San Diego is the perfect travel destination if you’re looking for excellent weather, lots of sunshine, and amazing days at the beach. There are lots of great places to stay in San Diego, but it doesn’t get much better than waking up right along the beach. Fortunately, there are some awesome beachfront properties that accommodate guests and put you right by the sand and ocean waves. Here are the top beachfront hotels in San Diego to choose from!
Hotel del Coronado
Hotel del Coronado is an iconic property and one of the most family-friendly hotels in San Diego, set across 28 oceanfront acres with characteristic brick red turrets on Coronado Island. A National Historic Landmark, it was built in 1888, providing guests with an idyllic seaside setting that’s drawn many rich and famous from dignitaries to Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe. Book a room here and you’ll enjoy the perfect mix of historic and modern, including beachfront dining and upscale shopping, an award-winning spa, and all sorts of outdoor activities like paddle boarding and surfing, as well as relaxing around a bonfire roasting s’mores.
Key Amenities:
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Beachfront dining ranging from upscale bistros to seaside lounges
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Award-winning spa with ocean-inspired treatments
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Access to outdoor activities like surfing and paddle boarding
Bahia Resort Hotel
One of San Diego’s best resorts, Bahia Resort Hotel offers a tranquil oasis for nature lovers along with stunning ocean views on Mission Bay. Guests can enjoy relaxing or strolling the sandy beach edged by calm waters in a place that feels like a private stretch of paradise. The property offers a gorgeous restored sternwheeler ship that provides free cruises around Mission Bay for guests, as well as an Olympic-sized swimming pool and hot tub. Nearby is a sanctuary for rescued seals where visitors can enjoy close encounters with the animals. The stylish rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies with beach and garden views. Suites include a kitchenette and dining area.
Key Amenities:
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Free cruises around Mission Bay aboard a restored sternwheeler ship
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Olympic-sized swimming pool and hot tub
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Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies
998 W Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109, USA— +1 858-488-0551
Pacific Terrace Hotel
Pacific Terrace Hotel is especially popular for romantic escapes, set atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific, but it’s also ideal for a family-friendly getaway. You’ll have easy access to a beautiful beach as well as being close to a variety of dining and shopping options. The hotel has a heated swimming pool and hot tub overlooking the beach, while most of its extra-spacious rooms boast ocean views along with private patios or balconies. Bicycles are available to rent for rides along the boardwalk or you can rent water sports equipment like boogie boards to get out and play on the water. Package deals are available that include breakfast, surfing lessons, picnics on the beach, and local craft beers.
Key Amenities:
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Heated swimming pool and hot tub overlooking the beach
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Bicycles and water sports equipment available for rent
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Spacious rooms featuring ocean-facing private patios and balconies
L'Auberge Del Mar
One of the best hotels in Southern California, L’Auberge Del Mar overlooks the Pacific Ocean in San Diego. This resort has an array of rooms and suites, a wellness spa, a private path to the beach, and a nice pool area. You’ll also be in close walking distance to the nearby shops, restaurants, galleries, and hiking trails of Torrey Pines State Reserve. Expect a blend of upscale chic and beachy casual here, as well as private balconies and patios to enjoy the views. You’ll love the charming seaside area of Del Mar and the footpath to the 15th Street Beach. On-site dining options include Kitchen 1540 for Southern California cuisine, Coastline for local favorites with awesome views, and Bleu Bar for libations with views.
Key Amenities:
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Upscale and beach-inspired rooms and suites with private balconies and patios
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Private footpath to the 15th Street Beach
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Spa, pool, and multiple restaurants and bars on-site
1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014, USA— +1 858-386-1336
San Diego Mission Bay Resort
The San Diego Mission Bay Resort is another great option if you’re looking for a waterfront suite or waterfront dining with one of the coolest hotel pools in San Diego. The resort is along Mission Bay and has a spa, fitness center, beautiful guest rooms, and activities for kids. Rooms here have private patios and balconies to soak up the views, and there are package deals specific to seasons, family fun, and spa rejuvenation. The onsite Spa Brezza offers a variety of treatments, and the fitness center is complimentary and open 24 hours per day for guests. Onsite dining and drinking options include the Acqua California Bistro and the Olive Lounge.
Key Amenities:
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Waterfront suites and dining along Mission Bay
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On-site spa, fitness center, and pool
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Schedule of activities for kids
1775 E Mission Bay Dr., San Diego, CA 92109, USA— +1 619-677-1161
The Surfer Beach Hotel
You’ll be just steps from the ocean when you stay at The Surfer Beach Hotel, which is an affordable option along Pacific Beach. With dozens of San Diego attractions nearby, you can enjoy the year-round pool and pick a family room if you’re traveling with kids. This is also a pet-friendly option that welcomes pets weighing less than 50 pounds. Wi-Fi is available in all areas, public parking is available onsite, and the Sunset Suite even has a full kitchen.
Key Amenities:
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Steps from Pacific Beach and close to San Diego attractions
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Family- and pet-friendly rooms with ocean views
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Heated outdoor swimming pool open year-round
711 Pacific Beach Dr, San Diego, CA 92109, USA— +1 858-483-7070
Pier South Resort
Pier South Resort is ideally located on Imperial Beach, providing access to the soft sands and the Pacific. There are panoramic ocean views throughout the property which includes a rooftop terrace, oceanfront outdoor pool and hot tub, a lavish spa offering a variety of massages, body scrubs, and mani/pedis, as well as the highly-rated SEA180 Coastal Tavern, which serves Baja-Mediterranean fare. Look forward to activities on the beach like paddle boarding, kayaking, and boogie boarding, with rentals available onsite. The beach-style suites include floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies with either a partial or full ocean view.
Key Amenities:
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Oceanfront outdoor pool, hot tub, and rooftop terrace
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Water sports equipment rentals available on-site
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Beach-style suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies, and ocean views
Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Paradise Point Resort & Spa is one of the top resorts in San Diego and the perfect place to experience a private island getaway right in San Diego. It sits along Mission Bay, and while it may feel as if it’s worlds away from the city, it’s close to many popular attractions, like the downtown and the historic amusement park, Belmont Park. But with so much to do on the island, you may not want to leave. It hosts five swimming pools, a marina, various sports courts, a fitness center, and a variety of outdoor activities too. Take sailing lessons, play miniature golf, go jet-skiing or just relax and enjoy the sunshine. The on-site spa offers decadent treatments based on destinations like Bali, Fiji and Thailand, using techniques and ingredients indigenous to the island you choose.
Key Amenities:
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Multiple pools, sports courts, and a fitness center on-site
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Spa with decadent treatments inspired by the traditions of Bali, Fiji, and Thailand
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Close to popular San Diego attractions like Belmont Park
Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Set along the shores of Mission Bay and one of California’s top beach resorts, Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa offers the ideal locale for enjoying quiet strolls on the soft sands of secluded Mission Bay beach and winding pathways that meander to lush gardens and koi ponds. There are more active pursuits too, including kayaking, surfing, sailing, and water skiing. The property also hosts a swimming pool, hot tub, comfy loungers, and a poolside bar and grill. The waterfront day spa offers a menu of pampering body treatments and therapeutic massage.
Key Amenities:
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Swimming pool with hot tub, loungers, and poolside bar and grill
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Waterfront day spa with menu of treatments and massage services
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Secluded Mission Bay beach location with access to water sports and lush gardens
3999 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109, USA— +1 858-488-1081
Crystal Pier Hotel
Crystal Pier Hotel boasts a beautiful spot overlooking the ocean along with historic New England-style cottages with full-size kitchens and private decks that line the wooden pier on Pacific Beach. There are studios, one and two-bedroom options, as well as a large suite popular with families that sleeps six. Guests can enjoy strolling the pier and the beach, fishing, surfing, or just relaxing to the sounds of the surf. This boutique property is so popular you’ll need to book nearly a year in advance for the summer season and four to six months for the spring, fall, or winter.
Key Amenities:
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New-England style cottage accommodations with full-size kitchens and private decks
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Option to book studios, one- and two-bedroom suites, as well as a family suite that sleeps 6
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Located right by the Pacific Beach pier for easy access to surfing and fishing
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
If you’re looking for a tranquil vacation on the beach and a family-friendly San Diego accommodation that offers plenty of room for a large family or group of friends, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club may be ideal. It offers the comforts of home along with a private stretch of beach that’s considered one of the best spots for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, learning to surf, and even for snorkeling. All rooms, with everything from studios to three-bedroom units, have either a private patio or balcony, some facing the ocean. Umbrellas, beach chairs, and towels are all complimentary, and guests can also enjoy food and beverage service on the sand, a heated pool, in-room massage, nightly beach barbecues, and two waterfront restaurants, with more options for dining within walking distance.
Key Amenities:
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Access to a private stretch of beach, a heated pool, and water sports equipment
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Private patio or balcony off every room
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Complimentary access to umbrellas, beach chairs, and towels
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Multiple dining and drinking options on-site
The Inn at Sunset Cliffs
Located in the historical Point Loma/Ocean Beach area, the Inn at Sunset Cliffs is a San Diego hotel that is right on the Pacific Ocean. This is a boutique inn that has a relaxed atmosphere. It’s one of the rare places that is really an oceanfront hotel in San Diego, with beaches just a few blocks away. The inn has two ocean-view terraces where you can look out over the Pacific and is also a popular place for weddings. When you stay here, you can also book one of the hotel’s packages for a little extra romance, beach fun, or celebration.
Key Amenities:
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Located just a few blocks from the beach
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Two ocean-facing terraces overlooking the Pacific
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Hotel packages available
1370 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107, USA— +1 619-222-7901
Ocean Beach Hotel
The Ocean Beach Hotel is directly on the beach in the heart of Ocean Beach. It is centrally located and just 15 minutes from the zoo, airport, and downtown San Diego. But here, you’ll get a small-town, laid-back atmosphere that’s friendly and surf-inspired. Guests are right next to the beach with direct beach access. The nearby beach is great for surfing and family-friendly because it is patrolled by lifeguards and is ideal for many water sports. All of the rooms here have refrigerators, air conditioning, irons, and ironing boards. One parking spot is available per room, and pet-friendly rooms are available here too.
Key Amenities:
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Minutes from top San Diego attractions like the zoo, downtown, and airport
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Steps from the sand of the lifeguard-patrolled Ocean Beach
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All rooms feature refrigerators and air conditioning
Loews Coronado Bay Resort
Situated on a 15-acre peninsula, the Loews Coronado Bay Resort is a waterfront oasis that is surrounded by the bay waters and San Diego skyline. This is a fun place to be when you want to take various excursions in the area, such as water sports, sailboat trips, and days at the beach. There are stylish guest rooms here, which include plush and pet-friendly suites. The hotel has three heated pools, a spa offering signature treatments, and a restaurant that serves fresh seafood. You can hop onboard the free daily shuttle to get to Silver Strand Beach from the hotel.
Key Amenities:
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Surrounded by bay and skyline views
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Three heated pools, a spa, and a restaurant on-site
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Free daily shuttle to Silver Strand Beach
4000 Coronado Bay Rd, Coronado, CA 92118, USA— +1 619-424-4000
Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Hilton San Diego Bayfront is a convention resort and one of San Diego’s best Hilton hotels that’s right by the Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park in San Diego. It offers an urban coastal experience with excellent views from the guest rooms and locally inspired dining. The hotel has both rooms and suites that you can book, as well as multiple dining venues onsite. The eforea Spa offers massages and beauty treatments, and the Hilton has plenty of space for weddings and business meetings too.
Key Amenities:
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Location next to the Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park
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Option to book rooms or suites with coastal views
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Multiple dining venues on-site
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Luxury spa with a menu of massages and beauty treatments
Sand Castle Inn and Suites
You can live the beach life with a stay at the San Castle Inn & Suites, which is in Imperial Beach and right across from the Pacific Ocean. This hotel is 15 minutes from downtown San Diego but still a good home base to explore the region. In fact, Mexico is just a 10-minute drive from the hotel if you want to cross the border into Baja. You can walk right across to the ocean and get to the Imperial Beach Pier within a two-minute walk. The guestrooms here include standard rooms, apartment suites, and penthouses. They come with refrigerators, microwaves, cable TV, and ceiling fans (but no air conditioning). The larger suites and penthouses have kitchens and kitchenettes.
Key Amenities:
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Minutes from downtown San Diego and the Mexico border with Baja
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Located right across the street from the ocean and Imperial Beach Pier
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Option to book standard rooms, apartment suites, and penthouses
785 Seacoast Dr, Imperial Beach, CA 91932, USA— +1 619-429-4796
Kona Kai Resort & Spa
The Kona Kai Resort & Spa is a luxury island escape in San Diego and offers modern luxury with a private beach. The rooms here have oversized balconies, there is an onsite restaurant, and guests enjoy the tiki bar by the adults-only pool. There are also poolside cabanas that you book to feel like a VIP. Relax and unwind at the SpaTerre, which offers personalized treatments plus a fitness center. When the sun starts to set, head out to the private beach and get cozy around the beach fire pits.
Key Amenities:
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Oversized balconies off every room
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Private beach and fire pits on the sand
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Adults-only pool with tiki bar and poolside cabanas
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Spa with personalized treatments and a fitness center
1551 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106, USA— +1 619-452-3138
Ocean Park Inn
A San Diego beach hotel option is the Ocean Park Inn, which is a budget-friendly hotel in a great location. The hotel has been family-owned since 1967 and is a place for surf culture and free spirits. Many of the rooms have kitchenettes, which are convenient for business travelers and vacationers wanting more comforts of home. All of the rooms have private patios or balconies, and most of them have ocean or pool views.
Key Amenities:
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Option to book a room with a kitchenette
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Private patios or balconies off every room
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Access to pool and ocean
PB Surf Beachside Inn
Here’s a family-friendly hotel in Pacific Beach, San Diego that is a surf-themed hotel. Guests have free parking and can hang out on the rooftop patio or access the sister property’s heated pool and spa. There are lots of local restaurants within walking distance of the PB Surf Beachside Inn. Downtown San Diego and the Gaslamp Quarter are just 10 minutes away. Yet the fabulous Pacific Beach is just a couple of blocks away. The list of amenities includes a 24-hour front desk, coffee in the lobby, and coin-operated laundry machines. People rate this hotel highly because of the consistently friendly service and great location.
Key Amenities:
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Access to rooftop patio and sister property’s heated pool and spa
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Walking distance to local restaurants and the beach
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Complimentary coffee in the lobby
4760 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109, USA— +1 858-483-6780
Scripps Inn
Located in nearby La Jolla, Scripps Inn is an intimate hotel near Cuvier Park and San Diego. There are just a small number of guest rooms at Scripps Inn, and some of them have fireplaces and kitchenettes. This is a relaxing and romantic place to stay where you can enjoy ocean views and the sounds of the rolling surf. You’ll be close to restaurants and shopping when you stay here. Over 25 restaurants are just a five-to-10-minute walk away. Cribs are available if you are traveling with a baby. Parking can be challenging in La Jolla, but your stay here includes parking for an extra $18 fee.
Key Amenities:
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Option to book rooms with fireplaces and kitchenettes
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Within walking distance of restaurants and shopping
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Ocean views right from the property
