Dreaming of a family-friendly beach getaway? Look no further than the Bahia Resort Hotel in San Diego.
Located on a picturesque peninsula on the shores of Mission Bay, the Bahia Resort Hotel offers an array of family-friendly activities, spacious rooms, and all the amenities you need to enjoy a sun-splashed getaway.
Though we have stayed at this hotel a number of times, we recently visited again and it was our best stay yet. If you are planning a trip to San Diego, the Bahia Resort Hotel is a great choice! It is right on Mission Bay and short walk to the Pacific Ocean and Belmont Park. Plus, this hotel is packed with family-friendly amenities!
Here is our Bahia Resort Hotel review to help you plan an amazing San Diego vacation.
Bahia Resort Hotel in San Diego
Featuring a waterfront setting and lush tropical gardens, the Bahia Resort Hotel sprawls across a 14-acre peninsula on San Diego’s scenic Mission Bay. The resort is only a few minutes’ drive to the San Diego International Airport and all the fabulous sights and attractions that make Southern California famous.
Opened in the 1950s, the Bahia the first hotel built along Mission Bay. The hotel definitely retains its mid-century modern appeal, though all the rooms have been continuously updated.
The Mediterranean-style of the hotel is complemented by the outdoor tropical garden, complete with duck ponds, a garden gazebo and fountain. There is one tower and the remaining rooms are in one and two-story buildings that stretch across the property.
There is a swimming pool, marina, game room, playground, tennis courts, and shuffle board. All guests receive complimentary use of cabana chairs and umbrellas on the beach, making this a truly relaxing and stress-free destination.
If you have young kids, the really great thing about the Bahia Resort Hotel is that it is situated on the bay rather than the ocean. That means you can enjoy all the perks of staying at an oceanfront resort in San Diego, but with calm water that little ones can safely enjoy. You’ll even find colorful plastic buckets and shovels waiting in the sand for them to play with on the beach.
Bahia Resort Hotel At-A-Glance
- Boat, kayak, stand-up paddle board, and bike rentals on-site
- A wealth of onsite activities keeps kids happy and busy
- Complimentary beach cabanas, chairs, and sand toys for hotel guests
- Bahia Belle steamboat cruises
- Spacious, comfortable rooms
- Olympic size swimming pool and whirlpool
- Just a short drive to San Diego’s world-famous attractions
- A 10-minute walk to the beach if you want to swim in the ocean
Bahia Resort Hotel Rooms
The Bahia Hotel boasts 314 guestrooms and suites. All rooms have a furnished balcony or terrace, most with lovely water or garden views. The Bahia features direct access to the water (some rooms you can even step out of your door onto the beach) and is just a short walk to Mission Beach.
There a variety of room styles – studio, room or suite – at the Bahia as well as view choices – bay front, resort view, garden view or courtside garden. Even if you aren’t staying in a room with a view of the water (these of course come at a premium) you are never more than a few steps away from the sand.
Standard amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, coffeemaker, ironing board and iron, refrigerator, and signature bath supplies. Suites and studios are equipped with a kitchenette.
We stayed in a one-bedroom suite which was the perfect size for our group of four. The bedroom had two queen beds and the spacious living area featured a sofa that converted to another bed.
There was also a full-size kitchen and large patio, and having two TVs was a nice bonus. I loved being able to make coffee in the morning and enjoy some quiet time outside before the others woke up. It was also great being able to store food and the fridge and cook our own breakfast.
While the buildings are older (the hotel opened in the 1950s, after all!) I would not call them dated. Everything in our room was clean, comfortable, and upgraded to modern standards. And the views of course are timeless!
Amenities & Recreation
A stay at the Bahia Resort Hotel in San Diego is all about the water, and there are so many choices!
Just steps from your hotel room water activities on Mission Bay include sailing, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming, and more.
We rented a sailboat during out stay; it was surprisingly affordable at just $45 for an hour with our hotel guest discount, and an hour was ample time for sailing around the bay. The boat we rented was 14 feet, and very easy to maneuver even if you are not an experienced sailor! I definitely would recommend getting out on the water in some form!
Back at the resort, the Bahia boasts a fitness center, game room, tennis courts and bicycle rentals.
Just a short walk away is Belmont Park, an oceanfront amusement park featuring the Great Dipper, a wooden roller coaster and designated historic landmark built in 1925. Pack a beach towel and spend a few hours playing in the Pacific Ocean and getting some sun on the beach.
Parking at the beach can be a beast during the summer months, but that is just not something you need to worry about when staying at the nearby Bahia Hotel San Diego.
Bahia Belle Cruises on Mission Bay
Cap your day with a ride on the Bahia Belle, an 1860s-era Mississippi-style sternwheeler that provides tours every evening from March through October.
The 74-foot, 3-story boat has an observation deck at the top to view the sunset and beautiful sites around the bay.
The first time we stayed at the Bahia Resort Hotel several years ago, a ride on the Bahia Belle was included with your stay. Unfortunately, times have changed and they now charge a fee. However, if you are staying at the hotel, you get a discount. Bahia Belle cruises cost $16.50 for hotel guests or $21.60 for general admission.
This unique and fun boat ride around Mission Bay is one of the best things to do in San Diego at night, even if you are not staying at the hotel!
Dining at the Bahia Resort Hotel
Overlooking the resort’s beach and marina is Dockside 1953, a nautical-inspired restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a delicious weekend brunch. They also have a full bar.
Again, the ever-evolving Bahia Resort Hotel has changed since our first stay just a few years earlier. The restaurant used to be called Café Bahia. The new look and menu is definitely a step up. We enjoyed brunch on an overcast Saturday morning sitting outside on their spacious patio. Featuring cozy firepits, this spot was the perfect way to stay warm on a cool morning and still enjoy the fresh sea air!
If you are looking for something a little more casual, grab a bite at their adorable Grab ‘N Go Airstream Café. This sleek “food truck” serves up a nice array of basics including coffee, tea, specialty drinks, breakfast items, and snacks.
The Airstream is located right outside the resort’s main building and has plenty of outdoor seating, or you can bring your food inside and sit in the Residents’ Lounge (game room) right off the lobby.
Location
The resort’s location on Mission Bay is one of the prime reasons we chose to stay there. It’s located near many of San Diego’s most popular attractions including SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, Seaport Village, and Old Town San Diego. It is also walking distance to the ocean and boardwalk.
Final Thoughts: Bahia Resort Hotel Review
Sprawling across 14 acres on a peninsula in Mission Bay, the Bahia Resort Hotel San Diego is the ideal beachside escape for families. Though not the fanciest out of all the hotels on Mission Bay, the Bahia is a charming, clean, and thoroughly comfortable. Add to this the thoughtful array of activities and proximity to the ocean and all of San Diego’s best attractions, and this hotel is an absolute winner.
Hotel Information & Reservations
- Address: 998 West Mission Bay Drive, San Diego
- Phone number: (949) 234-3200
- Website: bahiahotel.com
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