Where to Stay in San Diego, by a Local (Best Areas & Places)

9 Best Neighborhoods and Areas to Stay in San Diego

San Diego, the southernmost city in California, is known for its laid-back beachy atmosphere. The downtown beating heart of the city is situated on a large bay and is central to many of the city’s most famous sites and attractions. 

Travel northwest and the dense city gives way to small, eclectic beach towns in San Diego that range from sleepy, to bohemian, to luxurious. I’ll go into these details for each of my favorite neighborhoods in San Diego, moving from south to north, and give you an idea of what area will be the best fit for you!

Coronado

👉 Best Area For Families & Luxury Beach Holiday | ✨ Best Coronado Hotels: Hotel Del Coronado • 1906 Lodge • Loews Coronado Bay Resort

Coronado Island is a narrow peninsula that juts out from the southernmost part of San Diego and forms the San Diego Bay. The quasi-island is known for being a resort town and caters to families that want to enjoy the high-end hotels, beach, and quaint downtown area without having to travel around too much. 

One of the benefits of vacationing in Coronado is that you won’t need a car to explore the area, which includes some of the most beautiful beaches in San Diego and a quintessential beachside village. You can get to Coronado either by car over the picturesque Coronado bridge or by taking the ferry that departs from both Broadway Pier and the 5th Ave Convention Center.

Pros of Staying in Coronado Island:

• Beaches, resorts, and downtown are all within walking/biking distance
• Beautiful, golden beaches
• Great for families
• Close to San Diego International Airport

Cons of Staying in Coronado Island:

• Hotels can be pricey
• Not much nightlife

Downtown San Diego

👉 Best Area For Nightlife and Sightseeing | ✨ Best Downtown San Diego Hotels: Pendry San Diego • Hotel Indigo San Diego • The U.S. Grant

Downtown San Diego looks out over the picturesque San Diego Bay and is a great place to stay if you’re hoping to do the best activities San Diego has to offer. For example, downtown is home to the historic Gaslamp Quarter, famous for its bustling nightlife scene, and Little Italy which boasts some of the city’s coolest restaurants. 

While you won’t be near the beach, staying downtown will offer you easy access to most of San Diego’s most popular sites and attractions such as Seaport Village, Balboa Park, Old Town San Diego, and the San Diego Zoo, most of which can be reached by taking the trolley.

Pros of Staying in Downtown San Diego:

• Most convenient for popular sites/attractions
• Tons of trendy restaurants and bars
• Lots of hotel options in all price ranges
• Close to San Diego International Airport

Cons of Staying in Downtown San Diego:

• The beach is far enough away to require a car
• Not the best option for a quiet, laid-back vacation

Ocean Beach

👉 Best Area For Young Travelers Seeking Adventure | ✨ Best Ocean Beach Hotels: Samesun Ocean Beach • The Inn at Sunset Cliffs • Ocean Beach Hotel

Ocean Beach (OB) is one of the quirkiest beach-side neighborhoods in San Diego and is known for being bohemian, eclectic, and wild, attracting people of the same description. The area holds festivities on almost a nightly basis, including impromptu street performances, open-air markets, and festivals, usually concentrated near the Ocean Beach Pier.

OB is still near enough downtown that you can quickly visit many of the popular San Diego sites. It has tons of laid-back bars and restaurants and is great for people wanting a lively and unforgettable beach vacation on a budget, as there are more affordable hotels and hostels in OB. Be warned that OB has lured many young travelers to move to San Diego full-time.

Pros of Staying in Ocean Beach:

• Right next to the beach
• Lively nightlife and tons of eccentric bars and restaurants
• Great for younger travelers 

Cons of Staying in Ocean Beach:

• Not many luxury hotels
• Not very family-oriented

Mission Beach

👉 Best Area For a Casual Beach Vacation | ✨ Best Mission Beach Hotels: Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa • The Dana on Mission Bay • Ocean Park Inn

Mission Beach is a narrow strip of land that divides the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay. It’s a popular destination for laid-back travelers looking to enjoy the ocean, sunshine, and a variety of casual bars and restaurants. While the area certainly isn’t luxury, it does offer something for everyone, including families, younger crowds, and everyone in between. 

Mission Beach is also centrally located, making it easy to visit downtown and surrounding attractions without being in the hustle and bustle. The area also offers easy access to both the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay, where you can do a variety of water activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming, and is also home to Belmont Park, a beachfront theme park with an antique rollercoaster located in South Mission Beach. 

Pros of Staying in Mission Beach:

• Affordable and laid back
• Beach, restaurants, and bars within walking distance
• Close to the airport and popular sites and attractions

Cons of Staying in Mission Beach:

• Not many luxury dining or hotel options

Pacific Beach

👉 Best Area For a Casual Friends Trip | ✨ Best Pacific Beach Hotels: Tower 23 • Pacific Terrace Hotel • The Beach Cottages

Pacific Beach (PB) is a bustling California beach town whose many bars draw crowds of young college students and recent graduates. The area is very laid back, with most people opting for flip-flops and bathing suits during the day and nearly equally casual dress at night when they flock to the many bars and San Diego breweries.

You won’t find many luxury options in PB, but you’ll find plenty of San Diego’s laidback and beachy spirit. I especially recommend a stay in Pacific Beach for young people looking for lively evenings and beachy days.

Pros of Staying in Pacific Beach:

• Energetic nightlife and wide variety of casual bars and restaurants
• Short walk to the beach
• Cheap hotels available

Cons of Staying in Pacific Beach:

• Can get crowded during high tourism season
• A mostly younger crowd that can get rowdy at night

La Jolla

👉 Best Area For a Romantic Getaway | ✨ Best La Jolla Hotels: La Valencia • La Jolla Shores Hotel • Pantai Inn

La Jolla, known as “The Jewel” is a luxurious neighborhood with some of San Diego’s most expensive homes, most gorgeous coastline, and best luxury hotels. The area is home to La Jolla Shores, one of the most beloved beaches in San Diego, as well as La Jolla Cove and tide pools. The downtown boasts numerous art galleries and a variety of fine dining options.

Most of the best places to stay in La Jolla are pricey, luxurious, and unique, offering a special experience to those who stay here. Plus, most are within walking distance of the beach, and the La Jolla Shores Hotel offers access to the only private beach in San Diego. This is my number one recommendation for anyone looking for a romantic getaway in San Diego or a luxury beach resort vacation.

Pros of Staying in La Jolla:

• Tons of natural beauty to explore
• Lots of fine dining and shopping
• Many boutique hotels and luxury resorts

Cons of Staying in La Jolla:

• Hotels and dining can be expensive
• Not much nightlife
• Difficult to get in and out of the area

Del Mar

👉 Best Area For a Luxury Beach Vacation | ✨ Best Del Mar Hotels: Fairmont Grand Del Mar • L’Auberge Del Mar • Les Artistes Inn

Del Mar is another high-end area of San Diego, though smaller and less ostentatious than La Jolla. The village is quaint and offers both laid-back dining as well as some more elegant dining options, art galleries, and stunning clifftop views of the Pacific Ocean. 

Some of the nearby attractions include the world-renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course as well as the gorgeous outdoor recreation area, Torrey Pines State Park. Del Mar is the perfect destination for a luxurious yet laid-back vacation for anyone trying to escape the hustle and bustle. 

Pros of Staying in Del Mar:

• Close to the beach
• Close to some attractions (Del Mar Fairground, Torrey Pines, Torrey Pines Golf Course)
• Great for quiet vacations
• Halfway between the zoo and Legoland

Cons of Staying in Del Mar:

• You’ll need a car to get to more popular attractions further south
• Little to no nightlife
• Can be pricey

Encinitas

👉 Best Area For a Taste of Local Charm | ✨ Best Encinitas Hotels: Inn at Moonlight Beach • Surfhouse Boutique Hotel • Leucadia Beach Inn

Encinitas, located in north county San Diego, is a trendy area that toes the line between luxury and laid-back beach town. Even though the town grew from sleepy to fashionable, it’s held on to its small-town vibe which means you can find both high and low-end restaurants, bars, and shops in the downtown area.

Because the neighborhood is well north of the San Diego Airport, it’s not as popular a tourist destination, so crowds tend to be smaller than the southern beach destinations. Check out Jess’s local guides to what to do in Encinitas and the best places to stay in Encinitas for more information.

Pros of Staying in Encinitas:

• Less crowded, less touristic feel
• Has variety in both quality and quantity of food and shopping 
• On the beach

Cons of Staying in Encinitas:

• Far from popular San Diego attractions
• You’ll need a car to go to most other places

Carlsbad

👉 Best Area For Recharging and Relaxing with Family | ✨ Best Carlsbad Hotels: Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort • Omni La Costa Resort and Spa • Carlsbad Seapointe Resort

Carlsbad is one of the most northern beach towns in San Diego County, located 40 minutes away from San Diego International Airport. It’s a quiet, beachy, family-friendly neighborhood with a small downtown area that contains some cute restaurants, shops, and bars. It’s one of the places that families will loyally return to visit year after year.

Carlsbad is a great place to vacation for those looking to recharge and relax away from the crowds. It’s also the home of Legoland, so if visiting the park is the priority of your time in San Diego, then you may consider staying in the picturesque town.

For more, see Jess’s local guide to where to stay in Carlsbad.

Pros of Staying in Carlsbad:

• Lots of activities in Carlsbad for families
• Calm and relaxing atmosphere
• Close to Legoland

Cons of Staying in Carlsbad:

• Far from the airport
• Not much nightlife
• You’ll probably require a car

Tips for Staying in San Diego

San Diego is Generally Very Safe

First-time visitors to San Diego will be pleased to know that San Diego is very safe for tourism. In fact, it’s consistently rated as one of the safest large cities in the US.

Of course, you still should practice common sense. In particular, the ongoing global health crisis continues to affect San Diego (as it does the entire world) and travelers should be sure to research the latest information, numbers, and restrictions before their stay to make sure visiting is within their comfort zone.

⛱️ Read Next: Where to Stay in Oceanside, CA

Plan out your Transportation

San Diego is a huge California city that takes 45 minutes to drive across without traffic. So depending on what activities and areas you want to stay in, you’ll want to think about what transportation you’ll want to use.

Uber and Lyft can be expensive, but if you only plan on venturing out from where you’re staying a few times, it could be a good option.

If you’re staying downtown, you may be able to take the trolley to most of the popular nearby sites and attractions. But if you’re staying farther north or want to explore multiple areas mentioned above, it’ll probably be worth renting a car. 

👉 Read Next: The Best Things to do in San Diego (By a Local)

When to Come to San Diego

The best beach weather in San Diego is in late summer into early fall when temperatures reach the high 70s near the coast. Summer is the high season for tourism in California, so if you want the best weather without crowds, plan your visit for mid-September.

For a more detailed guide on times to visit the city, check out my article on the best time of year to visit San Diego. If you do decide to visit in Summer, be sure to book your lodging at least 6 months in advance as they fill up fast.

📽️ Read Next: Best Areas for Where to Stay in Los Angeles

Try the Mexican Food Joints

San Diego has some of the most incredible Mexican food north of the border (I may be a bit biased about this, but I stand by my opinion).

The best food tends to come from the smallest and most unassuming taco shops, so don’t let appearances stop you from trying the food. Do as the locals do and order a California Burrito. 

Some of my favorite places include Oscar’s,The Taco Stand,Lola’s, and Roberto’s.

Answers to FAQs About Where to Stay in San Diego

The Pendry is a top hotel option in Downtown as it has great dining options and a rooftop pool. Or, for a slightly less big city atmosphere but with many of the plus sides of staying in Downtown, check out North Park, which is one of the most popular San Diego Neighborhoods for young professional residents.

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Whether you’re looking for a quiet beach getaway, or to let loose at some local breweries or bars, one of San Diego’s many neighborhoods is sure to be a good fit. Hopefully, this guide has given you some insight into where to stay in San Diego! 

If you’re planning on a longer stay in San Diego and want to explore surrounding areas, take a look at my guide on day trips from San Diego!