Where to Stay

Sunny San Diego revels in its reputation as a visitor's paradise. Downtown has picked up, and the refurbishing of a slightly shabby area into the thriving Gaslamp District has brought with it a number of first-rate hotels, most clustered along the bay by the San Diego Convention Center. Meanwhile, the North County region offers deluxe accommodations, Meanwhile, the North County region offers deluxe accomodations, perfect for a weekend getaway. The moneyed, beautiful villages of La Jolla and Coronado Island are great walking towns and inspire loyal visitors. Looking for something a bit more lively? Head to the beaches, particularly Mission Beach and Pacific Beach for an upbeat, and sometimes raucous, twenty-something environment. Whatever your preference, you will easily find accommodations to meet your wishes in the diverse community of San Diego.

Downtown

The US Grant Hotel is the city's oldest and most stylish hotel, offering unexpected old-world decor in a streamlined late 1960s shell. Pricey, but with a cadre of loyal visitors who would not stay anywhere else, this establishment is close to Horton Plaza, the San Diego Convention Center, Seaport Village and Balboa Park.

Along the bayside edges of downtown, the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego features a fantastic bar with floor-to-ceiling windows and several pleasant restaurants. The hotel, within walking distance of Seaport Village and the San Diego Convention Center, is popular among both business and leisure travelers. Next door, Sheraton Suites offers great service and plenty of amenities.

Hotels abound along Shelter and Harbor Islands as well. These two man-made islands were dredged from San Diego Bay back in the 1960s and designed primarily as stages for deluxe hotels, with little else on them. Shelter Island has more of the pseudo-Hawaiian theme and boasts Humphrey's Half Moon Inn & Suites. Near the airport, virtually every room in every hotel offers a bayside view; savvy visitors will ask for a room with a view of North Island or downtown San Diego.

Beach Cities

Pacific Beach offers a few seaside motels and a handful of less desirable ones, with dozens of inexpensive dining options primarily along Grand and the Pacific Coast Highway (often abbreviated PCH).

Mission Beach is seaside rental paradise, with loads of properties on offer for summer, as well as a year-round roller coaster and amusement arcade. The location is young and noisy and has popular accommodations, including the Catamaran Resort & Hotel.

Mission Bay

Luxury hotels ring this popular water recreation center. The five-star Hilton San Diego Resort is a tourist favorite, featuring easy access to SeaWorld and the bay, while being a terrific spot for water-skiing, jet-skiing and other water sports. In addition, the family-friendly Bahia Resort Hotel is also located along Mission Bay. Guests at this establishment enjoy luxury accommodations and free cruises on board the Bahia Belle.

Mission Valley

Home of "Hotel Circle," this section of town offers motels and hotels from most major chains, including San Diego Mission Valley Hilton, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley, Days Inn and many others. Views tend to be of the hotels on the other side of the valley or the overdeveloped interior of the valley itself. All of the inns are close to shopping centers, restaurants and transportation, including the San Diego Trolley.

Coronado

The island of Coronado is mainly residential, yet still popular among tourists. The island of Coronado is mainly residential, yet still popular among tourists. Ideal for on-foot exploration, the island offers a nearly one mile-long sandy beach, boutique shopping, picture-perfect streets and an array of fine restaurants. The top attraction is the Hotel del Coronado, the largest all-wooden structure in the United States. Even if you do not stay at the hotel, it is worth a visit to enjoy the architecture. The tower add-ons are modern, while the original rooms are quaintly Victorian.

Coronado also has several independent motels and two competing luxury hotels, the family-friendly Loews Coronado Bay Resort and the four-star Coronado Island Marriott Resort.

La Jolla

A deluxe retreat for decades, La Jolla is known for attracting artists, Hollywood stars, and, in general, the rich, famous and fashionable. The landmark La Valencia Hotel offers romantic Spanish-flavored charm, as well as close proximity to notable art galleries and restaurants. Also located in downtown La Jolla, The Grande Colonial is a long-standing favorite in this seaside community. The historic building, which has been renovated many times since its opening in 1913, features incredible ocean views and is conveniently located near the fine dining and galleries of La Jolla Village.

Inland from La Jolla, the Golden Triangle is a modern, deluxe business area. The area hosts several major hotels including the four-star Hyatt Regency La Jolla, where guests enjoy countless business services, and the Residence Inn La Jolla, which serves business travelers for extended stays.

North County

The beautiful open country of North County is San Diego's commuter getaway, with hundreds of new homes constructed every year. While there are some attractions, such as LEGOLAND California, the Wild Animal Park, Carlsbad Flower Fields and great surfing, most visitors to this area will be headed to one of the major resorts for recharging rather than avid sightseeing. La Costa Resort & Spa offers a pair of golf courses, three types of tennis courts and fine restaurants, while the Four Seasons Resort Aviara coddles clients with another golf course and abundant meeting space.

In Del Mar, not far from the Del Mar Fairgrounds & Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, L' Auberge Del Mar offers French-styled buildings in the heart of Del Mar Village, with beach and shopping only steps away.

Whether your preference is for a sleek, modern hotel or a romantic, seaside getaway, you will easily find accommodations to meet your desires in San Diego. From quiet North County retreats to historic downtown accommodations, San Diego's hotels consistently please even the most discriminating world-class tourists.