San Diego is a fair-weather city in Southern California. It is a popular tourist destination not only for its beauty but because there are many things to do here. There are great beaches, a lively downtown, and plenty of parks and other outdoor attractions, including Balboa Park, San Diego Zoo, and SeaWorld San Diego. The city is also home to the University of California San Diego. As San Diego is close to the borders of Mexico, travelers can expect a lot of Mexican influence. If you’re looking forward to the warm climate and the gorgeous beaches, check out our list of the best beachfront cottages in San Diego, California.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) host status, 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 12, 2024.
1. Charming 1940s beach cottage (from USD 161)
This charming vintage cottage from the 1940s is ideally located in a quiet area of Ocean Beach and has been renovated to become more modern and eye-catching. Perfect for couples and small families, this cottage provides a lovely environment for you to feel at home.
There is a functional kitchen, a large bathroom, and a spacious living room to make your stay as comfortable as possible. The guests can also relax in the ocean breeze and enjoy a barbeque in the backyard or sit back and enjoy the salty air and view on the front yard.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the pullout couch was the most comfortable i’ve ever slept onthe cottage itself is cozy and relaxingthe main bed is comfortable and the pictures and description on airbnb accuratethe house was clean with several amenities beautiful kitchen comfortable bed and moreboogie boards beach towels kitchen tools and appliances were all greatCleanliness:
so clean and comfortableclean and comfortable place to staythe place was very clean and updatedit was clean cute and convenienthouse was clean and in good conditionHost:
thanks a lot to our great hostseveryone in the area was very friendlyamazing location & charming cottage the host was extremely responsive & always helpfulvery kind neighbors and steps from the beachRead more reviewsLocation:
great location close to everything eating and shopping within walking distancegreat location just a few steps to the beach in a cute areabeautiful location and tastefully decoratedsuch a cute little cottage in a great locationthis is a great place close to the beach and walking distance to restaurants
2. Relaxing beach cottage with private yard (from USD 295)
This relaxing beach cottage is perfect for couples and small families, with white and blue tones that are calming and soothing to the eye. Located right on the sandy beach, this spot is perfect for a morning coffee along with the sea breeze.
Aside from a kitchen and a bathroom, the cottage also comes with a private yard with a patio so guests can enjoy the beach views and the blue ocean while relaxing quietly.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we enjoyed coffee on the outside table as well as most of our dinnerskitchen was perfect and fully stocked also with a full fridge stove and microwavethis is a very cozy and clean cottage right on the water great coffee/sandwich shop within walking distanceCleanliness:
it wasn’t exactly cleaned the bestthe house is gorgeous and cleanthe place was very clean and had all the things you could need for a great vacationHost:
the host is amazingthe friendliness of the owner was above and beyond our expectationsthey were really nice and accommodatingabe sent us info prior to our stay that was very helpfuldelia was the sweetest and abe the host was very responsiveRead more reviewsLocation:
amazing location is an understatementperfect location right on the beachthe location was perfect centrally located to the many attraction that san diego has to offera little dated but location is the bestthis place is amazing great location on the beach
3. Gorgeous beachfront house with cabana (from USD 444)
Right on Mission Beach’s boardwalk, this family-friendly beach house can accommodate eight guests. It’s furnished with cheerful colors and comfy furniture that will make you feel right at home.
This rental has a spacious outdoor area with tables and beach umbrellas, allowing guests to enjoy the view of the boardwalk and the beach in comfort. A spacious living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom are also included. The cabana, which also stores beach gear for guests, opens to a private patio area and the boardwalk.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
there is plenty of outdoor furniture to get comfortableCleanliness:
the house was clean and very well-stockedthe house was spacious and very cleanbeautiful location clean house just what the pictures showHost:
brant was very helpful and communicativegreat location and the deck area is wonderful the host was responsive and availablebrant was super responsive and hospitableRead more reviewsLocation:
great location and cute original beach housegreat location perfect family vacation spotgreat location roller coaster is a 12 min walkit was a perfect family vacation everything is right there within walking distancethe location is great perfect for a family beach vacation
4. Pacific Ocean Breeze Court II (from USD 155)
Small families and couples looking for a peaceful and private getaway are going to love this cottage, which provides privacy and comfort without sacrificing access to the ocean and nearby spots.
It is a relaxing place where guests will find neutral colors with bright accents, wooden floors, and granite finishes to welcome them. Additionally, this beach house includes a functioning kitchen, a bathroom, and a living area for relaxation.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the portable ac kept the place at a comfortable temperaturethe a/c was useful to have for one warmer nightthe room air conditioner made our stay very comfortable during these hot days highly recommend this placesalt pepper oil & several other staples were in the kitchen cupboards which was really greatfull kitchen (minus a dishwasher) with extras like a toaster blender etcCleanliness:
very clean and comfortablethe place was cleaneverything was sparking clean even better than advertised and the location could not be beata stones throw from the beach clean surprisingly spacious and nicely decoratedthe place was very clean and had everything you need to prepare a meal in the kitchenHost:
kim was an absolutely amazing hostshe was very friendly and responsiveother then that the host was greatthe host was friendly and responsive and we enjoyed our staykim our host was very helpful and responds relatively fastRead more reviewsLocation:
great location close to beachgreat spot close to the beachlittle apartment in a great locationvery cute place steps from the beachamazing location comfortable little place for a relaxing get away at the beach
5. Quaint beach cottage with bikes and boogie boards (from USD 256)
This unique and comfortable cottage is located in a great location in Mission Beach. It offers a breathtaking view of the beach from the open-air patio and is close to the ocean.
There are two bedrooms in this home, sleeping up to six people. The master has a queen bed, while the living area has a cozy sleeping nook with a bi-folding door for privacy. In addition, there is a functional kitchen and a bathroom to make the place convenient for guests. Bikes and boogie boards are at your disposal, too.
6. Spacious, modern beach house (from USD 450)
This rental is a three-bedroom house with a large kitchen, a nice bathroom, and a bright and airy living room. Modern and spacious, this beach house is ideal for large families or a group of friends who prefer to be near the beach and other tourist attractions.
There are lounge areas in both the front and back yards of the property, allowing you to enjoy the surroundings. It also has a fireplace where you can gather with the gang at night.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
the house is clean and well equippedHost:
good communication from hostRead more reviewsLocation:
this is a great house in a great location
7. Ocean Beach Casita (from USD 165)
Boasting a great location near many restaurants and tourist spots, Ocean Beach Casita is an excellent choice for travelers who wish to explore not only the beautiful beaches but also other attractions.
The rental can accommodate up to five adults and comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, a bathroom, a lawn, and a private parking space. In addition, guests can access and watch movies and shows on Netflix and Hulu on the Smart TV in the living room.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the fenced yard is a comfortable place is sit and read during the eveningthe queen bed is quite comfortable the tvs work as well as the appliances in the kitchenvery well appointed roomy comfy and cozy casita for 2 adults and nine yr oldtwo tvs nice sitting area in backyardwe had everything we needed to enjoy our stay and plenty of bed space to sleepCleanliness:
everything was clean and exactly as describedthe unit was clean comfortable and thoughtfully laid outvery well kept and cleanit was very clean and had nearly everything one would need to stay for a few daysotherwise the casita was clean and well stocked with anything you may needHost:
our host dora was so helpful and accommodatingthe owners were easy to communicate with and very responsiveoverall very happy with this rental and ownerowner was very responsive and a pleasure to correspond withthe home was exactly as we expected and the homeowner was very responsive when we had questionsRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is perfectsuper close to beach food and shoppingwithin walking distance there are many great restaurants and grocery storesthe location was close to two unique cliff beaches that the kids lovedwe loved being so close to the beach
8. Cozy beachfront cottages for large groups (from USD 1349)
If you are looking for a series of beach cottages that can accommodate up to 20 people, look no further than this collection of classic beach cottages available for rent for large groups. Each unit can sleep a maximum of five guests. Guests need to note that all rentals are located in a convenient area, making it easy to access the beach.
Each cottage is equipped with a kitchen, a bathroom, and comfortable beds. You may also inquire about renting a single unit for a small group.
9. Welcoming beach cottage with furnished terrace (from USD 309)
One of the few family residences left in the area, this beachfront cottage can be your home away from home. Situated nearby outdoor activities, including beach volleyball courts and a surf park, guests can conveniently access the surrounding areas. In addition, guests may freely use the provided bicycles and boogie boards when renting the house.
In addition to accommodating eight guests, the house features conveniences such as a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living room. There is also an outdoor area to relax, sunbathe, and enjoy the beach views.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
great place and very cleanthe house was very clean & well equippedthe inside is clean and simplevery cute clean house on ocean walkthe inside was clean and comfortable simply and tastefully decoratedHost:
the host made it very easy and convenientoutside of that i would highly recommend al as a host for future referenceRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is fantasticgreat location and comfortablethe location of this house is greatgreat location on the beachthe location is great right on the beach
10. Centrally located beach cottage for six
This centrally located beach cottage in Mission Beach offers spectacular ocean and boardwalk views. This cottage exudes a quintessential and cozy beach vibe, perfect for families and friends after a long day outdoors.
In addition to accommodation for six people, this cottage includes basic amenities, such as a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living area. Guests can also relax by the outdoor patio or have a grill night if they like.
3.27 km (2.1 mi) from SeaWorld San DiegoSuperhost
Accommodates: 6
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
adam’s place was light and airy with comfy beds and a beautiful view of the beachthe kitchen is well-stocked and has a good range of extras like spices baking basics etcCleanliness:
very clean we had a fantastic timeadam communicated very well and the place was very cleanit was clean and comfortable and you simply can’t beat the view at sunsetHost:
adam is a great hostadam is a great hosthost was a really nice guyadam is a great host and the home is very accommodatingadam was a great host too would recommendRead more reviewsLocation:
great location steps from sandgreat location but run down placeplace was perfect location was perfectgreat food/breakfast places at walking distancecomfy spot in a great location
Sandy toes and salty hair in San Diego
San Diego boasts one of the best beaches in California. If you plan to go on a vacation and have always wanted to experience sandy toes and salty hair on the beaches of San Diego, go check out our list of the best beachfront cottages in San Diego, California.
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