10 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.

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. 

As your best bet on Shelter Island, this former 1950s swim club pulls out all the stops as a waterfront resort with spacious rooms, two pools, private beach, spa, fitness center, and outstanding restaurant—making the marina view an added bonus rather than the main focus. Back in the '50s, the Kona Kai lured everyone from Jerry Lewis to Richard Nixon, and while “The Club” still exists, today you’ll find a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere and plenty of resort perks like an adult pool, nightly bonfires, and the Vessel Restaurant, specializing in coastal comfort food (try the lobster carbonara or seared scallops). A second lap pool has furnished cabanas and tiki bars. Rooms are well appointed, with art-deco touches and pops of turquoise throughout; most have balconies with views of either the adjacent marina or San Diego Bay. The $46 resort fee is worth every penny, covering endless complimentary services including fitness classes, beach cruisers, charging stations, coffee service, and more.  Request room 278 for the best view, a soaking tub, fireplace, and the most space in the house for just a fraction more.

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.

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.

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.

With its rambling California mission–style architecture and brilliant gardens, this resort on what once was a famous equestrian ranch exudes rustic elegance. In 2024, Estancia unveiled a $26 million renovation, adding two new culinary concepts including The Trading Post Café and The Palma Pool Bar—both of which complement the refurbished pool deck and cabanas. Pet-friendly rooms have private lawns for four-legged friends and include pet-packages with grain-free munchies and plush beds. Slightly removed from downtown La Jolla, there are plenty of in-house dining options set around an antique hacienda with adobe brick. Tucked within the nine acres are secret gardens where weekend yoga is held, and an outdoor games library where you can make your move under a starry sky. The Torrey Pines Golf Course is less than 1 mile from the hotel.

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.

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.