11 Best Places for a Staycation in San Diego

For a taste of the hustle and bustle of the city for your staycation, head to the Gaslamp Quarter, and treat yourself to a stay at the luxurious Pendry San Diego! Centrally located, you'll be within walking distance of countless restaurants and shopping, as well as a convenient drive from all the main attractions, like the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park. What's better than relaxing in the beautiful rooftop pool at the Pendry after walking around the zoo all day?

This modern hotel offers multiple amenities, spa services and two restaurants on the ground level. It is only a few blocks away from the San Diego Bay where you can explore the Embarcadero or you can enjoy the exciting downtown buzz on your San Diego Staycation!

If staying in Coronado is your staycation dream, but you don't have the budget Hotel del Coronado, then Loews Coronado Bay Resort is a great option! Located about 4 miles south of the business district, it is a quick 5-to-10-minute walk to Silver Strand State Beach. This gorgeous beach is accessible via the hotel shuttle, and provides complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas to guests.

The hotel is also one of the best family-friendly hotels in San Diego, and chock-full of amenities for both kids and their parents. Kids enjoy the planned activities, pool deck with outdoor games, water sports and the "Loews Loves Families" program that plans scavenger hunts, talent shows and more. Parents enjoy the full-service spa, cocktail bar, and farm to table dining with fresh local ingredients.

This resort is a great choice for those looking to experience both the bay beach and ocean beach during their staycation, and has topped our list of best places for a staycation, as featured in our Best Hotels in San Diego article.

Located on the calm bay beach at Sail Bay on Mission Bay, the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is also only a few blocks away from the ocean at Pacific Beach. There are water sport rentals available on the bay beach, as well as complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas.

Keep an eye out for exotic birds, and real turtles and ducks who reside in the pond. The entire family will love the summer luaus on the beach of this tropical themed resort!

Nothing is more San Diego than the legendary Del Coronado. This landmark hotel, Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton, provides the ultimate luxury beachfront experience, with every accommodation you can possibly dream of! Spend your time relaxing on the beach, shopping in the many upscale stores or dining at one of the highly rated restaurants.

For the ultimate luxury staycation, check out Beach Village at the Del, a private enclave boasting designer rooms, suites and cottages. Enjoy the peacefulness of the private beach and pools, as well as the members-only Windsor Beach Club. This is a smart choice for larger groups, as the cottages have full-kitchens, and range from one to three bedrooms.

Can you really call yourself a true San Diegan if you haven't spent hours exploring Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve? We think this is a rite of passage for all who live in San Diego, and we’re crowning The Lodge at Torrey Pines as one of our top staycation picks, as featured in our article, the Best Hotels in San Diego!

This luxurious resort with a rustic lodge vibe is the perfect place to relax after spending the day hiking. The guest rooms and bathrooms are spacious, with amazing soaking tubs and custom toiletries.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines is only a few minutes drive from the beautiful beachside town of Del Mar and its many amazing beaches!

The lodge oversees the ocean, borders Torrey Pines and also hosts a PGA golf course. Depending on your mood, choose from two restaurants, offering indoor and outdoor dining in both a casual and formal setting. Wrap up your staycation by checking out the amazing spa, with a large menu of services for both men and women.

If you're looking for a romantic staycation, check out the Pantai Inn. Located in La Jolla, this boutique hotel has relaxing, oceanfront cottages in a sublime atmosphere. With Balinese art decor and meticulously maintained grounds in addition to peaceful views of the Pacific, you'll be surrounded by beauty for a zenful stay.

Guests can select from a variety of in-room spa treatments after relaxing by the outdoor firepit. The romantic aura of this hotel makes it popular for weddings and vow renewals, or just a great place to stay for a couple’s weekend. The Pantai loves staycationers, and offers a discount for San Diego residents.

Located on Mission Bay, this resort offers a private marina and ideal location for visitors of SeaWorld San Diego. If checking out SeaWorld San Diego is on your staycation bucket list, then The Dana on Mission Bay is a prime choice. From the property, guests are within walking distance of SeaWorld, as well as multiple beaches.

After exploring SeaWorld, return to the Dana and enjoy a variety of amenities, including two outdoor heated pools and hot tubs. During the summer months, there are 'dive in movies' scheduled at the pool! There is seasonal poolside food service, in addition to the two on-site restaurants.

Grab your bike and check out the bike path, or you can rent a bike if you didn't bring one along!

Experience the sparkling sand and upbeat vibe of Pacific Beach at Tower23 Hotel. This modern beachfront hotel offers direct access to the beach, along with a close proximity to all the trendy shops and restaurants that make up the neighborhood of Pacific Beach. The beach boardwalk also runs along the property, for a quick morning walk, jog or bike ride.

Spend your staycation days lounging on the beach with chairs, umbrellas and WiFi provided by the hotel, then head up to the sundeck to enjoy a cocktail while people-watching or catching an extraordinary San Diego sunset. There is also an on-site restaurant that gets rave reviews.

This mid-range, retro themed hotel is located in the Point Loma area, where tourists typically flood at dusk to catch a glimpse of the stunning sunsets at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. Enjoy the view from the multi-level terrace, and don't forget your camera!

Although this is a small property, with only 24 rooms, there are multiple room options to select from. The Inn at Sunset Cliffs does not have direct beach access, but the hotel provides a shuttle down to the beach area. Enjoy the pool in the middle of the property, and look to local food trucks to grab a bite to eat.

If you're bringing your children along, check out LEGOLAND California Resort, located inside the LEGOLAND resort. Although theme park tickets are not included in your stay, guests receive early access to the park to beat the crowds.

Your kids will love the themed rooms with bunk beds, character visits, LEGO play areas, and nightly entertainment. Parents will love the large pool with cabanas, separate kids’ rooms in their guest room, and free breakfast buffet. Although it won't be a quiet staycation, there will be lots of LEGO fun!

Paradise Point Resort & Spa is located waterfront on along Mission Bay on Vacation Isle. This massive resort is the perfect place to get away on your San Diego Staycation. The property is huge with a large lagoon, five swimming pools and a pretty bayfront beach. There are also 2 different restaurants on property.

Paradise Point is in Pacific Beach and just next to Mission Beach and La Jolla, so it is a perfect resort to stay at if you are looking to explore either of those beach towns. It is also very close to Old Town San Diego where you can learn about California's first town or just enjoy some authentic Mexican food.