Best Places to Stay in San Diego Including Important Tips on Weather & Climate Zones
Introduction and Climate
If you're planning a trip to San Diego, whether for work or for fun, we’ve put together some tips and suggestions to help you find the best place to stay and avoid some of the surprises that catch many visitors off-guard. Not only do we cover where to stay, but we also share some important tips about San Diego’s weather and climate zones which can surprise visitors expecting hot and sunny days at the beach.
San Diego’s Ocean Temperatures Are Cold!
One of the things that surprises beachgoers the most about San Diego is how cold the water is. Even in the warmest months of summer, it’s rare for the ocean temperature to get above 70°F (21°C). If that were air temperature, it may not sound that bad, but consider that the idyllic ocean temperatures of Hawaii are about 10°F (5.5°C) warmer on average. And if you visit San Diego beaches between November and April, you can expect water temperatures between 57 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit (14°C to 16°C) on average.
Photo by @haydenhunt
San Diego Beaches Can Be Cool and Cloudy
San Diego’s beaches and coastal areas tend to have the mildest climate, but it’s not always warm and sunny. It’s fairly common for a low cloud layer (or marine layer) to blanket the beaches for part of the day. On days when it’s present, it will usually burn off by mid-morning, but it can also roll in towards the end of the day, bringing cooler temperatures with it. When it’s particularly thick and persistent, it may not burn off at all. The marine layer usually doesn’t extend more than a few miles inland and it’s more common during certain times of the year. It’s especially common in May and June, which locals sometimes refer to as May Gray and June Gloom. On the other hand, you’re less likely to experience it in August and September, so plan your beach vacation accordingly. You may also want to keep a sweatshirt handy if you plan on being out and about in San Diego’s beach communities in the evening.
Photo by @gregbulla
San Diego’s Inland Areas Are Generally Warmer and Sunnier
If being right by the beach isn’t your main priority, you may want to consider staying just a few miles inland. Because the marine layer is most persistent at the beach, inland areas are going to offer a higher probability of sunshine, especially in the mornings and evenings. This also means the temperature will climb faster. In the hottest months of August and September, temperatures can be substantially hotter than the coast. However, inland areas tend to be less humid than the coast, so many people don’t mind the warmer temperatures. There are some fantastic resort options in North County San Diego, including a few we recommend below in our section on North County Beaches and Inland Areas. If you prefer to be closer to downtown and Balboa Park, check out the hip and centrally located neighborhoods of North Park, University Heights, and Hillcrest where you can find plenty of Airbnb’s as well as the *Lafayette Hotel in North Park*, all located just a few miles from Balboa Park and downtown.
Photo by @mattartz
San Diego’s Mountain Areas Can Get Snow in Winter Months
If you’re coming to San Diego for activities like hiking, biking, wine tasting, and horseback riding, there are some beautiful areas to stay in San Diego’s foothill and mountain areas. Located anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes from downtown San Diego, towns like Julian, CA are high enough in elevation to experience snow in the winter months. On the other hand, it can be scorching hot and dry in summer months with temperatures in some of these areas exceeding 90°F (32°C) during the day. Be sure to use a site like weather.gov to get accurate weather forecasts for the exact location and elevation you’ll be visiting, and always carry extra water with you, especially in summer months.
Visiting San Diego for Business? Don’t Assume You Should Stay Downtown.
If you’re in town for a conference at the San Diego Convention Center, you’ll mostly likely want to stay downtown. See our top picks below under the “downtown” section. If you’re not in town for a conference, you may not be spending much time downtown. While there are several companies located in downtown San Diego, a lot of San Diego’s tech and biotech companies are located north of downtown in areas like University City or University Town Center (UTC), Carmel Valley, and Sorrento Valley (home to Qualcomm). This creates a reverse commute in San Diego, so if you have a morning meeting in one of those areas, traffic can be bad. There are still many good reasons to stay downtown (such as restaurants and nightlife) but it’s just something to be aware of. If you do decide to stay north of downtown, consider some of the recommendations listed below under the section for La Jolla or North County Beaches.
Visiting San Diego for Fun? There’s So Many Great Places to Stay!
One of the best things about San Diego is how distinct and varied the neighborhoods and different parts of town can be. Even though some of these areas may only be 15 minutes from each other, they can provide totally different San Diego experiences.
Downtown
Downtown San Diego is a great place to stay if you want to be close to Petco Park, the San Diego Convention Center and the Gaslamp District. You’ll also be close to Seaport Village, the USS Midway Museum, and the Maritime Museum. The San Diego Airport and Balboa Park are both less than 2 miles from downtown. If you want to access a beach, you can take a short ferry ride across the bay from Seaport Village to Coronado where you can access one of San Diego’s best beaches, Coronado Beach.
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Coronado
Coronado is an island just across the bay from downtown San Diego. It's a fantastic option for anyone wanting to enjoy beautiful beaches and a relaxing, family friendly vibe. There are tons of restaurants and shops along its main street (Orange Ave) and because the island is flat, it’s very walkable and bike friendly. If you want to visit downtown San Diego, just hop on the ferry at the north end of Orange Ave. Balboa Park and the San Diego airport aren’t far either, both less than a 15 minute drive from Coronado. As far as hotels go, it’s impossible not to recommend the iconic *Hotel Del Coronado*. We also really like the *1906 Lodge*, it has a great location tucked just off Orange Ave within walking distance of all the shops and restaurants. As for hotels to avoid? The Coronado Island Marriott Resort is very well rated but it’s location at the northeastern tip of the island makes it difficult for us to recommend because it’s so isolated and it’s about as far as you can get from all the shops, restaurants and beach.
Mission Bay
Mission Bay is a large aquatic playground popular with boaters, jet skiers, paddle boarders, and other water sports. There are also miles of paved pathways around Mission Bay which are great for walking, running, roller blading, or riding bikes. Mission Bay is bordered by Pacific Beach (PB) on the north, Mission Beach on the west, and the I-8 and I-5 freeways to the south and east respectively. Mission Bay has several large resorts (of which we recommend two below) and many cater to families with kids. Plus, since Sea World is also located on Mission Bay, it can be a great option for families or larger groups. There are beaches along many parts of the Mission Bay shoreline, but we would advise against a lot of swimming and water play. Unfortunately, with only one inlet into Mission Bay, it doesn’t get a lot of circulation, so pollutants have been an issue in the past. However, if you’re staying on the western side of Mission Bay, you’ll be walking distance to the boardwalk and miles of great beaches in PB and Mission Beach. In fact, that’s also where you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants as well, so you won't need to travel far for food after your day in the sun.
Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Pacific Beach & Mission Beach
If you’re coming to San Diego to take surf lessons, eat California burritos, and go bar hopping at night with friends, then look no further than Pacific Beach (PB). Most popular with the under 30ish crowd, PB provides the quintessential San Diego beach town experience. There are two hotels we recommend in PB, but this area is better known for vacation rentals, especially Mission Beach. Airbnb is a good option, but be sure to check VRBO and some of the other platforms because not all properties are available on Airbnb. If you’re looking for a place right on the boardwalk, your best bet is probably going to be Mission Beach. In PB, you’ll find more cottages and places just a few blocks off the beach. If you want something just a bit quieter and more family friendly, look for places a few blocks north of Garnet and around Tourmaline Beach.
La Jolla and La Jolla Shores
La Jolla is located about 10-12 miles north of downtown San Diego. La Jolla Shores is the beach area, and it’s a fantastic, family friendly beach offering a ton of water related activities from snorkeling to kayaking and surf lessons. Just above the shores to the south is the upscale Village of La Jolla where you’ll find shops, art galleries, museums, and several great dining options. While each area is walkable on its own, the Village of La Jolla is about a mile away and uphill, so it’s not easy to walk between the two. Keep in mind that traffic in and out of La Jolla can get congested at times. Golfers should consider staying just a couple miles north of La Jolla at The Lodge at Torrey Pines.
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa - Located just 3 miles north of La Jolla Shores, the Estancia is an award winning hotel and a great option for those who don’t need to be within walking distance of the shops and restaurants.
The Lodge at Torrey Pines - Another award winning luxury hotel, The Lodge at Torrey Pines provides a 5-star hotel experience right in front of the 18th green of the south course of the world famous Torrey Pines Golf Course.
La Valencia Hotel - Located on Prospect Street in the heart of downtown La Jolla, the Valencia Hotel offers a historic and elegant experience overlooking La Jolla Cove and the Pacific coast.
North County Beaches & Coastal Hills
San Diego’s north county beaches and beach towns offer a slightly different experience than you might get in the popular beach communities of Mission Bay and Pacific Beach. North of La Jolla, you’re going to find towns like Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, and Carlsbad. These beach communities are only about 30-40 minutes’ drive from downtown San Diego, but they provide a more relaxed vibe, with fewer tourists and more locals. The beaches themselves can be slightly less crowded too. Attractions and things to do in the area include Legoland, several world class golf courses, and scenic hot air balloon rides. Depending on what your interests are, San Diego’s north county beach areas might be a good option. In fact, some of San Diego’s best resorts sit in the coastal hills just a few miles inland from the coast, providing quick access to the beach. Keep in mind that the main north/south artery is the I-5 and it’s common to experience some traffic on busy weekends but it’s usually not too bad.
*Kate Stanton Inn Encinitas* The Kate Stanton Inn is a luxurious bed and breakfast and, according to their website, they offer “Baja-style relaxed living and the gracious charm of New England”.
Inland Valleys – Wine Tasting, Casinos, Spas, and Resorts
San Diego’s inland areas and valleys have a lot to offer from world class golf courses to wine tasting, to activities like hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. There are several casinos in the area and many of them have overnight accommodations as well. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is also located up here, just east of Escondido, CA. Below are a few notable resorts we recommend, including one that was named the #1 spa in the world!
Named the #1 spa in the world, this unparalleled all-inclusive resort offers
7-night stays with daily massages, fitness classes, and spa treatments, all
on their secluded 600-acre property.
A beautiful resort and spa with a great golf course that provides a retreat-
like experience less than 10 miles from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and
only 25 miles north of downtown San Diego and the airport. With over a
dozen wineries in the area and easy access on and off the I-15 freeway, the
Rancho Bernardo Inn provides a peaceful and relaxing alternative to the
hustle and bustle of downtown.
Mountain and Desert Areas
Depending on the time of year, you may want to consider spending a night or two in one of San Diego’s mountain or desert towns.
Borrego Springs is a small desert oasis about 2 hours’ drive from San Diego. The town sits in the middle of Anza Borrego Desert State Park, which is California’s largest state park, spanning over 900 square miles. During San Diego’s cooler and cloudier months, Borrego Springs provides a popular escape for locals looking to relax by the pool and enjoy some sunshine and warmer weather. It may seem a bit small and sleepy compared to the more popular Palm Springs, but it’s a fantastic alternative for anyone who prefers to avoid the crowds and traffic. Unless you’re cold blooded, it’s probably best to avoid Borrego Springs between June and September when temperatures can reach 114°F (45°C) or more. The most popular to visit is in the early spring when the desert explodes with wildflowers for a few short weeks, drawing visitors from all over the world.
La Casa Del Zorro - Located just outside of town, La Casa Del Zorro provides a relaxing and low-key vibe with 28 pools, tennis and pickleball courts, yoga, and access to the Rams Hill Golf Club.
Julian is a historic mining town located in the mountains of Southern California, just over an hour away from San Diego. It's best known for its apple pies and historic Main St with its old storefronts, but Julian also has a rich history and significance within Southern California’s past. It’s surrounded by gorgeous mountains and miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. And unlike San Diego, Julian has four distinct seasons, each providing different activities and reasons to visit. There are a few hotel and bed and breakfast options in and around Julian, but we recommend looking for a quiet cabin to rent to enjoy the mountain experience.
Conclusion
As you can tell, there are so many different options for where to stay in San Diego. We genuinely hope this guide has given you some ideas on where to start looking! Please let us know in the comments below if you found this article helpful.
