Where to Stay in San Diego

Vedant

Aug 31, 2020 • 10 min read

Amazing year-round weather, an eclectic Mexican-Ameican culture, historic cityscape and serene beaches are all the things that make San Diego one of the West Coast's most idyllic locations. The city has been a part of several regimes in its long history and after targeted efforts to convert it into a major cultural hub, has become an absolute dream destination for travellers from across the globe. And that's not just limited to the city's famed centres such as the Old Town or Gaslamp Quarter; every neighborhood in San Diego has developed a distinctive subculture of its own and has something unique to offer its visitors.

A relatively compact central cityscape and an efficient public transport means that no part of the city is off limits either. Finding your ideal neighborhood from a seemingly endless list of options then becomes quite a task. And that's where we step in. Here, we have listed some of the best neighborhoods of San Diego and what they might have in store for you traveller!

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Gaslamp Quarter

The historic district of Gaslamp Quarter, centred around the 5th Avenue of Downtown San Diego is probably the most fabled of all city neighborhoods. And there is a good reason for that! The Victorian cityscape of the compact neighborhood is definitely something worth marvelling at, but it's the businesses and lifestyle houses in these decades-old buildings that really bring the city's character to life. Most buildings in Gaslamp Quarter house modern restaurants, casual cafes and craft beer bars, making it the go-to neighborhood for most of the city's younger crowds. The sheer number of options available in the area will leave you flustered; each establishment, masterfully crafted into the Victorian space offers not only great ambience but also some of the best gourmet experiences that there can be.

The appeal of Gaslamp Quarter also transcends the great food and evening drinks as the neighborhood is also home to some of San Diego's top cultural centres. The Balboa Theatre is a majestic venue for live performances and screenings as is the Spreckels Theatre, one of the few establishments that out-dates it. Drop by for the stand-up comic, live music events, or even a ballet performance; and, if you're particularly lucky, your visit might just coincide with a Broadway production of your liking. The buildings in the neighborhood have also been repurposed as art galleries with works of local artists only, furthering the neighborhood's alternative appeal. The lawns and giant staircases of the central Horton Plaza Park are a great meeting place and starting points for your daily excursions.

Gaslamp Quarter is centrally located in Downtown San Diego, making it fairly straightforward to access through almost all public transport options. Hotels and homestays are in plenty and, surprisingly, fall in the more moderately priced range.

Best Hotels in Gaslamp Quarter

Best Airbnbs in Gaslamp Quarter

Little Italy

Just north of Gaslamp Quarter lies the largely pedestrian neighborhood of Little Italy. The lively cultural enclave shares a lot of similarities with its predecessor but marks a significant shift in terms of cityscape and overall vibe, which is more mordane. But whatever points it loses in the (majestic Victorian-style) architecture front, it makes up for them with its quintessentially European charm. It is by far the best place to spend outdoors, mingling with the local population. The neighborhood has several quaint patios, with stunning fountains for centerpieces and cobblestone streets, most of which are lined with a few busy cocktail bars and the ever-elegant terraced cafes. In short, the streets in Little Italy's streets are always bustling with activity without ever feeling too crowded.

And that without even mentioning the live performances and weekly markets that just transform this otherwise quaint setting into a whole new experience. Drop by the Mercato's farmer's market for some delightful fresh produce or handicrafts stalls and some top gourmet delicacies right out of the ovens. Other popular events include the annual Little Italy Fiesta—celebrating the neighborhood's rich cultural past and the ArtWalk San Diego—the city's very own arts festival. Talking of which, Little is also one of the best places in San Diego to go on a shopping spree. Chic boutiques and upscale shopping centres, the kind that for most of the main streets here will definitely draw you in with their stunning display windows.

Little Italy's European charm transcends the shopping and gourmet industries as the neighbourhood's hotels and homestays also check all the boxes that are often associated with Parisian and Italian cities. While in the neighborhood, you are bound to come across several winsome boutique hotels and attractive-looking apartments and guesthouses and you will have plenty to choose from. Getting around is easy in this largely pedestrian neighborhood; if anything, it is one of Little Italy's added bonuses.

Best Hotels in Little Italy

Best Airbnbs in Little Italy

Embarcadero

The city of San Diego is, before anything else, an important harbour city and at the centre of it all is the bayside neighborhood of Embarcadero. Following significant redevelopment in recent years, the area has become a popular choice for travellers looking to stay in close proximity of both the city's waterfront as well as the central business districts. The Seaport Village, situated at the southern tip of the neighborhood is its most frequented spot and serves as a nice microcosm for the larger Embarcadero district; here, you will find many top restaurants, serving some of the city's best seafood cuisine, some great waterfront cafes, and a handful of great boutiques and home-grown designer stores. The village plaza itself is a great space to relax as you can grab your take-out meals and savour them sitting beside a fountain or facing the extensive harbour.

The neighborhood's wide avenues and promenades are also lined with a slew of great seafood resto-bars and merchandise stores. A walking tour of these streets can easily turn into a rewarding experience as not only will you have an uninterrupted views of the harbour and the San Diego's sprawling skyline, you will also come across some of the city's most popular landmarks including the USS Midway Maritime Museum and the Unconditional Surrender Statue. You can also head over to the Waterfront Park (which is a only short walk away) to catch the sun set over the scenic bay. Cruise liners and ferries are accessible through several service providers in the area, with short trips to Coronado Island also in the offing.

Embarcadero offers a large number of options when it comes to hotels and resorts. You can find both a great waterfront hotel or a moderately priced accommodation without having to break a sweat here. The neighborhood is also one of the easiest to access from all other parts of San Diego. If you're looking to find your way around to Gaslamp and other parts of Downtown San Diego, you might as well take a trip on the narrated bus tours offered at Seaport village.

Best Hotels in Embarcadero

Best Airbnbs in Embarcadero

Old Town

The Old Town, situated north of the harbour and downtown neighborhoods was the original city centre and has the most cultural capital to offer in all of San Diego. In fact, the Old Town was the first European settlement in the region of present-day California and the rich past comes alive at the Old Town State Historic Park. Home to over a dozen historic sites, dating back to the Spanish Empire and subsequent period when the region was a part of the Mexican state. The Victorian and Mission-style residential buildings and the Old Town theatres and courthouses are landmarks in their own rights and have been converted into intriguing museums and galleries.

The appeal of the neighborhood however goes beyond just the city's colourful past. The vibrant Old Town marketplace, for instance, offers a lively atmosphere with mariachi bands and other live performers crowding the streets. Take in the vibe while you go rummaging through piles of souvenirs and local crafts or enjoy a local delicacy from one of the many street vendors. The streets are even more busy during festivities, the kind that take place during the 4th of July, Cinco de Mayo and Dia de los Muertos. The Mexican heritage really shines through the cuisine of Old Town; courtyard cafes dominante the area but you can also find a handful of fine dining restaurants, the most authentic Mexican food at the local cantinas and even a few mixed-use spaces that bring all of the elements in one location. In short, the rich heritage and dynamism of Old Town is something you simply do not want to miss!

You can get a taxi to get to Old Town, but regular bus services are also available from most Downtown locations. There are almost a dozen great hotels in the vicinity of Old Town, each one better than their predecessor.

Best Hotels in Old Town

Best Airbnbs in Old Town

La Jolla

If a beachside weekend is what you're looking for during your stay in the city, La Jolla is your answer. A little outside the city centre, this seaside northern village setting is home to some of the most scenic cliffs and serene beaches in all of San Diego. The rugged landscape is also a marked change from the other neighborhoods that make up the city centre, but is a definitive draw for travellers looking for a more laid-back outdoorsy vacation. La Jolla Cove is the main beach and has plenty to offer; located in the backdrop of the rocky mounts, the sandy strip still offers a nice setting for a long day of sunbathing or family picnics. Swimming and snorkeling are also popular activities and if you stay here for long, you will definitely get a chance to watch sea lions in their natural habitat.

The neighborhood also offers a range of other activities to keep you engaged; while the tide pools around the Shell beach are some of the best to witness marine life, the cliffs in the vicinity of the Torrey Pines make for exquisite viewing points. You can take walks along the broad-walks run along La Jolla Shore Park; lined with Palm trees, these trails offer sweeping views of the ocean. Time your visit to enjoy the beautiful sunset. The resort village setting close to La Jolla Beach has a charming character of its own, with several waterfront eateries, mexican food stalls and immaculate paved walking and biking trails. There's also a great many boutiques and jewellery stores for the shopaholics and a few must-visit galleries and exhibition halls, none as enticing as the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. The village's streets and public places also feature artworks, murals and graffiti by renowned conceptual artists and painters.

La Jolla is serviceable through a bus service. It is a 20 minute car ride from Downtown San Diego; local travel is a little more complicated as there aren't any designated taxi stands, but you can access local operators from almost all hotels desks. Talking of which, you would want to get a nice ocean-facing room at one of the many waterfront hotels in La Jolla.

Best Hotels in La Jolla

Best Airbnbs in La Jolla

North Park

And for the last neighborhood on the list, we head back over to the city centre. The neighborhood of North Park, located northwestern of the sprawling Balboa green space is by far the coolest parts of the city. Street art, trendy bars and boho cafes all contribute heavily to North Park's casual vibe of the neighborhood that has become the hub for Gen Z crowds. The central thoroughfare of University Avenue is where you find the most in-vogue eateries; be it the quirky new additions to cafe menus or a new watering hole around the corner, there's always something to look forward to in the vicinity.

The gastronomy of North Park goes beyond University Avenue as you will find some great nightlife options around the Observatory North Park, a mid-twentieth century theatre featuring live musical acts, late-night film screenings and theatre performances. The nearby Ray Arts district has the most dynamic cityscapes with graffiti-painted walls and a number of studios and galleries featuring works of up-and-coming artists hailing from the area; book stores and indie boutiques housed in masterfully restored spaces similarly promote local talent. North Park also offers one of the easiest access to Balboa Park; drop by for a refreshing walk in the lush setting or a quick visit to the Japanese garden, botanical parks or the unique open air museums.

As an extension of Downtown San Diego, North Park remains well connected through public transport. Getting a taxi from one part of the neighborhood to the other is fairly easy and you should not have too much trouble finding a nice hotel around here either.

Best Hotels in North Park

Best Airbnbs in North Park

That's all from our side, traveller. Take your pick and get packing for your visit to one of America's finest cities!