Where To Stay In San Diego [Best Neighborhoods & Hotels]

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San Diego is known for its balmy beaches, art galleries and museums, sprawling urban parks, theme parks, and renowned zoo. It’s also made up of many bustling and diverse neighborhoods, which can make figuring out where to stay in San Diego a headache for first time visitors.

We’ve visited San Diego several times and always like to check out a new area every time we go, so we’re well placed to give you an overview on the best districts and neighborhoods to stay in.

In this detailed guide, we share the best neighborhoods and best places to stay in San Diego for all budgets and travel styles, to hopefully save you time and money.

crowds of people on ocean beach san diego Ocean Beach, San Diego

At a glance: where to stay in San Diego

If it’s your first time visiting San Diego, you might be looking at the most popular places, such as downtown and La Jolla.

Some of these neighborhoods put you within walking distance to the main attractions, restaurants, cafes, eateries, bars, and have easy access to public transportation, others are more on the road less travelled. But all of them are family-friendly.

So, let’s break each neighborhood down for you:

Where to stay for first time visitors: Downtown
Where to stay for trendy vibes: La Jolla
Where to stay for beaches: Pacific Beach
Where to stay for watersports: Mission Beach/Mission Bay
Where to stay for entertainment: Gaslamp Quarter
Where to stay for couples: Coronado

Where to stay for first time visitors: Downtown

downtown san diego

Downtown San Diego is where most people choose to stay for their first visit as it puts you close to the main attractions and has excellent transport links.

The Downtown district is made up of Little Italy, East Village, and the historic Gaslamp Quarter. It has a lively nightlife scene and a multicultural vibe.

Foodies will love the choice of restaurants and bars here, and it’s also where you’ll find performing arts venues and music venues, such as the Civic Theatre.

As well as being a lively place at night, in the day you can explore some of San Diego’s most historic landmarks and attractions, such as see the tall ships at the Maritime Museum and the historic USS Midway.

It’s also where you’ll find Petco Park baseball stadium, Embarcadero Marina Park South for scenic walks at sunset, and the San Diego Air & Space Museum. You can also easily reach San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Balboa Park from here.

Holiday Inn Express – Downtown San Diego

Holiday Inn Express - Downtown San Diego

Holiday Inn Express is only just two blocks from the San Diego Trolley. It also offers free shuttle service to the iconic San Diego Zoo, the San Diego airport, and more.

Wake up to a complimentary hot breakfast bar including scrambled eggs and bacon. Each room has a nice desk, ergonomic chair, and pillowtop mattresses.

The Little Italy Hotel in Downtown San Diego

Stay within walking distance from Little Italy and the San Diego Air and Space Museum at The Little Italy Hotel in Downtown San Diego, which is known for its excellent customer service and comfy rooms. It is located in between the San Diego Bay and Balboa Park.

Enjoy a restful night’s sleep on their signature Sweet Dreams beds, work out in the the state-of-the-art fitness center, or swim in the heated outdoor pool. This place is amazing!

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

Hard Rock hotels are known for always being right in the middle of the action and this one does not disappoint. It has an amazing rooftop pool deck and an active nightlife. Then, pamper yourself at the on-site spa the next day.

This is just a 6-minute walk from Petco Park and the San Diego Convention Center.

Hilton Garden Inn

You can always count on the Hilton Garden Inn to have amazing food and be centrally located near fun things to do.

This one has a rooftop pool with breathtaking views of San Diego. You can also indulge in their spa and fitness center. It is only 1.9 miles away from the San Diego International Airport.

The US Grant, A Luxury Collection Hotel

From the stunning courtyard to the breathtaking lobby to the beautiful guest suites, your stay at The US Grant Hotel will be unforgettable.

Book an in-room massage or sweat it off in the hotel’s large fitness center. Everything in this hotel was created to make travelers feel relaxed and taken care of.

Where to stay for trendy vibes: La Jolla

La Jolla Cove, San Diego

La Jolla is an incredibly scenic, seaside town to the north of downtown San Diego. It’s where you want to stay if you prefer beaches to city scapes, as well as hiking and surfing instead of museum hopping.

One of the most popular attractions in on the La Jolla shores are the sandstone canyons in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, a great place to go hiking. You will also find some award-winning golf courses in La Jolla, and plenty of windswept beaches to bask on.

People travel from all over the USA and the world to see the rugged coastline of La Jolla Tide Pools, La Jolla Cove, or going shell-hunting along Shell Beach.

It’s also where you will find Birch Aquarium, Tourmaline Surf Park, and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

Empress Hotel

The Empress Hotel is a European boutique-style hotel and is just a short 10-minute walk to the ocean. You can also enjoy complimentary continental breakfast every morning with gourmet coffee.

When you stay here, you are just 1.5 miles from Jim’s Cave and La Jolla Underwater Park.

Sheraton La Jolla

Right in the heart of La Jolla is the picturesque Sheraton hotel.

Surrounded by lovely palm trees and tropical greenery, the Sheraton offers a comforting place to stay. It has plenty of meeting spaces too, in case you need to host a small conference or family reunion.

Grande Colonial La Jolla

Grande Colonial La Jolla, San Diego

This gorgeous San Diego hotel is just a 5-minute walk from the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. But if you want to stay in, you can enjoy room service from the amazing NINE-TEN Restaurant.

This is perfectly located just a short 20-minute drive from SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo.

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

If you love experiencing fine dining, then this is the hotel for you. The boutique Estancia Hotel and Spa has 3 on-site restaurants. Plus it also has an outdoor pool and a spa and wellness center.

Do you love to golf? Estancia is just 2 miles from the Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course.

Where to stay for beaches: Pacific Beach

Pacific Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the city and is nestled between La Jolla and Mission Beach, making it the ideal location for those who want to be close to the best beaches in San Diego.

There’s a popular bike path and a paved boardwalk right along the Pacific Ocean, which is flanked by restaurants and boutique shops where you can enjoy food and shopping.

It’s a family-friendly beach with lots to do nearby, such as relax in Crown Point Park, surf from Law Street Beach, and catch a sunset from Pacific Beach pier while exotic birds fly infront of your serene ocean views.

Tower 23 Hotel

hotel on the beach

The Tower 23 Hotel literally sits right on the beach. Imagine waking up to the sound of the waves, right out your hotel room!

Not only that, but you can also enjoy in-room spa services and feast on the hotel’s in-house steak restaurant.

Where to stay for watersports: Mission Beach

South Draft Mission, San Diego

Just south of Pacific Beach is the Mission Bay/Mission Beach neighborhood, which is a laid-back area.

This beach attracts surfers and families year-round, as Mission Bay is a popular spot for water sports. It’s ideal for those looking to get the best waves in the city.

Some popular things to do here are walk along the Mission Beach Boardwalk, stopping in the amusement arcades and shopping in the boutique stores, and relaxing at Mission Point Park.

It’s also where you’ll find SeaWorld San Diego, and several small islands inside Mission Bay where you can water ski from or just enjoy the urban parks.

The Dana on Mission Bay

This amazing hotel is located on 10 tropically landscaped acres near Mission Bay. Some rooms even overlook that lovely marina with the sparkling water.

The hotel staff is super helpful. They can make arrangements for tours, dinner reservations, and attraction tickets.

Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina

The Hyatt is elegance and luxury and comfort all rolled into one.

Not only do they have an environmentally-friendly spa, but there is an on-site marina where you can park your yacht (or watch others park their yachts here). You can also rent jet-skis or join a whale-watching excursion.

Their rooms have private balconies with stunning views of the water.

Where to stay for couples: Coronado

Coronado Beach

Coronado is a resort city on a peninsula in San Diego Bay. The biggest draw to this neighborhood is the high-end and romantic Victorian Hotel del Coronado, which opened in 1888.

There is a lovely beach, Coronado Beach, which is a good beach to catch the surf or simply enjoying sunbathing on the white sand beach.

There’s also some excellent shopping links in The Coronado Ferry Landing. Head to Centennial Park for romantic views of San Diego’s skyline.

Hotel del Coronado

If you’re on a romantic break, then you may want to splurge on this historic bayfront hotel with first-class amenities and exceptional service. In fact, the red-roof on the main building is a National Historic Landmark.

It has a number of modern luxuries, such as concierge staff, and beach-side massages. There is an outdoor pool, private beach, Del Beach, and bar-to-beach service.

Glorietta Bay Inn

If you cannot splurge for the Hotel del Coronado, the Glorietta Bay Inn is the next best thing. This quaint and charming 3-star boutique hotel overlooks Coronado Bay and has an outdoor pool, hot tub, and individually styled rooms.

It can also arrange child care so you can enjoy a date night.

Best Western Plus Suites Hotel Coronado Island

Ideally located near Coronado city centre and Coronado City Beach, the Best Western has comfortable rooms and modern amenities.

It boasts free parking, a 24-hour front desk, and being a stones throw from some of the top attractions, such as The North Island Naval Air Station and Naval Amphibious Base.

Where to stay for entertainment: Gaslamp Quarter

Although technically part of Downtown, we have to give an honorable mention to the historic Gaslamp Quarter, as this is the historic center of the city and the place to go for excellent food, attractions, and nightlife.

It has a number of historic landmarks to check out, such as Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House, as well as clubs, dive bars and cocktail lounges.

Here you will find all your evening entertainment, as the Spreckels Theatre, The Geoffrey Off Broadway, Balboa Theatre, San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego Symphony, and Tenth Avenue Arts Center are all in the area.

Although famed for its evening entertainment, it’s not a bad place for families either. It’s home to The New Children’s Museum and San Diego Children’s Park. Horton Plaza Park is also located here and has a cool interactive fountain that kids love.

Gaslamp Plaza Suites

Gaslamp Plaza Suites, San Diego

Stay right in the heart of the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter. Gaslamp Plaza Suites was built in 1913. When you stay here, you will stay in a historical, European-styled hotel, oh the stories it could tell!

Not only is the Melting Pot restaurant on-site, but it also has a stunning Syrah Wine Parlor too.

Andaz San Diego, by Hyatt

Experience luxury at The Andaz, a downtown hotel with class!

It was crafted to blend seamlessly with the rest of the artsy Gaslamp district. Every line in the furniture and even the design of the walls and showers all reflect the modern culture of San Diego.

There are so many wonderful luxuries here. You can hire a cabana to relax by the rooftop swimming pool, or eat at the on-site STK steakhouse.

The Westin San Diego

The Westin San Diego is very popular with tourists. Just like other Westin hotels across the USA, this one is beautifully designed with impeccable attention to detail.

Guest rooms include a relaxing rainforest shower with a hand-held wand. You can also relax at the outdoor pool or hot tub or enjoy the complimentary Starbucks coffee inside your room.

The criteria for choosing the best hotels

In case you’re wondering what criteria we use when picking hotels, we usually follow the same principals. First, we always share places we’ve stayed in ourselves and have enjoyed. If we don’t like somewhere, typically we just don’t recommend it!

Secondly, we follow the following criteria when picking a hotel. It’s rarely failed for us and we always end up having a good night’s stay when all these boxes are ticked: