Hotels in San Diego, CA

The best time to visit San Diego

Fall is the ideal time to come to California. Unlike the East Coast, California stays relatively warm year-round. Some tourists tend to linger into September, but for the most part, you can soak up the rays on San Diego beaches and enjoy the island tours without much interference if you come in August.

Getting around San Diego

Trolleys

At rush hour, you might feel as though you have parked your vehicle on the freeway! Instead, the fastest way around town is the trolley which takes you conveniently from end-to-end of San Diego for $2.50 USD per adult.

Book special tours for VIP-like access

If the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park are attractions to visit on your itinerary, book your travel ahead of time to unlock the special tour reservations. While Sea World does not require reservations for special tours, they have unique events you can only unlock if you book online and early.

Know the tax before you go

The hotel tax in the city is 10.5 percent. Hotels with 70 rooms or more charge 11.95 percent. The sales tax is 7.75 percent, which tends to surprise many visitors.

Best places to stay in San Diego

A luminous jewel in the Pacific coastline, San Diego is home to picturesque beaches and excellent climate year-round. No matter where you choose to stay, you wake up to the sea salt in the air and the legendary California sunshine. To plan the perfect beachfront escape, you have a few neighborhoods to consider before booking your hotel accommodation:

Gaslamp

The Gaslamp district is known as the hub of local nightlife. You get 16 sprawling blocks of modern skyscrapers sprinkled with Victorian-era buildings and some of the finest eateries in the city. Gaslamp is only a short walk from the Marina, but gives you a choice of hotels, including the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Gaslamp Marriott Quarter, and The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. In the Gaslamp quarter, you are surrounded by boutique shops and gourmet eateries, so expect to pay more for your stay here.

Old Town

Historic Old Town San Diego is rich in memories of the city’s past. It is a quaint strip that commemorates the early days of southern California. Grab your cowboy boots and hat, and step back into the old west where the sidewalks are made of wood and shopkeepers walk around in full costume. Historic Old Town has the Cosmopolitan Hotel, a Victorian-style chic hotel that tops off your historical adventures.

Little Italy

Of course this is a great place for Italian cuisine, but there is a lot more to enjoy here besides food. You can spend an entire day walking, soaking up the atmosphere, and feeling as though you’ve escaped the frantic pace of modern-day America to enjoy the tranquil charm of Venice. Most hotels are on the edge of Little Italy, but still offer a view of the ocean. La Pensione Hotel and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel are great options for Little Italy visitors.

Pacific Beach

Want to stroll along a California boardwalk like you see in your favorite movies? Bike or walk up the Pacific Beach region for gorgeous views and plenty of surf shops. Stay at the Red Roof Inn San Diego-Downtown or Holiday Inn Express San Diego Downtown and you will find yourself right on the water.

La Jolla

La Jolla has some of the better beaches in San Diego. On the cove, you find seals sprinkling the rocks, more than willing to share the water. On land, venture over to one of the beachside cafes on Prospect Avenue and dine on fresh seafood while watching the waves crashing ashore. Stay at the San Diego Marriott La Jolla or the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina nestled downtown and next door to the Birch Aquarium.

Coronado

Go paddle boarding, watch the magical sunset and you will be just a 5-minute drive from San Diego’s downtown core at this quaint little island. You need a ferry to get here, and once you arrive, you will not want to leave. The array of restaurants, scenic views, and the charming small town feel offer a feast for the senses. A stay here, even for just one night, is worth the price. Try Hotel del Coronado or the Spanish-style El Cordova Hotel on the coast.

Downtown

Downtown San Diego is not like your average metropolitan city center. While you have tall structures, you also have seaside views and the city’s buildings open up so that you can see the beautiful blue skies above. In the downtown area, you have a Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown or the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown next to Seaport Village. For a chic, upscale stay, try the Renaissance San Diego Hotel location.

Cheap hotels in San Diego

San Diego hotels range from the luxurious, expensive ones to absolutely affordable and even cheap places to stay. While California might be notorious for higher prices, the hotels here are more than aware that many travelers have tight budgets. Most of the city’s budget hotels are located by the San Diego Zoo and near the airport. However, you might be surprised at how many affordable hotels you have close to the waterfront too, like the Howard Johnson Inn just 2 blocks from the ocean. Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina sits on the coast, but is the cheapest hotel in the row. The Super 8 San Diego Hotel Circle borders Chula Vista, but it is possible to reach San Diego Bay in a matter of 10 minutes.

You may come to San Diego for the fun and the sun, but if that is all you think the city has to offer, you will be pleasantly surprised. When you have had your fair share of the beach or want to cool off in the shade, consider the indoor opportunities the city has to offer too.

• Catch a true California sunset by parking yourself at Sunset Cliffs. It is the perfect spot to sit, look out over the ocean, and even see dolphins jumping up in the waters.
• Learn to surf while you are there. Surfing is fun, incredibly rewarding, and even if you never become a pro surfer, you can at least say you tried!
• San Diego is home to the hottest whale-watching spots, and they catch the migration of all species along the coast. Catch a glimpse from shore or book a whale-watching tour for the full experience.
• Take a tour of Midway, which is more than just a large boat. In fact, you have 60 exhibits and 29 aircrafts to check out while you are there.
• Eat at the most iconic restaurants and drink the finest craft brews San Diego has to offer. As your San Diego “rite of passage”, visit the PB Shore Club for a vodka and Red Bull slushy. Even if you have to wait in line, it will be worth it to do so at Las Cuatro Milpas for some of the best Mexican cuisine on the California coast. At Suzie’s Farm, pick your strawberries fresh from the vine. Then visit the iconic Mr. Frostie for an ice cream or have a famous Mai Tai from Bali Hai Restaurant.