That’s why choosing where to stay in San Diego matters so much. Do you want to go out in the evening, hit the beach in the morning or have peace and quiet for the kids? Here are my six suggestions for areas and three hotels in each, from luxury to budget.

Where to Stay in San Diego: The Best Areas

• Gaslamp Quarter & Downtown - best area for first-time visitors and nightlife
• Little Italy - best area for food-loving couples
• La Jolla - best area for luxury and seaside nature
• Pacific Beach & Mission Beach - best area for young travellers, surfing and beach life
• Coronado - best area for families and beach holidays
• Old Town - best area for history and good prices

Below, I go through the areas one by one with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each. The prices come from a search for a weekend in April for two people, and they rise noticeably during the summer holidays and the big conventions at the Convention Center. $1 is roughly 75p.

1. Gaslamp Quarter & Downtown - best area for first-time visitors and nightlife

• Distance to the centre: You’re right in the middle of Downtown. It’s about a 15-minute walk to the waterfront at Seaport Village and 10 minutes to Petco Park.
• Transport: The trolley stops at Gaslamp Quarter and Fifth Avenue, and from here you can reach Old Town, Little Italy and the border at San Ysidro without a car.
• Time from San Diego International Airport: About 10 minutes by taxi. Bus 992 takes about 20 minutes to Broadway & Kettner, and then you walk the rest.
• Price level: $$ to $$$$. The three hotels below cost around $210 to $390 (around £155 to £290) per night when I searched for a weekend in April.
• Safety: Gaslamp is lively and feels safe in the evening, but there are a lot of homeless people in Downtown, especially in East Village east of Petco Park. Stick to well-lit streets late at night.

The Gaslamp Quarter is Downtown’s historic district, with Victorian buildings from the late 1800s, and today it’s around 16 blocks of restaurants, rooftop bars and nightclubs on Fifth Avenue and Fourth Avenue. At the southern end is Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres baseball team, and behind the stadium the waterfront begins with the Convention Center and the promenade along the water.

Staying here, you can walk to almost everything in the city centre. Follow the harbour north past Seaport Village and you’ll reach the aircraft carrier USS Midway, and if you want to see the city from the water, you can take a harbour cruise on San Diego Bay from around $37 (around £28). Balboa Park lies about 2.5 km north-east of the district and, at 1,200 acres (just under 500 hectares), is the city’s great green space with museums, gardens and San Diego Zoo.

See hotels in the Gaslamp Quarter here.

I’d stay here if it’s your first trip to San Diego, if you’re coming without a car, or if you want to go out in the evenings. A single ticket for the trolley and bus costs $3 (around £2.25), and if you pay by card or phone, the fare is capped at $7 (around £5.25) a day. The downside is the noise. On Fridays and Saturdays, Fifth Avenue is packed with stag dos, hen parties and celebrations, so choose a hotel a little away from the main street or a room high up if you want to sleep.

Also bear in mind that parking costs $45 to $70 (around £35 to £50) per night at Downtown hotels, and that many of the big hotels add a daily destination fee on top of the price. If you have a hire car, wait to pick it up until the day you leave the city.

Hotels in the Gaslamp Quarter & Downtown

Omni San Diego Hotel at the Ballpark - luxury hotel with a rooftop pool right by Petco Park

The Omni is on L Street at the southern end of the Gaslamp Quarter, a five-minute walk from Petco Park, and it had the highest rating of the hotels in the area in my search. There’s a rooftop pool with double sun loungers and private cabanas, a spa, a gym and a restaurant. On the other hand, you pay a destination fee of $28 (around £21) per night and $70 (around £52) for parking.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic hotel with friendly and helpful staff.”

See photos and book the Omni San Diego here.

Gaslamp Plaza Suites - historic hotel from 1913 in the heart of the district

Gaslamp Plaza Suites is on E Street in a building from 1913 with marble walls and the original staircases, and there’s a roof terrace. You’re right in the middle of Gaslamp, and the price is reasonable for the location. There’s no pool, and several guests mention that the building is old and in need of an update.

From one review: “The staff were amazing.”

See photos and book Gaslamp Plaza Suites here.

Comfort Inn Gaslamp Convention Center - simple chain hotel with breakfast in the eastern part

The Comfort Inn is on G Street on the eastern edge of the Gaslamp Quarter, a few minutes’ walk from Fifth Avenue. Breakfast is included, and it was the cheapest of my three picks in the area when I searched. The rooms are small, and parking costs $50 (around £37) per night, so it makes most sense if you’re coming without a car.

One guest highlights: “The location is very convenient, breakfast was good, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars around.”

See photos and book the Comfort Inn Gaslamp here.

2. Little Italy - best area for food-loving couples

• Distance to the centre: Little Italy sits in the north-western part of Downtown. It’s about a 20-minute walk to the Gaslamp Quarter and 10 minutes to the waterfront.
• Transport: The trolley stops at County Center/Little Italy, and Santa Fe Depot, with trains to Los Angeles, is at the southern end of the neighbourhood.
• Time from San Diego International Airport: Around 5 to 10 minutes by taxi. The airport is just across the bay.
• Price level: $$ to $$$$. The three hotels below cost around $220 to $405 (roughly £165 to £305) per night when I searched for a weekend in April.
• Safety: One of the safest neighbourhoods in Downtown, with lots of people out on the streets until late. You may see homeless people around the trolley station and along the motorway to the east.

Little Italy was once home to San Diego’s Italian tuna fishermen, and today it’s the city’s best neighbourhood for food. India Street and Kettner Boulevard are packed with pizzerias, pasta restaurants, wine bars and gelato shops, and in the evenings people sit by the fountain on Piazza della Famiglia. On Saturdays the Mercato market spreads across several blocks with fruit, flowers and street food, and it’s worth getting up for.

The neighbourhood is also close to the water. Head down Grape Street and you’ll reach Waterfront Park and the harbour promenade, and from here it’s about a 15-minute walk south to the USS Midway. The aircraft carrier is now a museum, and an adult ticket costs $39 (around £30) online. The museum itself recommends setting aside four to five hours, and it’s open daily from 10am to 5pm.

See hotels in Little Italy here.

I’d stay here if you’re a couple travelling for the food, or if you have an early flight, as no other area in this guide is as close to the airport. If you’re arriving by train from Los Angeles, you’ll also get off just a few minutes’ walk from your hotel. The trolley is right on your doorstep, and if you want to go to Gaslamp in the evening, a taxi is cheap, or you can walk along the harbour in half an hour.

The downside is the planes. Little Italy lies directly under the approach to the airport, so planes fly low over the neighbourhood throughout the day, which surprises a lot of people. Prices are also high and parking is expensive, so ideally come without a car and only hire one when you’re heading out of the city.

Hotels in Little Italy

Carte Hotel San Diego Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton - modern hotel with a rooftop pool and bar

Carte Hotel is on West Ash Street at the southern edge of Little Italy, with a heated saltwater pool on the roof. There’s also a spa, sauna and gym, and the rooms are new and bright. Expect a destination fee of $30 (around £22) per night and $65 (around £50) for valet parking, and some guests find the beds too soft.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was excellent. The hotel is clean and modern with good facilities and great staff.”

See photos and book Carte Hotel here.

Best Western Plus Bayside Inn - highly rated hotel with cheap parking

Best Western Plus Bayside Inn is on West Ash Street between Little Italy and the waterfront, and it had the highest rating of the three hotels in the neighbourhood in my search. There’s a heated outdoor pool, hot tub and gym, and parking costs just $20 (around £15) per night. A few guests complain that the hotel puts a large deposit hold on your card at check-in.

From one review: “Great location (close to the harbour and Downtown).”

See photos and book Bayside Inn here.

Little Italy Inn - simple aparthotel in the heart of the neighbourhood

Little Italy Inn is on State Street in the middle of Little Italy. It’s an aparthotel with limited service, a 24-hour reception and a gym. It was the cheapest of my three suggestions here when I searched. There’s no restaurant or pool, and parking costs $35 (around £25) per night and must be booked in advance.

One guest highlights: “It had everything I needed for a short, no-frills stay.”

See photos and book Little Italy Inn here.

3. La Jolla - best area for luxury and seaside nature

• Distance to the centre: La Jolla is about 20 km north of Downtown. By car it takes 25 to 30 minutes outside rush hour.
• Transport: A car is by far the easiest option out here. Bus 30 runs to Old Town and Pacific Beach, but it takes a while, and parking in La Jolla Village is hard to find.
• Time from San Diego International Airport: About 25 minutes by car or taxi.
• Price level: $$ to $$$$$. The three hotels below cost roughly $220 to $770 (around £165 to £575) per night when I searched for a weekend in April.
• Safety: One of the safest and most attractive areas in the whole of San Diego. Watch out for the slippery rocks by the water, and keep your distance from the sea lions.

La Jolla is San Diego’s upmarket coastal town, with villas on the hills, galleries and restaurants along Prospect Street and Girard Avenue, and a coastline that ranks among the most beautiful in California. La Jolla Cove is a small beach tucked between sandstone cliffs and part of a protected marine reserve, so fishing is banned and the water is popular with snorkellers and divers. In summer, according to the city’s lifeguards, visibility can exceed 9 metres.

Sea lions bask on the rocks around Point La Jolla, and a little further south the seals have taken over Children’s Pool. If you want to get really close to the coast, you can join a kayak tour to the seven sea caves at La Jolla from about $79 (around £60) for two people. North of the town lies La Jolla Shores, with a wide sandy beach that is better for children and beginner surfers.

See hotels in La Jolla here.

I would stay here if you are a couple who want to treat yourselves, or if your trip to San Diego is mainly about the coast, the beach and good dinners. You should have a car, and you can compare prices on car hire at Booking.com, which also lets you drive north to Torrey Pines or further up the coast towards Los Angeles. Without a car, you will end up spending a lot on taxis to Downtown.

The downside is the price, as La Jolla is the most expensive area in this guide, and even simple hotels cost more than in Downtown. Then there is the smell. The rocks at La Jolla Cove are covered in droppings from sea lions and seabirds, so on hot days there can be a strong smell down by the water.

Hotels in La Jolla

Pantai Inn - five-star boutique hotel with sea views on Coast Boulevard

Pantai Inn is on Coast Boulevard close to Children’s Pool, a few minutes’ walk from La Jolla Cove and the town’s restaurants. The rooms and cottages are decorated in Balinese style, many have a kitchen and views over the Pacific, and breakfast is included. There is no pool, and parking costs $30 (around £22) per night.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is fantastic. Breakfast included and friendly staff.”

See photos and book Pantai Inn here.

Inn by the Sea, La Jolla - mid-range hotel with a pool in the heart of La Jolla Village

Inn by the Sea is on Fay Avenue in the middle of La Jolla Village, about a ten-minute walk down to La Jolla Cove. There is an outdoor pool and a 24-hour reception, and the rating is high for the price. Parking costs $20 (around £15) per night, and parking is exactly what several guests are unhappy about.

From one review: “Nice, clean hotel with very helpful and polite staff, and the location was fantastic.”

See photos and book Inn by the Sea here.

Sands of La Jolla - budget motel with free parking in the southern part

Sands of La Jolla is on La Jolla Boulevard at the southern end of La Jolla towards Pacific Beach, about 4 km from La Jolla Cove. There is a pool and free parking, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions here when I searched. You will need a car or the bus to get around, and a few guests complain about poor soundproofing between the floors.

One guest highlights: “Fantastic location, spacious room with parking.”

See photos and book Sands of La Jolla here.

4. Pacific Beach & Mission Beach - best area for young travellers, surfing and beach life

• Distance to the centre: Pacific Beach is around 15 km north-west of Downtown, and Mission Beach is just to the south. It takes about 20 minutes by car.
• Transport: Buses 8 and 30 run to Old Town Transit Center, where you change to the trolley. Along the beach you can get around on foot, by bike or by scooter.
• Time from San Diego International Airport: About 15 to 20 minutes by car or taxi.
• Price level: $$ to $$$$. The three hotels below cost around $230 to $460 (around £170 to £345) per night when I searched for a weekend in April.
• Safety: Safe during the day, but Garnet Avenue can get drunken and rowdy at night. Lock up bikes and surfboards, and never leave anything visible in the car.

Pacific Beach, which everyone calls PB, is San Diego’s classic beach town, with surfers, students and a nightlife that kicks off as early as the afternoon. In the middle of the beach, Crystal Pier stretches out into the ocean with little white cottages on the pier itself, and from there you can watch the surfers from above. Along the water runs Ocean Front Walk, a promenade for cyclists, walkers and rollerskaters, which carries on south to Mission Beach. In the mornings there are surf schools on the beach by the pier, and the waves here are good for beginners.

Mission Beach is a narrow peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay, with beach houses right down to the sand. This is where you’ll find the Belmont Park amusement park with its old wooden rollercoaster, the Giant Dipper, and on the bay side the water is calm and good for kayaking, paddleboarding and small children. SeaWorld is on the other side of Mission Bay, about ten minutes away by car.

See hotels in Pacific Beach here.

I would stay here if you’re young, want to learn to surf or simply want the beach right outside the door and a bar within walking distance. It’s also a good choice for a week in the summer holidays with older children, if you pick a hotel at the quieter end by Mission Bay. Many hotels have free or cheap parking, so it’s easier to have a car here than in Downtown.

The downside is the partying. On Fridays and Saturdays Garnet Avenue fills up with young people bar-hopping, and hotels nearby can get noisy. Also remember that alcohol is banned on the beaches and in the parks along the coast, so the drinks belong in the bars and on the terraces.

Hotels in Pacific Beach & Mission Beach

Pacific Terrace Hotel - luxury hotel right on the beach with a pool and ocean views

Pacific Terrace is on Diamond Street, right on the beach and promenade in the northern part of Pacific Beach, and it has the highest rating of all the hotels in this guide. There’s a pool and hot tub just above the sand, and some of the rooms have ocean views. Breakfast isn’t included, parking costs $45 (around £35) per night, and some guests find the service at the pool and at breakfast a bit chaotic.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is excellent. Exceptionally helpful and friendly staff.”

See photos and book Pacific Terrace here.

Beach Haven - simple hotel with a pool one block from the beach

Beach Haven is on Mission Boulevard, just one block from the beach and a few minutes’ walk from Crystal Pier and Garnet Avenue. There’s a heated pool and hot tub, and parking costs just $10 (around £7.50) a day. The soundproofing is poor, and several guests mention noise from the street and neighbouring rooms.

From one review: “Excellent location in Pacific Beach, and the staff are so friendly and helpful.”

See photos and book Beach Haven here.

Pacific Shores Inn - budget motel with free parking close to the beach

Pacific Shores Inn is on Mission Boulevard in the northern part of Pacific Beach, about a two-minute walk from the beach. There’s a pool and free parking, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions here when I searched. It’s a simple motel with no restaurant, and several guests say there was no breakfast, even though they had expected it.

One guest highlights: “Nice, clean rooms and a comfy bed.”

See photos and book Pacific Shores Inn here.

5. Coronado - best area for families and beach holidays

• Distance to the centre: Coronado sits on a peninsula directly opposite Downtown. Over the Coronado Bridge, it’s around 15 minutes by car to the Gaslamp Quarter.
• Transport: The ferry runs from Coronado Ferry Landing to Broadway Pier and the Convention Center in 15 minutes, and bus 901 crosses the bridge to Downtown.
• Time from San Diego International Airport: Around 15 to 20 minutes by car or taxi.
• Price level: $$ to $$$$$. The three hotels below cost around $220 to $790 (roughly £165 to £590) per night when I searched for a weekend in April.
• Safety: Very safe. Coronado is a small, affluent town with a naval base, and the streets are quiet in the evening.

Coronado feels like a little American holiday town straight out of a film. Orange Avenue is the main street, lined with cafés, ice cream shops and restaurants, and at the end of it lies Coronado Beach, a wide sandy beach where the sand sparkles with tiny flecks of mica. Towering over the beach is the white and red Hotel del Coronado from 1888, and even if you’re not staying there, you can pop in to see the lobby or have a drink on the terrace.

The best way to get to Downtown is by ferry. Coronado Ferry sails from Ferry Landing on the bay side to Broadway Pier every hour and to the Convention Center every half hour, and a single ticket costs from $9 (around £7). The crossing takes 15 minutes, and you get the city skyline thrown in for free. On Coronado, you can hire a bike and ride around the flat streets and the paths along the bay.

See hotels in Coronado here.

I’d stay here if you’re a family with younger children who want a big, safe beach and a quiet place to come back to in the evening. It’s also a good choice for the last few days of a road trip, when you just want to relax. If you’re planning to visit San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld, a car is easiest, but for Downtown the ferry does the job perfectly.

The downsides are the price and the distance. Coronado is expensive and there isn’t much nightlife, so if you want to go out in the evening, you’ll need to take the ferry or a taxi back to the city. Naval Air Station North Island is on the northern tip, so you’ll hear jets and helicopters during the day.

Hotels in Coronado

Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton - the famous Victorian beach hotel from 1888

Hotel del Coronado sits right on Coronado Beach and is one of the best-known hotels in the USA, with red roofs, turrets and a pool facing the ocean. There’s a spa, several restaurants and a kids’ club, and many rooms have sea views. It’s the most expensive hotel in this guide, parking costs $59 (around £45) per night or $79 (around £60) with valet, and guests mention that eating at the hotel is also very pricey.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “A wonderful hotel and a wonderful experience all round.”

See photos and book Hotel del Coronado here.

Glorietta Bay Inn - quiet mid-range hotel right opposite the Hotel del

Glorietta Bay Inn is on Glorietta Boulevard by Glorietta Bay, directly opposite Hotel del Coronado, and costs less than half the price of its neighbour. There’s a heated pool and a hot tub, and it’s a few minutes’ walk to the beach and Orange Avenue. Some guests feel the rooms could do with an update.

From one review: “The staff were superb, very friendly and helpful.”

See photos and book Glorietta Bay Inn here.

Cherokee Lodge - small, personal bed and breakfast in Coronado Village

Cherokee Lodge is on D Avenue in a residential area in the middle of Coronado, a few minutes’ walk from Orange Avenue and around ten minutes from the beach. It’s a small place with a shared lounge and beach chairs you can borrow, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions here when I searched. The rooms are small, and there’s only street parking.

One guest highlights: “The place feels like staying in someone’s home.”

See photos and book Cherokee Lodge here.

6. Old Town - best area for history and good prices

• Distance to the centre: Old Town is about 5 km north of Downtown. By trolley it takes about 10 minutes to Little Italy and 20 minutes to the Gaslamp Quarter.
• Transport: Old Town Transit Center brings together the trolley, buses, the Coaster commuter train and the Pacific Surfliner from Los Angeles. The I-5 and I-8 motorways cross right next to it.
• Time from San Diego International Airport: About 10 minutes by car. The free San Diego Flyer bus runs from both terminals straight to Old Town Transit Center.
• Price level: $ to $$$. The three hotels below cost about 190 to 310 dollars (around £140 to £230) per night when I searched for a weekend in April.
• Safety: Safe and quiet. It goes quiet in the evening once the restaurants close, and you may see the odd homeless person around the station.

Old Town is where San Diego, and with it California, began. The Spanish founded the first mission and the first fort in California here in 1769, and today Old Town San Diego State Historic Park has five original adobe houses and a number of reconstructed buildings from the Mexican and early American periods. The museums are open from 10am to 5pm, and parking is free for up to four hours.

Around the park you’ll find Mexican restaurants, margarita bars and shops selling ceramics and rugs, and in the evening there’s often mariachi music on the terraces. It’s easy to get around from here, as the free San Diego Flyer runs between the airport and Old Town Transit Center, and you can take the trolley into Downtown or the bus out to Pacific Beach. Mission Bay and SeaWorld are about ten minutes away by car, and in Mission Valley, a little further inland, is Mission San Diego de Alcalá, California’s first mission, which was moved here from the hill above Old Town in 1774.

See hotels in Old Town here.

I’d stay here if you have a car and want the most for your money, or if you’re on a road trip and only staying a night or two. The hotels are cheaper than on the coast and in Downtown, and parking typically costs half as much. Families also get a lot out of being close to SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo and the beaches.

The downside is that Old Town is small, and once you’ve seen the park and eaten at a Mexican restaurant, there isn’t much more. The hotels are close to the motorways, so choose a room away from the I-5 if you’re a light sleeper.

Hotels in Old Town

Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town - Spanish-style hotel with a free airport shuttle

Hacienda Hotel is on Harney Street right next to the State Historic Park and is built in Spanish style on the slope above the park, with a pool, restaurant and bar. There’s a free shuttle to and from the airport, and parking costs just 15 dollars (around £11) per night. The rooms are dated, and because the hotel sits on a hill with lots of stairs, it isn’t easy for everyone to get around.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “I liked the location and the atmosphere of the hotel.”

See photos and book Hacienda Hotel Old Town here.

Courtyard San Diego Old Town - modern chain hotel close to the trolley

Courtyard is on Jefferson Street, a few minutes’ walk from Old Town Transit Center and the park. There’s an outdoor pool, restaurant and bar, and guests praise the size of the rooms. Parking costs 32 dollars (around £24) per night, and a few guests have complained about a bad smell in the corridors.

From one review: “Good-sized room and bathroom, good location, and the room is clean.”

See photos and book Courtyard Old Town here.

Old Town Western Inn - cheap, clean motel by the State Historic Park

Old Town Western Inn is on Arista Street right by the park and the restaurants, and is a simple motel with breakfast and parking for 15 dollars (around £11) per night. It was the cheapest hotel in the whole guide when I searched, and guests particularly praise the cleaning. The breakfast room is small, so you’ll often have to wait for a seat in the morning.

One guest highlights: “The cleanest hotel ever. Fantastic, and a really good location.”

See photos and book Old Town Western Inn here.

Where not to stay in San Diego?

Hotel Circle in Mission Valley is packed with cheap chain hotels along the I-8 motorway, but there’s no reason to step outside, and you’ll need a car for everything. The same goes for the Midway District on Sports Arena Boulevard, where the motels are cheap but the area is dreary with nothing to see. In Downtown, avoid the cheapest hotels in the eastern part of East Village, where many homeless people live on the pavements and the streets can feel unsafe after dark.

Don’t stay far inland in suburbs such as Mira Mesa or El Cajon to save money either. What you’ve come for is the ocean, the harbour and the beaches, and you’ll spend what you save on petrol, parking and time in traffic.

If it’s your first trip to San Diego and you don’t have a car, I’d stay in the Gaslamp Quarter or Little Italy and take the ferry, trolley and bus out to everything else. If you’re a couple with money to treat yourselves, choose La Jolla, and if you’re travelling with young children, Coronado is the easiest choice. Pacific Beach is for those who want surf, sand and bars, and Old Town is for those who have a car and want to save money.

Many people combine San Diego with Los Angeles. The Pacific Surfliner train runs along the coast to Santa Fe Depot by Little Italy in about three hours, and my guide to where to stay in Los Angeles and my suggestions for things to do in Los Angeles will help you with that part of the trip. If you’re carrying on north, I’ve also written about where to stay in San Francisco, and about where to stay in Las Vegas if you’re driving out into the desert. And if you’re planning a bigger road trip, you’ll find the best places across the whole country in my guide to where to stay in the USA.

The post Where to Stay in San Diego? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.