12 Best San Diego Luxury Hotels and Resorts That Are Truly 5-Star
I rate the best San Diego luxury hotels based on personal experience, client feedback, insider tips and share how to book in as a VIP.
San Diego is a brilliant place to call home. I spend my days guiding both residents and visitors to the best places to stay, restaurants, museums, outdoor activities, water sports, parks, and other fun things to do.
Through the content below, I’m positive you’ll be able to plan a San Diego vacation that suits your budget and interests whether you are visiting with kids, on business, as a couple, or on your own.
There is no one who keeps tabs on San Diego hotels like I do. You can figure out where to stay with help from my lists complied by neighborhood, travel style, and budget. Keep in mind that you can secure some extra benefits at properties around town through the VIP programs that I have access to. Find out where to stay in my “best of” hotel lists below.
Whether you are visiting San Diego with kids, on your own, as a couple, or for a business trip, you will not run out of things to do. Thanks to our sunshine, we have plenty of outdoor activities and gorgeous beaches. You can tour famous theme parks and world-class museums. Learn what you can do here.
Our local restaurants have definitely stepped up their game. While you should eat fish tacos and hearty cheap burritos, look forward to colorful farm-to-table cuisine, fresh seafood, local wines, and (lots of) craft beer.
Depending on which neighborhoods in San Diego you visit, you might find yourself in a vibrant arts and culture enclave, a charming 1950s-style small-town, or a laid-back beachy paradise. Not sure where to vacation in San Diego? You can find out a lot more about each San Diego neighborhood in the guides below.
This luxurious La Jolla neighborhood is surprisingly laid back. Million-dollar homes sit on cliffs overlooking San Diego’s beautiful beaches, but don’t make the mistake of thinking this San Diego neighborhood is inaccessible! Tourists and residents alike flock to La Jolla (which residents affectionately call ‘the village’) to dine, sightsee, and to watch the famous La Jolla seals and sea lions doing their thing.
The thrumming heartbeat of San Diego can be felt in our urban center. Downtown San Diego is a buzzing neighborhood (which includes the historic Gaslamp Quarter) has it all, from chic boutiques and fine arts to family fun plus a sizzling nightlife scene. It’s also where you’ll find attractions like Petco Park® (home of the San Diego Padres®) and the New Children’s Museum®. The San Diego Zoo® is just north of downtown.
Just across the bay from downtown San Diego, you’ll find Coronado; an exclusive beach community that has a quaint, old-fashioned vibe. There are quiet, tree-lined streets, old-timey storefronts, and friendly sidewalk cafes, plus miles and miles of walking paths, a great public golf course, and plenty of beaches to enjoy. It’s a popular resort destination and home to the iconic Hotel Del Coronado®, which you can enjoy at the Virtuoso rate if you book through me.
Called PB by the locals, this San Diego neighborhood is a hub of students, young professionals, and surfers, so the vibe is hip and energetic. In Pacific Beach, you’ll find plenty of flip-flop friendly restaurants and bars — this is definitely the hub of San Diego’s beach culture — along with Pacific Beach hotels catering to every type of traveler. If you’re traveling with kids, there are quieter spots that will still give you access to great restaurants and the boardwalk.
This casual San Diego neighborhood is a whole lot of fun! There are amusement parks, including SeaWorld San Diego®, and waveless beaches on Mission Bay that are just perfect for young kids. The paths that wind around this neighborhood are lined with vacation properties. There are great hotels for family travelers in Mission Beach, too. Enjoy plenty of fantastic restaurants, bars, and a hot volleyball scene.
This area of San Diego boasts the largest urban cultural park in the US. It draws visitors from all over the world who come for the 17 museums, gorgeous gardens, beautiful Spanish-Renaissance architecture, art installations, performances, musical events, and of course, the famous San Diego Zoo. Balboa Park should be a part of any visit to San Diego — in fact, you could probably spend an entire vacation exploring this area’s attractions.
Known as “The Village by the Sea,” this wealthy San Diego neighborhood has so much to see and do — including LEGOLAND® California. It is a shopper’s paradise and a foodie hotspot, with a huge variety of restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops to enjoy. That said, if you prefer outdoor amusements, Carlsbad also has plenty of gorgeous beaches where you can go to catch a wave and there’s also Carlsbad Lagoon — a popular spot with paddle boarders and kayakers.
Earn and use Bonvoy points at these best Marriott hotels in San Diego from luxury to boutique.
Find the best things to do in Chula Vista, CA near San Diego including places to eat, hikes, theme parks, family activities and more.
Learn why The Seabird Resort is our favorite Oceanside hotel and why you need to book with Hyatt Prive benefits for extra value.
The best hotels in Oceanside, CA provide reasonably-priced accommodations near the best San Diego beaches, Camp Pendleton and business parks.
Odds are that if you’re going to spend time in La Jolla, California, you’re going to see or walk through Ellen Browning Scripps Park. It’s adjacent to the famous La Jolla Cove, a lovely place for a picnic, and fun for kids or pets to run around. Some hotels and restaurants overlook this green space…
Pick up a Museum Month pass at Macy’s to receive half-off admission to over 45 San Diego museums during February.
San Diego is home to several significant Lunar New Year events that are worth attending for those who would like to celebrate Year of the Tiger.
Going out in the evening in San Diego is fun for couples and families alike. Here are my top picks for nighttime activities in America’s finest city.
Look no further if you want to book San Diego hotels with jacuzzi suites, whirlpools, or specialty bath tubs in the room.
Find the best hotels near San Diego Convention Center whether you’re traveling on business or with the family.
A list of top things to do at San Diego Botanic Garden, a favorite family-friendly attraction in Encinitas, California.
Learn how to take the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail and why it’s one of my neighborhood’s hidden gems.
The BEST way to buy attraction and theme park tickets is my discounted site.
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