Welcome to San Diego, where you can expect sun all year round, except during May Gray, June Gloom, and the unpredictable rain schedule. What you can count on? RAD places to stay. With so many hotels in San Diego, we are here to narrow down your search with the five best hotels in San Diego.
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Hotel Del Coronado
📍Coronado Island
Pricey? Very much so. And that’s BEFORE you add on their beach chair rentals, fire pit s’mores, or check out one of their on site restaurants. However, if you’re looking for a hotel that has it all – tons of events, fitness activities (like beach yoga!), and is located in the most walkable town, the Hotel Del Coronado is for you.
It’s been continuously renovated over the years to keep its historic charm while simultaneously keeping up with the needs of the modern traveler. IE enough plugs for your smartphone, laptop, hair styling, etc. The hotel can be seen from the bridge into Coronado and is LIT over the holidays.
Coronado also made our list of Best beaches in San Diego, so take a few steps from the Del to the beach, dip your toes in the sea and soak up the possibility of sunshine. Disclaimer, this beach is longggggg so when we say “take a few steps,” pack up the wagon. It is a trek to get to the water.
Pendry San Diego
📍Downtown San Diego
If you’re looking for the best area to stay in San Diego, Downtown is it. The Pendry San Diego is located in the gaslamp quarters and boasts some of the best views of the Downtown skyline. The contemporary hotel is as beautiful as it is accessible. As lavish as the hotel is, you’ll probably spend more time out of it. Indulge in the downtown hustle and bustle with great food and entertainment.
Take an 11 minute stroll to Vin De Syrah where you’ll find the Gas Lamp’s Alice in Wonderland-inspired hidden lounge which landed on our Best Speakeasies in San Diego roundup. You’ll be leaving with a cheshire cat sized grin and a camera roll of instagrammable cocktails.
From Pendry, it is a 5 minute walk to Petco Park. Grab tickets for a Padres game, go for the love of the game and maybe catch a win and a fireworks show. Petco Park also has a great lineup of summer concerts and has been home to legendary performers such as Madonna, Paul McCartney, the Stones, and Taylor Swift. By staying at the Pendry you’ll save on parking cost. Even if you don’t catch a ball game, chances are high you’ll still see the fireworks.
Pacific View Inn
📍Mission Beach
We get asked if Mission Beach is a good area to stay in San Diego. If you’re all about the San Diego surfer culture, this is absolutely where you should be.
A local’s stay, the Pacific View Inn is more affordable while also being straight on the beach which is why it made our list of best hotels in San Diego. The newly renovated Inn is located across from the boardwalk with ocean front views AND has parking. A rare commodity in Pacific Beach. On the 2.3-mile Mission Beach Boardwalk you’ll find cool shops, bars, and restaurants. Keep your eyes out for cyclists and roller skaters in american flag speedos whizzing past you.
The Inn vibe is very beachy, with rooms splashed in blue, driftwood colored floors, and a quaint patio set up to watch the sunset. Kick up your feet on the community firepit and pop open a Stone IPA to get the full experience.
While you’re staying at Pacific View Inn, take a 10 minute stroll and enjoy a mimosa flight from Crushed and the glorious PB people watching along the way. From passersby dressed going to sunrise yoga or in their walk of shame, everyone’s still having a good time.
Hyatt Vacation Club at The Welk
📍Escondido
You can never go wrong with a Hyatt, can you say AMENITIES?! You can basically live in this hotel with their eight swimming pools, two golf courses, and games in the sports yard. There is basketball, sand volleyball, tennis, and pickleball courts, a water slide, and spa.
After you’ve made the most out of the hotel, make your way into the city. There are a ton of things to do in Escondido! For our animal enthusiast, spend a day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. There are more than 3,000 different animals from more than 300 different species, including giraffes, rhinos, gorillas, cheetahs, zebras, lions and tigers, OH MY! Lace up your walking shoes, the park is HUGE! Best to take the Africa Tram to connect with wildlife on a closer level.
Other options to spend your day in Escondido include visiting a winery, spending an extended afternoon at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens, or take a hike on one of the Trails in San Dieguito River Park. Most importantly, Escondido gets HOT! After any of your excursions, the Hyatt will be there for you to cool off in one of their, dare we say it again, EIGHT pools!
Urban Boutique Hotel
📍Little Italy
This contemporary hotel ranks #1 on THE 10 BEST Hotels in Little Italy. It is a small, no frills, European style facility, which allows the staff to focus more on the guest experience.
On your way to the hotel, stop by James Coffee Co. which received 39 votes from our followers for Favorite Coffee Shop in San Diego. James Coffee Co. is renowned for its single-origin beans and exclusive, expertly crafted coffee blends. Bean there, done that.
A five mile walk from the Urban Boutique Hotel is arguably the best ramen in San Diego – Underbelly. Get the Belly of the Beast Ramen and ghost peppers if you’re looking for something spicy. They also have several good vegetarian options.
Did your favorite stay make our list of best hotels in San Diego? Let us know where you’re going and what you want to see next!
