More Accommodation Guides In California
Travel Planning Resources
Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.
Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner
Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor
Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO.
Travel Insurance: Don’t leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:
- World Nomads – Digital Nomads or Frequent Travelers.
- Allianz – Occasional Travelers.
- Medjet – Global air medical transport and travel security.
Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.
Old Town Best Place To Stay In San Diego For First
Old Town San Diego is The birthplace of California. As you can guess from the name, is a historic part of San Diego that was the first Spanish settlement in the early 1800s. Before that, it was an important area for the Kumeyaay Native Americans. Old Town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
What makes Old Town so interesting today is that its retained its charm and style of architecture. Many San Diegans believe that Old Town is haunted, with most ghosts residing in the Whaley House.
You can spend your time browsing through museums, visiting the Mission, sampling Mexican food, and listening to live music from a mariachi band. Old Town is perfect for visitors of all ages interested in food, history, folklore, and have a great imagination.
San Diego Geography Overview
San Diego covers a lot of land, with county lines stretching all the way through Anza-Borrego State Park on the east. That said, for visitors, the best neighborhoods in San Diego to visit and stay in are generally along the coast. In addition to the beaches which is why most people choose to visit San Diego! most of the main sights are located closer to the coast.
A section of the southern coastal area is where most of the sights people associate with San Diego are located.
Here, you have Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, the USS Midway, the Coronado Bridge, Hotel del Coronado, Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, and more . With all of this in mind, if youre visiting San Diego for the first time, youll likely want to stay closer to this area if hitting up these iconic spots is important to you.
The northern coastal area of the county has fewer must-see sights compared to south county, but there are still lots of great beach towns that are fun to visit. Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Del Mar each have lively town centers with lots of excellent restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops.
Since they have a lot to offer on their own and since theyre just steps away from the beach these areas are still popular for tourists.
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How Do I Get To San Diego Family Hotels Without Renting A Car
If your kids do not require a car seat, its very easy to use rideshare apps to get to your hotel from the San Diego International Airport. If you need a car seat, its best to arrange a car service as most have car seats. Your concierge can help with this. I also have a guide to San Diego car services that we like.
Where Not To Stay In San Diego
When figuring out the best areas to stay in San Diego, a general rule of thumb is that you wont want to stay too far inland.
This is true even for those not planning on spending any time at the beach. Most of the places of interest in San Diego are located closer to the coast, so youll just be spending a lot of time in the car if youre far from these areas. If youre looking at accommodations as far east as Poway or El Cajon, youve gone too far!
Theres also no need to stay anywhere south of Downtown San Diego. This section of the county is mostly residential, so it isnt too exciting for visitors. The same can be said of anywhere north of Carlsbad.
Thats all folks! With that, youve got the inside scoop on five great neighborhoods to stay in for your trip to San Diego. Any one of them would be a great choice it just depends on what combination of amenities and location youre looking for.
Plan an Unforgettable California Adventure
Heading to California?Weve got all sorts of super detailed, in-depth California travel guides written by locals to help you plan an amazing trip.
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Where Should I Stay In San Diego With A Baby
The family hotels in San Diego that I work with provide complimentary cribs or Pack n Plays. Babysitting is available. If youre looking for a kids club that takes babies, guests of Omni La Costa can reserve two hours per day of supervised play for ages 6 months to three years through its Kidtopia nursery .
Many of these hotels also can provide microwaves and refrigeration for baby milk in addition to babyproofing and other helpful baby amenities by request.
Scripps Inn La Jolla Cove
555 Coast Blvd S, La Jolla, CA 920374-Star Hotel|$$$|Complimentary WiFi|Book here
Another boutique property just steps from La Jollas world-renowned beaches is the Scripps Inn La Jolla Cove. This warm and charming inn with its colorful bougainvillea represents quintessential Southern California charm in a laid-back, intimate setting. Its so easy to fall in love with this innone of La Jollas best-kept secrets.
The 14-room, two-floor property features one and two-bedroom deluxe rooms and suites with quaint seating areas, some with kitchenettes and fireplaces. Each is well-appointed with beach-inspired décor. An outdoor terrace is the perfect place to share a bottle of wine or champagne and toast a Pacific sunset.
Rooms are not air-conditioned but do have ceiling fans and additional pedestal fans if needed. However, due to the Scripps Inns prime location directly across from the ocean, Pacific breezes are enough, and sounds of the ocean waves will lull you into a peaceful slumber.
Paid parking is available on site, though guests may choose to park in nearby street areas at no charge. The top benefit of this property is its ideal location for some of the areas best tide-pooling.
910 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 920374-star|$$$|Restaurant|Pool|Complimentary Coffee|Free Parking|Accessible+1 828-5498Book here
Grande Colonial also sports the award-winning restaurant NINE-TEN with farm-to-table seasonal California cuisine now served al fresco on the patio.
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Where To Stay In San Diego: 10 Best Areas
Are you wondering where to stay in San Diego? If so, then it makes sense to get familiar with some of the citys most popular neighborhoods.
Once you have identified some of the best areas to stay in San Diego, youll also want to know what to see and do in each of those communities.
No matter which neighborhood you choose for accommodations, be sure to get out and explore the others. San Diego is an accessible city with plenty of transportation options.
San Diego sits on the Pacific Coast, approximately 120 miles south of L.A. Sometimes called the birthplace of California, the city is home to more than 1.5 million people and hosts millions more tourists every year.
Some of the most famous attractions in the city include Balboa Park, which is home to the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Natural History Museum, the Fleet Science Center and many other sites, as well as Old Town and the Gaslamp Quarter.
Many of the best places to stay in San Diego are located within or adjacent to some of the citys top attractions, allowing for fun and convenient exploration.
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
Location: Torrey Pines/UCSDHotel class: Moderate
Why go: If you like the feel of a mid-sized resort with a full-service spa, gorgeous landscaping, and good food, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is for you. It has a hacienda-style which means buildings are no more than two stories tall, and the 210 rooms are scattered throughout the property .
Its a good place to unwind because its very quiet. I dare you not to take a picture of the stunning native plants. This is the perfect location for parents visiting students at the University of California San Diego as the campus is across the street. Its among the closest hotels to UCSD.
Hotel amenities:
- Wired and ultra-fast wireless internet for unlimited devices
- Electric vehicle charging stations
- Pet-friendly accommodations and accessories
- Complimentary shuttle service to sightseeing, Birch Aquarium, dining, and other points of interest within 5 miles
Good to know: Ive been to this La Jolla hotel probably the most out of any on this list as we residents go there for events, meetings, dining, and to visit hotel guests here. Mustang & Burros is not huge but among our favorite outdoor patios in town, and they make a great organic margarita. This resort is a little isolated, so you will need a car or to utilize the shuttle to head into the La Jolla Village, Village of La Jolla, or elsewhere in town.
Awards: AAA Four Diamonds
Location: Village of La JollaHotel class: Moderate
Hotel amenities:
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Stay With Monarch Luxury Villas
Regardless of where you choose to stay, Monarch Luxury Villas offers a collection of some of the most highly saute-after homes in San Diego. Whether you decide to stay nestled in the hills of La Jolla or near all of the action in Downtown San Diego, we have the perfect villa for you. Imagine private pools, panoramic vista, private chefs, and full concierge services. We know how to experience luxury in San Diego. Allow us to show you. Book your stay at one of our stunning villas today.
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La Jolla Great Place To Stay In San Diego
The staff and the remodelled rooms. We had only 2 days at San Diego. Thanks to the help of front desk staff, we got to have a great preview of the area: 1st day: walk tour at La Jolla, with lunch, car to PB, walk, sunset and dinner 2nd day: car to Balboa Park, drive through, downtown, marina, Coronado Island with lunch, Point Loma, sunset cliffs for the sunset, Gaslamp with dinner. I wan’t to comeback to stay more and redo everything with more time! Also, the Willy, who worked at night on the week-end, was very helpful!The people who worked at breakfast didn’t seem to very happy …More
- Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Dear LumarBr,We appreciate your two day stay with us and are happy that you enjoyed our newly remodeled rooms. I am glad that you had got to see so much of San Diego in such a short amount of time. I appreciate your mention of our staff. Come back and spend some more time with us!Kind Regards and Safe Travels,Joel Majors
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- Trip type: Travelled with family
Dear Paul N,We appreciate you recent stay with us for your business trip! I am glad that you enjoyed our newly renovated rooms and the amenities that we provide. Our location is central to everything that La Jolla has to offer. There is something for everyone here! Thanks for staying with us!Kind Regards and Safe Travels,Joel Majors
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Mission Bay Water Sports And Families
Anyone who is looking for a place to stay in San Diego that allows them to maximize their water sports opportunities will be thrilled with the offerings in Mission Bay. Mission Bay is a man-made 4,235-acre aquatic park.
Its a saltwater bay that connects to the Pacific Ocean through a channel thats easily navigable. Several marinas are located within the bay. Accordingly, think of it as a wonderland for water sports.
This is where you can conveniently engage in stand-up paddle boarding, learn to sail, try kite surfing, indulge in wake boarding, go jet skiing or do pretty much any other water sport that you can imagine.
If youre looking for something a little less athletic, then board the sternwheeler Bahia Belle for a moonlit cruise and some live music.
Staying on land is fun too with activities like picnics, cycling and bonfires. SeaWorld San Diego is right there too if you want to explore the creatures that live in the ocean.
In addition to water sports, you also can play golf, stroll the beach, fly a kite, have brunch at one of the restaurants, enjoy the family-friendly offerings at Tecolote Shores Park or explore the Kendall-Frost Reserve to see the wildlife.
Not surprisingly, many families love to stay in the Mission Bay area. Youll find lots of brand-name hotels offering comfortable and familiar surroundings with fun amenities like swimming pools, exercise rooms, laundry facilities and much more.
What Are Some Pet
Many La Jolla hotels will welcome your furry travel companions! Some of the notable options that have already been mentioned in the article include La Valencia Hotel, The Hyatt Regency La Jolla, the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, The Lodge at Torrey Pines, and Estancia La Jolla Hotel.
Before you leave, read my guides to what to do in La Jolla and the best beaches in La Jolla.I hope Ive helped you find where to stay in La Jolla!
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Why We Recommend This Hotel
Make memories you wont soon forget by checking into one of the best luxury hotels in the La Jolla area, The Lodge at Torrey Pines.
It offers you an endless array of fun-filled activities, like relaxing in a hot tub, participating in an outdoor yoga class, playing croquet or golf, signing up for guided nature walks, getting treatments at its full-service spa, and so much more.
End the day by dining at the onsite A.R. Valentien, a beautiful restaurant offering delectable dishes, majestic sunset views, and occasional live music shows.
La Valencia Hotel is a Mediterranean-inspired accommodation completed in 1926.
It stands eleven stories tall and has 114 guest rooms.
Golden Triangle/ Utc Area
University City is nicknamed the golden triangle because it is triangular in shape and is the focus of the citys economic hub with research, high-tech and bio-tech companies of varying sizes. The Golden Triangle has Route 52 as its boundary to the south, Freeway 805 to the east, and Freeway 5 to the west. The area also contains the community of University City. Most people are either visiting the university or one of the companies. For convenience, it is ideal to stay within the triangle, but the good news is that the triangle is bordered by La Jolla for fun leisure moments.
The Rose Canyon Park divides the area in two. The canyon is a fun oasis with a creek and trails. The San Clemente Canyon , is similar in style and is located on the triangles southern border. The Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an iconic building in the area, as it has two58 metre white spires. Stanley Park is situated in the southern part of the Golden Triangle and the Westfield UTC Mall is popular with both shoppers and diners.
Most booked hotel in UTC area:Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego
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Facts About Staying In La Jolla San Diego
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What are the best hotels in La Jolla?
La Jolla is home to many highly-rated hotels, one of which is Grande Colonial Hotel, which has a current rating of 8.9. For other potential stays, consider Empress Hotel of La Jolla and Redwood Hollow Cottages, which can also be great places to stay in La Jolla.
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What is a good hotel near Gaslamp Quarter?
With a rating of 8.1/10 from 1,575 reviews, The Bristol Hotel San Diego is a hotel close to Gaslamp Quarter that is well recommended by HotelsCombined users.
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What is a good hotel in La Jolla near Mission Beach?
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Is there a good hotel near San Diego Convention Center?
If youre visiting San Diego Convention Center then the nearby The Bristol Hotel San Diego is a popular hotel with HotelsCombined users .
What Is The Best Area To Stay In La Jolla
Downtown La Jolla is the best spot to stay during your visit to La Jolla because it offers walkable access to most of La Jollas most famous attractions, like La Jolla Cove, the La Jolla sea caves, and the Childrens bar. Downtown La Jolla also has the highest concentration of boutique restaurants, bars, and shopping. All in all, the Village of La Jolla offers the best of all that La Jolla has to offer, all within a few blocks.
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The Shoal La Jolla Beach
Location: Windansea
Why Go: The Shoal La Jolla Beach, formerly La Jolla Travelodge, has renovated its rooms. It now feels more like a nice little beach boutique hotel, which is more appropriate given its location about 300 yards from Windansea Beach. The beach here is more of a locals-only place without many tourists, but it is a very popular bodysurfing and surfing spot .
Hotel amenities:
Find answers to some FAQs that readers have about hotels in La Jolla.