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Best Hotels in San Diego

Best Hotels in San Diego

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Local Getaways

When it comes to coastal paradises, San Diego at the southern tip of California is top tier. With a perfect combination of laid-back beaches and taco shops, natural wonders and urban sophistication, San Diego provides the SoCal surfer culture and a dynamic energy. So, whether you want a beachfront stay or something a little more remote, we’ve listed the best of the best. Each of these hotels are perfectly for enjoying the year-round sunshine, and are dually some of our favorite luxury, wellness or romantic stays as well.

Featured Photo: The Green Room

A bright, sunny day at a luxurious resort in San Diego features a large outdoor swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs and umbrellas. Palm trees and a distinct multi-story building with a reddish-orange roof and white walls are in the background, showcasing one of the best hotels San Diego has to offer.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel del Coronado

Hotel del Coronado

The legendary 1888 Victorian resort with its red turret roofs and white wedding cake trim is truly a seaside gem, modernized while still retaining its old world charm. On site you’ll discover historic touches like the original 1905 Windsor Cottage and crown chandeliers designed by L. Frank Baum, creator of Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz. In addition to the main hotel, Beach Village at The Del offers an enclave luxury oceanfront cottages and villas with VIP concierge services, plunge pools and fire pits. The Del has its own private, cabana-lined beach club, stunning pools, myriad ocean view eateries and water sports galore.

A modern, white three-story building with a large vertical "Cormorani" sign stands on a hillside street. The street descends toward the ocean, lined with palm trees. There are several cars on the street, including a red sports car in the foreground, reminiscent of the Best Value Hotels in San Diego.
Photo: Courtesy of Cormorant

Cormorant

La Jolla’s newest arrival, Cormorant, is walking distance to La Jolla Cove. Each of the 26 chic guestrooms features coastal-inspired design, art deco touches and ocean view balconies. Their intimate Birdseye rooftop bar calls for craft cocktails, small plates and panoramic views. Curated coastal picnics available, too.

Outdoor dining area at a golf course with wooden tables and chairs set for a meal. The scene overlooks manicured green fairways lined with trees and a distant view of the ocean under a clear blue sky. A glass fence separates the dining area and the golf course in one of the best hotels in San Diego.
Photo: Courtesy of The Lodge at Torrey Pines

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

This stunning Craftsman-style hotel, an architectural homage to the Gamble and Blacker houses of Pasadena, overlooks famed golf course. Kilted doormen, oversized fireplaces, stained glass, Tiffany-style lamps, and a sprawling croquet lawn add to the early 20th Century splendor. From the Lodge at Torrey Pines, watch the paragliders while lounging by the pool or enjoy white tablecloth farm fresh dining at A.R. Valentin. The Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a short walk away. 

A luxurious, modern villa with expansive glass doors opens to a serene, reflective infinity pool. The villa features a terracotta exterior, surrounded by palm trees and tropical greenery, creating a tranquil and inviting atmosphere reminiscent of the best luxury hotels in San Diego.
Photo: Jesse Henderson

Rancho Valencia

Southern California’s only Relais & Chateaux property enchants as a hacienda-style property set on 45 acres of olive groves and gardens with 49 Spanish-style casitas. It’s hard to find an un-photogenic corner of the Rancho Valencia, which offers its guests plenty to do — from yoga by a reflecting pool and tennis, to a day at their glorious spa or beauty session at the new salon. ranchovalencia.com

A hotel room decorated with a LEGO theme. The brightly colored room features a large bed with red and yellow LEGO-inspired bedding, wall murals depicting LEGO characters, and LEGO-themed furniture accents. The carpet has colorful LEGO brick patterns, making it one of the best group hotels San Diego has to offer.
Photo: Courtesy of LEGOLAND

LEGOLAND Hotels

If you want to win parent of the year, check into either of the theme park’s kid-centric hotels. Pirates and ninjas may prefer the California Resort Hotel while princess and dragon fans should opt for the Castle Hotel. These fantasy wonderlands have smoke-breathing dragons, spectacular Lego models, kid-friendly buffets, disco-ball-dance-party elevators and Lego palm tree-lined pools. 

A bright, minimalist bedroom with white walls and a wooden floor. The room features a bed, a daybed with art above it, a small table with two chairs, and a kitchenette with light wood cabinets. Green plants add a touch of nature, and a rug lies beside the bed—reminiscent of napa hotels' serene ambiance.
Photo: Courtesy of The Green Room

The Green Room

Surfers and singles may enjoy a stay at this newly converted 1950s motel, now a bungalow-style boutique hotel in Oceanside with mid-century furnishings, cute kitchenettes, and grab-and-go surfboards and beach cruisers. Enjoy the hot tub, fire pit, and curated playlists during your post-surf sesh in the backyard communal area. The Green Room Hotel. 

A modern hotel room in one of the best hotels San Diego has to offer, featuring a large bed with white linens and a beige headboard. There's a patterned rug on the wooden floor, a round wooden nightstand, and a lounge area with a sofa by a window showing a view of palm trees and a body of water.
Photo: Courtesy of Mission Pacific Hotel + The Seabird Resort

Mission Pacific Hotel + The Seabird Resort

These art-forward and affordable oceanfront hotels are steps from the sea and pier in Oceanside and offer great culinary and toes-in-the-sand experiences. Mission Pacific has a lounge-y rooftop bar for sunset libations, DJs by the pool, and a renowned Baja chef, while the family friendly Sea Bird has a splashy worthy pool, kids’ club and beach concierge. Adults will dig the sunset champagne sabering ritual and creative craft cocktails at The Shore Room bar. Mission Pacific Hotel; The Sea Bird Resort

A modern bathroom features a double sink with a marble countertop, two mirrors, and shelves stocked with towels and baskets. A freestanding white bathtub sits to the right against a wall with patterned wallpaper, and floor tiles match the overall color scheme—reminiscent of luxury napa hotels.
Photo: Courtesy of Pendry San Diego

Pendry San Diego

For anyone who likes adventure by day and urban escapades at night, The Pendry puts you in the thick of San Diego’s booming nightlife and close to the culinary scene in Little Italy. The Pool House, their rooftop lounge scene, is an idyllic perch for sunset and cityscape views. A partnership with Adventures IO teams you with renowned athletes so you can pedal through San Diego with a pro cyclist or deep sea fish and surf with a World Surf League legend. Pendry, San Diego 

A hallway featuring a combination of white and wooden slat walls with a slatted wooden ceiling. At the end, a round window reveals a lush garden outside, reminiscent of the tranquility found at the best luxury hotels in San Diego. Signs are visible on the right wall indicating different rooms.
Photo: Courtesy of Inn at Moonlight Beach

Inn at Moonlight Beach

This progressive boutique hotel in Encinitas is the world’s first Well-Certified Platinum hotel with a focus on health and sustainability. The five-suite “conscious destination” has a Zen vibe and myriad thoughtful touches including an urban biodynamic garden, meditation deck, a Wellness Lab for soap and candle making, organic teas and herbal pouches for healing baths, Moonlight massages, locally source artisan treats, succulent box classes and more. The Inn at Moonlight Beach. 

An outdoor seating area on a balcony at one of the best group hotels in San Diego features two black cushioned sofas with striped accent pillows, a small wooden table with potted plants, and a glass railing. The space overlooks a scenic ocean view with waves and a shoreline under a partly cloudy sky.
Photo: Courtesy of Alila Marea Resort

Alila Marea Resort

Leucadia’s latest coastal boutique hotel is an eco-friendly retreat with ocean views, refined service and beachside fun. The property embraces local surf, beach culture with its Surfin Fire surf school, Electra Go! Bikes, oceanfront yoga, lagoon hikes, and Aaron Chang ocean photography. Set on the cliff above Ponto Beach, Alila Marea sports a perfect sunset perch for craft cocktails and cuisine at VAGA  whose menu reflects the flavors of San Diego’s cultural mix and locally sourced ingredients. Alila Marea Resort. 

Did we miss your favorite hotel?
 Let us know — email us at stay@localgetaway2.wpengine.com or tag us @localgetaways.

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