The golden state of the United States brings the promise of sun, redwood forests, gorgeous beaches, and rain-shadow desert. It houses the most famous entertainment industry in the world, Hollywood. California is famous for its award-winning Napa Valley wines, the world of fantasy called ‘Disneyland’ and the budding IT industry of San Francisco. The mystic redwood forests grace the northern part of the state, whereas the southern part is famous for its beaches. Along the Pacific coastline, there are interesting towns, villages, and cities that lure travelers with their uniqueness. As the city of Dana Point is the place to see the whales and dolphins, San Diego is famous for its surfing facilities. Located very close to the Mexican border, the southernmost town Imperial Beach offers a wide range of coastal adventures, like surfing, sport and pier fishing, and many more. Check out our list of the best beachfront hotels in Southern California for an interesting coastal holiday full of sun, sea, and sand.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and location with easy access to beach. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 09, 2024.
1. Best Western Plus Dana Point Inn-by-the-Sea (from USD 149)
The charming city of Dana Point is a jewel of Orange country. This particular coastal city is known as the Mecca of whale and dolphin watching. Located in the mouth of San Juan Creek, Doheny State Beach is famous for its surfing opportunities. This beautiful hotel is located just across from the beautiful beach. All the guestrooms of this hotel project a modern contemporary décor, with a slight vintage touch. They are spacious and some of them have excellent views of the ocean. For relaxation, you can take a dip in its outdoor hot tub. There are beautiful patios and private balconies to enjoy the view of the ocean. It serves a continental breakfast each day.
Best Western Plus Dana Point Inn-by-the-Sea
Address: 34744 Pacific Coast Highway
1.5 km (1.0 mi) from Doheny State Beach
2. Sand Castle Inn (from USD 78)
This beautiful hotel on Imperial Beach offers you a comfortable stay in its spacious rooms. Imperial Beach is the Southernmost beach town of California, very close to the border of Mexico. The beautiful beach in this city is popular for activities like sport fishing, beach volleyball, Coastal horseback riding, or surfing. The seaside hotel has penthouses, apartment suites, and normal guestrooms. The penthouses and apartment suites have kitchens or kitchenettes and some of them even have separate living areas. All of these rooms have ceiling fans, cable television, a refrigerator, and a microwave.
Sand Castle Inn
Address: 785 Seacoast Drive
110.71 km (68.8 mi) from Doheny State Beach
3. Dana Point Marina Inn (from USD 126)
This luxurious hotel in Dana Point offers a charming stay with scenic views. The hotel is located just beside the marina, very close to Capistrano Beach. Its lavish suites open to a private balcony with excellent views of the bay area or the pool. There is a charming outdoor pool as well as a hot tub. This pool comes with the facility of dining beside it. The hotel serves a continental breakfast every morning.
Dana Point Marina Inn
Address: 24800 Dana Point Harbor Drive
1.03 km (0.7 mi) from Doheny State Beach
4. Surfer Beach Hotel (from USD 199)
Affordable beachfront hotel with ocean views. Some rooms need updating.
Convenient access to beach and pool. Close to restaurants and entertainment. Fast internet. Some rooms lack modern amenities.
Perfect location right on the beach and boardwalk. Walking distance to shops and restaurants. Great for people watching.
Restaurant on premises. Nearby dining options. Some rooms lack kitchenettes.
The seafront hotel of San Diego is a great option if you are traveling on a budget. The hotel is very conveniently located, right on the Pacific Beach boardwalk in front of the ocean. It offers a comfortable stay without compromising on luxury. There are oceanfront rooms with private balconies while some of the other rooms overlook the pool. The outdoor pool can be heated seasonally, or you can sit and relax on the poolside and enjoy the breeze of the ocean. There are a number of guestrooms and suites to choose from; the lavish Sunset Suite even has a kitchen. You can start your day having breakfast in Woody’s, and the onsite restaurant - Pacific Beach restaurant - serves contemporary cuisines of California.
Surfer Beach Hotel
Address: 711 Pacific Beach Drive
84.79 km (52.7 mi) from Doheny State Beach
California Tour Guide
Stephanie Eley
I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of... Read more
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5. Blue Sea Beach Hotel (from USD 246)
Reasonable pricing for spacious rooms with outstanding ocean views.
Convenient location with pool, hot tub, and easy beach access. Bikes and boogie boards available for rent.
Prime location directly on the beach, near shops, bars, and restaurants. Close to attractions like Belmont Park.
Great dining options within walking distance. Enjoy ordering food to eat at the pool deck.
This entire San Diego hotel projects a typical beach theme, especially its outer structure which justifies its name. The hotel is in the popular Pacific Beach, close to Mission Bay Park. The hotel has, altogether, 126 guestrooms, and lots of them offer stunning views of the sea. The guestrooms of this hotel are cozy and comfortable, each of them has huge LCD televisions, refrigerators, and coffee makers. Their private balconies offer views of the sea or courtyard. There is an oceanfront outdoor pool along with a hot tub. A stay with your kids would be enjoyable as it is close to Sea World Park.
The Wayfarer San Diego
Address: 707 Pacific Beach Drive
84.85 km (52.8 mi) from Doheny State Beach
6. Pacific Terrace Hotel (from USD 394)
This elegant property is located in the city of San Diego, at Pacific Beach Park. The beachfront property has an elegant interior, styled with dark wood furnishings and a contrasting color theme. There are various kinds of rooms and suites, some of them have private balconies with the view of the ocean. You can take a dip in the outdoor pool or lie in the hot tub enjoying the clear view of the sea. Later, if you are hungry, you can visit the nearby restaurants, The Duck Dove or Fat Fish Cantina Grill.
Pacific Terrace Hotel
Address: 610 Diamond Street
83.8 km (52.1 mi) from Doheny State Beach
7. Pavilion Hotel (from USD 223)
The beautiful and tiny town of Avalon is a part of the Santa Catalina Island. This entire island features a charming Mediterranean climate throughout the year, sunny days, and cool breezy nights. Pavilion Hotel blends perfectly with the climate of this island. The bright and charming hotel has a quirky interior, a perfect blend of dark and light colors. The rooms are cozy and comfortable; some of them open their french doors to the charming courtyard or a terrace with a view. The spacious courtyard has places to sit with your family and to enjoy the cool coastal breeze on the lap of nature.
Pavilion Hotel
Address: 513 Crescent Avenue
60.85 km (37.9 mi) from Doheny State Beach
8. Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort (from USD 469)
Reasonable pricing for beachfront location, with complimentary amenities like happy hour, morning coffee, and beach equipment.
Dog-friendly with free bike and board rentals, social hours, s'mores kits, and games in the lobby.
Prime location across from Huntington Beach Pier, near shops, restaurants, and nightlife.
Excellent dining options with happy hour, complimentary breakfast, and a vibrant restaurant atmosphere.
The boutique hotel of Huntington Beach has a perfect blend of Latin American and Asian flavors. There are lots of activities to choose from; you can practice yoga or try rock climbing inside the hotel. The entire hotel has a perfect blend of blue color, which projects a typical seaside feel. The rooms are bright and full of natural light, some of them even have a view of the ocean. There are courtyards and dining areas with a view of the ocean to help you relax in a unique setting.
Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort, an IHG Hotel
Address: 500 Pacific Coast Highway
36.54 km (22.8 mi) from Doheny State Beach
9. Huntington Beach Inn (from USD 159)
Reasonable pricing for an excellent location near the beach and downtown area.
Close proximity to the beach, spacious rooms, and friendly staff.
Conveniently situated across from the beach, with easy access to the pier and downtown area.
Limited breakfast options, but numerous dining choices within walking distance.
The beautiful coastal city of Huntington Beach is popular for its extraordinary surf beaches. The city even houses the International Surfing Museum, which has an excellent collection of longboards. The charming hotel is located just minutes from the popular beach of this city, Huntington Beach. Each room has a microwave, television with cable channels, work-desks, and coffee machines. Some of the rooms have their own private balconies, and the best of them even have views of the rooms. There is a charming sun terrace to enjoy the sun and the breeze of the sea.
Huntington Beach Inn
Address: 800 Pacific Coast Highway
36.84 km (22.9 mi) from Doheny State Beach
10. The Beach Cottages (from USD 145)
On the coast of the Pacific Ocean, the beautiful city of San Diego calls itself ‘America’s Finest City’. Some of the areas of this charming city have the feel of a village, some of it has a typical metropolitan outlook. This hotel is found just beside the Pacific beach. The property has a typical homely feeling: the guestrooms include a kitchen, living area, laundry facilities. The spacious patios offer beautiful ocean views and comfortable seating arrangements.
The Beach Cottages
Address: 4255 Ocean Blvd
84.56 km (52.6 mi) from Doheny State Beach
An excellent Southern California vacation
The dramatic coastline of the Pacific promises a beach vacation full of fun activities. You can surf, swim, sail, or just lie down in the sun. Book your hotel today to enjoy the bliss of the Southern California vacation.
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