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 Mission Valley Mall and Fashion Valley Mall, 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
Kings Inn San Diego
Kings Inn San Diego
2.5 out of 5
1333 Hotel Cir S, San Diego, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is 3.620.232 ₫ per night from 30 Jun to 1 Jul
3.620.232 ₫
4.154.125 ₫ total
30 Jun - 1 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3,275 reviews)
Shopping for Miss Daisy
"Just went for a 3-day weekend with our granddaughter so we can buy her some clothes for winter and just have fun with her. We went to the beach with clothing stores and the good restaurants she had a great time that's all we wanted."

Reviewed on 25 Jun 2025

Kings Inn San Diego
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 4.700.021 ₫ per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
4.700.021 ₫
5.406.349 ₫ total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
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! (1,857 reviews)
"Nice hotel, nice location. Rooms look old and tired"

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

San Diego Marriott La Jolla
Handlery Hotel
Handlery Hotel
3.5 out of 5
950 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA
The price is 2.661.889 ₫ per night from 2 Jul to 3 Jul
2.661.889 ₫
3.059.709 ₫ total
2 Jul - 3 Jul
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,821 reviews)
"This hotel is pretty amazing, quiet, and relaxing. I really like how clean the hotel is and the amount of privacy it provides. I’ll be returning again. This hotel is really a hidden gem 😁"

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

Handlery Hotel
See all 1,433 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! (182 reviews)
"The front desk was beyond amazing with their recommendations and overall friendliness! The area is so walkable and as a woman who was solo traveling, it was enjoyable. I'm knocking a star away due to the noise - I did pay extra to ensure I wouldn't deal with high volume noise and I still endured ..."

Reviewed on 18 Jun 2025

Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel
City24 Hotel Little Italy Mission Hill
City24 Hotel Little Italy Mission Hill
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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (73 reviews)
"I recently stayed at City24 in San Diego and had a great overall experience. The biggest highlight is the central location. It's close to San Diego International Airport and the cruise port, which may be good or bad, depending on why you are in San Diego. It is convenient but it's also busy and noisy. ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

City24 Hotel Little Italy Mission Hill
2330/a
2330/a
3 out of 5
2330 Albatross Street, Unit A, San Diego, CA
Stay at this 3-star holiday home in San Diego. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and balconies. Popular attractions Port of San Diego and San Diego Zoo are located ...
"Easy check - in !"

Reviewed on 4 Apr 2025

2330/a
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

4.5/5(47 reviews)

Why not visit the animals who live at San Diego Zoo and see why this is a popular attraction in San Diego? Stroll along the area's seaside or experience its fascinating museums.

San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park

Balboa Park

4.5/5(80 reviews)

Balboa Park is just one of the places to see in San Diego, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Balboa Park
Hotel Circle

Hotel Circle

3.5/5(7 reviews)

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 top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Hotel Circle
Snapdragon Stadium

Snapdragon Stadium

1/5(1 review)

You can take time to visit Snapdragon Stadium during your travels 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

3/5(1 review)

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
Fashion Valley Mall

Fashion Valley Mall

4/5(4 reviews)

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

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