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SeaWorld San Diego is one of our most sought-after attractions, especially for visiting families. The best hotels near SeaWorld San Diego are mostly in the Mission Bay neighborhood, which is close to popular tourist neighborhoods and the San Diego airport.
The other good news is that the hotels and resorts on this list are among the most wallet-friendly in San Diego. I help people plan San Diego family vacations and have insider knowledge about our local hotel inventory. There is a lot to know before you book.
What You Need to Know About Hotels Near SeaWorld San Diego Before Booking
Choosing a location for a vacation centered around SeaWorld San Diego is often confusing, so I’ll cover this and how to save money on SeaWorld San Diego tickets.
(Do you already know which location to choose and how to buy tickets? Jump to my hotel picks.)
Tips for Choosing a Nearby Location
No hotels near SeaWorld San Diego are closer than a 25-minute walk. The good news is that driving there is easy, thanks to its large parking lot. You can also easily take a rideshare like Uber or Lyft to a designated drop-off area inside the parking lot. I drop kids off there all the time — it’s free.
I’m mentioning the best-reviewed hotels in all price ranges that are as close to SeaWorld San Diego as possible. My list of picks is more varied than other hotel lists I’ve put together because it covers multiple neighborhoods. To give you an idea, the Mission Beach and Old Town neighborhoods are both near SeaWorld San Diego.
Though they’re a bit further afield, Downtown San Diego hotels and La Jolla hotels would also be completely fine for a SeaWorld-centric visit. I recommend looking in these two areas for those seeking a true luxury hotel option, as I do not mention any luxury hotels on this list.
A Hotel With SeaWorld in Its Name Doesn’t Mean It’s Close to the Theme Park
Some hotels with SeaWorld names are not as close to the park as their names imply. If you’re considering a hotel that isn’t on this list, check the distance on Google Maps to avoid being misled.
Speaking of distance, here are a few things to know about getting to this popular San Diego theme park.
- I’ve mentioned how far each hotel is from SeaWorld San Diego on foot when it’s possible to walk.
- Otherwise, I’ve mentioned the drive time.
- The driving distance might be shorter or longer than the walking distance. Walking paths and driving routes differ because there are bridges that cross over the bay. You must safely cross busy streets in certain areas to get to the park entrance.
Buy Tickets in Advance to Save Money
You also should DEFINITELY purchase SeaWorld San Diego tickets online, in advance, before arriving at the park to receive the lowest prices. Gate prices are significantly higher.
Parking Tips
Now let’s get into what I believe are the best hotels near SeaWorld San Diego.
1. Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina
Distance to SeaWorld San Diego: 1.6 miles (26-minute walk)
Location: Mission Bay
Hotel class: Moderate
Why I like it: Families love the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina for its usually reasonably pricing and connecting rooms. It’s one of the only hotels with water slides in San Diego (there are three, and guests must be 42″ or taller to use them).
Walk four blocks to Belmont Park, our seaside amusement park, and the ocean beach at Mission Beach, where there are also quite a few restaurants and shops along the beach boardwalk and main street.
Beach amenities: The hotel is located on Mission Bay, but there isn’t a bay beach here. One of the best things to do at Mission Bay is watersports. The onsite Mission Bay Sports Center (satellite location, the main one is on the other side of the bay) rents jet skis, kayaks, boats, water skis, and bikes to use on the bay. And you can enjoy private and group charters by Gone Sailing, which also depart from the hotel’s marina.
Resort amenities:
- Pillow-top Hyatt Grand beds
- Flat-screen televisions
- Three swimming pools and three water slides
- An on-site market with coffee, bagels, snacks and more
- Pool bar and lounge
- Private marina
- Complimentary WiFi
- Onsite access to activities like whale watching excursions and jet skis
- Rentals for everything from speedboats to roller skates (kayak and paddleboard rentals are included in the resort fee)
Good to know: This hotel does not have Regency Club. You will read mixed reviews. They do offer connecting rooms, and these are:
- Ocean View Corner Suite to Ocean View Queen
- Marina View Corner Suite to Marina View Queen
Marina Bay rooms can have views of SeaWorld fireworks that run seasonally.
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2. San Diego Mission Bay Resort
Distance to SeaWorld San Diego: 2.5 miles
Location: Mission Bay
Hotel class: Moderate
Why I like it: San Diego Mission Bay Resort is an excellent option for those who check in to visit SeaWorld and other parts of San Diego. The resort offers excellent freeway access (we did not hear freeway noise from our room) but also recently renovated rooms, a great heated pool, and water sports. It’s a nice bay beach hotel choice.
The Mission Bay boardwalk is right in front of the hotel, as is a nice sandy beach. Book a fire pit room, as s’mores kits are available in the onsite shop or you can bring your own supplies.
The resort was formerly Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa but is now a part of the Noble House Hotels & Resorts collection of experience-driven upscale properties.
Beach amenities: The Sandbox rents bikes (surreys, beach cruisers, kids’ bikes, and trailers) to ride on the boardwalk and sand toys for use on the beach. Action Sports Rental at the resort marina rents aqua cycles, Segways, stand-up paddleboards, pontoons, and more. There is a beach volleyball net (balls are available from the front desk).
Resort amenities:
- Guest rooms, studios, and suites (some have bay views), all with luxury bedding, small refrigerators, and private balconies or patios
- Waterfront pool and wading pool for young kids
- Poolside cabana rentals and menu service
- Pets up to 75 lbs are welcome (maximum of two per room with additional fees)
- A nice market and boutique with plenty of grab-and-go food and wine for the room
- Fire pits in some ground-floor rooms (s’mores kits are available in the market)
- Waterfront dining at Covewood
- Full-service spa
- Championship tennis courts
- Seasonal dive-in movies
- Seasonal bonfire and s’mores nights
- Game check-out at the front desk
- Bay beach with umbrella and chair rentals
- Pool day passes are available through ResortPass
Good to know: Similar to Paradise Point, the ocean beach is on the other side of the bay which you need to drive to. However, you feel less isolated at this hotel because of the boardwalk and easy access to the freeway. It is about a 4-mile scenic car ride around the bay to the ocean at Mission Beach.
Reservations: If you have AAA, check this page to see if these packages are more advantageous.
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3. Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Distance to SeaWorld San Diego: 1.5 miles (29-minute walk)
Note: This hotel will rebrand to a Margaritaville in 2025 (I suspect this will improve things, but I’m not sure.)
Location: Mission Bay
Hotel class: Moderate
Why I like it: Paradise Point Resort, is a 462-room, 4-star, bungalow-style resort set on Mission Bay established in 1962 by famous Hollywood Director Jack Skirball.
The 44-acre resort actually feels like a secluded tropical island as over 1 mile of bay beach circles its perimeter. Guests enjoy five swimming pools, tranquil lagoons, and lush gardens. The bay beach lacks waves (which appeals to families of small children), and guests can take advantage of onsite water sports rentals.
The resort is on the opposite side of Mission Bay from the beach. You’ll need to take a 2-mile drive around the bay to get to the ocean (you should take Uber during summer as beach parking is difficult). It feels like the closest hotel to SeaWorld because you can see the park when you pull into its entrance, but walking from door to door still takes 30 minutes.
Beach amenities: Along the bay beach, you’ll find 14 bonfire pits, and beach games like volleyball, bocce ball, and horseshoes. Beach toys and accessories are available for purchase at the Island Market. Daily surfing lessons by the Paradise Surf Academy (participants take a boat across the bay to their headquarters) at the ocean beach.
Resort amenities:
- Five swimming pools, including an adults-only pool
- 462 Balinese-inspired bungalow rooms, including 73 suites with private patios, mini refrigerators, and in-room coffee (suites have wet bars and microwaves)
- A full-service marina with sailboats and ski boats
- Wakeboarding, waterskiing, kayaks, paddleboats, and fishing
- 18-hole putting golf course
- Five dining venues, including two waterfront restaurants
- Award-winning, island-themed spa with kids’ treatments
- Pet-friendly with no weight restrictions
- Island Adventure supervised kids’ club on Friday and Saturday evenings (5–9 p.m.)
- Tennis and basketball courts
- Beach cruisers and surreys
Good to know: It is isolated as there isn’t much to do nearby in the way of restaurants and shops. You’ll also read mixed reviews of this resort (some complaints about service and cleanliness). The resort is quite large, so there can be a decent amount of walking, though golf cart rides are available. Also, the bay beach here is public.
They used to have a water taxi to SeaWorld San Diego but discontinued it. You pass SeaWorld San Diego when driving to and from the resort. This makes you feel more like you’re closer SeaWorld San Diego than other hotels and resorts on this list. It’s still a decent walk, though.
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4. Bahia Resort Hotel
Distance to SeaWorld San Diego: 2.5 miles
Location: Misson Bay/Mission Beach
Hotel class: Budget/Moderate
Why I like it: The Bahia Resort Hotel was Mission Bay’s very first hotel. The Mediterranean-themed resort is located on a secluded 14-acre peninsula that juts out into Mission Bay and has its own private bay beach. It’s the sister property to Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, which means there is transportation between the two hotels, and it is known for providing good value.
To get to the ocean at Mission Beach and Belmont Park, guests walk for an easy 10 minutes. This is a good beach hotel choice because you have the bay beach and nearby ocean beach.
There is on-site dining, including grab-and-go from a cool Airstream. I also think the signature restaurant, Dockside 1953, serves good seafood and beachy eats from a nautical-themed menu.
Beach amenities: Guests may rent complimentary cabanas on the private bay beach and enjoy seasonal kids’ beach activities, summer beach concerts, and summer clambakes. Rentals of wetsuits, boogie boards, rafts, paddle boats, kayaks, powerboats, and wave runners/sea-dos are available year-round.
Resort amenities:
- 314 rooms, which include beach-front cottages, studios with panoramic views, and spacious bayside suites
- Bayfront suites have direct beach access, and Studios offer full kitchens and dining areas
- Two complimentary lighted tennis courts
- Heated swimming pool with Jacuzzi
- The Bahia Belle Sternwheeler boat, which takes guests on family hour and cocktail cruises
- Pond with ducks and rescued California Harbor seals (kids will love them)
- Free parking for overnight guests (1 vehicle) included in the resort fee
- A Moroccan-inspired lounge with live music
- Fitness center
Good to know: It is an older resort, which partially explains why it’s great value for money, given the location. Bahia also has a reputation for good service. This is one of the hotels with family suites near SeaWorld San Diego that sleep six across two queen beds and a sofa bed.
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5. The Dana on Mission Bay
Distance to SeaWorld San Diego: 1.2 miles via Dana Landing Road (24-minute walk)
Location: Mission Bay
Hotel class: Budget/Moderate
Why I like it: The Dana on Mission Bay is a casual, low-key hotel that welcomes guests with a tropical atmosphere. It is the closest hotel to SeaWorld San Diego and about a mile to the heart of the action in Mission Beach. The 10-acre resort has two main buildings: Marina Cove and Water’s Edge.
The on-site Firefly Eatery and Bar hosts various events, like craft beer tastings and daily happy hour.
Beach amenities: Onsite Adventure Watersports rentals include jet skis, powerboats, paddle boats, bicycles (single and tandem), water-skiing, wakeboarding, motorboat rides, wave runners, aqua cycles, paddleboards, kayaks.
They also offer seasonal youth classes where kids can learn water sports. Beach chair and umbrella rentals as included in the optional Bayside Bnefits Bundle, as is 4 hours of bicycle rental.
Resort amenities:
- No resort fee! Instead, you can add a Bayside Benefits Bundle for 50% off breakfast, access to the SeaWorld shuttle, upgraded WiFi, daily drinks for two, beach rentals.
- Flat-screen HDTVs, refrigerators, microwaves, and single-cup coffee and tea makers in all rooms
- Wet bar, hand-crafted furniture, balconies, and patios, water views in Water’s Edge section
- Pets up to 80 lbs are welcome (maximum 2 per room with additional fees)
- Bayview infinity pool and spa; tropical pool and spa
- Onsite restaurant and seasonal pool bar
- Private marina with boat slips for hotel guests (reservations necessary)
- Laundry facilities
- Seasonal dive-in movies
- Lawn games
- Shuttle service to SeaWorld San Diego for $5 per person (it runs on a schedule, so you’ll want to inquire ahead of time at the front desk)
Rooms for larger families: The 600-square-foot Park View Double Queen Suite can sleep six people between the two beds and a sofa bed.
Good to know: As mentioned above, the ocean beach at Mission Beach is about a mile away, but you can walk or ride a bike there easily. It is an older property which is why it can price well.
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6. Old Town Inn San Diego
Distance to SeaWorld San Diego: 2.6 miles via Pacific Highway
Location: Old Town San Diego
Hotel class: Budget
Why I like it: While this 73-room hotel is in a self-described “industrial pocket,” Old Town Inn San Diego is located on Pacific Coast Highway and adjacent to the city’s primary freeway, the I-5. It’s a 10-minute drive to the San Diego International Airport and SeaWorld San Diego if you use Pacific Highway.
It is also a 10-minute walk to most things to do in Old Town San Diego, a top tourist attraction, and the Transit Station (where one can catch the Trolley to downtown San Diego and even the United States/Mexico border area).
We also appreciate that it’s been family-owned and operated for three generations, dating back to 1945. It’s one of our city’s best-reviewed budget hotels and suits families looking for hotels near SeaWorld San Diego who prioritize a location near public transportation.
Hotel amenities:
- Free breakfast
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi
- Heated outdoor swimming pool with poolside BBQ amenities
- Free parking (self-parking)
- Free DVD library
- Complimentary “grab and go” morning bag
- Wake-up calls
- Microwave in the lobby
- Lobby computer with internet access
- Arcade/game room
- Laundry facilities
- Fax services
- 24-hour front desk
- Free newspapers in the lobby
- Safe deposit box at the front desk
- Meeting room for small groups
Rooms for larger families: The family suite sleeps six people across two queen beds in a separate bedroom and sofa bed in the living room.
Good to know: Pet-friendly. For four-legged pets and even birds. Entirely non-smoking and never a resort fee. It’s in an industrial yet convenient location.
Awards: AAA 2-Diamond hotel, TripAdvisor Travelers Choice 2023
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7. Hilton Garden Inn Old Town/SeaWorld Area
Distance to SeaWorld San Diego: 2.9 miles
Location: Old Town San Diego
Hotel class: Budget
Why I like it: It’s a newer hotel with Mission revival-style architecture that is within walking distance from Old Town State Historic Park with its many restaurants, historic sites, and shops. In addition, it is also a short walk from the Old Town Trolley Station, where one can catch the Trolley to downtown San Diego and even to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Hilton Garden Inn Old Town/SeaWorld Area is also about a 10-minute drive to San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, the beach, and downtown San Diego (and Little Italy and Petco Park). It’s a good location.
Depending on your route, it’s a 7- to 10-minute drive to SeaWorld.
Hotel amenities:
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
- Heated outdoor pool
- Fitness room
- Room service
- Business center (with free printing)
- 24-hour Pavilion Pantry Market
- Hotel restaurant, the Verde Kitchen & Bar
- ATM
- Bar area
- Coin laundry
- Safe deposit box
- Cribs and high chairs available upon request
Good to know: Their king rooms also have a sofa bed, which is nice for parents who prefer to sleep in a larger bed (while kids sleep on the sofa bed).
Reservations: Use the Hilton Honors discount and book your stay online.
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Vacation Rentals Near SeaWorld San Diego
The South Mission Beach neighborhood near SeaWorld San Diego is one of the most popular vacation rental areas in all of San Diego.
These homes and condos are often beachfront or just steps from the ocean and bay beaches. Not to mention the beach here is stunning and family-friendly. Plus, there are gorgeous homes all along Mission Bay.
FAQs About SeaWorld San Diego Hotels
If you have questions, feel free to ask them in the comments.
Does SeaWorld have a hotel?
No. SeaWorld San Diego does not have its own hotel on or adjacent to the theme park.
What hotel is closest to SeaWorld San Diego?
The closest hotel to SeaWorld San Diego is a little tough to measure because the park is big, and the entrance is at its center.
Some resorts have outer boundaries close to the park’s edge, like Paradise Point Resort and The Dana on Mission Bay, but it will still take you nearly a half-hour to walk from your room at either resort to the theme park entrance gates.
What is the best resort near SeaWorld San Diego?
The best resort near SeaWorld San Diego is San Diego Mission Bay Resort. The rooms were recently renovated, some have fire pits, you can enjoy water sports on the bay in front of the hotel, the pool deck is nice, and you can use perks to save on your stay.
What hotels have a free shuttle to SeaWorld San Diego?
The Dana on Mission Bay operates a free shuttle to SeaWorld San Diego. This perk is included when you pay the nightly resort fee.
And, don’t forget to buy your SeaWorld San Diego tickets before you head out!
Katie Dillon
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