Looking for the best family-friendly resort in San Diego for your beach getaway? Look no further than San Diego Mission Bay Resort.
A private beach, giant pool, tons of kid-friendly activities, and awesome views of the SeaWorld fireworks at night are just some of the things that make this resort a top choice for families.
But what really sets this hotel apart is its great value. There are tons of amenities and inclusions, and a lower room rate than what you’ll typically find at other nearby resorts on Mission Bay.
A budget-friendly San Diego resort located right on the water? Yes, please!
We recently enjoyed a couple of days kicking back at the resort and had so much fun, we never even left the property! Read on to see why this just might be the best resort for families in San Diego if you are looking for a fantastic getaway without breaking the bank.
San Diego Mission Bay Resort At-A-Glance
- Beautiful, new guest rooms and décor throughout the resort
- Private beach on Mission Bay
- Fitness center
- Full-service spa
- Waterfront pool and kids’ wading pool
- Pet-friendly
- On-site restaurants
- Boat, kayak, stand-up paddle board, and bike rentals on-site
- Tennis and pickleball courts
- A wealth of family-friendly onsite activities
- Short drive to San Diego’s world-famous attractions
- San Diego Mission Bay Resort Review
Formerly a Hilton resort, the San Diego Mission Bay Resort is now a Noble House property. It has been fully transformed with brand new room decor, waterfront dining, a luxurious spa, and expansive swimming pool.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll know you’re on a beach vacation. The hotel has an open-air lobby and outdoor seating everywhere you look – perfect for enjoying San Diego’s wonderful year-round weather.
We loved seeing the “Sunshine Tree” in the lobby when we checked in. It’s a fun spot where people are encouraged to write down a sunny thought and hang it on the tree. It was a great way to kick off our stay with a little positivity and instantly put me in a sunny mood. That kind of happy vibe is carried throughout the resort, from the exceptionally friendly service to the bright and airy feel of the whole place.
Another fun thing you’ll see right off the lobby is a sign welcoming the dogs registered to stay and a fresh bowl of water for them to enjoy. Indeed, Mission Bay Resort is super pet friendly, and we saw a bunch of dogs while we were there.
The resort’s most notable feature, however, is its location right on the shores of Mission Bay. It has a private beach, and many rooms open up directly to the waterfront.
Guest Rooms
This resort is unique in that it has two very different types of accommodations: tower rooms and one and two-story bungalow-style buildings. The interior of the rooms is about the same, but the feel of the two building types makes for quite different experiences.
Let’s start with the basics.
San Diego Mission Bay Resort is home to 357 guest rooms and suites – 284 guest rooms, 65 studios, five one-bedroom suites, and three two-story suites.
We stayed in a standard room with two queen beds. It was a good size, and had a nice love seat in addition to the beds, though I would have preferred a table and chairs.
Standard amenities include a coffeemaker, mini fridge, huge flat-screen TV, ironing board and iron, and signature bath supplies. Suites are equipped with a full kitchen. All rooms have a furnished balcony or patio if you’re on the first floor.
A studio guest room gives you a little more space (480 square feet vs. 365) and offers an additional seating area. Some of the studio guest rooms also have private fire pits on the patio. If you reserve one of these rooms the first bundle of firewood is complimentary!
For even more space, suites provide ton of extra living space, special touches, and great views.
The most popular rooms are the ones that open up to the lawn or beach. If you choose to stay in the tower, be sure to ask for a high floor. If you stay on one of the lower levels, the only view you’ll get is of the parking lot, and nobody travels to a beach hotel for that.
Whatever type of room you choose, you’ll find the interiors modern and sophisticated, with pops of bright color set against soft shades.
Amenities & Recreation
One of the things that make this resort an amazing place to stay is the endless array of fun activities available.
Resort Pools
San Diego Mission Bay Resort has two pools. The Waterfront Pool is the main pool, with a zero-entry entrance and nice views of Mission Bay. The Wading Pool is a great spot for younger children to splash and play. There are also two hot tubs in the pool area.
The pool has plenty of comfy lounge chairs in the area, as well as cabanas and daybeds for rent. Wherever you sit, servers will gladly deliver food and drinks right to your chairs so you can truly enjoy a stress-free day at the pool.
Mission Bay On & Off the Water
Just steps away from the pool, Mission Bay awaits. What’s nice about the bay – especially if you have little kids – is that there are no waves. That means you can enjoy all the perks of staying at one of the oceanfront resorts in San Diego, but with calm water that children can safely enjoy.
The onsite Action Sports offers everything from jet skis to sailboat rentals. On the beach, you can play volleyball, build sand castles, or just relax and enjoy the sunshine.
You can also rent bikes or surrey bikes to peddle around the bay. There is a boardwalk that stretches from the resort all the way along the waterfront, so you are not limited to riding around just the hotel. Definitely recommend a bike ride both for exercise and the experience if you are visiting with kids!
More to Love
Remember when I said there was a lot to do at San Diego Mission Bay Resort? In addition to the pools, beach, and water activities, this hotel also has a spa and fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts, lawn games, morning yoga classes, poolside games, arts & crafts for kids, s’mores on the beach, movie nights, and my favorite – a great view of the fireworks display from SeaWorld San Diego at the beach. This is just one of the things that make this resort one of the best hotels on Mission Bay!
In addition to a rotating calendar of events, Mission Bay Resort regularly hosts events like comedy shows, fitness classes, yappy hours for four-legged friends, and more.
We were there on a night when we were able to catch the free comedy show. Admittedly, it was a little weird being in a hotel conference room turned comedy club, but the show itself was great and bar was open! Since the show was 21 and over, it is a great way to get away from the kids for just a little while at this otherwise very family-friendly hotel.
Dining at the San Diego Mission Bay Resort
Mission Bay Resort is home to a collection of restaurants and spots to grab a drink or snack. Here’s a quick look at all the options.
Covewood
Covewood is the resort’s signature dining experience. Embracing the concept of “understated coastal luxury,” the restaurant overlooks Mission Bay and boasts an airy, inviting indoor dining room with natural light and textures of leather and linen. The outdoor patio seating is complemented by the ocean breeze and multiple fire features.
The menu at Covewood centers around fresh seafood and wood-grilled vegetables paired with local wines and handcrafted cocktails. They also serve a nice breakfast in the morning.
Plaza Del Sol
Located right off the lobby area, Plaza Del Sol offers a casual menu and craft cocktails surrounded by palm trees.
This spot has life music nightly, and a happy hour menu to boot! We came for the drink specials and then stayed for the music. It was a really nice and relaxing evening, and the service, food, and entertainment were all excellent.
Solrisa
The resort’s poolside bar and eatery, Solrisa brings the vibrancy of Mexican cuisine through a menu of bites and beverages. It is conveniently located between the pool and beach, so it is easily accessible from both locations.
Mission Joe
The place to go for coffee and breakfast pastries in the morning!
Final Thoughts: Mission Bay Resort
With its waterfront location, amazing amenities, variety of dining options, and fresh, comfortable rooms, San Diego Mission Bay Resort is an ideal beachside escape for families. More importantly, its room rates are in line or lower than many nearby resorts, but the extensive list of perks you get here make it a much more appealing value.
If you are planning a getaway to America’s Finest City – especially in the summertime when the water is calling and the SeaWorld fireworks are lighting up night skies – San Diego Mission Bay Resort is the perfect place to stay.
Hotel Information & Reservations
- 1775 East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego
- (619) 677-1161
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Thank you to the San Diego Mission Bay Resort for hosting our stay! As always, all opinions are my own.