7 Best Beachfront Hotels in San Diego For Every Budget
San Diego, with its sun-kissed beaches, vibrant downtown, and perfect year-round weather, offers an idyllic vacation destination. However, picking the best beachfront hotel to enjoy these amenities can prove to be a challenge, given the sheer number of options and the varying degrees of amenities they offer. To help you sift through the noise and find a place that strikes the perfect balance between comfort, location, and affordability we found the seven best beachfront hotels in San Diego.
• Beach Village at The Del, Curio Collection by Hilton: Best Five-Star Hotel in Coronado
• Tower23 Hotel: Best for Restaurants and Nightlife
• Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines: Best for Tranquility and Outdoor Activities
• Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa: Best for Families
• Scripps Inn: Best Old California Charm in La Jolla
• Holiday Inn Express and Suites La Jolla: Best Value in La Jolla
• ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel: Best For Budget Travelers Looking to Have a Good Time
Here are the seven best beachfront hotels in San Diego from most to least expensive:
1. Beach Village at The Del, Curio Collection by Hilton: Best Five-Star Hotel in Coronado
Location: Coronado Beach
Price: ~$5,000 per week
If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Coronado, skip the obvious choice of Hotel del Coronado and stay at Beach Village at The Del instead. Not only is it perched in the same highly sought-after location on Coronado Beach, but its rooms are nicer and less expensive. Granted, that doesn’t mean Beach Village at The Del is a bargain. The starting price for a room is around $5,000 per week. One of the best aspects of it is that all of its rooms offer some sort of private outdoor space, such as a patio, balcony or terrace. On top of that, most offer a view and they are all larger than the average hotel room.
It also offers unique features such as spin and yoga classes daily on the beach, breakfast with panoramic ocean views and quick access to the heart of San Diego. While it’s a romantic hotel, it’s also a good choice for families looking for more space to spread out and enjoy the best of both worlds between the serene beach and the lively city center.
| Pros | Cons |
| All rooms have a patio, balcony or terrace | It’s expensive (one week is around $5,000) |
| Most rooms have a view | The pool doesn’t have ocean views |
| Heated pool, open year-round | Breakfast costs an extra $29 per person |
| Spin and yoga classes on the beach | Parking costs $49 per day |
| 10 out of 10-star location on Coronado Beach | No tennis courts on-site (and involves a fee) |
Learn more and check availability at the Beach Village at The Del Mar.
2. Tower23 Hotel: Best for Restaurants and Nightlife
Location: Pacific Beach
Price: ~$3,000
Tower23 Hotel is the best beachfront hotel in San Diego for its sleek, minimalist design, clean rooms, helpful staff and close proximity to all that Pacific Beach has to offer from restaurants and beach bars to watersports. All rooms come with their own private balcony or patio and guests say that rooms are very clean and comfortable. Granted, rooms are not the most spacious, but with so much to do within a short walking distance, you won’t be spending a ton of time in your room.
Rooms average around $3,000 per week, so it’s not the most affordable option–however, given its location, it’s not the most expensive for the San Diego area either. It’s an easy 15-minute drive to downtown San Diego, or a $15 to $20 Uber ride to the Gaslamp Quarter.
| Pros | Cons |
| Fun location for friends and couples | It’s not the best value for price |
| Lots of restaurants, bars and shops nearby | Parking is $15 per day |
| Top-rated amongst travelers | The rooms are a bit small |
| Very clean and very welcoming staff | |
| All rooms have private outdoor space (i.e., balcony) |
Learn more and check availability at the Tower23 Hotel.
3. Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines: Best for Tranquility and Outdoor Activities
Location: La Jolla
Price: ~$2,300
The Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines is one of the most peaceful oceanfront hotels in the San Diego area. With a golf course nestled between the hotel and the ocean and the Torrey Pines State Reserve at your doorstep, it’s a very tranquil destination–yet a very fun destination for those who will take advantage of all that this area has to offer from top-notch golf course to long scenic walks and bike rides. It also has a pool with a great outdoor area to unwind and read a book while the kids play in the pool. It’s a good choice for families and business travelers alike as it has something for everyone and it’s just a 30-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
Rooms start around $2,300 per week making it a mid-range hotel for the area. However, do note that parking costs an extra $40 per day and there is a $36 per night resort fee. So, a week here will realistically cost closer to $2,800–and that’s before tax.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very peaceful location on a golf course on the ocean | Limited ocean views from rooms |
| All rooms have a private patio or balcony | $36 resort fee per night |
| Pet-friendly | Parking costs $40 per day |
| Very close to Torrey Pines State Reserve | |
| Bicycles for rent | |
| Full-service spa |
Learn more and check availability at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines.
4. Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa: Best for Families
Location: San Diego
Price: ~$2,100
The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is a great beachfront hotel in San Diego for families with young children–and pets. This is largely because the hotel’s beach is on Mission Bay, lending to very quiet waters making it safe for the little ones to play in. It also offers a variety of children’s activities, as well as bicycle and rollerblade rentals, watersports activities, beach volleyball and an outdoor pool. Its rooms are also spacious and offer a balcony or patio, giving you and your family your own little piece of paradise.
Additionally, it is just 100 yards from Pacific Beach, many restaurants and a 15 to 20-minute drive to the Gaslamp Quarter. It gives the best of both worlds between being a quiet hotel with lots to offer at your fingertips. On the other hand, its decent price of around $2,000 per week is tempered by its additional fees of $40 per night. And if you’re bringing a car, that’s another $38 per day for a total of around $2,600 per week.
| Pros | Cons |
| All rooms have balconies or patios | No free breakfast |
| Watersport activities available | $39 per day resort fee |
| Bicycles and rollerblades for rent | $0.98 Destination fee per night |
| Offers a variety of children’s activities | |
| Full-service spa | |
| Pet-friendly |
Learn more and check availability at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa.
5. Scripps Inn: Best Old California Charm in La Jolla
Location: La Jolla
Price: ~$2,000 per week
Ok, Scripps Inn is not actually on the beach, but across the street from the beach. But it is a charming La Jolla hotel that gives off old-school California coastal vibes without looking dating or feeling old. Guests rave about the location and love the setup of its rooms. It’s within a 10 to 15-minute walk from dozens of shops and restaurants, while feeling far enough away from the action to feel very comfortable and peaceful.
Rooms cost around $2,000 per week and most rooms offer an ocean view and a sofa, giving you a bit more space during your visit. Parking costs an extra $18 per day, which is actually cheaper than most beachfront hotels in the San Diego area. It does not offer free breakfast or have a swimming pool. Though with La Jolla at your fingertips, you would probably want to take advantage of the numerous local restaurants and the beach across the street.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordably-price for ocean view rooms in prestigious La Jolla | No pool or gym |
| Highly rated amongst previous guests | No pets allowed |
| Most rooms have an ocean view | No breakfast |
| Numerous shops and restaurants within a short walking distance |
Learn more and check availability at Scripps Inn.
6. Holiday Inn Express and Suites La Jolla: Best Value in La Jolla
Location: La Jolla
Price: ~$1,800 per week
Ok, the Holiday Inn Express and Suites La Jolla is not beachfront. But it is just a couple of blocks from the beach and it offers a great value for price in notoriously expensive–and highly sought-after–La Jolla. What’s nice about it is that rooms are far more spacious than your average hotel room, so you have more space to spread out–or more space for family or friends. And unlike most hotels in San Diego, parking is free. On top of that, it has a free continental breakfast, a pool, and a small gym.
Alternatively, those that want to be based in La Jolla and don’t have to be on the beach, should also consider The Shoal Hotel La Jolla Beach. It’s similarly priced and right across the street. Its design is a bit nicer, but its rooms are a bit smaller. Parking isn’t free and it doesn’t come with free breakfast, so which is the best value for you, depends on what you’re looking for.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordably-priced | It’s a 5 minute walk from the beach |
| Spacious rooms and suites | Private balconies and patios do not come standard |
| Free breakfast | |
| Free parking | |
| Outdoor pool | |
| Small on-site fitness center |
Learn more and check availability at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites La Jolla.
7. ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel: Best For Budget Travelers Looking to Have a Good Time
Location: Pacific Beach
Price: ~$1,200 per week for a private room or $325 per week for a bed in a dorm
ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel is hands-down the best value for a beachfront hotel in San Diego. While it is officially a hostel, it does have private rooms with private bathrooms, so if you opt for a private room, it largely feels more like a hotel. Granted, don’t expect it to be the Ritz–but for just over $1,000 per week for a private room, it’s an absolute steal. And if you’re on a very limited budget, traveling with a group of friends or traveling solo and looking to make friends, it offers dorm rooms for as little as around $300 per week–and that includes free breakfast.
For those looking to come to San Diego to have a good time, meet new people and soak up the sun without spending a fortune, ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel is a great choice. Keep in mind that it’s not ideal for families or those who expect pure peace and quiet upon sundown. It also doesn’t have a pool, but it is right on the beach and who needs a pool when you have the Pacific?
| Pros | Cons |
| Best beachfront value with private rooms for around ~$1,200 per week | No pool |
| Fun, social environment | It can get loud at night |
| Price includes breakfast | Parking costs $20 per day |
| It has a terrace right on the boardwalk | |
| Workstations for digital nomads |
Learn more and check availability at the ITH Beach Bungalow Surf Hostel.
Tips to Find The Best Deals on Top Beachfront Hotels in San Diego
There’s a lot to think about when choosing a hotel for your upcoming trip. To get the best price, book as soon as possible and always check different websites. It’s not uncommon for different hotel search platforms (i.e., Booking.com or Expedia) to have a slightly different selection of hotels available and different prices. It’s also key to check the hotel’s website and see about booking directly. And for the absolute best price, call the hotel to book over the phone.
Here are a few tips for finding the best deals on hotels in San Diego:
• Book in advance
• Check different sites–including the hotel’s site
• Consider the cost of parking and resort fees before booking
• For a better value, consider a hotel that is close to the beach–but not beachfront
• To cut down on costs, consider the cost to Uber instead of renting a car
• …And when considering the cost of renting a car, factor in the cost to park–both at your hotel and while out and about
Last, but not least, it’s worth considering your overall budget. Even if you can afford the more expensive hotel, it can make for a more fun trip if you have extra spending money. Plus, the reality is that if you’re enjoying all that San Diego has to offer, you probably won’t be spending a ton of time in your hotel room.
Bottom Line: Best Beachfront Hotels in San Diego
There are a number of great beachfront hotels in San Diego and its beautiful surrounding area. Which is best for you and your travel partners will depend on your budget, preferences and interests. Be aware that hotels in San Diego book fast, so book early to give yourself the most options and the best prices. Happy travels!
