuttle anyway?

[Splinter]

Terminal 1 is about a 5 minute stroll from Terminal 2 if you want to meet each other at the airport. Other than the Commuter Terminal, these are the only two. Each has their own shuttle/cab/courtesy van pick up area, and their own luggage pick up areas.

 

Otherwise, I agree. Call for the hotel's free shuttle (shuttle phone area near luggage area) and meet at the hotel. The Sheraton Hotel & Marina is less than a half mile from the airport...if you have limited luggage, you can even walk that.

[riffatsea]

Splinter, Have you ever "strolled" between the two terminals?? They are close together but I have never seen anyone do that! Even when you drive you have to go back out to the street to drive between the 2.

[fionan]

Thanks everyone for the quick and helpful advice. Is it a safe walk? ie are there sidewalks, and is it lit at night with no worries about violence? I live in Central London and walk without fear in most parts at night, but there are some places I simply would not go near. My worst walking experiences in the USA involve multi-lane roads with no sidewalk and nowhere to cross over. I've learned not to assume that walking is possible.

[riffatsea]

I do not understand the need to walk anywhere when your hotel has a free shuttle??

I would not walk as you say there is a wide multi lane road to cross and walking really serves no purpose that I can understand!!

[fionan]

To which this Brit would reply, "I really don't see why anyone would wait half an hour for a hotel shuttle when she can stretch her legs after 8 hours' travelling with a quick stroll to a building she can see from where she is standing.;)"

 

There really is a transatlantic divide, isn't there?

 

Please take the above in the friendly spirit it was meant. I can't wait to be back in your great country again. And thank you for your advice, and for taking the time to respond. I shall indeed take the shuttle. I still remember with terror my 8 lane highway "quick stroll" in Philadelphia.

 

Fiona

[Jen1000]

There is a multi lane road to cross and I am not sure there are sidewalks and a cross walk, I have never noticed. I agree a walk might be good after a long flight but I am usually so tired I just want to get to the shuttle!

 

Jen in SoCal

 

To which this Brit would reply, "I really don't see why anyone would wait half an hour for a hotel shuttle when she can stretch her legs after 8 hours' travelling with a quick stroll to a building she can see from where she is standing.;)"

 

There really is a transatlantic divide, isn't there?

 

Please take the above in the friendly spirit it was meant. I can't wait to be back in your great country again. And thank you for your advice, and for taking the time to respond. I shall indeed take the shuttle. I still remember with terror my 8 lane highway "quick stroll" in Philadelphia.

 

Fiona

[riffatsea]

fionan, It is really NOT a transatlantic divide.

When I arrive in Europe I often take transport into the city and then walk to my hotel and keep walking to get my legs moving again.

In this case I just thought that the area was not one in which you'd enjoy the stroll.I will now take a better look the next time I am at the airport to see if there are sidewalks or a pedestrian crossing or what exactly since you are the first person to ask me about the possibility of walking.

[fionan]

I would really appreciate that, thank you!

[Splinter]

Splinter, Have you ever "strolled" between the two terminals?? They are close together but I have never seen anyone do that! Even when you drive you have to go back out to the street to drive between the 2.

 

Yes I have, several times. While the drive is lengthy, there is a nice safe side walk that links the two. It is no more than 300 yards between the two terminals on foot.

 

And yes, there is a stop light, a cross walk (across Harbor Drive), and side walks all the way from the airport onto Harbor Island where the Sheraton Hotels & Marina are located. If you are in the East complex, it is very close, but a further walk if you are in the West.

[riffatsea]

THANKS for clearing that up Splinter!

It certainly sounds easy!

[fionan]

Thanks everyone! Really helpful info.

[silverado44]

Actually San Diego Airport has 3 terminals. The commuter terminal, Terminal 1, and Terminal 2.

 

http://www.san.org/sdia/at_the_airport/maps.aspx