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Top 12 Staycation Ideas for San Diego

More and more people are turning to staycations as alternatives to vacations to have fun while staying safe during uncertain times. If you live in the San Diego area, this is an awesome place to plan a staycation and take advantage of all the great options, from private luxury abodes to beachfront beauties. Here are some of the best hotels, Airbnbs, and VRBO properties for a staycation in San Diego, California.

Hilton San Diego Bayfront Room at Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Credit: Room at Hilton San Diego Bayfront by Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

One of the best resorts in San Diego, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront offers stunning views of the bay and is within walking distance to the Gaslamp Quarter. It has its own spa, a heated saltwater bayside pool, a fitness center, and multiple dining venues that range from casual to fine dining. For your staycation here, you can rejuvenate yourself with a massage or beauty treatment and enjoy authentic coastal dining. Pets are allowed here up to 75 pounds with a $50 fee.

Lookout Over Little Italy Airbnb Unique Urban Treehouse over Little Italy Airbnb in San Diego
Credit: Unique Urban Treehouse over Little Italy Airbnb in San Diego by airbnb.com

Lookout Over Little Italy Airbnb

Staycationers love this Airbnb property in San Diego because of its 180-degree city and bay views and lovely succulent-filled patio. It is ideal for two guests and has one bed and one bath. You’ll need to climb five flights of outdoor stairs to access the space because there is no elevator. You may hear street noises in this city unit. The hosts can also guide you to the best spots to check out in town. The list of amenities provided includes a kitchenette, Wi-Fi, TV, coffeemaker, bathroom essentials, and more.

Private Luxury Resort Home VRBO Casa Paradiso–A Private Luxury Resort Home
Credit: Casa Paradiso–A Private Luxury Resort Home by VRBO.com

Private Luxury Resort Home VRBO

This spacious home listed on VRBO sleeps 10 people and is 3,450 square feet in size. It has four bedrooms and 3.5 baths for your staycation in San Diego. It’s a great option for this purpose because it feels like a unique luxury resort in the heart of the city. The host takes many precautions for cleaning and keeping the space safe and hygienic. It feels like a tropical oasis as soon as you walk on the grounds and see the LED-lit heated pool and elevated Jacuzzi spa. The property also has a chillout lounge, mini-golf course, grilling area, and wet bar with coolers and a TV. You’ll also love the interior of this space with its master suite, granite countertops, gourmet kitchen, home theater, Zen-inspired basketball court, and backyard.

Paradise Point Resort & Spa Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Credit: Paradise Point Resort & Spa by paradisepoint.com

Paradise Point Resort & Spa

Enjoy 44 acres of tropical island paradise when you book a staycation at the Paradise Point Resort & Spa. A top Southern California resort, the Mission Bay destination has comfortable bungalow-style accommodations, an award-winning spa, a marina, multiple dining venues, and five pools. There are endless recreation opportunities nearby to keep you entertained. Other hotel amenities include five tennis courts, a basketball court, bonfire pits, beach cruisers for rent, and pet-friendly rooms.

Cozy Studio with Private Patio Airbnb Cozy Canyon Studio with Private Patio Airbnb in San Diego
Credit: Cozy Canyon Studio with Private Patio Airbnb in San Diego by airbnb.com

Cozy Studio with Private Patio Airbnb

A cozy spot for a staycation is this popular Airbnb property that is a guest suite in Mission Hills. It is ideal for two guests and has one bed and one bath. There are French doors that lead from the European-style bedroom to the private patio. There’s a BBQ and canyon views to enjoy here too. Other perks of staying here are the full kitchen, washer and dryer, self-check-in, Wi-Fi, and TV. Overall, the space is beautifully decorated, has a separate entrance, and has a very private and romantic vibe.

San Diego Staycation Home with Hot Tub Airbnb Living space at San Diego Staycation Home
Credit: Living space at San Diego Staycation Home by airbnb.com

San Diego Staycation Home with Hot Tub Airbnb

Located in nearby Encinitas, this staycation home is great for up to eight guests and has four bedrooms and three baths. It practices special sanitizing and disinfecting protocols has completely a separated and isolated entry and offers no contact with the hosts. It has a full kitchen and BBQ to cook meals, as well as a two-car garage and access to the washer and dryer in the garage area. You’ll be in a quiet and family-oriented neighborhood when you stay here.

Bahia Resort Hotel Bahia Resort Hotel
Credit: Bahia Resort Hotel by bahiahotel.com

Bahia Resort Hotel

Bahia Resort Hotel is a premier beachfront resort dedicated to providing a safe and sanitary environment for your staycation. It’s on a 14-acre peninsula in Mission Bay and has family-friendly features for your getaway close to home. The resort has a new beach lounge area, Olympic-size swimming pool, whirlpool, fitness center, shuffleboard, tennis courts, an arcade, a playground, and many more things to keep the whole family busy and having a great time.

Private San Diego Estate VRBO San Diego estate designed for quiet, calm relaxation and private vacationing
Credit: San Diego estate designed for quiet, calm relaxation and private vacationing by VRBO.com

Private San Diego Estate VRBO

A VRBO listing worth considering for your staycation is this estate that sleeps 10 people and has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms. It has a Tuscan design, black-bottom pool, hot tub, bocce ball court, large fire pit, and ping pong table. There is beautiful landscaping here and a yoga/meditation room with mountain views. Stay here for a private neighborhood feel while also being close to beaches and the airport. There are grocery stores nearby as well when you stay here to relax and have a little getaway.

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Credit: Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa by catamaranresort.com

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is a beachfront hotel on the coast that has a Polynesian-theme and is eight miles from the airport. This is an ideal place to try watersports, such as stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and bodyboarding. When it’s open, it is also a great place to book a spa day at San Diego’s only beachfront spa. Guests have access to room service and Wi-Fi to make themselves feel right at home on a staycation.

San Diego Mission Bay Resort San Diego Mission Bay Resort
Credit: San Diego Mission Bay Resort by missionbayresort.com

San Diego Mission Bay Resort

San Diego Mission Bay Resort is another excellent hotel-style staycation destination that offers kids’ activities, private cabanas by the resort pool, and three waterfront dining options to choose from. The rooms here are newly renovated, and the resort offers beach access with full beachside service and lots of fun games to play. There’s also a spa and fitness center, as well as nightly free s’mores at the beach fire pits. This is a dog-friendly hotel that allows up to two dogs weighing 75 pounds per room for a $100 fee for your first three days.

Spanish Casita in the Village of La Jolla VRBO Spanish Casita in the Village of La Jolla
Credit: Spanish Casita in the Village of La Jolla by VRBO.com

Spanish Casita in the Village of La Jolla VRBO

This VRBO casita sleeps four people and is 600 square feet in size for your next staycation. Although this property is not in right in Downton San Diego, it is in the nearby and beautiful La Jolla area instead. It has four bedrooms and one bathroom and is in walking distance to the La Jolla Cove. You’ll love having your own space here with the living room, kitchenette, full bathroom, and large patio/deck. The host provides beach towels and chairs and a cooler for guests to use.

Hotel del Coronado Hotel Del Coronado
Credit: Hotel Del Coronado by hoteldel.com

Hotel del Coronado

The Hotel del Coronado offers a little something for everyone and has lots of seaside charm to enjoy for your staycation. It is just minutes from Downtown San Diego and a great place to be for golf, pools, yoga on the beach, and seaside dining experiences. Pets are not only welcome at his hotel but are greeted with a welcome amenity and easy access to a dog beach that’s less than a mile from the resort. From private bonfires with s’mores to feeling rejuvenated after a treatment at the onsite salon, the Hotel del Coronado is a great place to be for a few days or longer.

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