Where to Stay San Diego: Downtown and the Airport
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 near downtown San Diego and the airport.
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Overview
San Diego is unique because the airport is essentially in downtown. San Diego International Airport opened in 1928. Until 2003 the airport was known as Lindbergh Field after Charles Lindbergh’s historic first 1927 transatlantic flight.
San Diego really should have a larger airport, but after years of effort, the region has settled on expanding the current location. San Diego International Airport has only one runaway, one of the world’s busiest.
The good news for travelers is that the airport is extremely convenient. Downtown San Diego literally starts at the end of the runaway and travelers flying in get great views of either the harbor/downtown (on the left side) or Balboa Park/San Diego Zoo (on the right side) as the plane lands.
Nearby Attractions and Activities
Many of San Diego’s key attractions are near downtown and the airport. The center of San Diego is on San Diego Bay, one of the country’s great natural harbors.
Downtown is home to a great deal of dining, shopping and nightlife options. Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo sits on a mesa above downtown. The “island” of Coronado is directly across from downtown. Point Loma is a long scenic peninsula that separates San Diego Bay from the Pacific Ocean.
Key things to do near downtown San Diego and the airport include:
- Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego’s top nightlife and dining destination
- The Harbor Front which includes cruises, the USS Midway Museum, the Maritime Museum and Seaport Village
- Little Italy neighborhood, a top dining destination
- Bike riding or walking on the harbor
- Barrio Logan, home to some great Mexican food
- Balboa Park, home to the San Diego Zoo and many museums
- Point Loma, a large peninsula overlooking downtown that includes Liberty Station market, Shelter Island and Cabrillo National Monument
- Old Town San Diego, a popular tourist area with historic sites and popular dining and shopping options
- Petco Park, home to the San Diego Padres
- Mission Bay/Sea World, Mission Bay is about a 10 minute from the airport/downtown and has all kinds of water activities and is home to the Sea World amusement park
- Central San Diego beaches, Ocean Beach on Point Loma is directly under the airport flight path and Mission Beach and Pacific Beach are directly north.
- Coronado, the independent city of Coronado can be reached directly from downtown via a ferry
- Further afield are the North Park and Hillcrest neighborhoods that border Balboa Park. Both neighborhoods are extremely popular for their dining and nightlife.
Of course, it should be noted that the downtown/airport area is fairly spread out. Like much of San Diego public transportation is pretty much limited to a bus. Getting from one area to another will generally involve some form of automobile transportation.
Key Locations and Notable Hotels
The downtown/airport area has all kinds of lodging options. However, the prime location means prices are higher than average. Budget seeking travelers may also want to look at the Mission Valley commercial district which is about 5 miles inland.
That being said, there are all kinds of great options depending on specific interests. The following neighborhoods are all worth considering.
Gaslamp/Ballpark/Convention Center
The Gaslamp area has been central to San Diego’s nightlife since it was developed starting in the 1980s. The area next to the Gaslamp has been significantly restored since Petco Park, home to the MLB San Diego Padres, opened in 2004. There is also the San Diego Convention Center on Harbor Dr, across from the Gaslamp Quarter and Petco Park.
This area is home to several high-rise hotels, boutique hotels and low-key chain options. The entire San Diego harbor front area is easily reached from most hotels.
The Gaslamp/East Village is more suited for adults. We have left the kids at home and had hometown getaways at the Omni San Diego and the Manchester Grand Hyatt, both luxury hotels in the heart of the action.
- Check Prices for Manchester Grand Hyatt on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Manchester Grand Hyatt on Booking.com
There are too many hotels to list. Below are some of the many luxury options. However, there are also major brand value hotels in the area like Comfort Inn, Ramada, Residence Inn and Courtyard.
The U.S. Grant, opened in 1910 by the son of the famed President/General. The hotel, operated by Marriott, has been the lodging of choice for many presidents and famous names. In the 21st century, it has undergone major renovation to keep up with newer luxury competition.
Kimpton Hotel Palomar: The Palomar is an IHG property located at the north end of the Gaslamp near the Civic Center
Hard Rock Hotel: This rock-themed hotel is right by Petco Park and the entrance to the Gaslamp Quarter
Andaz: Hyatt operates the Andaz which is located in an historic 1913 building.
Westgate: The Westgate is a classic European style luxury hotel right by City Hall. In 2020 it celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter: The Westin is located in Horton Plaza, a shopping mall that was once the center of downtown San Diego. Note there is another Westin about 3 blocks down on Braodway.
- Check Prices for The Westin Gaslamp on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for The Westin Gaslamp on Booking.com
Hotel Indigo: This is an IHG property in East Village near Petco Park. You can watch Padres games from Level 9 Rooftop Bar
Pendry: The Pendry is a luxury boutique hotel on 5th Ave in the Gaslamp. The rooftop pool has great views.
Hotel Z: This 4-story boutique hotel in the heart of the Gaslamp has a pineapple theme. Bikes are included with the proce
Hotel Solamar: This boutique hotel has a rooftop swimming pool and is in the heart of the Gaslamp
Hilton San Diego Bayfront: The Hilton is a high-rise hotel on the bay right by Petco Park and the entrance to the Gaslamp Quarter
Harbor Front
The area right along San Diego Bay off Harbor Drive is home to some prime hotels. Most of these locations are a 10-15 minute walk from the nightlife and dining in the Gaslamp and East Village areas There is also shopping and dining around Seaport Village. This is the place to be for visitors that want to be right on the water and near the action. The Portside Pier, opened in July 2020, offers some new waterfront. dining options in the area.
The Manchester Grand Hyatt is a massive hotel on arguably the best location in the harbor. Its two high-story towers feature rooftop pools and the 40-story high Top of the Hyatt lounge. We stayed here on our wedding night.
- Check Prices for Manchester Grand Hyatt on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Manchester Grand Hyatt on Booking.com
The Marriott Marquis, the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina is next door to Seaport Village and the San Diego Convention Center. Like its neighbor, the Grand Hyatt, it features two high-story waterfront towers.
Intercontinental San Diego, this luxury hotel chain is operated by IHG. This location is right on the waterfront by Broadway Pier where cruise ships land and the ferry goes to Coronado across San Diego Bay.
- Check Prices for Intercontinental San Diego on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Intercontinental San Diego on Booking.com
Wyndham San Diego Bayside, this luxury hotel is located right next to the iconic San Diego County Building by the Star of India ship and the new Portside Pier.
- Check Prices for Wyndham San Diego Bayside on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Wyndham San Diego Bayside on Booking.com
Residence Inn, there are actually two Residence Inns in this area. One is right off Broadway by the cruise ship terminal. The other one is a few blocks north in the Little Italy neighborhood area.
Little Italy
The Little Italy neighborhood is located at the end of the runaway for San Diego International Airport. It is about a mile away from the Gaslamp/Seaport Village area. Note that while on a map the area looks close to Balboa Park and the zoo, it is actually a fairly long walk up a steep hill.
Little Italy has been undergoing major improvement and is home to some of San Diego’s most exciting dining options, but the nightlife is not as happening as in the Gaslamp. Of course, for many visitors that will be a plus.
Being right by the airport there are several value chains in Little Italy including Best Western, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Four Points by Sheraton, Residence Inn and Motel 6.
The more high-end properties in Little Italy tend to be on the smaller/boutique side, even when operated by major chains.
Carte Hotel: The Carte is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection on the southern border of Little Italy
Porto Vista: This small boutique hotel is in the center of Little Italy. There is a focus on San Diego’s border art.
La Pensione: A small, boutique hotel on Little Italy’s main drag, India Street
Found Hotel: The Found is a small property in a restored 1910 building
Hotel Republic (formerly W): Hotel Republic is a luxury Marriott Property two blocks south of Little Italy
Harbor Island/Next to the Airport
Harbor Island is a small man-made island at the entrance to the airport. The island has great views of downtown San Diego and Coronado across the bay.
There is a large Sheraton in the center of the island (Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina) and a Hilton on the western end. Both hotels have easy access to water-based activity on Harbor Island.
- Check Prices for Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina on Booking.com
- Check Prices for Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island on Booking.com
Across the street from Harbor Island, directly next to the airport TownePlace Suites and Hampton Inn. Both places are about a 10-minute walk from the airport or Liberty Station.
- Check Prices for TownePlace Suites on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for TownePlace Suites on Booking.com
- Check Prices for Hampton Inn San Diego Airport on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Hampton Inn San Diego Airport on Booking.com
Point Loma
The Point Loma peninsula starts on the west end of the Sand Diego International Airport about three miles from downtown.
We like to take our bikes to Liberty Station and ride along the dedicated bike path to the downtown harbor area.
Point Loma extends about seven miles along the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay where it ends at Cabrillo National Monument where Spanish explorers discovered California in the 1500s.
Liberty Station has some very nice value chains including Holiday Inn San Diego-Bayside (right in front of Fisherman’s Landing), Homewood Suites (Hilton) and Courtyard (Marriott)
- Check Prices for Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside on Booking.com
The other prime lodging option for Point Loma is Shelter Island. Shelter Island is a one-mile long man-made strip of land connected to Point Loma by a single road. It was developed in the 1950s with a Polynesian theme. Most of the island has great views of downtown San Diego across the bay.
Shelter Island has some very nice waterfront hotels that include the Kona Kai Resort & Spa, Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel and Marina, Bay Club Hotel & Marina, and Humphreys Half Moon Inn which has the advantage of being part of the prime Humphrey’s music venue.
- Check Prices for Kona Kai Resort & Spa on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Kona Kai Resort & Spa on Booking.com
- Check Prices for Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel and Marina on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel and Marina on Booking.com
- Check Prices for Bay Club Hotel & Marina on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Bay Club Hotel & Marina on Booking.com
- Check Prices for Humphreys Half Moon Inn on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Humphreys Half Moon Inn on Booking.com
Old Town
Old Town San Diego is a prime tourist attraction on the north east end of the airport. It is easily accessible from the trolley line that runs from downtown to Mission Valley. There are not many lodging options directly in Old Town. The Mission Valley and downtown hotels are all within easy access of Old Town via trolley.
If you desire to stay right in Old Town two options to consider are the Cosmopolitan Hotel (also home to our favorite restaurant in Old Town) and the Best Western Hacienda Hotel, which has nice views of Old Town and historic Heritage Park. There is also a nice Hilton Garden Inn right off the freeway at the entrance to Old Town.
- Check Prices for Cosmopolitan Hotel on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Cosmopolitan Hotel on Booking.com
- Check Prices for Best Western Hacienda Hotel on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Best Western Hacienda Hotel on Booking.com
- Check Prices for Hilton Garden Inn on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for Hilton Garden Inn on Booking.com
Hillcrest/North Park
Hillcrest and North Park are happening San Diego neighborhoods right by Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. Unfortunately, the number of major lodging options are limited/almost non-existent. This is more a bed-and-breakfast style area.
One exception is The Lafayette Hotel in the heart of North Park. The Lafayette is right by one of San Diego’s best pizza places (Pizzeria Luigi) and is within walking distance of key San Diego breweries and dining options. We have stayed here and were impressed how this bungalow style hotel reminded us of the classic 1940/50 style places from Hollywood movies,
- Check Prices for The Lafayette Hotel on HotelsCombined
- Check Prices for The Lafayette Hotel on Booking.com
Conclusion
There is no other major city in the United States, and possibly the world, where staying by the airport also puts you in heart of the action. The San Diego International Airport is as close as possible to downtown San Diego. First-time visitors are constantly amazed to see an airport in downtown.
Lodging options in this area run the gamut. Even value chains have great locations and often nice views. The downside is price. Lodging is at a premium with prices soaring during holidays, conventions and summer. Peak prices hit around July when the Comic Con convention comes to town. In most cases you will also pay for parking and possibly a resort fee.
During off-season we have found some great values in the area and it always pays to research. However, if you truly want value it may pay to look at the Mission Valley area. Mission Valley is inland along the major freeways, but what it lacks in ambience it can make up for in convenience to the beaches, downtown and major San Diego attractions.
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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