San Diego’s best romantic hotels range from oceanfront suites in La Jolla to historic properties in Coronado. As a travel advisor specializing in San Diego, I regularly book clients into these properties and know which ones work best for couples.
The romantic hotels in San Diego mostly cluster in three areas: La Jolla for ocean views and upscale dining, Downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter for walkable nightlife, and Coronado Island for classic beach resort luxury. Your ideal choice depends on whether you want crashing waves outside your window, urban sophistication, or a secluded resort escape.
The ones that truly deliver offer either exceptional settings (oceanfront locations, golf course views, secluded grounds) or convenient access to San Diego’s best restaurants and activities—sometimes both. This guide is based on what my clients tell me works, what I experience during my own stays, and insights from my contacts inside these properties.
1. The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Location: La Jolla (Torrey Pines area)
Class: Luxury
Best for: Active couples who want hiking, golf, and cozy fireside evenings
Why couples love it: The Lodge captures California Craftsman romance with crackling fireplaces, hardwood details, and balconies overlooking Torrey Pines Golf Course, perfect for sunset wine with your partner.
While you’re steps from the hiking trails and legendary golf course, most couples end up spending more time in their rooms than they planned because the space feels like a sophisticated mountain lodge that’s hard to leave. The intimate spa offers couples massages in a serene, dark-wood setting. I’ve stayed here multiple times, and it’s my favorite La Jolla hotel.
Romantic highlights:
- Fireplaces and ocean horizon view in Palisade rooms and suites
- Private balconies with sunset views
- Complimentary car service to La Jolla Village, La Jolla Shores, and Del Mar (first-come, first-served)
- One of the best ways to secure a tee time at Torrey Pines (requires a room reservation)
- AR Valentien, one of San Diego’s best restaurants, is on-site
Book this room: Palisade rooms are my favorite. Request a balcony for seating and sunset views. The Preferred version of this room is on higher floors.
Good to know: Good to know: This is a golf-and-nature resort, not a beach resort. You won’t have ocean views, and there’s no pool scene, though I really like the outdoor pool with its bar area.
If you want sand and waves, this isn’t it. But if you want to hike Torrey Pines in the morning and curl up by a fire at night, it’s perfect. Reserve AR Valentien early. The Grill’s Drugstore Burger is legendary for lunch.
Full review: The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Reservations: Our Virtuoso amenities include the below.
You must be logged in to Virtuoso.com to see the discounted rate for The Lodge at Torrey Pines.
2. Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa
Location: Rancho Santa Fe
Class: Luxury
Best for: Couples who want wellness without too many restrictions and honeymooners
Why couples love it: Rancho Valencia works as a destination spa with more freedom. Couples who want a wellness escape book here because they get the five-star spa, yoga pavilion, and 45 acres of tranquil olive groves, but they can also order whatever they want from a Relais & Chateaux menu instead of being limited to spa cuisine.
With fewer than 50 suites spread across the property, walking around feels genuinely intimate rather than resort-crowded. The hacienda-style casitas serve as private retreats, featuring deep soaking tubs, wood-beamed ceilings, fireplaces, and the kind of seclusion that feels worlds away from the rest of San Diego.
Romantic highlights:
- Private outdoor hot tubs in Valencia and Olive Grove suites
- Deep soaking tubs and fireplaces in every casita
- Five-star spa with couples treatments
- Bentley house cars for dinner reservations or exploring
- Veladora for coastal fine dining; The Pony Room for tequila and cocktails
- Tennis, yoga pavilion, and loaner bikes for active couples
- Access to nearby golf, including The Farms and Maderas
Book this room: The Valencia Suite is my recommendation for romantic getaways, with 1,300 square feet, a private outdoor hot tub, and a fireplace on the patio. Olive Grove Suites also have outdoor spas with views over the groves. Couples can skip the larger casitas designed for families.
Good to know: Rancho Santa Fe is inland, about 25 minutes from the coast. This is a destination resort, not a base for sightseeing. My clients come here to disconnect. Reserve Veladora for at least one dinner, but The Pony Room is a local favorite.
Full review: Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa
Reservations: The Virtuoso amenities we can add to your stay include the below.
When booking on Virtuoso.com use only the number of adults traveling to get the correct rates. Kids may otherwise be priced as adults. We will add them after we follow up to collect your arrival details.
3. Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Location: East Del Mar
Class: Luxury
Best for: Couples who want a full-service resort with an adults-only enclave and a spa worth spending the day in
Why couples love it: Fairmont Grand Del Mar feels like a Mediterranean estate tucked into a coastal canyon. Among romantic hotels in San Diego, couples book here for the adults-only section of Signature Terrace Rooms. They surround an adults-only pool where no kids or dogs are allowed and serve as a true couples retreat within the resort.
The recently renovated spa is one of the few in San Diego where you can genuinely spend the whole day, and spa guests have access to that same adults-only pool. I was just there for a facial, and it’s exceptional. Addison by William Bradley, San Diego’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, is on-site for a splurge-worthy dinner.
Romantic highlights:
- Adults-only Signature Terrace Rooms with private patios
- Adults-only pool (also used by spa day guests)
- Full-day five-star spa, recently renovated
- Deluxe rooms and suites with private fire pits
- Addison by William Bradley for three-Michelin-starred dining
- Tom Fazio golf course, tennis, and pickleball
- Canyon hiking and biking trails on 400 acres
Book this room: Signature Terrace Rooms for the adults-only experience. Deluxe Veranda Rooms with fire pits are another great option for couples who want outdoor fireside evenings.
Good to know: This is a destination resort with easy freeway access, but it is not a walkable beach location. Plan to stay on the property or drive. Book Addison months in advance.
Full review: Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Book with me: The Virtuoso amenities we can add to your stay include the below.
When booking Fairmont on Virtuoso.com use only the number of adults traveling to get the correct rates. Kids may otherwise be priced as adults. We will add them after we follow up to collect your arrival details.
4. 1906 Lodge Coronado
Location: Coronado
Class: Boutique
Best for: Couples who want a romantic B&B experience steps from Coronado Beach
Why go: This restored 1906 boarding house is one of the most romantic hotels in San Diego for couples who prefer intimate boutique properties over big resorts. Just 17 individually decorated rooms, many with fireplaces and spa tubs, surround a courtyard garden.
The included perks are another reason guests book. You receive a signature breakfast with bottomless mimosas, afternoon wine, and hors d’oeuvres at happy hour, loaner bikes, and beach gear rentals with your room. You’re two blocks from Coronado Beach and one block from Orange Avenue’s shops and restaurants.
Romantic highlights:
- Fireplaces and spa tubs in select rooms
- Complimentary breakfast with mimosas daily
- Complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres at happy hour
- Loaner bikes and beach accessories
- Courtyard garden with fountain
- Walking distance to Hotel del Coronado and Coronado Beach
Book this room: Ground-floor suites have semi-private patios overlooking the garden, perfect for enjoying breakfast or happy hour in your own nook.
Good to know: This is a quiet boutique hotel that appeals to adults. Families are welcome, but couples will appreciate the tranquil vibe. Parking is included but limited.
Full review: 1906 Lodge Coronado
Reservations:
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5. Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
Location: Rancho Santa Fe
Class: Upscale Boutique
Best for: Romantic weekend escapes, staycations, wedding weekends
Why couples love it: Rancho Santa Fe village feels worlds away from the coast, with eucalyptus-lined roads, boutiques, and a slower pace. This century-old inn anchors the village and makes a great weekend escape, whether you’re driving down from LA or Orange County or just want a change of scenery from the beach.
A $42 million renovation wrapped up in late 2024, bringing Lilian’s restaurant, Bing’s Bar (a nod to regular guest Bing Crosby), and the Mila Moursi Spa. Rooms range from cozy suites to Fireplace Bungalows with wood-burning fireplaces and clawfoot tubs.
Romantic highlights:
- Wood-burning fireplaces in Fireplace Bungalows
- Gas fireplaces in select cottages
- Heated saltwater pool and hot tub
- Mila Moursi Spa
- Bing’s Bar for evening cocktails by the fireplace
- Four private pickleball courts plus access to RSF Tennis Club
- Golf privileges at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club
- Walkable village with dining and shopping
Book this room: The Fireplace Bungalow King is ideal for couples, featuring a wood-burning fireplace, clawfoot tub, and a semi-private patio. Book two nights or more for a complimentary breakfast and a $100 resort credit.
Good to know: Inland location about 25 minutes from the coast. Great home base if you’re attending a wedding in RSF or want a low-key getaway without resort crowds. If you want beach time, pair a night here with a night somewhere coastal.
Reservations:
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6. L’Auberge Del Mar
Location: Del Mar
Class: Upscale
Best for: Couples who want a walkable beach village and great dining
Why couples love it: L’Auberge sits at the heart of Del Mar Village, across the street from 15th Street Beach and steps from boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. It’s not a sprawling resort. It’s an estate-style hotel that feels like the center of town.
Morning coffee at Lyric Coffee (Bird Rock Coffee Roaster beans—a favorite of locals), dinner at Adelaide, cocktails in the Living Room Bar with live music on weekends. A private path leads down to the Del Mar beach, and the hotel loans beach cruisers, chairs, and umbrellas.
Romantic highlights:
- Gas fireplaces in Coastal and Village Fireplace rooms
- Spa L’Auberge with couples treatments
- Fire pits with sunset views on the pool deck
- The Living Room Bar with live music on Friday and Saturday
- Adelaide restaurant for ocean-forward California cuisine
- Complimentary Zybra beach cruiser bikes (2 hours)
- Private walking path to Del Mar Beach
- Seasonal beach valet with complimentary chairs, towels, and umbrellas
Book this room: The Coastal King Fireplace on the third floor offers a gas fireplace, partial ocean views, and a private balcony. But if quiet matters more than views, book a Garden Terrace room. These ground-floor rooms have private patios surrounded by the resort’s landscaping and are among the quietest on the property.
Good to know: Rooms don’t have full ocean views, even though they are across the street from the beach. “Coastal View” means a partial ocean view. The pool is small, but the setting is lovely. Like many romantic hotels on this list, L’Auberge Del Mar is a dog-friendly property. Always request a quiet room here (I can advise you).
Full review: L’Auberge Del Mar
Reservations: I can book you in with Virtuoso benefits that include the following.
*When searching rates, do not input children ages 17 and under as they will be priced as adults. I’m notified when you book and will add them after I contact you about your reservation.
7. Rancho Bernardo Inn
Location: Rancho Bernardo
Class: Moderate
Best for: Couples who want a romantic garden escape near wine country
Why couples love it: Don’t let Rancho Bernardo Inn’s distance from Downtown keep you from this romantic San Diego hotel. The 265-acre Spanish Revival estate sits inland near the Bernardo Winery and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, making it ideal for couples who want to trade the sand for the garden and one of my favorite spas.
Stroll hand-in-hand along manicured walkways lined with 19 handmade European fountains, kick back by one of three swimming pools, or settle into an outdoor casita at the spa for a couples massage. The resort completed a room refresh in 2023, updating all 286 rooms with Spanish Revival touches, dark bronze accents, and fire tables on first-floor patios.
Romantic highlights:
- Award-winning spa with outdoor casitas surrounded by jasmine gardens
- Saline pool and private cabanas exclusively for spa guests
- AVANT, the Forbes Four-Star restaurant, with patio seating and golf course views
- Veranda Fireside Lounge with outdoor fireplace and live music
- 18-hole championship golf course designed by William Bell (architect of Torrey Pines)
- Fire tables on first-floor Studio Suite patios
- On-site Chef’s Garden supplying AVANT’s seasonal menu
Book this room: The first-floor Studio Suites have outdoor fire tables. Request a quiet room overlooking the gardens or golf course rather than the parking areas.
Good to know: This resort goes all-in on romantic add-ons. You can also add roses, macaroons, or breakfast in bed. The Bernardo Winery, the oldest continuously operating winery in Southern California, is next door (I highly recommend a visit).
Full review: Rancho Bernardo Inn
Reservations:
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8. La Valencia Hotel La Jolla
Location: La Jolla
Class: Moderate-Luxury
Best for: Couples who want La Jolla’s best address
Why couples love it: La Valencia sits across the street from La Jolla Cove, in the heart of The Village (La Jolla’s downtown area). You’re steps from San Diego’s best dining, art galleries, boutiques, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Everything worth doing is walkable, so you can leave the car parked and explore together.
The Pink Lady adds an Old Hollywood vibe to the unbeatable location. Gregory Peck, Raymond Chandler, and Dr. Seuss were all regulars. As the property approaches its 100th anniversary in December 2026, the cinematic setting remains, but couples come here for the romantic getaway that only this Village address can deliver.
Romantic highlights:
- Happy hour cocktails at The Whaling Bar with restored 1940s murals
- Weekend brunch on the Mediterranean Room’s ocean terrace
- Couples treatments at the new Spa at La Valencia
- Les Clefs d’Or concierge for planning date nights
- Ocean-view pool overlooking La Jolla Cove
- La Sala Lounge for the signature Pink Lady cocktail
Book this room: Vintage rooms run small (250 sq ft). For a romantic getaway, book a Villa or Icon Suite for more space, fireplaces, and ocean views.
Good to know: This pet-friendly hotel offers an exclusive dog menu. The Whaling Bar Happy Hour (daily 3-5 pm) is popular with locals like me (mini martinis!), so reservations are recommended. Be mindful of rooms facing Prospect Street activity if you’re a light sleeper.
Full review: La Valencia Hotel
Reservations:
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9. The US Grant, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Location: Downtown San Diego (Gaslamp Quarter)
Class: Luxury
Best for: Couples who want a walkable downtown base with historic glamour
Why couples love it: This Luxury Collection hotel has anchored the north end of the Gaslamp Quarter since 1910, built by the son of President Ulysses S. Grant. The crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and commissioned artwork set a scene that’s equal parts old-world elegance and modern sophistication.
You’re steps from the best of downtown: restaurants, theaters, Petco Park, and the Convention Center. After a day exploring, return to Art Deco dining at Grant Grill or French-inspired cocktails at Rendezvous.
Romantic highlights:
- Dinner at Grant Grill, the AAA Four Diamond restaurant
- Cocktails at Rendezvous, the vintage French bar
- Live music at Grant Grill Lounge Thursday through Saturday
- Couples massage in the private 8th-floor Spa Suite
- Walking distance to Gaslamp dining and nightlife
Book this room: Deluxe rooms offer city views and residential foyers. For a splurge, the Penthouse Suite has panoramic bay views and a chromatherapy whirlpool tub.
Good to know: No pool or full-service spa. Spa treatments happen in a private suite by reservation. This is a downtown hotel for couples who want to be in the middle of the action, not a beach or resort escape.
Full review: THE US GRANT
Reservations:
When booking Marriott hotels on Virtuoso.com, use only the number of adults traveling to get the correct rates. Kids may otherwise be priced as adults. We will add them after we follow up to collect your arrival details.
10. Hotel del Coronado
Location: Coronado
Class: Moderate to Luxury (varies by neighborhood)
Best for: Couples who want an iconic beach resort experience
Why couples love it: The Del has been San Diego’s most legendary beachfront resort since 1888, and following a $550 million restoration completed in 2025, it’s never looked better. The Queen Anne architecture and red turrets are instantly recognizable, but the real draw is the setting: one of California’s most beautiful beaches, with sunset views that have attracted presidents, celebrities, and honeymooners for over 135 years.
The resort now operates as five distinct neighborhoods. The Victorian, The Cabanas, and The Views are part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, while Beach Village and Shore House are LXR Hotels & Resorts properties.
For couples, this matters: Beach Village and Shore House offer a quieter, more private experience with exclusive pools and beach access, while the main resort neighborhoods put you closer to the energy and dining scene.
Romantic highlights:
- Sunset cocktails at Babcock & Story Bar
- Dinner at Nobu Del Coronado or Serẽa
- Couples treatments at the reimagined Spa at The Del
- Beach cabanas with food and drink service
- Private Beach Club access for LXR guests
Book this room: Beach Village cottages with outdoor soaking tubs are the top couples’ pick. On the main resort, Oceanfront Cabana rooms with terrace fire pits offer direct beach access at a lower price point. Victorian rooms are charming, but many lack tubs (ADA rooms excepted).
Good to know: This is a family resort, especially during summer and holidays. Couples seeking quiet should book Beach Village or Shore House. The Victorian and Cabanas standard rooms lack bathtubs.
Full reviews: Hotel del Coronado, Beach Village at The Del, Shore House at The Del
Click on the tabs to explore booking instructions
Hotel del Coronado Virtuoso Benefits:
SALE: 3rd Night Free on select dates: The promotional rate appears as a 33% discount when booking a three-night stay. You must be logged into Virtuoso.com to view the Exclusive Sale pricing. Blackout dates apply. Book by February 19, 2026.
Sign in or create a free Virtuoso account to see the discounted rate! When booking on Virtuoso.com use the number of adults traveling to get the correct rates. Kids may otherwise be priced as adults. We will add them after we follow up to collect your arrival details. If you see multiple rates for the same room type, choose the lowest rate. Check the status of ocean swimming in front of Coronado Lifeguard Tower as it changes. This is the testing station in front of Hotel del Coronado.
Shore House at The Del Virtuoso Benefits:
- Guestroom: one-time $150 resort credit
- 1 Bedroom Villa/Cottage: one-time $250 resort credit
- 2 Bedroom Villa/Cottage: one-time $350 resort credit
- 3 Bedroom Villa/Cottage: one-time $450 resort credit
SALE: 3rd Night FREE on select dates! The sale price will be reflected as a 33% off discount as long as you stay three nights. Must be logged into Virtuoso.com to see the Exclusive Sale price there.
Beach Village at The Del Virtuoso Benefits:
- Guestroom: one-time $150 resort credit
- 1 Bedroom Villa/Cottage: one-time $250 resort credit
- 2 Bedroom Villa/Cottage: one-time $350 resort credit
- 3 Bedroom Villa/Cottage: one-time $450 resort credit
SALE: 3rd Night FREE on select dates! The sale price will be reflected as a 33% off discount as long as you stay three nights. Must be logged into Virtuoso.com to see the Exclusive Sale price there. Blackout dates apply. If you see a lower rate than Virtuoso on Hilton.com please request Hilton for Luxury rates.
We independently select featured hotels and may earn a commission if you book through the links below.
Hilton
If you are eligible for AAA, Military, or Hilton Honors or sale rates that you are more comfortable with, you can book all three sections of the resort through their pages on Hilton.com.
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Finding Your Perfect Romantic Hotel in San Diego
San Diego’s romantic hotels range from historic landmarks like Hotel del Coronado to secluded retreats like Rancho Valencia, with options for every style of couple. Beach lovers will gravitate toward La Jolla and Coronado properties. C
Couples who prioritize spa time should look at Rancho Bernardo Inn or Fairmont Grand Del Mar. For a walkable downtown experience with historic character, The US Grant delivers.
For more options beyond this list, explore my guides to the top San Diego hotels.
Katie Dillon
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