Hotels in San Diego

Best time to visit San Diego

San Diego has a pleasant, low-humidity climate almost all year round. Depending on whether you are in the desert, the mountains, or the coastal areas, the weather may be very different at the same time of the year. To avoid the peak tourist season, March – May and September – November are some of the best times to visit San Diego. The temperatures range between 15 – 25 degrees Celsius. From December – February, temperatures drop to 10 – 15 degrees Celsius, and accommodation is relatively cheaper. However, at this time of the year, there are frequent rain showers, hence beach activities may be restricted.

Getting around San Diego

San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) operates buses and trolleys with routes that run along all the popular sights and attractions. A one-way fare for the MTS Bus is $2.25 USD and for the MTS Trolley, it is $2.50 USD. If you are interested in visiting the resort city of Conorado, you can get the Coronado Ferry from San Diego’s downtown Broadway Pier or from the Fifth Avenue Landing. The 15-minute ride costs $4.75 USD for a one-way ticket. Taxis are available easily but are an expensive mode of travel. San Diego’s bike-share program called DECOBIKE allows bike rental at $5.00 USD for 30 minutes or $7.00 USD for 60 minutes. A 1-week rental with unlimited 30-minute rides costs $35.00 USD.

Best places to stay in San Diego

Are you heading to San Diego to spend time in the desert, up in the hills, or on the beachfront? Do you want to indulge in a spa holiday at a splendid waterfront resort, visit the best African Safari outside of Africa, or raise a toast at the finest wineries in the region? Choose your hotels and San Diego neighbourhoods based on your desired itinerary.

Downtown San Diego – Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, East Village, Embarcadero, Harbor Island

Downtown San Diego features the historic Gaslamp Quarter, a wide array of dining and entertainment options at Little Italy, and a quieter, scenic stay at the tiny strip of Harbor Island. Stay in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter at The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter hotel, or choose the iconic Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego which features a grand lobby and roof-top pool. Closer to the waterfront, you have the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina hotel or the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter located across the street from the San Diego Convention Center. On Harbor Island, you have the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, which offers stunning views of the harbor and the Bay, just a few minutes from the San Diego Airport.

Old Town and Hotel Circle

North of downtown, the Old Town neighbourhood is home to the Old Town State Historic Park. It is also a hub for Mexican food and a reflection of California’s Spanish heritage. Hotel Circle neighbourhood is east on Interstate 8 Freeway and features several affordable hotels tucked into the canyons of Mission Valley. Stay at the Sheraton Mission Valley San Diego Hotel set against a lush hillside or opt for the Kings Inn Hotel that wraps around an inviting free-form pool. Consider the Spanish colonial-style accommodation at the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/ SeaWorld Area, which is walking distance to several parks, museums, and restaurants. Or if you prefer to be at the heart of Old Town, stay in a state-of-the-art 1827 adobe home converted into the historic Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant.

Coronado

The Coronado peninsula is connected to the rest of San Diego by the small strip of land called Silver Strand. Sandy beaches and quaint shops is what Coronado offers. Stay at the iconic Hotel del Coronado, a grand Victorian property established in 1888 which offers upscale beachfront accommodation. It is only a 10-minute drive or a 15-minute ferry ride from Downtown San Diego. Right next door to this property, you can indulge in the ultra-luxurious rooms with private pools and exclusive amenities at the Beach Village at the Del. For mid-range budget accommodation, choose the 1906 Lodge, a casual-chic bed and breakfast with elegant rooms and modern amenities.

Uptown – Hillcrest, Mission Hills, North Park

Uptown is composed of several smaller neighbourhoods around the Balboa Park, such as Hillcrest, Mission Hills, North Park, and South Park. This is a vibrant area with several eclectic shops, restaurants, and cafés. Hillcrest is also the hub of the gay community in San Diego. Consider the retro-style rooms and gorgeous bungalows at The Lafayette Hotel in North Park, or opt for colourful suites with fully-equipped kitchens in the Inn at the Park boutique hotel located on the edge of Balboa Park West.

Mission Bay, Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach

Mission Bay and the surrounding beaches are the aquatic playground of San Diego. This is the perfect location to stay if you wish to make your San Diego trip into a beach holiday. You can look at the Pacific Terrace Hotel for beachfront accommodation at the north end of Pacific Beach’s boardwalk, or indulge in a luxurious stay with the ocean view rooms and suites of Tower23 Hotel. Close to the Ocean Beach Pier, you have the Mediterranean-inspired property of Ocean Beach Hotel, while further south, The Inn at Sunset Cliffs offers comfortable rooms with nautical décor.

La Jolla

Considered the Monte Carlo of California, the La Jolla neighbourhood with curvy coastlines and lush hill sides is the home of millionaires. The La Jolla village features several upscale galleries and glitzy restaurants while those looking for a more active holiday can enjoy scenic trails, surfing, and snorkeling at the Cove. At the heart of the La Jolla Village, you have the posh, boutique accommodation at The Bed and Breakfast Inn at La Jolla. Or consider the rustic-chic rooms of Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton. You also have the Grand Colonial, the oldest hotel in La Jolla with elegant rooms and farm-to-table dining.

Cheap hotels in San Diego

There are several budget accommodation options all over the city of San Diego. Consider the USA Hostels San Diego which offers bright dorm rooms in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. You also have Motel 6 San Diego Airport – Harbor, a modern, budget-friendly property with a free airport shuttle service and free Wi-Fi. Just one block from the San Diego Bay, you have the Pacific Inn Hotel and Suites in Downtown San Diego, while Travelodge San Diego SeaWorld hotel is just minutes from the San Diego Zoo, San Diego SeaWorld, and nearby beaches. Old Town Inn, a small Spanish-style hotel provides comfort and value-for-money at an excellent location in the Old Town. There are also several other low cost hotels in the Hotel Circle area for cheap accommodation in San Diego.

With over 100 kilometres of sunny coasts and year-round average temperature of approximately 21 degrees Celsius, who wouldn’t want to indulge in all the outdoor fun and entertainment that San Diego has to offer?

• Go to the 1200-acre Balboa Park for a stroll, bike ride or picnic. Also visit the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park located in the northwest corner of the Park. This zoo is not only the biggest one in the USA, but it also boasts of the largest collection of approximately 3,500 rare and endangered animals.
• Take the ferry or drive to the Coronado Beach and sunbathe in the calmer waters of the long sandy shores a few kilometers away from Downtown San Diego.
• Go for a hike on the Guy Fleming Trail or the Razor Point Trail at the Torrey Pines State Reserve. The 1750 acres of the reserve is home to unique flora, including the rarest pine tree in USA, the Torrey Pine.
• Get an inside look at San Diego’s military past at the USS Midway Museum and learn more about historic sea vessels, including the world’s oldest active ship at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
• Head to the southernmost tip of Point Loma to see the Cabrillo National Monument, a statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo who, in 1542, was the first European explorer to navigate the Californian coast.
• Stroll along the 16 blocks of the Gaslamp Quarter and see Victorian-style buildings that house a variety of shops, art galleries, restaurants, theatres, bars, and clubs.
• Attend one of the events or festivals that the city hosts, such as the annual San Diego Mardi Gras Parade or the San Diego Comic-Con or the Rock n’ Roll San Diego Marathon.
• Enjoy stunning ocean views from the Sunset Cliffs. These dramatic sandstone cliffs stretch across 68 acres and run along the Point Loma peninsula’s western shoreline.
• Walk around the La Jolla Village that features trendy boutiques and cafés. Then head to the La Jolla Cove to admire its striking beauty or take some beginner lessons in snorkeling.
• Watch dolphins, California sea lions, otters, sea turtles, Manta Rays, and a range of other marine life at the SeaWorld San Diego.
• Walk down the El Prado street near Balboa Park and admire several ornate Spanish revival / Baroque buildings dating back to nearly 100 years ago.

 

• Savour the finest wines, local beers, and hand-crafted spirits during the San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tour at La Jolla.