Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [266]
Best Western Island Palms Hotel (Map; 619-222-0561; www.islandpalms.com; 2051 Shelter Island Dr; r from $219; wi-fi) This Polynesian-themed, 174-room resort is laid out like an archipelago of little buildings. It fronts the yacht harbor and has comfortable, well-maintained upper-end-chain-motel-style rooms. Free bike rentals, too.
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach (OB) is under the outbound flight path of San Diego airport, which won’t be a problem if you rise at 6am. Light or late sleepers should stay elsewhere or bring earplugs.
Ocean Beach International Hostel ( 619-223-7873, 800-339-7263; www.californiahostels.com; 4961 Newport Ave; dm incl breakfast $24; wi-fi) The cheapest option is only a couple of blocks from the ocean; it’s a friendly, fun place that’s reserved for international travelers and educators, with barbecues, bonfires and more. Free transfer from airport, bus or train station on arrival. No air-con.
Ocean Beach Hotel ( 619-223-7191; www.obhotel.com; 5080 Newport Ave; r without ocean view $99-149, with ocean view $149-199; wi-fi) Walk everywhere in OB from this three-story, 56-room motel on the beach – the courtyard overlooks the bike path. Rooms are small but have fridges and microwaves. The occasional crack in the paint or mushy mattress only makes it feel more authentic.
Inn at Sunset Cliffs ( 619-222-7901, 866-786-2543; www.innatsunsetcliffs.com; 1370 Sunset Cliffs Blvd; r from $149; wi-fi) At the south end of Ocean Beach, wake up to the sound of surf crashing onto the rocky shore. This charmer wraps around a flower-bedecked courtyard with small heated pool. Breezy rooms are compact, but some suites have full kitchens. Even with the occasional crack in the tiling, it’s hard not to love this place.
Mission Beach & Pacific Beach
Pacific Beach (PB) has most of the beachside accommodations. Motels provide better value in winter than summer, when rates are high and availability scarce (summer rates are listed here).
BUDGET
Banana Bungalow (Map; 858-273-3060; www.bananabungalow.com; 707 Reed Ave; dm $25, d from $105; wi-fi) Right on Mission Beach, the Bungalow has a top location, a beach-party atmosphere and is reasonably clean, but it’s very basic and gets crowded. The communal area is a patio, which fronts right on the boardwalk; it’s a great place for people-watching and beer drinking. Breakfast included. No air-con.
Mission Bay Motel (Map; 858-483-6440, 866-649-5828; www.missionbaymotel.com; 4221 Mission Blvd; r from $110; ) The rooms are tiny, the overall feel is somewhat dumpy, there’s no air-con and your view is of a parking lot and a busy street. But there are three reasons to stay here: location, location and location. Mission Beach and the nightspots and restaurants of Garnet Ave are nearby.
MIDRANGE & TOP END
Tower23 Hotel (Map; 866-869-3723; www.t23hotel.com; 723 Felspar St, Pacific Beach; r from $199; ) If you like your beach stay with contemporary cool style, this is the place for you. This once-blah property has been transformed into a modernist show place, with minimalist decor, lots of teals and mint blues and a sense of humor. There’s no pool, but you’re right on the beach. See Jordan restaurant Click here.
Beach Cottages (Map; 858-483-7440; 4255 Ocean Blvd; r $135-155, cottages from $285; wi-fi) Family owned and operated, Beach Cottages bears the standard for service in PB and has everything from plain motel rooms to cozy 1940s beachfront cottages. It’s hard not to love the throwback feel of clapboard construction, ping-pong, shuffleboard and rattan furniture. It can be a real bargain if you’re traveling in a group and manage to secure one of the cottages. Book well in advance. No air-con.
Crystal Pier Hotel (Map; 858-483-6983, 800-748-5894; www.crystalpier.com; 4500 Ocean Blvd; cottages $300-500; ) Charming, wonderful, and unlike anyplace else in San Diego, Crystal