Hotels in San Diego, California

San Diego Hotels

The sunny city of San Diego is a popular vacation spot, with long golden sanded beaches, family friendly attractions, and great weather almost year round. There's still a strong Mexican influence on the area, from its spicy cuisine to its traditional red roofed buildings, and the Old Town is full of charming historic sights. San Diego is also an important business center, with the skyline full of high rise office blocks, and many major conventions going on throughout the year.

Things to see

The vast San Diego Zoo is full of exhibits that take you on an animal adventure around the world. You'll be able to take a bus around the park, stopping to see monkeys swinging from the rainforest trees, watch polar bears plunge into their cold pools, and watch elephants cooling off in their enclosure. It's one of the few zoos in the world to display giant pandas, and you can learn about these cuddly species and many other endangered animals. Mission Beach always has a lively atmosphere, with carnival rides, hot dog carts, and street performers along the waterfront. The beach has soft, light sand and clear waters, where you'll often see bodyboarders and surfers trying to catch a wave. Along the beachfront there are plenty of cafés and bars so you can stay refreshed, with tall palm trees providing some shade from the bright California sunshine. The charming Seaport Village isn't your average local mall; It's been built to match the Spanish inspired architecture you'll find all around the city, and overlooks the sparkling San Diego Bay. Wander along the walkways and you'll find clothing and souvenir shops, as well as useful items for those who are enjoying a day out on the water. There's also a great selection of restaurants with bay view terraces, freshly caught seafood, and wine from Californian vineyards.

Hotels in San Diego

Downtown San Diego hotels are often set in modern, high rise buildings, with an emphasis on style and contemporary design. These hotels have all the facilities you'll need for business or leisure travel such as free WiFi, full service spas, indoor or outdoor pools, business centers, and on site restaurants and bars. You'll also find services such as valet parking, childcare, and 24 hour front desk services to make your stay as easy as possible. If you want to find cheap hotels in San Diego, then look slightly outside the center to areas such as Mission Valley. Here you'll find hotels that are great for family vacations, with rooms that accommodate up to 4, large outdoor pools, and gardens where you can enjoy the sunshine.

Where to stay

The Old Town of San Diego is where the city began, with Spanish style architecture and mission buildings, painted white and gleaming in the California sun. There's still a strong Mexican influence from the days before it became part of the USA, and events such as Cinco de Mayo bring a splash of color to the Old Town, with fiestas and parades taking over the streets. It's also an excellent spot to try Mexican cuisine, with many restaurants offering outdoor terraces where you can sip frozen cocktails and be served sizzling plates. The Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego is a popular spot for nightlife, with the streets full of restaurants, bars, and clubs that open until the small hours. This historic district is full of beautifully preserved Victorian era buildings, and there are many unique boutiques and stylish designer stores to be discovered.

How to get to San Diego

San Diego International Airport has a busy schedule of arrivals, with flights from major cities across the USA, as well as direct from Europe and Asia. The airport is just a 10 minute drive from downtown, with cabs and rental cars available, and there's also an express bus service which takes you just 15 minutes. You can also catch a bus to connect with the San Diego Trolley service, with regular shuttles that join you to the orange and blue lines. Union Station is a busy hub for rail, with the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service connecting you to Los Angeles and other coastal destinations. There's also a smaller commuter railway, with stops such as Old Town, Santa Fe, and the Oceanside Transit Center making it easy to get around the city.