Central San Diego, CA

Travel Guide

Balboa Park featuring aircraft and interior views
Balboa Park featuring interior views and a city
Balboa Park featuring military items and interior views
Balboa Park showing landscape views, rides and a garden
San Diego Museum of Art featuring art and interior views

Where to stay in Central San Diego

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Mission Valley

4/5(4,999 area reviews)

Boasting major shopping malls like Fashion Valley Mall and Westfield Mission Valley, this area offers entertainment and historic sites such as Mission San Diego de Alcalá and Presidio Park. Easily accessible via the San Diego Trolley system's Green Line.

Mission Valley
Old Town San Diego State Park showing signage

Old Town San Diego

4.5/5(877 area reviews)

The ample dining options and beautiful 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
Loads of Loafs

Hillcrest

3.5/5(53 area reviews)

Visitors to Hillcrest enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Marston House is worth a stop.

Hillcrest
Try the tamale eggs Benedict!

North Park

4/5(78 area reviews)

North Park is well-liked for its restaurants. You can also take some time to explore sights in the surrounding area like San Diego Zoo and San Diego Natural History Museum.

North Park
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Clairemont

4/5(512 area reviews)

Restaurants, beaches, and shopping are some highlights of Clairemont. You might stop by Mission Bay or Fashion Valley Mall while you're in the area.

Clairemont
Where it all started! Founded in 1996 by Jack White in San Diego, California. Ballast Point Brewing Co. started in the back of Home Brew Mart, a homebrew supply store White founded in 1992. As of 2015, it was the second largest brewer in San Diego County and the 17th largest brewery in the country based on sales volume. Ballast Point is also the first microdistillery in San Diego since Prohibition. They currently produce 14 spirits: Old Grove Gin, Old Grove Barrel Rested Gin, Three Sheets White Rum, Three Sheets Barrel-Aged Rum, Three Sheets Spiced Rum, Opha Herbal Liqueur, Fugu Vodka, four flavored Fugu Vodkas

Miramar

4/5(168 area reviews)

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
Handlery Hotel

Handlery Hotel

3.5 out of 5
950 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA
The price is SAR 447 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
SAR 447
SAR 514 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,877 reviews)
"Our stay at the Handlery was ex ellent except for the parking charges. Hotels who charge for parking at their facility should not be allowed to do this."

Reviewed on 18 July 2025

Handlery Hotel
Best Western Inn & Suites San Diego – Zoo/SeaWorld Area

Best Western Inn & Suites San Diego – Zoo/SeaWorld Area

2.5 out of 5
2485 Hotel Circle Place, San Diego, CA
The price is SAR 638 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
SAR 638
SAR 733 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,832 reviews)
"The staff was super helpful!"

Reviewed on 17 July 2025

Best Western Inn & Suites San Diego – Zoo/SeaWorld Area
Hampton Inn San Diego/Mission Valley

Hampton Inn San Diego/Mission Valley

2.5 out of 5
2151 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA
The price is SAR 549 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
SAR 549
SAR 632 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,129 reviews)
"like location, cleaness"

Reviewed on 19 July 2025

Hampton Inn San Diego/Mission Valley
See all 1,459 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 WiFi, laundry facilities, and housekeeping. Popular attractions San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (200 reviews)
"It is my second time staying here due to hospital stay. It is super convenient. Only thing that bothered me the most is the freeway noise therefore If you’re a light sleeper do not get the freeway noise room. Other than that this is great."

Reviewed on 17 July 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 WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Port of San Diego and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (78 reviews)
"I randomly found this place as i was looking for some options to fit family of 9 without booking two separate rooms. This place is amazing and charming. It’s new, in soft industrial style but with cozy lounge sets in hallways and green plants. They have fully equipped kitchen, comfortable and spacious ..."

Reviewed on 16 July 2025

City24 Hotel Little Italy Mission Hill
Inn at the Park by WorldMark

Inn at the Park by WorldMark

2 out of 5
525 Spruce St, San Diego, CA
Stay at this condo in San Diego. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and valet parking (surcharge). Popular attractions San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are located ...
Inn at the Park by WorldMark
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 landscape views, zoo animals and a pond

San Diego Zoo

4.5/5(3,565 reviews)

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

San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park which includes a pond

Balboa Park

4.5/5(3,715 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 seaside, or simply savor its top-notch restaurants.

Balboa Park
Nothing like a California sunset.

Hotel Circle

4/5(1,397 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? Check out the shops and top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Hotel Circle
Finally made it here, too bad they lost...

Snapdragon Stadium

4/5(183 reviews)

Catch an event at Snapdragon Stadium during your trip to San Diego. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Snapdragon Stadium
Creative

Fashion Valley Mall

4.5/5(84 reviews)

You can search for that perfect souvenir at Fashion Valley Mall during your stay in San Diego. Take in the fascinating museums and beautiful sunsets in this walkable area.

Fashion Valley Mall
Sunset and palm trees

Westfield UTC

4.5/5(33 reviews)

You can do some window-shopping at Westfield UTC during your stay in San Diego. Discover the beautiful sunsets and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Westfield UTC