Central San Diego Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Balboa Park showing aircraft and interior views
Balboa Park featuring interior views and a city
Balboa Park featuring interior views and military items
Balboa Park featuring landscape views, a park and rides
San Diego Museum of Art featuring interior views and art

Where to stay in Central San Diego

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Mission Valley

4/5(36 area reviews)

Known for its stunning beaches and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Mission Valley. Check out top attractions like Fashion Valley Mall and Snapdragon Stadium, and jump on the metro at Hazard Center Station or Mission Valley Center Station to see more of the city.

Mission Valley
Old Town San Diego State Park featuring signage

Old Town San Diego

4/5(5 area reviews)

The abundant dining options and seaside views are top of the list for many visitors to Old Town San Diego. A stop by Old Town San Diego State Park or Whaley House Museum might round out your trip.

Old Town San Diego
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Hillcrest

5/5(1 area review)

Visitors to Hillcrest enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Marston House is worth a stop.

Hillcrest
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North Park

North Park is well liked for its restaurants, and you can visit sights like San Diego Zoo and San Diego Natural History Museum if you have time to explore the area.

North Park
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Clairemont

3.5/5(3 area reviews)

Clairemont is well liked for many features, particularly its restaurants, beaches and shopping. Though there may not be top sights in Clairemont, consider stopping by Mission Bay or Fashion Valley Mall, located nearby.

Clairemont
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Miramar

Restaurants, beaches and shopping highlight some of the notable features of Miramar. Make a stop by Marine Corps Air Station Miramar while you're exploring.

Miramar
Handlery Hotel

Handlery Hotel

3.5 out of 5
950 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,960 reviews)
2nd Stay.
"The staff is wonderful, polite, and professional. The food is delicious, and the overall food experience is great. We will be coming back a third and many more times. Thanks again"

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2025

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Handlery Hotel
San Diego Marriott La Jolla

San Diego Marriott La Jolla

4 out of 5
4240 La Jolla Village Dr, La Jolla, CA
The price is ฿6,095 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
฿6,095
฿7,010 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in La Jolla. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,984 reviews)
"Staff is very nice and helpful. The gym is large and well equipped."

Reviewed on 12 Aug 2025

San Diego Marriott La Jolla
Hilton San Diego Mission Valley

Hilton San Diego Mission Valley

4 out of 5
901 Camino Del Rio S, San Diego, CA
The price is ฿4,060 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
฿4,060
฿4,667 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,900 reviews)
"The cleanliness, comfort and overall ambience of the property wasn’t a question when looking a reservation for my in-laws. I can always rely on the Hilton to deliver and accommodate my family and myself included. The virtual check-in was a nice touch to an already seamless stay."

Reviewed on 14 Aug 2025

Hilton San Diego Mission Valley
See all 1,499 properties in Central San Diego
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel

Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel

2.5 out of 5
819 University Ave, San Diego, CA
Stay at this aparthotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and housekeeping. Popular attractions San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (210 reviews)
"Room was clean and bed was comfortable. There was a tiny closet, but no hangers to hang your clothes. We had a large table/counter which I appreciated. The room had a view to the freeway. we had to play with the AC to get the temperature just right and the fan from the AC muffled the noise from the ..."

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel
City24 Hotel Little Italy Mission Hills

City24 Hotel Little Italy Mission Hills

4.5 out of 5
2801 India St, San Diego, CA
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Port of San Diego and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (84 reviews)
"I randomly found this place as i was looking for some options to fit family of 9 without booking two separate rooms. This place is amazing and charming. It’s new, in soft industrial style but with cozy lounge sets in hallways and green plants. They have fully equipped kitchen, comfortable and spacious ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

City24 Hotel Little Italy Mission Hills
Inn at the Park by WorldMark

Inn at the Park by WorldMark

2 out of 5
525 Spruce St, San Diego, CA
Stay at this condo in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and valet parking (surcharge). Popular attractions San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are located ...
Inn at the Park by WorldMark
See all properties in Central San Diego
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

San Diego Zoo featuring zoo animals, landscape views and a pond

San Diego Zoo

See nature up-close and personal at one of the country’s largest and most educational zoos.

San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park

Balboa Park

Culture and nature converge in this diverse park located in the heart of the city.

Balboa Park
Hotel Circle

Hotel Circle

Hotel Circle is just one of the places to see in San Diego, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Visit the shops and charming cafes in this family-friendly area.

Hotel Circle
Fashion Valley Mall

Fashion Valley Mall

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Fashion Valley Mall during your trip to San Diego. Take in the fascinating museums and beautiful sunsets in this walkable area.

Fashion Valley Mall
Snapdragon Stadium

Snapdragon Stadium

Catch an event at Snapdragon Stadium during your trip to San Diego. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Snapdragon Stadium
Westfield UTC

Westfield UTC

You can do some window-shopping at Westfield UTC during your trip to San Diego. Discover the beautiful sunsets and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Westfield UTC

Things to do

Beachside Moped Rentals

Beachside Moped Rentals

฿4,880
per adult
Beachside Moped Rentals
LEGOLAND® California Resort

LEGOLAND® California Resort

฿2,458
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
LEGOLAND® California Resort
San Diego City Lights Night Tour

San Diego City Lights Night Tour

฿1,507
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
San Diego City Lights Night Tour
San Diego Whale Watching Tour

San Diego Whale Watching Tour

฿2,326
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
San Diego Whale Watching Tour
Coronado: San Diego Bay Jetski Rental

Coronado: San Diego Bay Jetski Rental

฿7,370
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
Coronado: San Diego Bay Jetski Rental
Picture 1 for Activity San Diego: Sunset and Day Sailing Excursion with Drinks

San Diego: Sunset and Day Sailing Excursion with Drinks

฿3,898
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
San Diego: Sunset and Day Sailing Excursion with Drinks
See all activities in Central San Diego

Cities near Central San Diego

Photo by trenton.badillo

Poway

La Jolla which includes general coastal views, a beach and swimming

La Jolla