Porto Vista Hotel

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1835 Columbia St., San Diego, CA, 92101
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Porto Vista Hotel, located in Little Italy near the Gaslamp Quarter, has a mid-century feel that appeals to guests who appreciate atmosphere & amenities.
Todd Sarouhan
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Porto Vista Hotel
Prices starting at $119 / night
Porto Vista Hotel
Overview
Whats Nearby
Things to Know
Property Amenities
Parking
Rooms & Rates
Nearby Things to Do
Popular Activities
Similar Hotels
Reserve a Room

Highlights

Rates
Amenities
To Do
Nearby
Rooms
Amenities
To Do
Nearby

Overview

Outdoor Lobby Patio at Porto Vista HotelCabanas on the Outdoor Bar at the Porto Vista Hotel

The Porto Vista Hotel in San Diego's Little Italy is a boutique hotel of the highest caliber. It features a rooftop mini-pool as well as a terrace. The GlassDoor Restaurant, on the hotel's fourth floor, features seasonal menus based on locally-sourced ingredients. The craft cocktails are not to be missed! At the GlassDoor, you can dine indoors, on the balcony, or on the patio and enjoy the spectacular views.

Breakfast, happy hour, and dinner are all available for your enjoyment at the GlassDoor Restaurant.

The mid-century vibe at Porto Vista is complemented by modern touches, such as the skybridges that connect the property's buildings. The hotel is completely smoke-free and has a gorgeous lobby as well as a business center and fitness room. If you're arriving by air or by rail, you can take advantage of Porto Vista's free shuttle. If you arrive by car, you'll be happy to know about the private, valet only parking lot.

Local Tips
Discover Little Italy
Locals and visitors alike flock to this neighborhood to indulge in its authentic restaurants and craft breweries, soak in some fine art and culture along the gallery-studded streets, or just enjoy a romantic stroll through the Piazza della Famiglia.

The location of the Porto Vista Hotel can't be beat. San Diego's Little Italy district is the largest in the United States, at 48 square blocks. It's also just on the northern edge of Downtown San Diego, so there's lots to see and do with Porto Vista as your base. Make sure to check out our Best Things to Do in Little Italy San Diego guide for lots of options of things to do in Little Italy.

Porto Vista itself is an art lover's destination. Every room is decorated with original works of art. The hotel has ongoing exhibits curated by the neighboring 1805 Gallery, including installations and murals by local and international artists.

The hotel's curator-in-residence and artist-in-residence programs are groundbreaking. Their aim is to support artists and curators who are committed to getting involved in the local community in multiple ways: through public art, education, and so on.

For weddings and other gatherings, Porto Vista has multiple indoor and outdoor spaces. The Ripassi Rooftop and Terraza are two open-air venues that are available for special events. The Terraza is best for small gatherings, whereas the Ripassi Rooftop can hold up to 300 people, depending on the configuration. The GlassDoor Restaurant is an excellent choice for a special dinner or cocktail hour.

Porto Vista Hotel is listed as one of our top picks for the Best Boutique Hotels in San Diego.

Porto Vista Hotel
Prices starting at $119 / night

The Porto Vista Hotel is a boutique hotel in Little Italy near Balboa Park and the Cruise Port. Picture yourself at its glass door restaurant and stylish, family-friendly common areas with Todd on this tour.

Stay at the Porto Vista Hotel

What's Nearby

Embarcadero
Embarcadero
18 min Walk
USS Midway
USS Midway Museum
20 min Walk
Gaslamp District
Gaslamp Quarter
23 min Walk
Petco Park
Petco Park
36 min Walk
Balboa Park
Balboa Park
5 min Drive
San Diego Zoo
San Diego Zoo
7 min Drive
Old Town San Diego
Old Town San Diego
8 min Drive
Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
15 min Drive
Beach
Coronado Beach
16 min Drive
SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego
16 min Drive
Cabrillo Nat. Monument
Cabrillo National Monument
20 min Drive
Embarcadero
Del Mar Fairgrounds
25 min Drive
LEGOLAND California
LEGOLAND California Theme Park
40 min Drive
Porto Vista Hotel
Prices starting at $119 / night

Things to Know Before Arrival

Neighborhood Little Italy San Diego
Get a taste of Little Italy San Diego at a sidewalk café, boutique shop or a brewery. Or take a pedicab to explore the famous Embarcadero or Balboa Park.
Check In / Check Out
3:00 PM / 11:00 AM
Pet Policy
Dogs are welcome, with a limit of 2 per room and maximum weight of 40 lbs per pet. There's a charge of $39 per pet, per day. Service animals are exempt from fees.
Wifi
Free WiFi in Lobby & Rooms
Breakfast
Not Included
Property Size
190 Rooms

Property Amenities

Bar on Property
Bar on Property
Business Center
Business Center
City Hotel
City Hotel
Concierge Desk
Concierge Desk
Conference Center
Conference Center
Couples Friendly
Couples Friendly
Fitness Room
Fitness Room
Hotel Near Bay
Hotel Near Bay
Laundry
Laundry
Museum Nearby
Museum Nearby
Pets Allowed with Restrictions
Pets Allowed with Restrictions
Pool
Pool
Restaurant on Property
Restaurant on Property

Parking

Valet Parking
Valet Parking
$30 / day for Valet Parking

Room Amenities

Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning
Daily Maid Service
Daily Maid Service
Flat Screen TV
Flat Screen TV
Handicapped Accessible
Handicapped Accessible
Iron
Iron
Mini Fridge
Mini Fridge
No Smoking
No Smoking
Phone in Room
Phone in Room
Room Service
Room Service
Safe Deposit Box in Rooms
Safe Deposit Box in Rooms
Getting Around
SAN Airport
SAN Airport
- 31 min Walk
Trolley
Trolley Station
- 13 min Walk
Cruise Port
Cruise Port
- 14 min Walk
This Month's Forecast
53°F / 75°F
Sunny in November
Dec
48°F / 69°F
Sunny in December
Jan
48°F / 68°F
Sunny in January
Feb
49°F / 69°F
Sunny in February

Rooms & Rates

Suite king bedroom, Porto Vista Hotel

Porto Vista Hotel's 190 smoke-free rooms are situated on five floors. Some rooms are ADA accessible, and some are pet-friendly. Many of the rooms at Porto Vista have private balconies, some with views of either Little Italy or the San Diego Harbor. Mini fridges and microwaves are standard in every room type. You'll also find a work station, hairdryer, coffee maker, and flat-screen TV in every room.

Porto Vista Hotel
Prices starting at $119 / night
Cozy Queen Room

The cozy queen room at Porto Vista is perfect if you only need your room for sleeping and don't plan to spend much of the day in it. The room has only one queen bed and not a lot of elbow room.

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Classic Room

The classic room at Porto Vista has either one king bed or two queens.

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Deluxe Room

Porto Vista's deluxe room also has one king or two queen beds, but with more living space than the classic room.

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Suite

Porto Vista's suite option is perfectly designed to give you plenty of living space while you visit Little Italy. You will find a sofa in the living area that opens into a bed. A wet bar is also part of this room's layout, for your convenience.

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Porto Vista Hotel
Prices starting at $119 / night

Nearby Things to Do

Although the Porto Vista Hotel does not currently offer any tours or group activities, there is plenty to do in the surrounding areas of Little Italy and Downtown San Diego. San Diego is known for its well-thought-out public transit, although many attractions are within walking distance.

Little Italy

San Diego's Little Italy has a year-round farmers' market, called the Little Italy Mercato, every Saturday. The Mercato is a rain or shine event, so you can count on being able to snag some delicious local produce and every weekend. Every day of the year in Little Italy, you'll also find restaurants, delis, and bars serving delicious food and craft beer, along with art galleries and several seasonal festivals.

Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park is just a short walk away from the hotel, and it has something for everyone. Little ones especially love the playground and interactive water feature, while all ages can enjoy the bay views. When the weather is good (which is almost all the time), you're bound to see sailboats out on the water, and if you're lucky enough to be at the park at the end of the day, you'll be in for a spectacular sunset view.

Balboa Park

Porto Vista Hotel is within walking distance of Balboa Park, which is a large urban cultural park. It's so much more than playgrounds and picnic areas. In fact, Balboa Park houses more than 16 museums in addition to its beautiful gardens and performing arts venues. The world-renowned San Diego Zoo, as well at the Air and Space Museum, are among the attractions that are housed within the boundaries of Balboa Park.

Popular Activities

Hop On & Off Narrated Trolley Tour
Hop On & Off Narrated Trolley Tour
Jump onto one of the authentic trolleys, and see over 100 sights in San Diego! Listen to the tour guide and learn as you go. Create your own tour with 12 boarding areas!
Buy Now
San Diego Air and Space Museum
San Diego Air and Space Museum
Discover the history of science, space and aviation when visiting the San Diego Air and Space Museum. See historic aircraft and spacecraft from all around the world. Also, enjoy multiple hands-on exhibits.
Learn More
The World Famous San Diego Zoo
The World Famous San Diego Zoo
Spend the day at the iconic San Diego Zoo! Featuring over 3,500 animals and 650 species, this zoo is the heart of Balboa Park. There are multiple exhibits & experiences for all ages to learn about animals and their habitats.
Learn More
Visit SeaWorld San Diego
Visit SeaWorld San Diego
The world-famous SeaWorld San Diego is home to animal shows, roller coasters and other rides for the entire family. Enjoy encounters featuring the famed Orcas, dolphins and sea lions, or take a tour through the habitats.
Learn More
Coronado Museum of History & Art
Coronado Museum of History & Art
The Coronado Museum of History & Art features interactive exhibits that explore the history of aviation, local military, and the Coronado area. Spend a few hours at one of San Diego’s great museums.
Learn More
GoCar: Downtown & Gaslamp Loop
GoCar: Downtown & Gaslamp Loop
The future is here - enjoy learning about the history of downtown San Diego and the Gaslamp District from a talking GPS car! You'll wind through multiple areas such as Petco Park & Little Italy on this loop!
Buy Now
LEGOLAND Hopper Ticket
LEGOLAND Hopper Ticket
Enjoy the 2nd day FREE with this LEGOLAND® California Hopper Ticket! Save BIG when your 2nd visit occurs within 9 days of your 1st to LEGOLAND California, SEA LIFE Aquarium or the LEGOLAND Water Park.
Learn More
New Children's Museum
New Children's Museum
The New Children's Museum of San Diego is the perfect trip for those traveling to San Diego with their family. The museum is focused on contemporary art and stimulating the minds of children. Fun for all!
Learn More
PETCO Park Tour
PETCO Park Tour
This tour is a GRAND SLAM! Get an intimate look into the home of the San Diego Padres. On this 80-minute tour, learn about the history of the stadium and visit behind-the-scenes areas such as the dugouts and press boxes.
Buy Now
Private Sun Cruiser Duffy Boat Rental
Private Sun Cruiser Duffy Boat Rental
Cruise Mission Bay on a private 21-foot Duffy Boat, that holds up to 12 passengers. Choose either a 90-minute or 3-hour ride, directions and life vests are included. Watch out for local marine animals!
Buy Now
Surf Lessons in La Jolla
Surf Lessons in La Jolla
Ride the waves in La Jolla, a premiere surfing destination! This 90-minute lesson is fit for both beginners & intermediate surfers, with a choice of private or public lessons. All necessary equipment is included. Surfs up!
Buy Now
Visit the Japanese Friendship Garden
Visit the Japanese Friendship Garden
The Japanese Friendship Garden is a traditional Japanese garden in the heart of San Diego. Japanese techniques are used to bring this experience to America. Visit and become inspired by Japanese culture.
Learn More
Visit the San Diego Art Institute
Visit the San Diego Art Institute
Come to the San Diego Art Institute and enjoy contemporary art while visiting the famous Balboa Park region. Art from Southern California and Northern Baja come together for this experience.
Learn More

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