The best San Diego neighborhoods and hotels for couples, families, nightlife-seekers, first-time visitors, and more.
Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan
A trip to San Diego is always an exciting prospect. Planning is the first part of the fun. Whether it’s a solo visit, a family vacation, a couples getaway, or a special event celebration, San Diego offers the perfect place to stay along with the ideal neighborhood to use as your home base. You’ll surely enjoy San Diego’s beaches, downtown area, harbor, museums, and various attractions. Choosing the right home away from home will set the stage for an enjoyable trip. Here’s where to stay in San Diego, with options suitable for every type of traveler and budget.
Where to Stay in Mission Bay and Beach Towns
The beach is a key feature of a family trip to this part of California. Mission Bay offers plenty of sandy shores, ocean waves, and calm bays ideal for water sports, sailing, and harbor cruises. Bike paths, picnic areas, swimming spots, and hotel pools fill the day. A family beachside bonfire can cap off the day in true San Diego style.
The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
The ambiance of tropical landscaping and decor creates an elegant atmosphere. With a patio or balcony for every room, views are guaranteed at this hotel. Enjoy a sandy beach on Mission Bay, refrigerators, a coffee bar, a pool, a Jacuzzi, and bike rentals, making this hotel a convenient and luxurious family spot.
Paradise Point Resort & Spa
This family-friendly resort on Mission Bay features five pools, a mile-long beach, tennis courts, bonfire pits, a nine-hole putting course, beach cruisers, multiple waterfront restaurants, and a private marina on its 44-acre island. Bungalow-style rooms are nestled among lagoons and tropical gardens.
Bahia Resort Hotel
Located less than five minutes from SeaWorld San Diego, the Bahia Resort Hotel is situated on a private 14-acre peninsula on Mission Bay. Amenities include a swimming pool, tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, beachfront cabanas, and cruises on the Bahia Belle, its Mississippi-style sternwheeler.
San Diego Mission Bay Resort
Adjacent to Mission Bay, San Diego Mission Bay Resort is perfect for those seeking a beachside adventure. They offer water sports equipment and bike rentals on site, providing access to stand-up paddle boards, powerboats, and more.
Where to Stay in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter
This vibrant downtown neighborhood is renowned for its nightlife. With a variety of nightclubs, live music venues, comedy shows, rooftop bars, gastropubs, and late-night dining, visitors are kept busy. It blends historic charm with modern flair, featuring lively streets, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants that cater to every taste. Opt for one of the Quarter’s hotels for an enjoyable stay and an easy walk back after a night out on the town.
Andaz San Diego
Occupying a historic 1913 building, Andaz San Diego, managed by Hyatt, presents guest rooms and suites, a pool, private cabanas, and the largest rooftop in the San Diego Gaslamp District. Enjoy accommodations adorned with local art and panoramic views of downtown San Diego. Pro tip: Guests looking to unwind in the sun may opt for a Cabana Suite for enhanced access to a private poolside cabana.
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
The rock vibes permeate from the hotel’s lobby lounge through to its stunning rooftop pool bar and urban garden, complemented by a high-tech fitness center and modern amenities, including each room’s integrated plug-and-play sound system. Complimentary Electra bicycles and dining at Nobu heighten the excitement.
Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
The artsy traveler will appreciate the convenience of Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. Close to the Convention Center and Petco Park, this pet-friendly hotel features elevated accommodations with modern amenities, a rooftop bar offering views of the downtown skyline, and easy access to the neighborhood’s finest bars, gourmet restaurants, and nightclubs.
AC Hotel, Downtown Gaslamp Quarter
This trendy property is merely steps away from San Diego’s most iconic landmarks, providing guests with a purposeful and elevated style. Beginning in 2023, visitors can enjoy the rooftop restaurant Techo Beso, which boasts unobstructed views of the Gaslamp Quarter.
Where to Stay in La Jolla
With beautiful beaches and a mountainous backdrop, La Jolla is ideal for a romantic getaway. Swimming, snorkeling, and exploring elegant boutiques are popular pastimes. Additionally, visitors can enjoy the spectacle of watching seals at Children’s Pool from the cliffs above.
The Lodge at Torrey Pines
For a special stay, the elegant Lodge at Torrey Pines showcases early California Craftsman style with expansive public spaces featuring fireplaces, overstuffed furniture, and leather chairs. Enjoy views of the Pacific and Torrey Pines Golf Course. A poolside cabana and dinner at A.R. Valentien with coastal views offer a perfect romantic retreat.
La Valencia Hotel
Odyssey at the “Pink Lady,” known for its distinctive bright hue, this property has been perched overlooking La Jolla Cove for nearly a century. La Valencia features beautiful rooms, most with ocean views, along with an impressive restaurant, lobby bar, and unrivaled access to the local shops, galleries, and world-class museums of this historic neighborhood.
Cormorant Boutique Hotel
Named after the cormorant birds native to La Jolla Cove, this property has been updated to offer guests modern seaside amenities. It is within walking distance to many shops and activities, and features a rooftop restaurant called Birdseye, serving delicious food, offering impressive views, and creating a vibrant atmosphere for socializing.
La Jolla Shores Hotel
Positioned directly on the beach for a romantic oceanfront stay, La Jolla Shores Hotel boasts amenities such as an outdoor heated pool, a Jacuzzi, and a range of water sports rentals. Watching the sunset from the beach or your private balcony provides a truly romantic experience.
Where to Stay in Downtown San Diego
Staying downtown is an excellent choice for first-time visitors. Located just minutes from the airport and offering easy access to public transportation, Balboa Park, the waterfront Embarcadero, Seaport Village, harbor cruises, and a plethora of restaurants, downtown provides a great introduction to San Diego.
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
This hotel enjoys a waterfront location near Seaport Village, exuding a resort-like ambiance in the heart of downtown. First-time visitors will appreciate the sea views and convenient access to all that San Diego has to offer.
The US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Diego
This historic hotel, part of the Marriott Luxury Collection, dates back to around 1910. Its major renovation preserved its vintage style and elegance. Visitors can sip cocktails in the Grant Grill Lounge. A spa, fitness center, and luxurious guest rooms and suites also make The US Grant a standout choice.
Pendry San Diego
This modern hotel boasts a spa, a rooftop pool, and a variety of dining and entertainment options, including a beer hall and fine dining restaurant. The Pool House, the property’s rooftop lounge, provides excellent poolside service. First-timers will enjoy watching sunsets from the pool or hot tub.
The Marriott Marquis San Diego Bay Marina
This downtown bayfront hotel overlooks a private marina and features stunning views of the San Diego Bay and Coronado Island. Guests can explore the bay, rent paddleboards, or stroll along the Embarcadero.
InterContinental Hotel San Diego, Downtown Marina District
The luxury waterfront InterContinental Hotel San Diego is situated in downtown San Diego, close to major attractions, including the famous San Diego Zoo, the USS Midway, Seaport Village, Petco Park, and more. Enjoy rooms with breathtaking ocean views and dining at one of the two restaurants on-site — including the chic rooftop Sardinian restaurant, Garibaldi. There’s also a terrace with cozy fire pits overlooking the bay and an outdoor pool.
Kimpton Alma
A warm and vibrant addition to downtown, the Kimpton Alma embodies a laid-back San Diego atmosphere adorned with nods to the local neighborhood. Admire the original street art on the pool deck and murals by local artists, or try an agave spirit tasting from nearby distillers. It is a pet-friendly property and hosts amenities such as a complimentary evening “social hour” featuring local wines and craft beer.
The Guild Hotel, San Diego, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
This stately property is minutes from the Santa Fe Depot (ideal for arrivals via railway) and attractions like the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Originally built in 1924 as a Navy and Army YMCA, it has been thoughtfully updated to become an elegant boutique hotel. Guests can seek out bike rentals to explore the waterfront and downtown.
Where to Stay on Coronado Island and Imperial Beach
Discover iconic hotels and beachfront fun for all ages on Coronado Island and Imperial Beach.
Hotel del Coronado
The legendary Hotel del Coronado resides on one of America’s most iconic beaches, welcoming guests for over 134 years. This luxurious establishment serves as a fantastic home base for various coastal adventures on Coronado Island. Relax on the expansive porch or roast s’mores on the large sandy beach adjacent to the property. Exciting activities are always taking place at The Del.
Shore House at The Del
For a more exclusive overnight experience, consider Shore House at The Del, which offers a unique “hotel within a hotel” concept. It features 75 luxurious one, two, and three-bedroom villa-style seaside rooms with amenities such as a stunning zero-edge oceanfront pool. This property is situated on the grounds of Hotel Del, ensuring guests still enjoy access to the larger offerings of Hotel del Coronado.
Pier South Resort, Autograph Collection
Pier South Resort — a new boutique resort in Imperial Beach — captures the essence of sand and surf. This property is located south of downtown, offering guests breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from their cozy suites. Indulge at D’ames Spa or experience a culinary journey at SEA80˚ Coastal Tavern.
