CALIFORNIA

10 San Diego hotels for every occasion

Dawn Gilbertson
The Republic | azcentral.com
Beach Terrace Inn, Carlsbad | Perfect for: An oceanfront splurge for families or couples in laid-back Carlsbad, north of San Diego. The hotel, an average Best Western in a former life, has a variety of room types, from courtyard views to oversize oceanfront rooms with large balconies. | Pro tip: Check the hotel's Facebook page and website for last-minute specials, such as a 3-nights-for-the-price-of-2 promotion on select dates. | Sample nightly rates: Aug. 5-7, $399; Labor Day weekend, $409; Oct. 11-13, $279. | Details: 800-433-5415, beachterraceinn.com.

With a pulsating downtown and coastline stretching from Imperial Beach to Oceanside, it can be overwhelming to choose a hotel in San Diego.

Recommending places to stay is just as challenging given travelers' differing budgets, tastes and agendas, not to mention San Diego's wildly fluctuating room rates depending on the time of year and the city's packed convention calendar.

MORE SAN DIEGO:San Diego travel guide

With that in mind, here's a one-size-doesn't-fit-all list of places to stay in the stunning seaside city. These 10 reliable lodgings include hidden gems, old-time favorites and waterfront splurges, and I checked each one out in person.

These are not the cheapest hotels in San Diego, though many offer great value. San Diego is never cheap in the summer. If budget is your main concern, check out our updated list of 10 affordable hotels in San Diego.

1. The Pearl, Point Loma

Perfect for: Millennials, couples and single travelers looking for a basic, relatively affordable, centrally located hotel with a chic vibe and friendly service. Boutique touches at the 23-room hotel, which looks like a former apartment complex, include midcentury modern decor, board games in the lobby, hammocks and an inflatable swan float at the pool, weekend brunch with bottomless mimosas and weekly poolside movies. It's near Shelter Island. The woman at the front desk recommended Fathom Bistro, Bait and Tackle on Shelter Island Pier. It's a tiny, charming nautical-themed bar that also serves food.

Pro tip: Last-minute travelers should ask about the after-midnight special. If The Pearl has rooms when you call, one is yours for $79. No reservations are allowed. The hotel says it's OK to call at 10:30 or 11 p.m. to check on availability.

Sample nightly rates: Aug. 5-7, $225; Labor Day weekend, $216; Oct. 11-13, $126.

Details: 619-226-6100, thepearlsd.com.

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2. Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside, Point Loma

Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside

Perfect for: Families and others who want a predictable chain hotel that's close to downtown, attractions and Ocean, Mission and Pacific beaches yet not in cookie-cutter Hotel Circle off Interstate 8. The hotel has a pool and restaurant. It's close to Shelter Island and the new Liberty Public Market food hall in Liberty Station.

Pro tip: For lunch or dinner with a side of yacht shopping, head to Jimmy's Famous American Tavern at the marina across the street.

Sample nightly rates: Aug. 4-6, $210; Labor Day weekend, $178; Oct. 11-13: $165.

Details: 619-224-3621, holinnbayside.com.

3. Hilton San Diego Bayfront 

Perfect for: A convention or a weekend trip to catch a Major League baseball game at Petco Park (a walkway connects the hotel to the home of the San Diego Padres) and all the other happenings in downtown San Diego. Need a beach fix? A ferry or water taxi to Coronado is within walking distance. Rent a bike or run along the bayfront path in front of the hotel. Or just chill at the upscale bayfront pool and gawk at the boats in the marina.

Sample nightly rates: Aug. 5-7, $209; Labor Day weekend, $273; Oct. 11-13, $295.

Details: 619-564-3333, hiltonsandiegobayfront.com.

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4. Ocean Park Inn, Pacific Beach

Perfect for: Beach bums who want the ocean outside their front door and families who want to decompress with a water view after a long day at the San Diego Zoo or SeaWorld. The hotel is good for families because breakfast is included. There are no fancy omelet stations, but there are a waffle maker, bagels, muffins, hard-boiled eggs, cereal, fruit, yogurt and other goodies to fill you up until lunch. For lunch or dinner, restaurants are a short walk away. The hotel has an oceanfront pool and hot tub.

Pro tip: To get the best deals, check the hotel's website and Facebook page frequently and sign up for its e-mail newsletter. In April, I nabbed a "run of the house'' special on the website for $125 a night (you won't find rates that low in the summer, of course.) Run of the house specials, which are good for up to two people in a room, mean you get whatever room they assign you at check-in. I lucked out (I don't identify myself as a travel reporter) and got an oceanfront room for a week.

Sample nightly rates: Aug. 4-6, $329; Labor Day weekend, $309; Oct. 11-13, $199.

Details: 858-483-5858, oceanparkinn.com.

5. Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages, Pacific Beach 

Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages, Pacific Beach | Perfect for: Anyone who wants one of the most memorable, relaxing hotel stays ever. Guests sleep in Cape Cod-style cottages on the pier. | Pro tip: If your plans are flexible, call occasionally to ask about last-minute cancellations, even in the summer. | Sample rates: Rates vary by season and there are two seasons: winter (Oct. 1-May 31) and summer (June 1-Sept. 30). In winter, a one-bedroom cottage is $255 during the week and $305 on weekends. In summer, a one-bedroom cottage is $330 per night. | Details: 800-748-5894, crystalpier.com.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants one of the most memorable, relaxing hotel stays ever. Guests sleep in Cape Cod-style cottages on the pier. There are studio (up to two people), one-bedroom (up to four people) and two-bedroom units (up to six people) plus some larger-than-normal hotel rooms above the lobby. You park by your front door and might not get back in your car until it's time to check out. Everything you need is within walking distance: grocery stores, restaurants, bars, shops and bike and beach equipment rentals. Stock the full-size fridge — you could eat every meal on the oversize patio and be happy. This isn't the place to stay if you plan to bounce from the zoo to SeaWorld to Legoland. It's the place to lounge on your patio, barbecue (grills are provided upon request) and get to know your neighbors on the pier. There is a two-night minimum in the winter, a three-night minimum in the summer and a four-night minimum during holiday weekends. The hotel recommends booking 11 months in advance for summer and four to six months ahead the rest of the year.

Pro tip: If your plans are flexible, call occasionally to ask about last-minute cancellations, even in the summer.

Sample rates: Rates vary by season and there are two seasons: winter (Oct. 1-May 31) and summer (June 1-Sept. 30). In winter, a one-bedroom cottage is $265 during the week and $305 on weekends. In summer, a one-bedroom cottage is $330 per night. two

Details: 800-748-5894, crystalpier.com.

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6. Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina, Shelter Island

Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina, Shelter Island | Perfect for: Travelers who like the familiarity of a chain hotel plus Hawaiian flair and a central location on the water. Shelter Island is an enclave of restaurants, bars, hotels, boating, fishing and concerts minutes from the airport, downtown San Diego and Point Loma. | Pro tip: Not a member of AAA or AARP? Join Best Western's free loyalty program, Best Western Rewards, for discounted rates. | Sample nightly rates: Aug. 5-7, $269; Labor Day weekend, $194; Oct. 11-13: $143. | Details: 619-222-0561, islandpalms.com.

Perfect for: Travelers who like the familiarity of a chain hotel plus Hawaiian flair and a central location on the water. Shelter Island is a hidden gem, an enclave of restaurants, bars, hotels, boating, fishing and concerts minutes from the airport, downtown San Diego and Point Loma. The Best Western has a pool and restaurant. Try to get a tucked-away room with a patio and views of the boats at Shelter Island Marina. Across the street, a waterfront path is good for running, walking and panoramic skyline views. At the Shelter Island fishing pier across the street from the hotel, stop by the one-of-a-kind Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle for a beer or bite to eat.

Pro tip: Not a member of AAA or AARP? Join Best Western's free loyalty program, Best Western Rewards, for discounted rates.

Sample nightly rates: Aug. 4-6, $203; Labor Day weekend, $161; Oct. 11-13: $127.

Details: 619-222-0561, islandpalms.com.

7. Bay Club Hotel & Marina, Shelter Island

Perfect for: Travelers seeking a comfortable hotel that is close to downtown, the airport, beaches and major attractions yet away from the major tourist zones. Shelter Island, accessed from Point Loma, is a scenic, low-key spot with terrific views of downtown and plenty of restaurant, bars, entertainment and fishing. Many San Diego visitors never make it here. The hotel, near the Best Western Island Palms, has a pool and restaurant that overlooking Shelter Island Marina. There are weekday happy-hour specials at the Quarterdeck Restaurant & Bar.

Pro tip: Like music? Time your stay at the Bay Club (or any Shelter Island hotel) to one of the concerts in the Humphreys Concerts by the Bay series.

Sample nightly rates: Aug. 4-6, $189 (with a three-night minimum); Labor Day weekend, $180; Oct. 11-13: $143.

Details: 619-224-8888, bayclubhotel.com.

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8. Hotel del Coronado, Coronado

Perfect for: A special-occasion splurge, decadent family reunion, spendy summer vacation or romantic getaway. Maybe you've traipsed through the historic Del on a stop on the Old Town Trolley Tour, stopped by for sunset drinks at the bar or bought ice cream at Moo Time Creamery. But then you went back to your hotel or vacation rental. To get the full effect of Coronado's only oceanfront hotel, check in for a night or two  Swim in the pool, plop on a lounge chair on the beach all day without having to snag a parking spot, make s'mores on the beach and burn them off at a waterfront spin class. Really want to splurge? Book one of the over-the-top cottages and villas in the Del's Beach Village.

Pro tip: Looking for the perfect beachside family photo? Hire a photographer for a portrait session on the sand.

Sample nightly rates: Aug. 4-6, $649; Labor Day weekend, $394; Oct. 11-13, $409.

Details: 619-435-6611, hoteldel.com.

9. Glorietta Bay Inn

Glorietta Bay Inn | Perfect for: Travelers who want to be near the Hotel del Coronado and its fabulous beach without the Del price tag and throngs of tourists passing through every day. | Pro tip: Check the hotel's website for popular Internet specials (not offered in June, July or August). | Sample nightly rates: Aug. 5-8, $355 (three-night minimum required); Labor Day weekend, $335; Oct. 11-13: $259.

Perfect for: Travelers who want to be near the Hotel del Coronado and its fabulous beach without the Del price tag and throngs of tourists passing through every day. The charming inn, the former mansion of sugar baron, shipping magnate and early San Diego developer John Spreckels, is across the street from the Del and has complimentary continental breakfast and a small family-friendly pool. The beach isn't the only thing that's close: restaurants, bars and shops galore are within walking distance.

Pro tip: Check the hotel's website for popular Internet specials (not offered in June, July or August).

Sample nightly rates: Aug. 4-8, $179 (four-night minimum required); Labor Day weekend, $179 (three-night minimum required); Oct. 11-13: $149.

Details: 619-435-3101, gloriettabayinn.com.

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10. Beach Terrace Inn, Carlsbad

Perfect for: An oceanfront splurge for families or couples in laid-back Carlsbad, north of San Diego. The hotel, an average Best Western in a former life, has a variety of room types, from courtyard views to oversize oceanfront rooms with large balconies. All are outfitted with luxury linens and other upscale touches and guests get complimentary bottled water. Breakfast and parking also are included. Sick of the sand? Swim in the oceanfront pool. Carlsbad's restaurants, bars, shops and other attractions are within walking distance.

Pro tip: Check the hotel's Facebook page and website for last-minute specials, such as a 3-nights-for-the-price-of-2 promotion on select dates.

Sample nightly rates: Aug. 4-6, $419; Labor Day weekend, $419; Oct. 11-13, $287.

Details: 800-433-5415, beachterraceinn.com.