True Ocean front hotels in San Diego area?

[jenhelgren]

I am looking for an oceanfront hotel in the San Diego area. We will be visiting a few beaches, Sea World, and the Safari zoo so I want to be within a reasonable drive of all of them. While searching I found most of the beaches listed as oceanfront really are not. A friend recommended Paradise Pier but they are booked for our dates. Are there any other hotels similar to Paradise Pier or within a walking trail to the beach without crossing a major road? Closest hotel to the beach in La Jolla? Thank you in advance!!

 

[ahutton]

We did several trips to that area when we lived in Phoenix. La Jolla Cove Suites is just across a small street from the park and beach. It's not fancy but is a great location if you want to walk all around La Jolla.

For visiting the attractions mentioned we liked the Mission Beach area. It is also easy to get downtown, to Seaport Village and the tour cruises/Coronado Island area.

Bahia is on the bay and a very short and easy walk to the ocean. They have great rooms and we always enjoyed our visits there. Lots of great restaurants in walking distance, but still had a very quiet feel.

The Catamaran is also bay and beachside, and we liked it there too. We visited there even when we didn't stay there to rent a boat and cruise the bay.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Keep in mind, most "oceanfront" hotels in CA will be set back from the beach (and often across the street) due to property values and beach access laws.

 

[bcla]

Keep in mind, most "oceanfront" hotels in CA will be set back from the beach (and often across the street) due to property values and beach access laws.

Legally, the beach up to a certain line is considered property of the public and anyone is allowed to walk/fish/etc on it. Access is generally the issue. However, around most hotels next to or near the beach, access generally won't be an issue. There are a variety of ways that public access is achieved, but it can be messy when it ends up in court.

However, the only hotel I can think of that's really ON the beach is the Hotel del Coronado.

 

[ncc1701]

Agree with BCLA about the Hotel Del. There are some other hotels in Coronado near the beach but you have to cross the street (there are traffic lights). We had the same situation staying in Santa Barbara and Huntington Beach where the hotel was across the road but there were traffic lights with the pedestrian crossing sign.

 

[Belle612]

My brother went to college in SD so I went out with my parents to visit many times. We stayed a few times at the Pacific Terrace hotel, which is right on Pacific Beach, it was an amazing place! http://www.pacificterrace.com/

Another time we stayed at the Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina, which is located on shelter island. It is not on the ocean, but it is waterfront and is located right on the marina. http://www.islandpalms.com/

I would recommend both!

 

[jenhelgren]

I was looking at BW Island Palms. Is there a public beach or fishing pier within walking distance of the hotel?

 

[Girlie1]

We just got back from our trip and we stayed at the Blue Sea Beach Hotel in Pacific Beach. Great location and nice hotel. I had a room facing the water and it was amazing!

 

[DCDisney]

We stayed at the Hyatt on Mission Bay and it had a wonderful view of the water (bay though) and is very close to Sea World. It was a really wonderful hotel and ideally located for touring.

 

[KCmike]

Hotel Del Coronado is your absolute best bet. It's a historic site. It's pricey but oh so worth it.