San Diego is just about the most family-friendly city on the West Coast of the USA. It’s a gorgeous, sunny place with miles of beaches and palm trees. In addition to the natural beauty, San Diego is rich in cultural activities. There are tons of museums and exhibits that both kids and adults will find fascinating. The city is also famous for the San Diego Zoo, which has over 3,700 animals from 650 different species! San Diego’s family-oriented atmosphere is apparent in its hotels, which are designed with kids in mind. Take a look at our list of the top family resorts in San Diego and start planning your visit today!
1. Kona Kai Resort and Spa (from USD 194)
While it is priceless to travel with your children, it can also be challenging to find some alone time to experience the adult-friendly activities when the kids tag along. At the family-oriented Kona Kai Resort, the Concierge understands that adults need their space and can help guests find childcare! This leaves parents time to enjoy the adult pool and Paloma Bar or take a fitness class at the resort. However, the best times on vacation are spent together, whether it’s at the nightly beach bonfires, the Friday night poolside movie showings, or the Kids Korner, which is stocked with crafts, games, and giant Jenga!
Kona Kai Resort & Spa, a Noble House Resort
Address: 1551 Shelter Island Drive
Massage Water sport facilities (on site) Live music/performance Pet basket Wine/champagne Facial treatments Key card access Parking
2. Paradise Point Resort and Spa (from USD 215)
This gorgeous resort hotel has a waterside location with lush palm trees that will make you feel like you are hiding away in a lagoon! Aside from its stunning appearance, Paradise Point Resort and Spa has seemingly endless amenities that make this a perfect place to stay with kids. Children will never get bored with all there is to do, like swim in all five of the pools on the property, each of which has a poolside grill. The resort is also right next to the beach where they host bonfires — perfect for a desert s’more! With such stunning natural beauty surrounding the resort, be sure to build time into your schedule to go on one of the nature tours around the area.
Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Address: 1404 Vacation Road
Bar Fitness/spa locker rooms Bicycle rental (additional charge) Beauty Services Fax/photocopying Laundry Private parking Table tennis
3. Coronado Beach Resort (from USD 279)
One of the biggest challenges on a family trip is squeezing all the kids and adults into a tiny hotel room. At the Coronado Beach Resort, guests can enjoy apartment accommodations with lots of space to relax! Each apartment comes with a kitchenette, living room with sofa bed, and TVs with DVD players. Families will also enjoy the roof deck overlooking Mission Bay and the barbecue facilities. Though there is no pool on site, guests are allowed to use a pool and basketball court nearby — or, you can simply walk four minutes to the beach!
Coronado Beach Resort
Address: 1415 Orange Avenue
Screens or physical barriers placed between staff and guests in appropriate areas WiFi Air conditioning Breakfast options Family rooms Laundry Cashless payment available Vending machine (drinks)
4. Hotel del Coronado (from USD 319)
Stay in a piece of San Diego’s history at the Hotel del Coronado. This enormous resort dates back to 1888 and has beautiful Victorian architecture. Kids will love staying here and might even tell folks back at home that you stayed in a castle on your vacation! You’ll certainly all live like kings while at this resort. Along with its luxurious rooms, outdoor pool, and beachside location, the Hotel del Coronado has tons of events and activities families will love. This is an especially great spot to visit around holidays when they schedule parties and festivals to mark the occasions — they even have an ice skating rink on the beach from November through New Year’s!
Hotel del Coronado, Curio Collection by Hilton
Address: 1500 Orange Avenue
Price: from 319 USD
Designated smoking area Spa Facilities Children television networks Kid-friendly buffet Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by local authorities Breakfast in the room Body wrap Yoga classes
5. Four Points by Sheraton San Diego (from USD 144)
The location of the Four Points by Sheraton San Diego make it the perfect base for a family visit to San Diego. The hotel is only 10 minutes away from downtown San Diego, where kids will love the vibrant atmosphere. Spend a day at Balboa Park, a huge space in the middle of the city full of museums, gardens, a carousel, and a puppet theater. Best of all, this is also the location of the world-famous San Diego Zoo!
Four Points by Sheraton San Diego
Address: 8110 Aero Drive
Price: from 144 USD
Allergy-free room Daily housekeeping CCTV outside property Board games/puzzles Lift Laundry On-site coffee house Business centre
6. Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina (from USD 169)
There are so many details at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina that kids will be enchanted by! Whether it’s sliding down one of the waterparks at the three pools, eating in a restaurant with a huge fish tank in its center, or watching the sea lions bask in the sun at the docks, your kids will make lasting memories here. This is also a great hotel because of its attached marina. Hotel guests can rent out jet skis, sailboats, and kayaks for exploring the bay or even go on a whale watching trip that leaves from the harbor!
Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina
Address: 1441 Quivira Road
Car hire VIP room facilities Water slide WiFi Spa Facilities Pets allowed Gift shop Laundry
7. Crowne Plaza Hotel Mission Valley (from USD 99)
San Diego is known for its family-friendly attractions, and one of the most famous is Sea World! This theme park features aquatic animals, rides, and shows. It is a must-see for any families visiting the city. The Crowne Plaza Hotel Mission Valley is one of the resorts on this list that is closest to Sea World, only three miles (four km) away. It’s easy to grab a quick breakfast at the hotel’s Kona Café on your way to the park, and still have time to return for a swim in the evening or dinner at the Island Restaurant.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Mission Valley
Address: 2270 Hotel Circle North
24-hour front desk ATM/cash machine on site Outdoor pool Shallow end Car hire Shuttle service Free WiFi Sun terrace
8. Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa (from 159)
The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is a great accommodation for families visiting San Diego! This beautiful hotel has a beachfront location that makes it easy for families to go for a swim while being close to the room for forgotten beach towels, outfit changes, and mid-day naps. Even closer than the beach is the outdoor pool where kids can take a dip while parents relax on the lounge chairs. What really sets the Catamaran apart from other beachside hotels are the other kid-friendly activities on the property, as an interactive show with talking macaws, luaus with dancers twirling firey torches, and movie nights on the beach where they set up a projector right by the waves!
Catamaran Resort and Spa
Address: 3999 Mission Blvd
9. Ansei Postpartum Center (from USD 80)
Designed as a non-medical accommodation for expecting and postpartum families, the Ansei Postpartum Center also welcomes non-expecting guests who are looking for a comfortable accommodation in the area. Each room is designed in a relaxing way, with comfortable beds and string lights adding to the peaceful ambiance. The rooms all have TV, a mini-fridge, and a microwave to make them feel homier. The Ansei is designed with families in mind, so whether you are staying here after welcoming a newborn or just visiting the area with your kids, this resort is a great pick!
Ansei Postpartum Center
Address: 3969 Fourth Avenue 302
Price: from 80 USD
A great place to make lasting memories
Your kids will never forget the vacations they go on. They’ll remember the big stuff, like visiting amusement parks and zoos, but also the little things, like hanging out as a family at the hotel. Anyone of the resorts on this list would be an exciting and memorable place for your family’s visit to San Diego. The kids will love it, and adults will too!
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