5 Best Pacific Beach San Diego Hotels

Pacific Beach San Diego hotels suit travelers looking for a casual beach vacation with easy access to nightlife. Four recommendations on this list are oceanfront and one is bayfront, yet steps from the ocean. These five hotels, in our opinion, are the best hotels in Pacific Beach.

Pacific Beach, or “PB,” is a great place to be for the right type of traveler and it’s just down the hill from my house. This lively neighborhood rests between La Jolla and Mission Beach. It’s full of flip-flop-friendly restaurants and bars that cater to the many young people who live here.

These social hubs are within walking distance of hotels along the beachfront boardwalk—a favorite spot for running, biking, skateboarding, and scootering—or on Garnet Avenue. The vast stretch of beach on both sides of the scenic Crystal Pier attracts sunbathers, surfers, and swimmers alike year-round.

And you can stay in the thick of it.

1. TOWER23 Hotel

Address: 723 Felspar Street, San Diego, CA 92109

Those who prefer boutique hotels should stay at the chic Tower23 Hotel, named after the lifeguard tower 23, near the hotel.

It’s a lifestyle property located on Pacific Beach, just feet from the Crystal Pier (i.e., “the PB Pier”).

Inside the 47 guest rooms and suites, expect minimalist décor and modern amenities like rain showers, flat-screen televisions, and platform beds. You may want to opt for one of their Oceanfront Suites, or one of their several Ocean View rooms or suites, to enjoy the nightly, frequently majestic sunsets over the Pacific Ocean from your room. (The hotel does not have an outdoor pool, however.)

The on-site restaurant, JRDN, is popular with hotel guests and San Diego locals for its ocean sunset views and large beachfront patio. JRDN serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers a ‘Happy Hour’ Monday through Thursday. The menu features California cuisine like Ahi Poke Nachos and Chili Mango Margaritas. You won’t miss the 70-foot long ‘wave wall,’ which reflects the sunset each night amid color-changing lights.

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2. Pacific Terrace Hotel

Address: 610 Diamond St, San Diego, CA 92109

Recipient of AAA’s prestigious Four Diamond award every year since 2007, the Pacific Terrace Hotel is located on Pacific Beach itself, at the northern end of the San Diego Pacific Beach boardwalk.

Guests rave about this Pacific Beach hotel’s service and comfortable guestrooms, which feature Tommy Bahama-style décor and have patios or balconies. The hotel just completed a two-year property upgrade.

The modest resort fee includes beach chair, umbrella, boogie board, sand toy rentals, pool and beach towels, beverage refreshment station, daily fresh-baked cookies at 4 p.m., and two-hour beach cruiser rentals. There is also a fitness center. Underground parking is available for an additional fee. Extras that guests can book include in-room massage therapy treatments.

The heated outdoor pool isn’t large, but this San Diego beach hotel’s great location allows guests to enjoy a spectacular view of the ocean while being steps away from Pacific Beach itself.

The hotel’s Terrace Cafe (open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) serves up the likes of Lemon Ricotta pancakes and Praline Walnut french toast. 

Local surfers tend to stick just to the north of the hotel at Law Street Beach, where many San Diegans also take their families to the beach. So it’s easier (and less crowded) for hotel guests to swim in the ocean right in front of the hotel. This is also the quieter end of the Pacific Beach boardwalk. (Though there is a public bathroom nearby that attracts homeless individuals.)

They have a garage for self-parking for a fee. I can also speak from personal experience that this San Diego Pacific Beach hotel has great customer service from the front desk and beyond. Free Wi-Fi (in public areas) is also available.

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3. The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Address: 3999 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109

The Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa boasts a prime location on a narrow strip of land between the Pacific coast of Pacific Beach and the beach on Mission Bay, providing guests with the best of both worlds.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly Pacific Beach San Diego hotel, this Polynesian-themed hotel is the best choice as it offers the most activities of any hotel or resort in the area. It’s also very centrally located just 8 miles from the airport, just 3 miles from SeaWorld San Diego, and just 12 miles from the San Diego Zoo.

In addition to a full-service spa, fitness center, fantastic on-site restaurant, and pool, guests can take advantage of the myriad water sports rentals. Take a kayak, sailboat, stand-up paddleboard, and more out on Mission Bay. Or rent a bike to cruise on the nearby Pacific Beach boardwalk. Complimentary game rentals include frisbees, footballs, and cornhole. You may also book a Bayside bonfire and roast s’mores.

Summer activities include luaus, beach movies, and bonfires right on the beach. Kids will like the resident tropical birds and the ducks and turtles that cruise around the property’s water features.

Guests can also access bike rentals on-site to explore nearby Mission Bay Park or ride up the street to Pacific Beach. A grab-and-go cafe ensures you have all you need for a picnic out on Mission Bay or the beach.

It’s a casual three-star resort. My favorite accommodations there are the ground floor Bay Front Suites for direct access to the sand, Mission Bay, and grassy areas. They are very popular, so if you see one available, grab it.

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4. The Wayfarer San Diego

Address: 707 Pacific Beach Dr, San Diego, CA 92109

The Wayfarer is a no-frills boutique property with 118 guestrooms and eight suites. It receives high praise for service and a convenient Pacific Beach boardwalk location in the heart of the action.

You’ll find surfer chic  San Diego coastal décor in the guest rooms, ocean views, and a beachside pool. There are also 65 ″ televisions, Lather bath amenities, and furnished private patios and balconies, most of which most have an ocean view. 

Of all the hotels in Pacific Beach, few boast direct access to the boardwalk from the pool deck, which also means you’re steps away from the sand. Did we mention ocean views yet? The heated pool and jacuzzi both boast San Diego ocean views for long, lazy afternoons lounging poolside.

The on-property Zephyr cafe opens at 7 a.m. daily and offers coffee, snacks, and canned drinks. Looking for a proper sit-down meal? There are plenty of Pacific Beach restaurants within walking distance.

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5. Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages

Address: 4500 Ocean Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109

Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages sit on the privately owned Crystal Pier (i.e. “the PB Pier”) and are some of the unique accommodations in Pacific Beach and all of San Diego. Some cottages, depending on the tide, sit over the water.

This historic hotel was completed in 1927 and still draws crowds to this day. There is a two-night minimum stay during the winter, a three-night requirement in the summer, and a four-night minimum on all major holidays, so keep that in mind when booking and planning your San Diego Pacific beach vacation.

Opt for a studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom beach cottage on the pier with private patios overlooking the ocean and beach, kitchenettes, and parking on the pier for one car. Hotel rooms are located in buildings on the boardwalk.

Keep in mind that light sleepers might have trouble with the sounds of the ocean echoing under the pier. Crystal Pier is also open to the public and is one of the best places in San Diego to watch the sunset. Due to recent storm damage, the end of the pier beyond the cottages is now closed off, unfortunately. But there is still full access to the parts of the pier nearest land where the Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages is located.

The pier closes to the public in the evening, at which time only hotel guests have key access to it. Reservations open up 11 months in advance, must be made in person or by phone, and fill up quickly.

While there is free WiFi, it is only for web browsing and replying to emails. You must bring your own hotspot if you want to stream videos, the kids want to play online games, or you have to complete any tasks that go beyond basic internet surfing. 

Tips for Booking Pacific Beach San Diego Hotels

Here’s how to further drill down to see if staying at hotels in Pacific Beach is right for your San Diego vacation and some advice for choosing guest rooms.

Hotels in Pacific Beach for Families

Families frequently ask me whether Pacific Beach in San Diego is a good fit, and the answer depends on your tolerances.

Your kids might see and smell things along the boardwalk that might make you uncomfortable, but this is less of an issue on the sand.

It’s a party town, and while gentrifying due to investment and expensive real estate, it can have a spring break atmosphere during peak season. This is fun for some and disruptive for others.

Although the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa’s location on Mission Bay insulates families from many of these issues, I do have families who enjoy the Pacific Terrace Hotel. Check my list of the best San Diego family hotels to learn more.

Advice for Luxury Travelers

If you are a luxury traveler used to staying in Four Seasons Hotels, for example, I suggest basing yourself in La Jolla or Coronado for a beach vacation. Avoid Pacific Beach.

For more information, see which San Diego neighborhood is right for your vacation and best San Diego luxury hotels.

Booking Pacific Beach Hotels on the Boardwalk

Now, here is some critical advice for booking Pacific Beach San Diego hotels on the boardwalk. Please try to book an oceanfront or ocean-view room at hotels along the boardwalk.

In addition to spectacular views, this helps avoid another problem people face in the Pacific Beach district — noise.

Bars stay open until 2 a.m., and there are many in this area. Rooms at the back of these hotels may hear people and cars otherwise. Request a high floor as well. To reemphasize these requests at the time of booking, follow up a week or so before check-in.

Using the Boardwalk

All of the hotels on this list, except for The Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa (only a few short blocks away), are located on Ocean Front Walk, aka the Mission Beach Boardwalk or Pacific Beach Boardwalk.

This three-mile stretch is a fantastic place to jog, walk, or ride bikes, which is why the top three Pacific Beach hotels on this list offer bike rentals. During the summer, it does have a Venice-beach-like atmosphere, which is positive or negative depending on the type of traveler you are.

In addition to great restaurants and bars, on the south end, you’ll find Belmont Park San Diego, our seaside amusement park. You can rent fun gear like surfboards, bikes, inline skates, and skateboards from Belmonty’s there to use on the boardwalk.

Book Your Pacific Beach Hotel Early During Peak Season

Expect to pay a premium for these San Diego hotels during holidays and the summer season. During these times, book as early in advance as possible for the best prices and room selection. This applies to any hotels near the beach in San Diego, CA.

While we’ve included our favorite San Diego Pacific beach hotels above, there are plenty of accommodations in the area, from motels to apartments and larger chain hotels like Holiday Inn, Suites by Marriott San Diego, and Fairfield Inn Suites.