You Should Pick These Three Family Friendly San Diego Hotels to Stay on Points
Sunny days, cloudless nights, and beautiful beaches along the coast, what's not to love about San Diego. But with over 500 hotels in San Diego, how do you decide where to stay? You ask someone who, like me, your good friend, Debbie, who has lived here a LONG time. So when a reader asked which San Diego hotels to stay on points, here's what I told him.
San Diego Hotels to Stay on Points
Here's reader Jung's question:
Hi Deb,
Do you mind reviewing a list of hotels in San Diego that I am considering for next summer? I have it on Excel.
Jung and his family (wife and two sons: college sophomore and 4th grader) are ditching the humidity on the East Coast and visiting San Diego for a little summer fun in the sun.
Thanks to 77,000 CitiThankYou Points they are flying from Baltimore to Los Angeles for free. Jung and his family will spend a few days in Los Angeles before enjoying 7 days in San Diego.
Read: How to fly free for two years
Jung is looking for a hotel with:
- Free breakfast
- Cheap parking
- Great views
- Nice touristy area
- A kitchen (nice but not required)
Because Jung is using hotel points price is not an issue.
Read:
- What you need to know before you redeem points for hotel stays
- How to get free breakfast at hotels
- How to get free internet at hotels
Jung has Hilton Gold elite status so he'd get free breakfast, free wi-fi, late check-out and the 5th night free when using hotel points to stay at Hilton hotels. Probably not a coincidence that 4 of the 14 hotels on his Excel spreadsheet are Hilton hotels. 🙂
He used my Pro-tip about how to save on activities while traveling everywhere you travel including getting offers for San Diego.
Read:
- Tricks to save money on vacation: Activities
- Tricks to saving money on vacation: Meals
- Tricks to save money on vacation: rental cars
Three Family Friendly San Diego Hotels to Stay on Points
These are not the only San Diego hotels to stay on points. Nor are they the only family friendly San Diego hotels.
I picked these three hotels based on:
- Hotels listed in Jung's spreadsheet
- Travel dates
- Location
- Parking
- What Jung was looking for (breakfast, views, cheap parking, etc.)
Jung is visiting during the San Diego County Fair. And when the San Diego Padres are playing at Petco Park. So he should avoid hotels North of Freeway 52 and in North County.
Strictly because of traffic on Highway 5. Traffic is bad during rush hour but when the Fair is in town, it's a nightmare.
And you don't want to waste time on your vacation sitting in traffic. Especially with two hungry boys in tow.
1. Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina
Photo courtesy: Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina
The Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina wasn't on Jung's list. But I added it because it has great views, cheap parking, and free breakfast.
Jung gets free access to the Sheraton Club with the Amex Starwood Business Card.
So he'll get:
- Free breakfast
- Snacks and drinks (bottled water, soda, coffee, and tea) all day
- Hors d'ouvres in the evening
Pro-tip: Don't park at the hotel. Park across the street and pay only $10 per day.
Read: How to get free access to Sheraton Club Lounges
Read: TripAdvisor reviews on the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina
2. Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Jung wouldn't get free breakfast and parking is $46 a day at the Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. But it's all about location, location, location.
Jung's college-aged son might want to enjoy a night or two away from the family to visit one of the many bars in the Gaslamp. The Westin is within walking distance of many bars and restaurants.
Pro-tip: Don't park at the hotel. Park at Park-it-on-Market for $15 a day.
Read: Best bars in the San Diego Gaslamp District
Read: Reviews of the Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter on TripAdvisor
3. Springhill Suites San Diego Mission Valley
The Springhill Suites San Diego Mission Valley was the first hotel on Jung's spreadsheet.
And it's a good pick because:
- The hotel is new
- Rooms are suites
- You get free breakfast
- Parking is only $19 a day
- Easy to get to the freeway
Pro-tip: Trolley station is a short walk from the hotel. Consider using public transportation and Zipcar.
Read: TripAdvisor reviews of Springhill Suites San Diego Mission Valley
Conclusion
There are so many San Diego hotels to stay on points, especially in the downtown area like the Andaz San Diego.
But Jung should consider staying at the:
- Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina (free lounge access = free food and drinks) with the Amex Starwood Business card
- Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter (walking distance to the best bars)
- Springhill Suites Marriott San Diego (new hotel, suites, and free breakfast)
Plus he'll avoid sitting in rush hour traffic after spending the day at the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Sea World, or any of the other San Diego attractions.
Want a referral for the 30,000 point Amex Starwood Business card? Leave a comment below and I'll send you the link.
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This is so great! I use points whenever possible when I travel, and I love visiting San Diego. I'm bookmarking this.
Thank you so much for sharing this. It couldn't have come at a better time. We've been talking about taking a family vacation to San Diego, and anytime I can use my precious points instead of paying out more cash, I'm all about it. Thanks!
The Sheraton looks like a desirous place. I love a hotel with a great view. All of these places to stay sound so awesome. I hope to get to San Diego someday to see it with my own eyes.
Oh wow this is packed full of information! The next time that I go out that way I will definitely be checking out these hotels because I really would like basically everything you mentioned here.
This will come in handy when I finally take that vacation to San Diego! I've always wanted to visit there.
What a great list of hotels! I would love to go to San Diego one day. It is on my bucket list.
Those hotels are beautiful. I've always wanted to visit San Diego.
The Sheraton looks like the perfect place to stay when we visit my father in law next year. His house is too small for our family and we are usually pretty cramped for space. I think a hotel stay is definitely in order. Thanks for the heads up!
This is a great list of places to stay. I have never been to San Diego, these hotels look great though, maybe one day I will plan a trip. It would be hard to pick which place to reserve! lol
One of the great place that our family want to visit this coming Holiday.I love the view looks so peaceful and the hotels are so beautiful!
This is awesome information and something I am going to have to check out. I will have to share this with my sister too who travels more than I do. I would love to vacation in San Diego next summer. Thanks for sharing the information.
I have heard that California is truly beautiful, and I hope to see it for myself one day! San Diego sounds like it has a TON of things to do.
Thanks Deb for your insightful, well-thought out comments on your hotels of choice. I am particularly thankful for receiving such great information from a local yokel 😉
These sound like excellent places to stay while in San Diego. I've never been to San Diego, but I'd love to visit. When we're on vacation, we always look for a hotel that is comfortable and that offers plenty of amenities. Sounds like these hotels fit the bill nicely.
I would love to just visit San Diego sometime. I've never been there. These hotels all sound amazing and look great!
This is a super post! I'm never that organized to create a spreadsheet when I'm planning a trip. But I can see where it would certainly be advantageous to do so. I'm still in shock that a hotel would charge $46 USD for nightly parking to a guest! That is crazy, and would certainly affect the traveler's decision as to whether to stay there or not.
This article is very helpful, thanks! I haven't made it to San Diego yet, but I would love to travel there someday. Honestly, I've not delved much into traveling with points, but I definitely need to!
I would have a tough time choosing which hotel to stay at. They all look awesome. I haven't been to the West Coast yet.
Thanks for sharing this. I will note this great list of hotels in San diego. Sounds amazing place to visit.
Fabulous hotel suggestions!!!! I've stayed at the Westin before. Next time I'm in San Diego I will have to try the other two!!!
oh my this is such good info a lot of cool perks...
I have never been to San Diego before but it looks like a lovely place. So much warmer than frigid Chicago right now...time for me to book a trip!
They are all lovely hotels, but I think I would first check out the Sheraton. I love the relaxing space with a view. Free breakfast with kids is always a plus too - especially if you just want to stay at the hotel and not go anywhere.
This post came at the perfect time!! My husband and I are planning a getaway this winter break and we are debating between San Francisco and San Diego! Thanks for the tips!
I've actually stayed at that Sheraton at the marina and it's fabulous!! I love all of these cool ways to make a trip more affordable with all of the various points systems out there. Thanks so much for all of the great tips...they make travel so much more fun when it doesn't break the bank.
Thanks so much for doing the research for us. You really know a lot about San Diego. I'll definitely have to come and visit one day. Great picks!
Never been to San Diego, but we have family friends there. So hopefully, we will get to visit them someday and stay in one of these nice hotels.
I love the way you have segregated the pros and cons and the benefits of each one. Will really help one make a pick
I've had many Navy friends that spend time there say that it's quite possibly the most perfect place on Earth. I will get there soon to check it out.
These hotels sound great! I want to visit San Diego so much. There is so much to there, and now I know there is family friendly hotels.
I stayed at the Sheraton in San Diego for my sisters wedding and it was fabulous! The service was amazing and the staff was so friendly!
I would LOVE to go to San Diego some day! I heard it's beautiful there all the time! I'll have to put it on my bucket list and visit one of the hotels soon : )
I'm heading to SoCal in the spring! I'll have to check some of these hotels out. They sound wonderful, and gorgeous pictures!
Traveling to stay on points just makes good sense. I've never been to San Diego before but now I know where to stay when I do.
Other than the Sheraton on the waterfront, they look a little sterile for my tastes!
I'm always interested in reading about these point deals from over in the US, as it really isn't anything that gets offered here over in Australia.
We have family there and I'd love to go. The zoo would be so fun to see and staying in a place like this would just make it the best trip ever.
Your post is informative! I visited CA in January but just around LA, haven't been to SD. I'll definitely read your post again once I plan to drop by SD!:)
All these hotels looks so exotic and perfect to stay. The hospitality and ambience would be great. And specially the sheraton looks like a desirous place. I've always wanted to visit San Diego.
This is so great! I use points whenever possible when I travel, and I love San Diego so much!
The Sheraton in San Diego is fantastic! The staff is so friendly and really made us feel welcomed. We have never stayed using points though. That's interesting.
I love San Diego, and I hope to get back again soon. This is a huge help for helping me make a great choice for my family.
Sheraton looks like a dream. I love accommodations that are located at a beachfront. Always a good idea!
That outdoor lounge space at the Sheraton looks unbelievable!! Not surprised at all that you picked it as one of your three haha. I've heard so many great things about San Diego. Would love to visit sometime soon!
This would be a perfect list of hotels, me and my hubby would love hotel hoping every year, I will share this with him.
Sheraton definitely...and from the looks of it, it seems to be a popular choice on your page. Some pretty practical tips that you have shared as well. No plans to head to San Diego right now but when I do, S for sheraton and S for San Diego is how I am going to remember your suggestion 🙂
You are making SoCal look too good right now!!! Haha it's freezing here, I need to get back to SoCal ASAP! I love San Diego, it's so gorgeous! I'm trying to plan a trip there for spring break, so this is super helpful! Thanks for sharing this!! 🙂