Balboa Park, unforgettable beaches, great weather, fun parks, and San Diego Zoo are just some of the reasons why people love San Diego. In a city with so much energy and things to do it is easy to forget to be environmentally conscious while having fun. It is very important that we take care of our environment and that is why more and more tourists are choosing to stay in eco-friendly hotels. We have carefully compiled for you a list of eco-friendly hotels, hotels that truly follow the principles of environmental sustainability. Find out more about the best green hotels in San Diego, California. Let us do our part to conserve the planet.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and the property's commitment towards eco-conscious practices. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 08, 2024.
1. Hotel Indigo San Diego - Gaslamp Quarter (from USD 604)
This modern, LEED-certified hotel has a terrace, an eco-roof garden, a 24-hour fitness center, and an on-site business center to host business meetings. The hotel also has a fantastic restaurant, Phi Bar & Bistro, which is open for breakfast and dinner so you can enjoy amazing meals. However, if you don’t feel like going all the way to the restaurant you can take advantage of their 24-hour room service. The best thing about this place is its location. Hotel Indigo is located in the heart of downtown San Diego where you can find a great variety of restaurants, bars, and clubs nearby.
Hotel Indigo San Diego - Gaslamp Quarter, an IHG Hotel
Address: 509 9th Avenue
2.84 km (1.8 mi) from Balboa Park
2. Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina (from USD 175)
Reasonable pricing for airport convenience, but additional fees for parking and resort.
Convenient shuttle, water taxi, and electric bike rental. Modern rooms with balcony views.
Close to airport with easy access to downtown and water activities.
Varied dining options, but some complaints about overpriced and limited menu items.
The Sheraton San Diego has everything that an eco-conscious traveler wants in a hotel. It is Green Seal Certified and rigorously follows many recycling and reuse policies. They have five amazing restaurants, three outdoor heated pools, an on-site spa, and several fire pitches so you can enjoy a glass of California wine with a friend. If you are feeling active you can head to their tennis court or their fitness center but if you are feeling like relaxing you can enjoy your room which is equipped with a mini-bar, a work desk, and a private patio or balcony. Do you want to explore the city? Not a problem, Gaslamp Quarter is 3.2 miles (5.1 km) away from the hotel and Little Italy is only 2.1 miles (3.3 km) away. Also, Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo are 2.4 miles (3.8 km) away.
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
Address: 1380 Harbor Island Drive
5.03 km (3.2 mi) from Balboa Park
3. Kimpton Solamar Hotel (from USD 699)
Kimpton Solamar Hotel is IHG Green Engage hotel with a young L.A vibe that travels through the halls. Their rooftop outdoor swimming pool and lounge is a great place to host social events or relax with a book and a glass of wine. One of the perks of staying here is that you get to participate in free daily wine tasting sessions along with free coffee and tea in the morning. Every room features a 55-inch flat-screen TV, a charging station, a mini-bar, private bathroom, bathrobes and honor bars with gourmet treats. PETCO Park is only a 10-minute walk from the hotel and The San Diego Convention Center is just a 7 minutes’ walk.
Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Address: 435 Sixth Avenue
3.04 km (1.9 mi) from Balboa Park
4. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa (from USD 399)
High pricing matches quality, but additional fees for parking and spa services
Beautiful, well-kept grounds, fully equipped fitness center, and lovely pool area
Great location near UCSD, with beautiful gardens and a tranquil, quiet environment
Limited food options, with some restaurants offering average to mediocre food and service
Located in the exclusive neighborhood of La Jolla, this boutique hotel has a pool, a spa, and a wellness center. Guests can choose to dine at The Adobe El Restaurante, Mustangs & Burros or the Trinitas Cellars Wine Bar & Private Dining Room. This hotel is perfect for couples who want a weekend getaway since it is 2 miles (3.2 km) from Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course, a 15-minute drive to Del Mar Racetrack and 20 minutes’ from San Diego International Airport. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa has won the coveted Green Leaders Gold Level and follows many eco-friendly policies.
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
Address: 9700 North Torrey Pines Road
19.14 km (11.9 mi) from Balboa Park
5. The Bristol Hotel (from USD 198)
The Bristol Hotel is boldly decorated with vibrant colors that will draw a smile on your face. Just a five minutes’ walk from the San Diego Civic Theater, 1.1 miles (1.7 km) away from cruise ship terminals in San Diego Harbor and the USS Midway Museum, this hotel has an excellent location. It is also adjacent to Gaslamp Quarter where you can find the coolest restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Additionally, this hotel is rated for the best value in San Diego, which means that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great stay. The Bristol Hotel practices many eco-friendly policies like reducing water wastage, using energy efficiently with minimum wastage and following recycling programs.
The Bristol Hotel San Diego
Address: 1055 First Avenue
2.68 km (1.7 mi) from Balboa Park
6. Empress Hotel (from USD 229)
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Sunny Jim’s Cave and La Jolla Underwater Park are within the vicinity of Empress Hotel. Also, The Museum of Contemporary Art of San Diego is just a five-minute walk away, which means you can check out their inspiring exhibitions. The hotel provides continental breakfast and gourmet coffee every morning, which their guests love, and Italian cuisine is served in the Manhattan Restaurant. Every room comes with a tablet so you can easily submit requests for a massage or room service. The green hotel consciously tries to reduce waste and save water and energy through many policies.
Empress Hotel La Jolla
Address: 7766 Fay Avenue
17.35 km (10.8 mi) from Balboa Park
7. Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Mission Valley/Hotel Circle (from USD 189)
Competitive pricing for a convenient location, but additional charges for parking
Clean, modern facilities with a small gym, pool, and a bar-style restaurant
Conveniently located near SDSU, beaches, and tourist spots, with easy freeway access
Good quality food at the on-site restaurant, but limited breakfast options and high prices
If you go to San Diego you must visit the historic downtown area. If you stay at the Marriott San Diego Mission Valley you can easily do so since it is only 1 mile (1.6 km) away. However, if you are not a walker and you are thinking about renting a car, there is on-site parking available. Guests can also go to the Fashion Valley Mall which is just a five-minute drive away, where you can find fancy restaurants and shops. The hotels offer Starbucks Coffee and The Bistro Restaurant serves delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Courtyard by Marriott is an eco-conscious hotel that strives relentlessly to reduce their carbon footprint.
Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Mission Valley/Hotel Circle
Address: 595 Hotel Circle South
3.59 km (2.3 mi) from Balboa Park
8. DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego/Del Mar (from USD 243)
The friendly staff at DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego/Del Mar is waiting to make your stay special in every way possible. This location is ideal for those who want to experience long walks on the beach and appreciate the beautiful scenery. The hotel cares for their little guests too and that’s why they have a children’s swimming pool. DoubleTree by Hilton practices water and energy conversion.
DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego Del Mar
Address: 11915 El Camino Real
24.02 km (15.0 mi) from Balboa Park
9. The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows (from USD 399)
This eco-friendly hotel is located just five minutes’ away from the famous San Diego Zoo. The San Diego Natural History Museum and Balboa Park are also within a five-minute drive from this colonial hotel. Their restaurant, HOPE 46 is the place to go if you want to taste the best of American cuisine at an affordable price. They also have a historic Olympic-sized pool where you can enjoy the California sun. In case you are in San Diego for business, this is the perfect accommodation for you because the hotel has a fully equipped business center with fax and photocopying services.
The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows
Address: 2223 El Cajon Boulevard
2.35 km (1.5 mi) from Balboa Park
10. Crowne Plaza Hotel Mission Valley (from USD 160)
The Crowne Plaza Hotel Mission Valley has everything you need for a family vacation. This eco-conscious hotel has massage services, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a business center, and a fitness center. The San Diego Zoo and San Diego International Airport are both 5 miles (8 km) from the hotel, while The University of San Diego is an eight-minute drive away. Sea World theme park is only 3 miles (4.8 km) away. Your kids will love this place because of all the family attractions nearby! Another strong point of this place is that it is highly-rated for its very comfy beds, so a good night’s sleep is something you can count on.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Mission Valley, an IHG Hotel
Address: 2270 Hotel Circle North
4.71 km (3.0 mi) from Balboa Park
San Diego - a city to remember
Right on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, the city of San Diego is waiting for you. Whether you want to sunbathe on the beach or explore the many museums and historic sights in the area, this city will ensure an amazing vacation. Californians are getting more and more involved in eco-friendly practices and the fact that San Diego has so many fantastic green hotels is just one additional reason to visit this place. It is great for families and couples too. Choose San Diego as the destination for your next vacation!
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