Looking for Lakehouse Hotel and Resort reviews to help plan your San Diego beach getaway?
A lake house getaway might conjure up images of idyllic days from summers past – cozy cabins, pretty water views, boating or kayaking, peaceful nights by the fire, and fishing from a pier. The Lakehouse Resort in San Marcos offers all that and so much more!
Best of all, you don’t have to drive far to experience this destination; Lakehouse is located just north of the city and all the fun things to do in San Diego with kids.
We’ve stayed at the Lakehouse Hotel and Resort several times, most recently over a long weekend in the fall. It was a lovely getaway with a surprising number of fun things to do. Here is our honest review of everything this resort has to offer.
The Lakehouse Hotel and Resort
Most families tend to migrate towards the ocean when planning their San Diego vacation, but Lakehouse Resort is a great choice if you’re searching for a waterfront, family-friendly, and budget-friendly hotel.
A tranquil hotel located on the shores of Lake San Marcos, Lakehouse Hotel and Resort is inland, but just a short drive from all of San Diego’s most popular attractions.
Aside from its convenient location, Lakehouse offers excellent service and a full range of family-friendly amenities – from golf to boating to fine dining to bike riding. There are outdoor pools and hot tubs, and a fitness center. Lakehouse Hotel and Resort is a great place to go for family time, and a little sunshine too!
Lakehouse Hotel and Resort At-A-Glance
- Located on the shores of Lake San Marcos
- Bike, stand-up paddle board, kayak, and boat rental stand onsite
- Two outdoor pools
- Great waterfront restaurant and bar onsite
- Golf course and driving range
- Nightly light show over the lake
- Spacious, comfortable rooms
- In-room spa services
- Just a short drive to San Diego’s world-famous attractions
- A wealth of onsite activities keeps kids happy and busy
- Free parking
Activities & Amenities
The Lakehouse Hotel and Resort offers an array of nice amenities, family-friendly activities, great dining options, spacious rooms, and a beautiful location on Lake San Marcos.
Reminiscent of a summer lake house, Lakehouse Resort provides a serene escape for families and couples. The lobby – with a fireplace, comfy sofas, and library – is designed to feel like the living room of a traditional lake house. The resort features two swimming pools, a full-service marina, golf course, fire pits, pickleball and tennis courts, and a billiards room.
Lake San Marcos Marina offers all the gear you need for fun on the lake, including kayaks, pontoon boats and stand-up paddle boards. A one hour kayak or SUP rental per day is included in your resort fee, so there’s no excuse not to try something new!
We went kayaking one day and my son tried out a stand-up paddle board another. We also rented a motor boat one afternoon so we could cruise the lake as a family. Prices are less than we expected (definitely less than renting a boat on the ocean or one of the hotels on Mission Bay) and it was a great experience.
One of the nicest surprises was the complimentary welcome s’mores kit. Capping off our first night roasting marshmallows at the fire pit was the perfect end to our day!
Another fun freebie is complimentary use of Electra Bikes. Experience the charm of the surroundings at your own pace with complimentary bike rentals, featuring beach cruisers by Electra Bikes. Take a ride around the neighborhood, stop in at Brickmans for a bite to eat, or check out the The Links.
Guest Rooms
The resort originally opened in the 1960s as a 75-room hotel on the lake. It changed ownership and was fully renovated in 2013, nearly doubling in size to offer 144 guest rooms, suites, and cottages.
Though it is an older property, everything is in great condition, and the new areas give the resort an upscale feel.
Lakehouse Hotel & Resort’s spacious guest rooms each feature memory foam beds, a Keurig coffee maker, mini fridge, a nice TV, and free wi-fi. Bath amenities include rain shower heads in the bath tub and fluffy cotton robes.
We stayed in a premier lake view room with two queen beds. These 420 square foot rooms feature a wonderful patio or balcony and sweeping views of the lake. It was the perfect space for a relaxing weekend retreat.
It was so nice to be able to brew coffee right in our room and enjoy it outside. In fact, even with all the fun activities available at the resort, I was totally content to spend much of my time in our beautifully decorated, spacious room overlooking the lake. (I would like to say I was reading a good book, but in complete honesty I was probably playing on my phone the whole time!)
Large families can upgrade to suites and lakefront cottages with additional bathrooms, patios with private fire pits, dining tables, and space to sleep up to six guests. A pool side room is another great option if you plan on spending a lot of time in the pool, and the room rates are actually less than lakefront rooms.
Dining at Lakehouse Hotel and Resort
You don’t have to go far to enjoy a great meal. The resort’s main restaurant is a beautiful two-story lakefront building extending over the water. It has a full bar and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and happy hour.
The first time we stayed at Lakehouse Resort a few years ago, the restaurant was called Decoy. Amalfi Cucina Italiana took over in summer 2020. Along with the beautiful lake views the space has stayed much the same, but the menu has changed. The smell of wood-fired pizza now dominates the air (and it is fantastic).
Inspired by Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the restaurant specializes in handcrafted Italian food, serving up pizza, gourmet salads, and other favorites. There is live music and entertainment on select nights. On Sundays, they offer a Sunday Brunch, which we thought was amazing. The food was plentiful and delicious.
You can choose from indoor or outdoor seating, depending on the weather, and enjoy San Diego’s mild climate and the beautiful views.
Located on the golf course, Brickmans has the ambiance of a basic bar and grill with elevated food and cocktails just steps off the 18th green.
Spinnaker Coffee is the resort’s one-stop-shop for specialty coffee drinks, breakfast pastries, grab ‘n’ go lunches, beverages, and snacks. It is located next to the pool deck.
Final Thoughts: Lakehouse Resort
We had an amazing stay at the Lakehouse Hotel and Resort. For a fairly suburban location, it feels remote – which is exactly what you want in a lakefront getaway. However the it has all the amenities and conveniences of a full-scale resort, and is just a short drive away from the beaches, downtown San Diego, Legoland, SeaWorld San Diego, and even the San Diego International Airport.
If you are looking for a serene, comfortable, and fun destination in Southern California that has the look and feel of a lakefront getaway in the mountains, Lakehouse Hotel and Resort should absolutely be on your list.
Hotel Information & Reservations
- 1025 La Bonita Drive, San Marcos
- (760) 744-0120
- thelakehouseresort.com
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