15 Best Hotels in San Diego, California

This white-wedding-cake-style hotel in the heart of La Jolla Village has ocean views and charming European details that include chandeliers, mahogany railings, a wooden elevator, crystal doorknobs, and French doors. The hotel was built in 1913 and expanded and redesigned in the mid-1920s; newer additions feature larger suites, all with full kitchens and fireplaces and stocked with luxury bath products and snack baskets. Without compromising the integrity of the past, rooms have been modernized in a tasteful palette of royal blue and muted yellow; request a corner room with large windows framing the ocean. Although most guests request the historic main building, all five areas of the property pay tribute to the swanky 1920s Beverly Hills vibe. Cruise La Jolla in the hotel's courtesy golf cart, or stroll the hallways lined with black-and-white portraits of La Jolla's past. The hotel's restaurant, Nine-Ten, run by chef Jason Knibb, is well-liked by locals for its fresh, seasonal California cuisine. A daily $45 resort fee includes hospitality extras like valet parking, in-room snacks, use of bicycles, a Chromebook, access to a neighboring fitness center, beach gear, local transportation, and complementary coffee-to-go.

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. 

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.

A new boutique, luxury property that opened in 2025, The Bower is a short walk to Coronado Beach and downtown, bringing the island its first rooftop bar and restaurant
called Dive. Rooms at this adult-focused property feature plush bedding and towels and luxury in-room amenities. There are free pastries and coffee for guests on each floor, each morning.

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.

After an $80 million renovation completed in 2019, the historic Italian Renaissance-style building—a former YMCA building used exclusively by military servicemen—updated all 162 rooms and suites, keeping plenty of nods to its military history like vintage photographs behind the lobby bar and original tile work. Once an underground pool now an event space, the subterranean floor also contains 10 especially quiet guest rooms and an old-fashioned barber shop. Thanks to the courthouse just a stone's throw away from the hotel and numerous reservable breakout areas, many travelers are here on business, where they can enjoy all meals from the lobby restaurant inside the plush indoor seating area or in one of the two adjoining courtyards. 

The moment you experience the cozy lounge spaces and wood accents of the Hilton's modern and sophisticated lobby, you realize this isn't your run-of-the-mill chain hotel—room perks include pillow-top mattresses, down comforters, and spacious work desks. Grab a drink at Wild Hare Bar Lounge, or order one to arrive poolside at the heated outdoor pool. The vibe feels more boutique than resort, and you can't beat the location: the trolley whizzes by, the convention center is across the street, and nightlife and restaurants are just outside your door.

This elegant "Pink Lady" drew Hollywood film stars in the 1930s and ’40s with its setting and views of La Jolla Cove; today it draws a clientele with an appreciation for timeless perfection in concierge service, pool-deck libations, and valet attendants who greet you by name.  Rooms are small but handsome; most suites have balconies and imported linens, including the Sky Suite with 180-degree views of the Pacific. The airy villas have generous bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs and dual sinks. The personal attention provided by the staff guarantees a pleasurable stay. Its signature restaurant, The Mediterranean Room, offers a California coastal menu, while The Whaling Bar serves craft cocktails in a 1940s swanky setting. Other La Jolla establishments are steps away, but be sure to have a drink while gazing at the ocean from La Sala Lobby Lounge, a lavish space with live music Thursday through Sunday.

Best known for its location adjacent to two 18-hole championship golf courses, this beautiful Craftsman-style lodge sits on a bluff between La Jolla and Del Mar with commanding coastal views, excellent service, a blissful spa, and the upscale AR Valentien restaurant (named after a San Diego artist of the early 1900s), which serves seasonal farm-to-table California cuisine. The warm and understated rooms are spacious and decorated with antiques, Stickley-style furniture, fabrics, leathers, and reproduction turn-of-the-20th-century pieces. Beyond the grounds are scenic trails that lead to the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. The village of La Jolla is a 10-minute drive away, which you can reach by way of the Lodge's complimentary luxury car service.

Travelers love this terrific beachfront hotel and the ocean views from most rooms as well as the pool; it's a perfect place for watching sunsets over the Pacific. A two-year-long renovation completed in 2024 yielded refreshed rooms with Tommy Bahama-style decor, marble counters, and flat-screen TVs. Each room has either a private balcony or a patio, and even the smallest room is fairly large.

Located along La Jolla coastline with ocean views from almost every corner, this sophisticated, Bali-inspired inn offers a mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom suites, and cottages. Diverging from the pastel, beachy-chic vibe that dominates neighboring properties, Pantai’s decor features dark mahogany canopy beds, South Asian artwork, fireplaces, and copper sinks that give the property a retreat-like experience that extends to the inn’s stellar service and refusal to nickel-and-dime guests; complimentary amenities include Wi-Fi, breakfast, beach amenities, and beverages in the lobby. Beyond the courtyard fountains are tropical-chic rooms with Tommy Bahama-esque furnishings, river-rock rain showers, and amenities like 60'' flat-screen TVs, fireplaces, and full kitchens. Although the spacious suites appeal to groups, Pantai’s serene atmosphere is not the ideal property for small children. 

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.

The 22-story Marriott sits amid the Gaslamp's restaurants and boutiques, near a trolley station, the convention center, and Petco Park. The Marriott has sweeping views of Downtown and the waterfront as well as right into the ballpark. You can take in the entire panorama from Altitude, the swanky rooftop bar that's popular among travelers and locals. Rooms offer luxury linens, flat-screen TVs, laptop safes, and Starbucks coffee, and there's fast Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. The restaurant, Soleil @k, emphasizes simply prepared fresh produce and meats and offers weekend brunch.

You'd be wise to make reservations well in advance for this small, quiet inn tucked away on Coast Boulevard atop Whale Watch Point; its popularity with repeat visitors ensures that it's booked year-round. Across from the Museum of Contemporary Art, the inn is a short walk from La Jolla Cove’s snorkeling and tide pools, and it's common to wake up to the sound of the ocean waves. Rooms are done in a beige-and-blue beachy style with plantation shutters, ocean views, and flat-screen TVs. 

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.