The 15 Best Places to Stay in San Diego for Every Type of Traveller

About 200km south of Los Angeles, along the USA's stunning Pacific Coast, you'll find the sun-drenched city of San Diego. Buzzing with beautiful beaches, lively nightlife, family attractions and incredible food, this SoCal destination deserves a spot on every traveller's USA bucket list.

There's a lot to love about this West Coast city. With its incredible beaches, delicious food, vibrant neighbourhoods and famous attractions like San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, Balboa Park and the Hotel Del Coronado.

But with so much to see and do in San Diego, choosing an area to base yourself can be overwhelming. That's where we come in! Keep reading to discover 15 of the best places to stay in San Diego based on the type of holiday and attractions you're looking for.

• Beachfront Bliss

• Downtown Excitement

• Historic Towns & Rugged Landscapes

Lovingly referred to as 'the jewel' of San Diego, it's hard to beat a beach break along the beautiful La Jolla coastline. Located an easy 20-30 minutes north of downtown San Diego, this beachside paradise offers visitors a convenient escape from the city's hustle and bustle without venturing too far from the attractions.

Staying in the La Jolla area of San Diego gives you easy access to some incredible scenery. Don't miss La Jolla Cove - a popular bay surrounded by sea caves and cliffs - for swimming, snorkelling or diving. A short walk from La Jolla Cove will take you to the Children's Pool. Once a protected spot for San Diego's youngest swimmers, the Children's Pool is now home to an entertaining colony of sea lions.

No stay in La Jolla is complete without a morning spent exploring the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. From hiking trails to the Torry Pines State Beach, you'll want to bring your camera for these views!

Lovingly referred to as 'the jewel' of San Diego, it's hard to beat a beach break along the beautiful La Jolla coastline. Located an easy 20-30 minutes north of downtown San Diego, this beachside paradise offers visitors a convenient escape from the city's hustle and bustle without venturing too far from the attractions.

Staying in the La Jolla area of San Diego gives you easy access to some incredible scenery. Don't miss La Jolla Cove - a popular bay surrounded by sea caves and cliffs - for swimming, snorkelling or diving. A short walk from La Jolla Cove will take you to the Children's Pool. Once a protected spot for San Diego's youngest swimmers, the Children's Pool is now home to an entertaining colony of sea lions.

No stay in La Jolla is complete without a morning spent exploring the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. From hiking trails to the Torry Pines State Beach, you'll want to bring your camera for these views!

Stay around La Jolla to explore:

• La Jolla Cove

• La Jolla Shores

• Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

• Windansea Beach

• Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

If you're looking for somewhere a bit more lively to stay in San Diego look no further than Pacific Beach. This beachside neighbourhood typically attracts a younger demographic and boasts an exciting party atmosphere with its many vibrant clubs and restaurants.

During the day, soak up the sunshine at Pacific Beach or go for a leisurely stroll along the iconic Crystal Pier. If surfing's your thing, you can also head to Tourmaline Surf Park for a day spent catching waves. But Pacific Beach really comes alive after the sun sets. With lots of great bars, clubs and restaurants, it's a popular spot for those looking to dance the night away spring break style with friends.

Stay around Pacific Beach to explore:

• Pacific Beach's vibrant nightlife

• Crystal Pier

• Tourmaline Surf Park

South of Pacific Beach is the attraction-packed Mission Bay. Home to the 4,600-acre Mission Bay Aquatic Park, the vibrant Mission Beach boardwalk and the iconic wooden roller coaster of Belmont Park, Mission Bay is perfect for travellers in search of sun, surf and adventure.

Visiting San Diego with the family? Mission Bay is where you'll find world-famous SeaWorld San Diego. Celebrating 60 years of impressive animal experiences, thrilling rides and marine conservation, SeaWorld San Diego is an experience fit for kids (and adults) of all ages! Don't miss the Orca Encounter or the new Arctic Rescue roller coaster - one of the longest and fastest coasters on the USA's West Coast.

Stay around Mission Bay to explore:

• Mission Beach

• Mission Bay Aquatic Park

• SeaWorld San Diego

• Fiesta Island

• Belmont Park

Ocean Beach, a small neighbourhood just south of Mission Beach, is a popular destination for surfers, sunbathers and beach lovers in search of a laid-back holiday atmosphere. Ocean Beach's main thoroughfare, Newport Avenue, is lined with palm trees, surf shops, antique stores and cafés, making it a great place to explore on foot.

You'll also want to check out the iconic Ocean Beach Pier. Though currently closed for maintenance, it's the West Coast's longest pier and stretches an impressive 600 metres out into the Pacific Ocean.

Stay around Ocean Beach to explore:

• Ocean Beach Pier

• Ocean Beach Tide Pools

• Dog Beach

• Point Loma

The picturesque Point Loma is one of the best places to stay in San Diego for history enthusiasts. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the peninsula is home to the Cabrillo National Monument and Visitor Center where you can learn about Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European explorer to venture onto the USA's West Coast.

Nearby you'll also find the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, once the highest lighthouse in the country (almost 130m above the San Diego Bay) and now a public museum transporting visitors back to the 1880s.

History not your thing? Don't write Point Loma off just yet! Foodies will want to spend some time sampling delicious San Diego produce from the vendors of Liberty Public Market. And there's no better place to experience a romantic sunset stroll when visiting San Diego than Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. After all, it's in the name.

Stay around Point Loma to explore:

• Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

• Old Point Loma Lighthouse

• Cabrillo National Monument

• Liberty Public Market

• Ocean Beach

We can't talk about San Diego hotels without mentioning the iconic Hotel del Coronado. The National Historic Landmark is one of the best luxury hotels in San Diego and has been attracting the rich and famous since 1888. Over the years, the Hotel del Coronado has checked in guests ranging from Judy Garland, Walt Disney and Charlie Chaplin to Brad Pitt, Oprah and many, many others. It was also the setting for Some Like It Hot, the famous 1929 film starring Marilyn Monroe.

Even if staying at the famous beachfront resort is a tad out of your budget, it's still well worth visiting the hotel to admire the impressive Victorian architecture. Certain activities and dining options are also available to the public.

Staying on Coronado, or 'the crown city' as it's known, is perfect for those looking for the best of both worlds. Spend days lounging on the beach or enjoying a round of golf on the Coronado Golf Course and then catch a quick and scenic ferry ride across the San Diego Bay to explore nearby downtown attractions like Seaport Village, the San Diego Convention Center and the USS Midway Museum.

Stay on Coronado Island to explore:

• Hotel del Coronado

• Coronado Golf Course

• Coronado Beach

• San Diego Bay

• San Diego Convention Center

• Downtown San Diego

Known as San Diego's gateway to Baja California and home to The West Coast's southernmost neighbourhood, Imperial Beach, the South Bay is perfect for those considering a day trip across the border into Mexico during their stay.

Stay around South Bay to explore:

• Imperial Beach

• Tijuana River Natural Estuary

• Mexican border

Just north of La Jolla, about 30 minutes from downtown San Diego by car, you'll find the charming coastal neighbourhood of Del Mar. Boasting relaxed beach vibes, delicious dining options, boutique hotels and the vibrant Del Mar Farmers' Market every week, this is a great place to stay in San Diego to escape the pace of the city.

Visiting in June or July? You might be in town at the same time as the San Diego County Fair which is hosted annually at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. And if you're in San Diego during the summer or autumn time make sure you head to the famous Del Mar Racetrack for a day at the races.

Keep in mind that this destination is a little bit further outside of San Diego, so if you're planning to visit all of the city attractions you'll probably spend a bit more time on the road when staying here.

Stay around Del Mar to explore:

• Del Mar Beach

• Del Mar Racecourse

• Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

If you're travelling with the kids you'll want to listen up for this one! About 40 minutes north of downtown San Diego you'll find yourself in the charming beach town of Carlsbad. On top of beautiful beaches and an impressive 50-acre flower display in the spring, Carlsbad is also home to LEGOLAND California.

Although aimed at kids between two and 12 years old, LEGOLAND is packed with attractions sure to impress fans of any age. Packed with over 60 rides and attractions, a water park and the SEA LIFE Aquarium, it's easy to spend a day or two exploring the park.

And in case you were wondering, more than 60 million LEGO bricks have been used across the theme park. We don't even want to think about the instruction manual for that LEGO set!

Stay around Carlsbad to explore:

• LEGOLAND California

• Flower Fields of Carlsbad Ranch

• The Crossings at Carlsbad Golf Course

• San Diego Botanic Gardens

• Oceanside Municipal Pier

You'll be hard-pressed to find a place to stay in San Diego closer to all the action than the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Located in the heart of downtown San Diego, the Gaslamp Quarter is a delightful blend of old Victorian buildings and contemporary architecture.

During the day, shop for souvenirs in local boutique shops or learn about the neighbourhood's fascinating history with a visit to the Davis-Horton House museum. Dating back to 1850, this is the Gaslamp Quarter's oldest house and offers visitors a glimpse into the city's Victorian past.

The Gaslamp Quarter is also within walking distance of Petco Park, where you can catch a baseball game and experience one of America's favourite pastimes.

But the fun doesn't end when the sun goes down. In fact, the Gaslamp Quarter comes to life at night. From fine dining and sipping fancy cocktails in a rooftop bar to live theatre, comedy shows and nights spent tearing up the dancefloor - the Gaslamp Quarter will keep you busy well into the wee hours.

Stay around the Gaslamp Quarter to explore:

• Shopping and dining options

• Balboa Theatre

• Balboa Park

• Embarcadero

• Petco Park

• San Diego Bay

Pride flags fly high and LGBTQ+ owned bars, cafés, restaurants and shops line the streets of Hillcrest, earning this San Diego neighbourhood a reputation of love and acceptance. You'll find the Hillcrest Farmers' Market in full swing every Sunday and in July the annual San Diego Pride Parade kicks off from the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Avenue.

Hillcrest's fantastic location bordering the northwest corner of Balboa Park makes exploring this iconic San Diego attraction a (literal) walk in the park. The massive 1,200-acre landmark is home to beautiful gardens, a golf course and no less than 18 museums - so don't expect to see everything in a day! If you only have time for one stop, make sure it's the San Diego Zoo. One of the city's most popular attractions, the world-famous San Diego Zoo looks after over 14,000 rare and endangered creatures from all over the world.

Stay around Hillcrest to explore:

• Vibrant local businesses

• Balboa Park

• San Diego Zoo

There's no better place for foodies to stay in San Diego than Little Italy. Just north of the historic Gaslamp Quarter, this charming neighbourhood celebrates its Italian heritage and offers countless delicious restaurants, cafés, bars and markets for visitors to eat their way around.

Start your stay in Little Italy with a stroll around the Piazza della Famiglia. This central meeting spot is surrounded by some of the best food in San Diego and hosts an impressive weekly farmers' market on Saturdays, featuring local vendors selling everything from fresh produce and baked goods to handmade craft items.

You really can't go wrong when dining in Little Italy, but some of our favourite places to grab a bite include Filippi's Pizza Grotto, Juniper & Ivy, the Little Italy Food Hall and the Crack Shack.

Stay around Little Italy to explore:

• Some of San Diego's best dining experiences

• Piazza della Famiglia

• Little Italy Mercato Farmers' Market

• Waterfront Park

• Maritime Museum of San Diego

What better place for history buffs to stay in San Diego than the city's oldest neighbourhood? Often referred to as the 'birthplace of California', a day spent exploring Old Town San Diego feels like stepping back in time. And with a location just 10 minutes from San Diego International Airport, it couldn't be easier to get to.

While in Old Town, don't pass up the chance to explore one of America's most haunted houses at the Whaley House Museum. The site has been a fixture of the Old Town area since 1857 and its chilling history can be experienced on a day or (if you're feeling particularly brave) night tour.

Old Town is also known for its vibrant events, like the annual Cinco de Mayo festivities in early May each year, and its authentic Mexican cuisine.

Stay around Old Town to explore:

• Whaley House Museum

• Old Town State Historic Park

• Presidio Park

• Mission Valley

If you'd rather shop in San Diego than surf you might want to think about staying in Mission Valley. From the upscale luxury and designer stores like Prada and Saint Laurent of Fashion Valley mall to the more affordable brands of Mission Valley mall - there's something here for every budget.

And when your wallet needs a break, tee off at Riverwalk Golf Club for an enjoyable morning on the green or take a short drive to Mission Trails Regional Park. With outdoor activities to suit every level, from casual strolls and hikes to rock climbing and mountain biking, it's a great way to escape the city for a few hours.

Stay around Mission Valley to explore:

• Fashion Valley shopping mall

• Mission Valley shopping mall

• Mission San Diego de Alcalá

• Mission Trails Regional Park

• Old Town

While San Diego is definitely known for its beautiful communities there are plenty of options for those looking to avoid the coast. Compared to the compact inner-city area, East Country is a sprawling landscape of charming small towns and outdoor attractions. You'll have to spend a bit more time in the car, but it's totally worth it for these stunning desert vistas.

The small town of Julian deserves a spot on any East Country itinerary. About an hour's drive outside of the city, Julian is famous for two things: its gold rush history and apple pies. If you visit the town in the autumn time you can even take part in the annual Julian Fall Apple Harvest for a spot of apple picking!

East Country is also where you'll find the largest state park in California, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The diverse landscapes of the park are beautiful any time of year, but if you're in the area around spring you might be lucky enough to have your trip coincide with the yearly wildflower display. The colourful blanket of flowers makes for a striking contrast against the desert scenery.

Stay around East Country to explore:

• Julian

• Ramona Valley

• Cleveland National Forest

• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Excited to visit San Diego on your next USA trip?