Where to Stay San Diego: Central San Diego Beaches and Mission Bay
The San Diego area is huge and getting around can be a challenge. Choosing a general location to stay is essential for maximizing the enjoyment of a visit to San Diego. Fun Diego Family has created a detailed guide to each of San Diego’s major areas This is our guide to staying in the central San Diego beach area that runs from Point Loma to La Jolla.
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Overview
San Diego County has about 70 miles of coastline. However, when we refer to central San Diego beaches, it refers to the beaches within the city of San Diego, not including La Jolla. This includes Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, and Ocean Beach. It also includes Mission Bay.
Lodging in this area tends to be more low-key. The beach is the main attraction. The exception is the resorts on Mission Bay.
Nearby Attractions and Activities
Of course, the ocean is the prime attraction. However, a major advantage of this area is the location in a major U.S. city with all the attractions and services. In San Diego it is literally possible to go from the airport or downtown to the beach in less than half an hour.
Stay in Sunny San Diego with these vacation rentals from Vrbo!
Attractions more specific to the area include:
- Sea World amusement park is located in Mission Bay.
- Belmont Park is a smaller amusement park right on the ocean in Mission Beach.
- Cabrillo National Monument, where Europeans discovered California, is about 6 miles down the Point Loma Peninsula.
- Mission Bay is a block away from the ocean and offers more sedate beach and water sports opportunities.
- A small paved boardwalk runs about 2 miles from Mission Beach to Pacific Beach.
- There are over 15 miles of dedicated bike paths in this area that are perfect for all ages.
- Garnet Avenue in Pacific beach and Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach offer eclectic, non-touristy shopping, and dining opportunities
Key Locations and Notable Lodging Options
Mission Bay
Mission Bay is one of San Diego’s great playgrounds. The Bay runs along Mission Beach two blocks from the Pacific Ocean. Mission Bay has about 2,000 acres of water and 27 miles of shoreline. This includes 18 miles of sandy beaches that are perfect for people that don’t want to brave the rougher waves of the Pacific Ocean.
Check out our full guide here.
Mission Bay is home to several large resorts. These resorts are designed to offer a full experience that include all kinds of activities such as sailing, jet skiing and more.
Our favorite resort in Mission Bay is Paradise Point Resort and Spa on an island in the middle of the bay. This is the largest and most secluded resort.
- Check Prices for Paradise Point Resort and Spa on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Paradise Point Resort and Spa on Booking.com
On the west end of Mission Bay there is the Bahia Resort Hotel on the south end and the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa on the north end. These resorts are only two blocks from the Pacific Ocean so they have the best of both worlds. The Bahia Belle steamboat connects the two resorts across Mission Bay and is free for guests.
- Check Prices for Bahia Resort Hotel on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Bahia Resort Hotel on Booking.com
- Check Prices for Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa on Booking.com
On the east end of the bay is the San Diego Mission Bay Resort. This resort is conveniently located with easy access to the freeway and is a great choice for those that want to explore San Diego beyond the resort.
- Check Prices for San Diego Mission Bay Resort on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for San Diego Mission Bay Resort on Booking.com
On the southwest end, the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina occupies a prime location where the bay meets the Pacific Ocean. Across Mission Bay Drive from the Hyatt is The Dana on Mission Bay.
- Check Prices for Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina on Booking.com
- Check Prices for The Dana on Mission Bay on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for The Dana on Mission Bay on Booking.com
Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach is San Diego’s party central for beachgoers. Much of the action happens south of the Pacific Beach Pier and along Garnet Avenue which runs inland from the pier.
There are several boutique style hotels running along Mission Boulevard north of the pier. These places are away from the rowdiest areas but also within walking distance to all the dining and nightlife.
For beachgoers it is important to note that the hotels are separate from the beach by both the narrow boardwalk and a bluff that requires a walk down a staircase. However, there is a ramp to the beach at Law Street.
The most high-end of the North Pacific Beach hotels include the Pacific Terrace Hotel and Tower 23 Hotel.
- Check Prices for Pacific Terrace Hotel on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Pacific Terrace Hotel on Booking.com
- Check Prices for Tower 23 Hotel on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Tower 23 Hotel. on Booking.com
Capri by the Sea is a high-rise building that specializes in condominium style lodging with up to 3-bedrooms.
More lower key lodging on the ocean includes the Diamond Head Inn and the Pacific View Inn.
Of course, beach front lodging comes at a premium. For those willing to stay a block from the beach there may at some for the similar inn-style places such as PB Surf Beachside Inn, Beach Haven or Pacific Shores Inn. The beach will still be next door, but rooms will not have oceanfront views.
Note Pacific Beach is a large neighborhood. There are several brand name hotels on the east end of Pacific Beach by interstate 5. These hotels are very convenient to the rest of San Diego. However, getting to the beach means fighting two miles of heavy beach traffic along Garnet or Grand Avenue.
Mission Beach
Mission Beach is a narrow strip of land about 3 blocks wide. The Pacific Ocean is on the west side with Mission Bay on the east.
This area is all about vacation rental properties through sites like VRBO. This is popular with large groups renting beach or bayfront housing for family reunions, birthday parties etc. We have a separate guide to vacation rentals in San Diego, but in summary Mission Beach rentals tend to be for groups looking to be in the thick of the action.
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach (OB) is an eclectic community separated from the north beaches by the San Diego River. Thrillist named Ocean Beach as one of the coolest neighborhoods in America to spend a weekend. However lodging choices are limited in OB.
OB is less expensive than other beach areas of San Diego because it sits right at the end of San Diego International Airport, under the flight path of departing planes. This is a busy and crowded area.
The Ocean Beach Hotel sits right on the coast at the end of Newport Avenue by the OB Pier. This area is safe, but it should be noted that there will be a great deal of drug use and homeless in the neighborhood.
- Check Prices for The Ocean Beach Hotel on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for The Ocean Beach Hotel on Booking.com
The Inn at Sunset Cliffs is a wonderful ocean front location away from all the crowds. For fans of the TV series Veronica Mars, the inn was the location for Veronica’s home. Sunset Cliffs has some of San Diego’s best ocean views (especially at sunset).
- Check Prices for The Inn at Sunset Cliffs on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for The Inn at Sunset Cliffs on Booking.com
Conclusion
Staying on the beach in San Diego is a different experience than what is found on the East Coast or Europe. San Diego is sunny year-round so the beach does not clear out in the off-season. Of course, crowds swell on holidays and the summer.
For an active family looking for waterfront adventure it is hard to beat San Diego beaches. The main choice is whether to pick a resort, oceanfront lodging or a more casual place designed primarily for sleeping after an active day outdoors.
Personally, my choice would be whether I was coming with family or just going on a romantic getaway. With a family group a Mission Bay resort or vacation rental on Mission Bay would be the first choice. For a romantic outing it would be hard to beat a beachfront hotel north of PB Pier such as Tower23 or Pacific Terrace.
San Diego Hotel Guides
San Diego is our home so we don’t stay in too many hotels in the area. However, we love to travel and have all kinds of experience with maximizing lodging choices.
A starting point is our San Diego Hotel Guide and Tips. This guide applies to travel in general, but has some more San Diego specific advice.
The Where to Stay in San Diego post is designed to help visitors pick a specific area of San Diego.
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