People search for hotels near UCSD in La Jolla for several reasons. It could be that parents want to be as close as possible to a student they’re visiting. Or, the university is home to a world-renowned medical center, so people seeking treatment or visiting patients may prefer nearby lodging. A few of the hotels on this list offer special rates for people in these two circumstances and I’ll mention which they are below.
The final reason is a practical one. The areas surrounding University of California, San Diego enjoy easy freeway access and a central San Diego location in addition to often being value properties. Some of these properties also make my list of best La Jolla hotels.
Speaking of location, I did not include driving distance times because the length of the drive time from hotels near UCSD depends on which part of the enormous campus you are headed to. Due to the current travel environment, hotels may temporarily be offering modified services. What I’ve written here reflects what a stay is like during normal times. I help people plan San Diego vacations and may be compensated should you book a hotel using the links in this post.
TIP:
Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla is near many of these hotels as well.
1. The Lodge at Torrey Pines (Top Pick)
Category: Luxury
Location: Torrey Pines
Why go: You want to stay in one of the West’s best luxury boutique hotels and appreciate the California Craftsman style. The Lodge at Torrey Pines is one of my favorite hotels in all of San Diego for its five-star service, outstanding dining, and convenience.
It’s popular with golfers due to its location adjacent to the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course. Yes, the hotel’s Golf Services team helps guests secure those coveted tee times. Plus, through me, you can book in with Virtuoso amenities that add value to your stay.
Amenities:
- Virtuoso amenities (see below)
- Outdoor swimming pool with cabanas
- Concierge cars to take guests within a 5-mile radius of the resort
- Golf services team
- Putting green with loaner putters
- AR Valentien (one of San Diego’s best farm-to-table restaurants), The Grill at Torrey Pines, and room service.
- One of my favorite spas
- Fitness center and yoga classes
- Guided Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve hikes
- Luxury suites that are up to 2500 square feet
Reservations with perks: In addition to these benefits, the Virtuoso rate is often lower than the hotel’s flexible rate. You’ll need to create a Virtuoso account and login to see the discounted rates if available.
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily breakfast for two per bedroom (up to $70 credit per day)
- $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
You must be logged in to Virtuoso.com to see the discounted rate for The Lodge at Torrey Pines.
*The desktop version of Virtuoso.com is where you’ll search rates and book online. To enable the desktop version from a mobile device, after clicking on a Virtuoso hotel link, scroll down to the navy blue section at the bottom of the web page and click “Full Site.”
Read my full The Lodge at Torrey Pines review.
2. Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
Category: Moderate
Location: Torrey Pines
Why go: The Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines prices well for a large full-service hotel in this area and is a good choice for Hilton Honors members. Views over the golf course to the Pacific Ocean can be seen from some rooms and around the property.
Amenities:
- Guaranteed tee times at Torrey Pines Golf Course
- Tennis courts
- Outdoor swimming pool with cabanas
- Fitness center
- Onsite coffee shop, Torreyana Grille restaurants, and room service
Reservations: When it comes to Hilton hotels in San Diego (with the exception of Hotel del Coronado which is a Virtuoso property) it’s best to book direct. Hilton has a best price guarantee so between that and the Hilton Honors discount, you have the most flexibility this way.
3. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
Category: Moderate
Location: Torrey Pines (across the street from the college campus)
Why go: This hacienda-style, 10-acre hotel feels like an oasis near the campus across from Third College. In addition to beautiful gardens, this hotel near UC San Diego also offers great dining that we residents like to take advantage of — such as an organic margarita on the patio of Mustangs & Burros.
Note that there isn’t a lot to do within walking distance other than heading over to see the architecture at the Salk Institute or perhaps to Torrey Pines Gliderport for stunning views. But, you can drive or take the complimentary hotel shuttle to other things to do in La Jolla and Del Mar.
Amenities:
- Outdoor saltwater swimming pool with cabanas
- A fantastic spa
- Complimentary shuttle service within five miles
- Garden tours
- Fitness center
- Grab-and-go coffee shop, wine bar, Adobe El restaurant, Secret Garden lite bites and drinks, and Mustangs & Burros outdoor lounge and bar.
UCSD Discounts: They occasionally do have a UCSD discount for parents moving students in and out of school and sometimes for alumni. Check their special offers page to see what is on offer during your stay.
Reservations: It’s a Meritage Collection property and they encourage guests to book direct but you can always try to search multiple sites to find the best price.
Read my full Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa review.
4. Hyatt Regency La Jolla at the Aventine
Category: Moderate
Location: UTC
Why go: The Aventine is a lifestyle and business complex containing office buildings but also amenities to serve the people who work in them. One of these happens to be three outstanding restaurants (Fleming’s, Truluck’s, and The Melting Pot) right across from the hotel.
Guests enjoy very easy freeway access and Westfield UTC mall, a far larger shopping and entertainment complex.
Amenities:
- Outdoor swimming pool with cabanas
- StayFit fitness center
- In-room massages
- Outdoor lounge area with fire pits
Reservations: World of Hyatt members should book direct but you can check multiple online sites to find the best price.
5. Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego La Jolla
Category: Budget
Location: La Jolla Village
Why go: You’d like an extended stay hotel with a kitchen or space to sleep up to seven people. Family suites and Executive suites are bi-level lofts that offer a little more privacy and separation than standard hotel rooms. It’s the closest hotel to UCSD Medical School, Roosevelt College, and Revelle College which you can walk to in about 10 minutes.
Amenities:
- Free breakfast
- Free shuttle to corporate offices within a three-mile radius
- Barbecue and picnic area
- Complimentary grocery shopping service
- Free WiFi
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Fitness center
- Copy and fax service
- Social events in the lobby three times per week
- Onsite sundry store
- Up to two pets are permitted (additional fee applies)
Reservations: If you’re not already a Marriott Bonvoy member, join and book online through Marriott at the member rate.
6. Sheraton La Jolla Hotel
Category: Moderate
Location: UTC
Why go: Sheraton La Jolla is located right off the freeway and across the street from UC San Diego, though you’ll need to walk to the stoplight to cross the street. Nearby is also a strip mall with a Nordstrom Rack, Whole Foods, and multiple fast-casual dining outlets.
This is one of the hotels near UCSD with reasonably-priced one-bedroom suites with a king or two queen beds and a sofa bed in the living room. So, some larger families with tighter budgets use it as a base for San Diego vacations.
- Sheraton Club Lounge
- Enterprise Rent a Car
- Fitness Center
- Free WiFi
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Pet-friendly up to one pet per room that weights 45 lbs.
- Onsite Humphrey’s La Jolla Grill and Shooters Bar and Grill
UCSD Discounts: Sheraton La Jolla is part of Bartell Hotels who is a preferred partner of UC San Diego Health. They offer 15% off best available rates to all UCSD patients and their families, in addition to professors, students, parents, alumni, family, friends, and employees associated with UC San Diego. AND, 10% of your total room cost will be donated to Bannister Family House, a wonderful organization here who provides affordable lodging to the families of out-of-town medical patients.
Reservations: If you qualify for the UCSD discount, please call the hotel directly or book here. Marriott Bonvoy members and other travelers can book on Marriott.
Tip
You can use this discount at other Bartell Hotels like Pacific Terrace Hotel (on my list of best beachfront hotels in San Diego), The Dana on Mission Bay, and Hilton San Diego Airport.
7. San Diego Marriott La Jolla
Category: Moderate
Location: La Jolla Village/UTC
Why go: You’re a Marriott Bonvoy member who wants more of a business hotel than the residential offerings of the Residence Inn closer to UCSD. Or, a location across the street from Westfield UTC mall and its surrounding businesses adjacent to the I-805 freeway is more convenient for your needs.
Amenities:
- Outdoor pool
- Fitness center
- Full business center
- Two onsite restaurants: Amuse (California cuisine) and Fresh (American cuisine)
- Concierge-level rooms with complimentary hot breakfast, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and non-alcoholic drinks in addition to an honor bar.
- Connecting rooms
Reservations: If you’re not already a Marriott Bonvoy member, join and book online through Marriott at the member rate.
8. Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego La Jolla
Category: Budget
Location: UTC
Why go: You’d like a hotel across the street from Westfield UTC mall that offers two-room suites. It’s a good option for families of up to six people as the two double beds suite also has a double sofa sleeper in the living room. Suites don’t have full kitchens but rather microwaves and mini-fridges (with all of the mall dining outlets nearby, you don’t need to cook anyway).
Amenities:
- Complimentary evening reception with appetizers and drinks
- Free breakfast (made-to-order)
- Indoor pool, whirlpool, and sauna
- Fitness center
- Pet-friendly up to 75 lbs (additional fees apply)
- Indulge Restaurant and Lounge in addition to room service (and P.F. Chang’s restaurant on the campus)
UCSD Discount: They do offer a University of California discount that is 15 percent off the best available rate Sunday through Wednesday, and 20 percent off the best available rate Thursday through Saturday. Call the hotel directly to book.
Reservations: If you do not quality for the discount, save by booking the Hilton Honors rate online.
9. Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton
Category: Moderate
Location: La Jolla Shores
Why go: You would like a reasonably-priced boutique hotel in the La Jolla Shores neighborhood that is a few blocks away from the beach and offers ocean views from most rooms and its main restaurant.
The entire hotel is either king or double queen rooms but the deluxe versions have balconies from which you can sip a drink and watch the stunning sunset.
Amenities:
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Fitness center
- Business center
- Digital Key Access
- CUSP Dining & Drinks restaurant and the seasonal Hiatus pool lounge
- Meeting rooms
Read: Full Hotel La Jolla review.
Reservations: Save by booking the Hilton Honors rate online.
10. La Jolla Shores Hotel
Category: Moderate
Location: La Jolla Shores
Why go: You’d like to be at one of the hotels near UCSD that is also on the beach. This family-owned and operated hotel is a personal favorite for its casual nature and epic location. Life is easy when you can run back and forth to your room from the sand, especially with kids in tow.
Not to mention that La Jolla Shores Beach is one of the best in all of San Diego for beachgoing and surfing. Kayak and snorkeling tours enter San Diego-La Jolla Underwater park from here to see our seven sea caves, La Jolla sea lions and seals, and an abundance of marine life between here and La Jolla Cove.
Amenities:
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Complimentary shuttle to nearby attractions like Birch Aquarium
- In-room massages
- Complimentary beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas
- The Shores Restaurant, room service, and private beach barbecue cookouts
- Kellogg Park playground next door
Read: Full La Jolla Shores Hotel review.
Reservations: You can book direct or many readers tell me that they find good rates through Hotels.com.
11. La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club
Category: Moderate
Location: La Jolla Shores
Why go: A sister property next door to La Jolla Shores Hotel, La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club provides unique accommodations with most right on their private beach.
Many suites offer full kitchens and enough space for larger families, which makes it a very popular extended stay option. Repeat guests book in for long stays every year.
Amenities:
- Food and beverage service to your beach chair
- Junior Olympic sized pool
- 12 Championship tennis courts
- Par-3, nine-hole golf course
- Fitness center
- Free parking and WiFi
- Bocce ball court
- Children’s Playground
- Club Dining and The Marine Room restaurant (the latter is one of La Jolla’s best restaurants and set right on the sand)
- Beach barbecues
Read: Full La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club review.
Reservations: You can book direct or many readers tell me that they find good rates through Hotels.com here, too.
Hotels Near UCSD in La Jolla on a Map
See where the Torrey Pines, La Jolla Shores, La Jolla Village, and UTC neighborhoods are in regard to the UC San Diego campus on this helpful map.
Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide, like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai, that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).
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Hotels
Before You Go
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Sheraton La Jolla Review: Who Stays at This Hotel & Why
Embassy Suites San Diego La Jolla Review: Who Stays Here & Why
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Review for Golfers, Families, & Business Travel
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