Looking for the best hotels near Old Town San Diego?
Staying at one of the hotels near Old Town San Diego will put you in the center of the action, and make getting around to other area attractions super easy. It is a great place to stay for your San Diego vacation!
Known as the birthplace of California, Old Town is in the heart of San Diego. The location is the site of the first Spanish settlement in California, and where the first mission, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, was built in 1769.
Today, Old Town is one of San Diego’s most popular and significant attractions. Stay at one of the hotels near Old Town San Diego and you’ll be walking distance to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, with its 50 shops and restaurants and 36 museums and historic sites – many of which are free to explore!
After many visits to Old Town, we’ve rounded up the pros and cons of all the hotels in the area. Here are the seven best family friendly Old Town San Diego hotels to help you plan your visit.
Best Old Town San Diego Hotels
Here are the top seven hotels in San Diego Old Town. There are a handful of older, budget motels near Old Town, but none that I have stayed in or would recommend. They might be perfectly fine, but this list focuses on the very best family-friendly San Diego hotels in Old Town.
1. Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town
Hacienda Hotel Old Town San Diego At-A-Glance
- Located in the heart of Old Town San Diego
- Heated outdoor pool and hot tub
- Refrigerators and microwaves in every room
- Guest laundry room
- Three blocks from San Diego Transit Trolley Station
- Around the corner from the Whaley House
- Pet friendly
- Free Wi-Fi
- Smoke-free hotel
- Old Town Tequila Factory Restaurant and Cantina
- Free airport and cruise terminal shuttles
We love the Hacienda Hotel Old Town because it is not your typical space. It is whimsical and charming, with courtyards, fountains, palm trees, and a maze of stairs and terraces that connect the hotel’s eight buildings of guest rooms. Although it has a convenient location adjacent to Old Town, the atmosphere is quiet and serene.
From the moment you arrive, the lobby sets the tone for your stay. It features a rustic, exposed-wood beam ceiling, a large stone fireplace, dark leather furniture and an old map of Baja California. The cozy smell of complimentary fresh brewed coffee fills the air.
The Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town offer spacious, well-appointed guest rooms and suites. Rooms are spacious and decorated with handcrafted furnishings; many have private balconies. Each room features a microwave, refrigerator and high-speed Internet access, making this an ideal space for families!
There is also a fitness center, outdoor heated pool and hot tub, guest laundry, and a complimentary shuttle to the San Diego International Airport and the cruise ship terminals in downtown San Diego.
► Click here to read a full review of the Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town.
Hotel Information & Reservations
- Address: 4041 Harney Street, San Diego
- Phone: (800) 888-1991
2. Cosmopolitan Hotel San Diego
The Cosmopolitan At-A-Glance
- Historic building located within Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
- Victorian bed and breakfast hotel with only 10 rooms
- No pool
- Restaurant and saloon on-site
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free reserved parking
- Free continental breakfast
The Cosmopolitan Hotel is unique and special because it is the only hotel literally located right inside the park. While there are some truly great hotels within walking distance, you won’t find any other hotels with this ideal location inside Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
Originally built in the 1820s as the family home for early San Diego settler Juan Bandini, the hotel is a registered national historic landmark. It served as a stagecoach stop and hotel. In 2010, restorations and added fine dining restaurant revived the hotel to its 1800s charm, with Victorian décor and an Old West saloon.
Rooms in this 10-room bed and breakfast is decorated with antiques and Victorian charm. To keep the experience truly authentic to its roots, hotel rooms do not have televisions or phones (however, they are equipped with Wi-Fi).
For breakfast, complimentary coffee, tea and home-made pastries are served in the saloon – bursting with décor from the Old West.
The hotel sits in the center of Old Town San Diego State Park, a one-of-a-kind feature that presents the opportunity to experience the history of early San Diego by providing a connection to the past! Like many old hotels, the Cosmopolitan Hotel is said to be haunted with multiple friendly spirits in its guestrooms, including a cat who roams the halls.
Hotel Information & Reservations
- Address: 2660 Calhoun Street, San Diego
- Phone: (619) 297-1874
3. Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/SeaWorld Area
Hilton Garden Inn At-A-Glance
- New hotel
- Heated outdoor pool and hot tub
- Patio with fire pit
- Verde Kitchen & Bar on-site restaurant
- Guest laundry room
- Free Wi-Fi
- Smoke-free hotel
- Pet friendly
One of the newest hotels near Old Town San Diego, the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town is an upscale property located just a short 5 minute walk to historic Old Town and all its wonderful dining options and activities.
The hotel is quite beautiful, designed with an old-world Spanish feel, but offering all the modern conveniences. Guest rooms are spacious and include plush bedding and excellent bath products. There is an outdoor pool and patio, all beautifully landscaped.
In another nod to Old Town San Diego’s rich Hispanic heritage, the hotel’s on-property restaurant Verde Kitchen & Bar offers several Mexican-inspired dishes. They are open for breakfast and dinner. Hilton Garden Inn also has a 24-hour Pavilion Pantry for grab-and-go snacks, beverages, and toiletries.
Hotel Information & Reservations
- Address: 4200 Taylor Street, San Diego
- Phone: (619) 260-0607
► Check Rates and Availability for Hilton Garden Inn Old Town
4. Fairfield Inn & Suites San Diego Old Town
Fairfield Inn & Suites San Diego Old Town At-A-Glance
- Free hot breakfast buffet
- Heated outdoor pool and hot tub
- Refrigerators and microwaves in every room
- Private balconies available
- Guest laundry room
- Free Wi-Fi
- Smoke-free hotel
As a Marriott Bonvoy member, I always try to book at Marriott or Starwood-brand properties when we travel, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites San Diego Old Town is our go-to Old Town hotel.
Located on a quiet street a few blocks from the park, the Fairfield Inn is a charming hotel, decorated with bright tones and touches of ironwork reminiscent of Old Town’s Spanish history.
The spacious rooms are typical for Fairfield Inn – large, clean and comfortable. Some have balconies and all include coffee makers, mini-fridge and a microwave oven. We stayed in a hotel room with two queen beds, but there are several room options.
As with all Fairfield Inn properties, breakfast is included, so this is the perfect hotel if you are trying to stretch your dining budget.
The Fairfield Inn has some lovely common areas, including a courtyard, cozy lobby, and a nice outdoor pool and spa. There is also a fitness room and a business center on-site.
Hotel Information & Reservations
- Address: 3900 Old Town Avenue, San Diego
- Phone: (619) 299-7400
5. Courtyard Marriott San Diego Old Town
Courtyard Marriott San Diego Old Town At-A-Glance
- Newly renovated hotel
- Heated outdoor pool and hot tub
- Refrigerators and microwaves in every room
- On-site restaurant
- Guest laundry room
- Free Wi-Fi
- Smoke-free hotel
Like the Fairfield Inn, Courtyard Marriott San Diego Old Town features all the comforts you’re used to from a Marriott property.
The hotel recently underwent a remodel and boasts new furniture and décor.
Rooms are spacious and well-appointed, in refreshing hues of blue and white. Some rooms have a private balcony. Each room comes with an above-average large 60” TV, coffee maker, mini-fridge and luxuries bedding and amenities. There is an outdoor swimming pool and spa, and a fitness center.
As with all Courtyard brand hotels, Courtyard San Diego Old Town does not provide a complimentary breakfast, but the Bistro on-site restaurant serves Starbucks coffee, breakfast, dinner, and cocktails in the evening.
Hotel Information & Reservations
- Address: 2435 Jefferson Street, San Diego
- Phone: (619) 260-8500
► Check rates and availability for Courtyard San Diego Old Town
6. Old Town Inn
Old Town Inn At-A-Glance
- Outdoor pool
- Free breakfast
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Patio with a BBQ
- Smoke-free hotel
Located close to Old Town but on the other side of the freeway, Old Town Inn is a small, family-owned hotel. Dating back to 1945, this Spanish-style inn has been a beacon of hospitality on the Pacific Highway for decades. It features classic architecture and lush, tropical landscaping. The hotel is older, but beautifully refreshed and well-kept, and the staff is exceptionally friendly.
Included with each stay is a complimentary breakfast each morning, complete with hard boiled eggs, steel cut oatmeal, cereal, waffles, bagels, pastries, fruit, and beverages. Parking is included and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.
There are a variety of guest room categories, including newer Deluxe Rooms with a king or 2 queen-size beds, 2-bedroom Extended-Stay Suites with kitchenettes, a new Jacuzzi Suite, and original rooms from circa 1950. Every room comes with a DVD player and flat-screen TV. The hotel has a library of movies guests can borrow for free.
Hotel Information & Reservations
- Address: 4444 Pacific Highway, San Diego
- Phone: (619) 260-8024
7. Holiday Inn Express San Diego Airport-Old Town
Holiday Inn Express At-A-Glance
- Outdoor pool
- Free breakfast
- Free Wi-Fi
- Guest laundry room
- Beautiful city views from patio
- Refrigerator, coffee maker and microwave in every room
- Free shuttle to airport and area attractions
The Holiday Inn Express San Diego Airport-Old Town is a solid choice if you are flying in to San Diego. It is located less than a mile from the airport, and offers free shuttle service. Staying at the Holiday Inn Express will still put you within walking distance to Old Town and all the public transportation options you’ll find there. They also offer free shuttle service to many nearby attractions in San Diego.
Rooms at the hotel are spacious, and have been recently renovated. They feature new furniture, a mini-refrigerator and microwave, and blackout shades on the windows. The hotel has a nice pool area, but no spa. Full breakfast is provided each morning.
Hotel Information & Reservations
- Address: 1955 San Diego Avenue, San Diego
- Phone: (619) 543-1130
Map of Hotels Near Old Town San Diego
To help you visualize where these hotels near Old Town San Diego are located, here is an interactive Google map!
Final Thoughts: Old Town San Diego Hotels
If you are not set on staying at the beach, booking a hotel near Old Town San Diego is a great way to go. Old Town is a fun and vibrant area, and staying close by is extremely convenient, especially if you have little kids in tow. (Also great to be within walking distance if you’re planning to sample a margarita or two!)
And no need to worry about finding parking, which often fills up early on weekends and during peak season. You can leave your car at the hotel and walk to Old Town.
Staying at one of the Old Town hotels makes getting to San Diego’s other attractions very easy, as well. SeaWorld San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, Seaport Village, USS Midway Museum, Mission Bay, Balboa Park, and miles of sandy beaches are all within a few miles.
Old Town is located near two major freeways, and adjacent to the Old Town Transit Center, where you can catch a bus, trolley, and train. It is also only a 10-minute drive to San Diego International Airport.
Old Town San Diego is also home to the Trolley Tours depot, where you can catch Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego. This tour is the perfect way to maximize your time and get around San Diego, all while learning some cool facts about the city.
Wherever you decide to check-in for the night, you’ll have an amazing time staying so close to Old Town.
Save These Hotels in Old Town San Diego for Later!
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