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It’s not uncommon for people to ask me about San Diego all-inclusive resorts. Many hotel lists out there mistakenly lead people to believe that we have them. Guess what? San Diego does not have all-inclusive resorts. There is not a single one. Trust me, I’m a local hotel expert and travel advisor, and I know.
I completely understand the allure of all-inclusive resorts. There is a sense of comfort that comes with knowing that incidentals are included. It enables travelers to achieve more cost certainty than one might with a stay where every meal or activity is billed a la carte.
I will give you some San Diego hotel alternatives to consider but let me clarify the all-inclusive concept here first.
Hotel VIP Programs Add Value
We have access to hotel VIP programs that add privileges like daily breakfast for two and resort credits to your stay. See our full San Diego list.
What Is an All-Inclusive Resort?
An all-inclusive resort is a vacation property where one upfront price includes your room, meals, nonalcoholic drinks, some alcoholic drinks, and many on-site activities.
Instead of paying as you go, you simply sign to your room or use a wristband while enjoying the restaurants, pools, and entertainment. Premium extras like spa treatments, golf, or excursions are usually charged separately.
Why You Don’t See All-Inclusive Resorts in San Diego
This model is common in Mexico and the Caribbean, but San Diego all-inclusive resorts don’t exist for reasons explained below.
High Operating Costs Make It Impractical
Unlike destinations where all-inclusive resorts thrive, San Diego hotels face some of the highest operating costs in the U.S. from real estate to food to staff wages. And, California taxes! To cover expenses an all-inclusive here would need to charge well above what most visitors expect.
San Diego Is Meant for Exploring
People visiting San Diego very rarely stay resort-bound. They’re here to visit our theme parks, famous beaches, museums, and for sightseeing.
Eating Out Is Part of the Experience
Some of our best food (hello, fish tacos) is also fairly inexpensive. Hence, the value proposition for both hotels and guests to bundle food, drinks, and activities together into one rate likely isn’t there.
There’s Liability
We’re in California where liability and lawsuit culture would make the unlimited drinks packages extremely risky for the hotels.
You might be asking yourself, what can I book instead? The several alternatives to San Diego all-inclusive resorts below provide what we’ll call a more-inclusive experience.
Pantai Inn: Free Breakfast & Parking with No Resort Fee
Location: La Jolla
A La Jolla boutique hotel, Pantai Inn is a popular choice because of the spacious studios and one- to three-bedroom accommodations and list of inclusions that aren’t typical.
It’s located across the street from the beach in between the Children’s Pool and La Jolla Cove, where our famous La Jolla seals and sea lions live and within a walk to the shops and restaurants in the Village area.
Pantai Inn does not charge a resort fee. Some accommodations offer kitchens, too.
What’s Included:
- Complimentary daily deluxe breakfast
- Complimentary parking
- Complimentary WiFi
- Complimentary coffee and tea served in the morning and afternoon
La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club: Private Beach Access, Kitchens, & Parking with Resort Fee
Location: La Jolla
La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club is a family-owned, members-only club with 99 accommodations, many of which are on the beach. We’re talking about a few strides to the sand. You don’t have to be a member to check in and it’s the type of place where generations of families return to every year.
Hotel guests have access to all club amenities and there a modest resort fee that includes self-parking. Some accommodations have kitchens, meaning you can save money by heading to a nearby market for meal and snack supplies. This is one of my favorite San Diego hotels on the beach, and La Jolla Shores Beach is my favorite in town.
What’s Included:
- Parking included in the hotel fee
- Free WiFi
- Beach chairs, umbrellas, and towels (with food and beverage service to the sand — a la carte but a rare treat in San Diego)
- Tennis (lessons are additional)
- Fitness center
- Onsite games like bocce ball, ping pong
- Gated playground (and another public beachside park with play equipment steps away)
- Inexpensive green fees on the Par 3 pitch-and-putt course
- Summer kids’ club activities
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa: Ultimate Wellness with 95+ Weekly Classes
Location: Rancho Santa Fe
The main reason why Rancho Valencia, one of my top San Diego luxury hotels, appears on this list is that guests may participate in a long roster of group fitness activities as part of their normal rate. Stacked with the Virtuoso amenities we can add to your stay, it’s good value for a hotel of this caliber.
It’s an all-suite property, so accommodations are quite large. It’s popular for staycations and wellness-centric vacations for travelers within driving distance who want to stay put on a nice resort to rejuvenate. It is also very family-friendly as kids love the onsite sports courts and games.
What’s Included:
- Multiple yoga classes per day in the resort yoga pavilion
- Daily morning orange juice delivery to your suite.
- Most pilates classes
- Spinning
- Guided walks
- Complimentary bicycles
- Access to pools and tennis
- Onsite basketball, badminton, bocce ball, croquet, ping pong, and other games
Our Virtuoso amenities add:
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.
The Dana on Mission Bay: Waterfront Fun with a Value-Packed Resort Fee
Location: Mission Bay
Those looking for a wallet-friendly resort with multiple activities should take a look at The Dana on Mission Bay. The Dana does charge a modest resort fee (currently $20/night) but it includes more than usual.
In addition, a water sports rental facility onsite rents wave runners, pedal boats, ski boats, kayaks, and more which makes this San Diego resort a great spot for active guests. And they’re one of the only hotels with a shuttle to SeaWorld San Diego (currently $5 per person).
What’s Included:
- Two complimentary welcome drinks on arrival
- 10% off food at the Firefly Eatery & Bar and 10% off in the gift shop.
- Dive-In Movies at the pool (weather permitting)
- Lawn games and board games
- 10% off full-priced rentals at the on-site Adventure Water Sports.
- Two bottles of in-room water daily and early morning coffee in the lobby.
- Complimentary WiFi
- Beach chair and umbrella rentals
Glorietta Bay Inn: Historic Charm with Breakfast & Parking Included (When You Book Direct)
Location: Coronado
Stay in Coronado at historic Glorietta Bay Inn, built in 1908 as the home of sugar baron John Spreckels. It’s just across the street from Hotel Del Coronado and the stunning Coronado beach, one of the best in the nation. They do have a resort fee that includes the below.
What’s Included:
- Complimentary deluxe hot breakfast for hotel guests
- Complimentary WiFi
- Daily Gingersnap cookies and lemonade from 3–5 p.m.
- Gourmet coffee, tea, water, apples available in the lobby
- Beach chairs, towels and sand toys
- Mini putt course
- Secret toy chest for kids
- Music room for family board games
- Parking for one car if you book direct
San Diego All-Inclusive Destination Spas
Most people searching for all-inclusive San Diego resorts are looking more for large leisure vacation resorts. Our destination spas are truly all-inclusive but they are designed for a completely different style of vacation than most people are looking for.
However, they are fantastic and worth mentioning.
Golden Door
Location: San Marcos
Golden Door is a luxury destination spa where guests pay one weekly rate that includes accommodations, select spa treatments, fitness classes, lectures, three meals per day. Choose men’s, women’s or coed weeks.
What’s Included Per Week:
- Round-trip airport transportation
- All meals and snacks
- All fitness classes
- A customized fitness program
- Up to four sessions with a personal trainer
- One in-room massage per day
- Two herbal wraps
- A manicure and pedicure
- 5 skincare sessions including 1 body treatment
- A deep conditioning or shampoo and finish
The all-inclusive rate is $12,950 per week. Through me, you have access to some additional benefits. I’ll help you select a room and you’ll receive a $100 gift certificate to their gift shop. Send me your dates.
Cal-A-Vie
Location: Vista
Another luxury destination spa, Cal-A-Vie, is designed for adults seeking a wellness experience in an atmosphere modeled after a French village. Stays ranging from 3–7 days. They do offer a mom/teen week.
What’s Included:
- Accommodations
- Three meals per day
- Unlimited fitness classes
- Lectures and cooking demonstrations
- Some spa services (the number depends on your package)
- Round trip airport transportation
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Diego have all-inclusive resorts?
No. Per the definition above, San Diego does not have all-inclusive resorts. We have two luxury, adults-only, all-inclusive destination spas that offer a completely different type of stay than an all-inclusive vacation resort. I’ve mentioned them below.
What happens, though, is because people search for all-inclusive San Diego resorts, other lists and “experts” online define all-inclusive in San Diego as resorts that offer a nice roster of activities… that you pay for a la carte.
What extra fees should I expect at San Diego hotels?
Common charges include resort fees (usually $30–$50 per night), parking ($40–$60 per night at beachfront resorts), and taxes (about 12.7%). Gratuities and activities like spa treatments are extra.
Are meals expensive in San Diego?
You’ll find options at all price points. Upscale hotel dining can run $50–$100 per person, while taco shops and casual spots can be $10–$20. Many families mix hotel dining with local favorites to keep costs balanced.
If I want meals included, what are my options?
You can book San Diego hotels with some food and drinks included at no extra cost to you. Part of this is done through my portfolio of hotels where you can add breakfast for two and other perks through Virtuoso, but there are other properties listed below that can offer value in other ways (without a wristband) so that you can control costs.
If you have questions about San Diego all-inclusive resort alternatives, feel free to leave a comment or send me an email.
Katie Dillon
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