21 Best Hotels in San Diego, California

Near the Ferry Landing, this snazzy hotel has rooms with great Downtown skyline views. A renovation in 2015 provided a revamped lobby with sofas for lounging, grounds with tropical plants, and a redesigned pool area with a bar where you can catch sports games. The spacious rooms and suites are situated in low-slung buildings redone in a cheerful island-inspired fashion. Families in need of more space can book one of the resort's 20 cottages, which have kitchenettes and small living rooms. Their on-site spa offers 10 treatment rooms while a two-story fitness center boasts state-of-the-art equipment, pickleball courts, and daily (complimentary) fitness classes.

With amenities like kitchens and a business center, most guests stay at least four nights, turning this all-suites hotel into a home. The in-room kitchens have everything from measuring cups to dishware, and there's a small on-site market where guests can stock up on supplies. Located in Liberty Station, the hotel has a bit of a suburban feel, but the outdoor common area has a pool, barbecue grills, and half-court basketball. There's a full hot breakfast daily and an evening reception Wednesday from 5 to 7 PM.

As much of a draw today as it was when it opened in 1888, the Victorian-style "Hotel Del" is always alive with activity, as guests—including U.S. presidents and celebrities—and tourists marvel at the fanciful architecture and ocean views. About half the accommodations are in the more charming, original Victorian building, which underwent major restorations that were completed in 2025: rooms in the newly remodeled The Cabanas building overlooking the pool have a contemporary feel and The Views building has remodeled rooms and suites with glass balcony railings for unobstructed ocean views. These rooms are closer to the pool and the beach, making them a good option for families. In the more secluded and exclusive Beach Village area, villas and cottages feature full kitchens, private terraces, and several bedroom configurations, plus access to a private pool. Spa guests also get access to the spa's infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Renowned sushi restaurant Nobu opened at the hotel in 2025. 

Newly updated after a multimillion-dollar renovation, the Town and Country Resort—a staple of Hotel Circle since 1953—has been given a second life while returning to its stylish roots. Its more than 600 rooms have been spruced up with mid-century modern furniture and a splash of color, while its grounds, rife with a new waterslide pool and various outdoor activities, look brand new. The hotel features a fitness center, lawn games, and wellness classes. It also features five restaurants and bars, including modern Mexican cuisine at Lapper Kitchen and Bar and Mediterranean fine dining at Arlo.

Escape to this peaceful 14-acre peninsula with a private beach in Mission Bay. Some rooms are quieter than others; opt for the Garden View or Courtside Garden rooms for more privacy. All rooms and suites include flat-screen TVs and amenities like a mini-refrigerator and coffeemaker. By day, take advantage of the large pool and hot tub; by night, book a Bayside Bonfire experience with firewood, chairs, and s'mores included. For something to get the adrenaline flowing, Action Sports Rentals rents powerboats, kayaks, paddleboards, and bikes.

Perched on a hill in the heart of Old Town, this hotel is known for its expansive courtyards, outdoor fountains, and maze of stairs that connects eight buildings of guest rooms. Rooms are decorated in a Southwestern style with colorful artwork and wood shutters; suites include two rooms and a kitchenette. The property is within walking distance of many eateries, and the on-site restaurant, the Old Town Tequila Factory, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

With tennis courts, two pools, jogging paths, fitness center, and complimentary bike rentals, this waterfront hotel is a natural fit for healthy travelers. Skylights, a waterfall, and a Thai theme expressed in gilt carvings and golden statues brighten the property's tiny but airy lobby. Harbor and marina-view rooms are decorated in simple whites and earth tones, and most of the suites are equipped with full kitchens. Despite the central location, the two heated pools and room service make it challenging to leave the hotel. Happy hour at Blue Wave Bar & Grill, the on-site restaurant, is popular for the seafood with SoCal flair.

Tiki torches light the way through grounds thick with tropical foliage to the six two-story buildings and the 14-story high-rise on Mission Bay known for its bayfront location and activities. The Polynesian theme continues in the guest rooms, which all have either a balcony or a patio to enjoy the sea breezes. The Catamaran Spa offers Hawaiian-style massages, ginger-root detox wraps, and sugar body scrubs. The fitness center looks out on the bay; kayaks, pedal boats and other craft are available for rent from the hotel's dock. Among the resort's many summertime activities are Hawaiian luau and bay cruises aboard the Bahia Belle stern-wheeler. A champagne brunch is held every Sunday in the Oceana Coastal Kitchen restaurant.

Close to the restaurants and shops of Liberty Station, this family-friendly hotel spares travelers the extra fees charged by most Downtown and coastal lodgings. Guest rooms have a contemporary style with HDTVs, iHome docking stations, Keurig coffeemakers, and mini-refrigerators; about a third of the rooms have balconies. Convenient amenities include a laundry room, Starbucks coffee, and a free airport shuttle. A casual on-site restaurant serves breakfast and dinner daily. Even if it's chilly, you can lounge by the pool, which has firepits and an indoor-outdoor area with comfortable seating. Customer service is top-notch, and the relaxing common areas around the hotel make you forget you're just five minutes from the airport.

This is not your typical Courtyard by Marriott, as the building has a historic past—it was the home of San Diego Trust and Savings Bank in 1928. Today much of the original lobby layout remains—you can even see where the teller cages once stood—and the elaborately stenciled ceiling matches the one in the hotel's presidential suite, which once served as the office for the building's original architect, William Templeton Johnson. Downstairs, the old vaults (with safe deposit boxes intact) serve as meeting rooms. The guest rooms feature contemporary decor and convenient amenities such as free Wi-Fi, microwaves, and work stations; some even have sofa sleepers for extra guests. It takes around 15 minutes to walk to Petco Park from the lobby, with plenty of eateries and bars on the way to stop and grab a bite or drink beforehand. 

Rustic little oases with a charm all their own, the beachy cottages may lack some of the amenities of comparably priced hotels, but you're paying for character and proximity to the ocean—these lodgings are literally on the pier. Crystal Pier, a Pacific Beach landmark, had its grand opening in 1927; 10 years later, the first of the blue-and-white cottages were built. The well-maintained units sleep two to six people; most have kitchens and private decks. Call 11 months in advance for summer reservations. There's a minimum-stay requirement of three nights from mid-June through September, two nights the rest of the year.

This waterfront resort, just down the road from SeaWorld, has an ideal location for active leisure travelers. The Water's Edge suites have wet bars, bay views, balconies, and sofa sleepers—great for families—while some of the Marina Cove rooms have private patios that overlook the pool area. There's plenty to keep groups occupied: two pools (plus a poolside bar), water-sports rentals, and a restaurant with great views. The resort also provides shuttle service to SeaWorld and Dive In movies at their Bayside Pool (nightly at sunset). The Dana is also known as San Diego's most pet-friendly hotel.

The main building on this property is an Edwardian-style mansion built in 1908 for sugar baron John D. Spreckels, who once owned much of Downtown San Diego. Rooms in the mansion and in the newer motel-style buildings are quaintly furnished; some have patios or balconies. The inn is adjacent to the Coronado harbor and near many restaurants and shops, but it's much smaller and quieter than the Hotel Del, across the street. Complimentary breakfast is served each morning; coffee, tea, and fruit are available throughout the day; and seasonal afternoon refreshments make for a nice pick-me-up (hot chocolate during the winter and lemonade on hotter days).

Modern decor, spacious rooms, convenient location, and endless amenities make this property the best bet for travelers wanting a little bit of everything in one hotel. Within walking distance of Liberty Public Market, it’s adjacent to San Diego Airport. Hot breakfast, a swimming pool, fitness center, laundry facilities, on-site market, and coffee/hot cocoa bar are just a few of the bonuses to the reasonable room rates. Although the hotel has plenty of amenities, the rooms are somewhat sparse, but comfortable and spotless, with aviation artwork adorning the wall. The proximity to Downtown—just 3 miles away—and the airport make this hotel a top choice for business travelers and early-or-late flight arrivals.

Two brands from Hilton Hotels share a building in Little Italy two blocks from the bay, giving guests more space to spread out and be relatively within budget. Hilton Garden Inn rooms occupy the right side of the floor, while the larger Homewood Suites are on the left side. Both brands offer free Wi-Fi and room service, as well as a shared 24/7 grab-and-go market, the Pacific Standard Coastal Kitchen restaurant (dinner only), and access to a heated outdoor rooftop pool. The 160 Homewood Suites have full kitchens and larger layouts, along with daily breakfast buffet and an evening reception Monday through Thursday, making it more ideal for longer stays. Some of the 204 Hilton Garden Inn rooms have bay views and sleeper sofas.

This contemporary 30-story hotel overlooking San Diego Bay strives for a boutique feel. Rooms are modern and spacious with views of either the bay or the port. All rooms have large work desks, perfect for industrious business travelers while families will enjoy the heated saltwater pool and kids-only splash pad. The hotel also has a full-service spa and fitness center. Trolley tours of the city stop at the hotel; joggers will like the waterfront 3-mile path that winds over to Seaport Village.

This 19-acre bayside property has many desirable amenities, including three pools with waterslides and proximity to Mission Bay and SeaWorld. Recently refreshed rooms in the main tower and older rooms in the low-level, lanai-style buildings both feature a neutral color scheme and clean-lined furniture, quilt-top beds, and flat-screen TVs. The Red Marlin Restaurant & Terrace serves seasonal, seafood-heavy cuisine with 180-degree water views; the full-service spa offers massages, treatments, and other packages for a day of pampering.

You can park your boat at the 80-slip marina of this romantic retreat set on a secluded 15-acre peninsula on the Silver Strand. Rooms glow in sand-and-sea hues; most standard rooms and all suites have furnished balconies with water views. You can rent watercraft—including WaveRunners, Duffy boats, sailboats, and motorboats—and get out on the water or luxuriate by the tropical oasis that surrounds three pools. The 10,000-square-foot Sea Spa features a tranquil garden area with a hot tub and Watsu water massages. Exercise classes range from yoga to bootcamp, and the resort also rents out kayaks, paddleboats, stand-up paddleboards, and bikes.

Primarily a draw for business travelers, this hotel between Seaport Village and the convention center also works well for leisure and family travelers. All rooms have water views, modern furnishings, and windows that open to the coastal breeze. Two pools, several sports courts for basketball, tennis, and volleyball, a spa, a 24-hour market, and seven restaurants and bars mean you don't have to leave the hotel. But, if you do leave, the trolley station is one block away, and the Gaslamp's clubs and restaurants are within walking distance. Sally's Fish House & Bar offers locally sourced seafood and has a picture-perfect patio on the waterfront while The Landing is a great spot to sip a craft cocktail.  Be sure to catch at least one sunset from the Top of the Hyatt bar on the 40th floor.

Minutes from SeaWorld but hidden in a quiet part of Mission Bay, the beautiful landscape of this 44-acre resort offers plenty of space for families to play and relax. The botanical gardens have ponds, waterfalls, footbridges, waterfowl, and more than 600 varieties of tropical plants—a pleasant backdrop for the island-inspired spa. Many opportunities for recreation are available—there are five pools, including one just for adults—two pickleball courts, two tennis courts, and an 18-hole miniature golf course. Ground-floor bungalow-style rooms are outfitted with flat-screen plasma TVs, mini-refrigerators, and a sleek navy-and-white palette.

A modern take on the beachfront motel, the Wayfarer (formerly the Blue Sea Beach hotel) has Pacific Beach's best oceanfront pool and jacuzzi, plus a wide choice of room configurations. Guest rooms feature colorful, surf-inspired decor, big flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning and private balconies.