Central San Diego Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

Where to stay in Central San Diego

Default Image

Mission Valley

4/5(29 area reviews)

Known for its stunning beaches and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Mission Valley. Check out top attractions like Fashion Valley Mall and Snapdragon Stadium, and jump on the metro at Hazard Center Station or Mission Valley Center Station to see more of the city.

Mission Valley
Old Town San Diego State Park which includes signage

Old Town San Diego

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

The abundant dining options and 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
Default Image

Hillcrest

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

Hillcrest
Default Image

North Park

North Park is well liked for its restaurants, and you can visit sights like San Diego Zoo and San Diego Natural History Museum if you have time to explore the area.

North Park
Default Image

Clairemont

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Clairemont is well liked for many features, particularly its restaurants, beaches and shopping. Though there may not be top sights in Clairemont, consider stopping by Mission Bay or Fashion Valley Mall, located nearby.

Clairemont
Default Image

Miramar

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
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! (1,954 reviews)
"We love this hotel and stay here often. The pool and hot tub are great and there are fire pits for night time hangs by the pool. There’s a great lil bar and restaurant there. Staff is always warm and friendly. Next door to golf course, restaurants, shopping, etc"

Reviewed on 14 Aug. 2025

Get rates
Handlery Hotel
San Diego Marriott La Jolla

San Diego Marriott La Jolla

4 out of 5
4240 La Jolla Village Dr, La Jolla, CA
The price is NZ$381 per night from 5 Sept to 6 Sept
NZ$381
5 Sept - 6 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in La Jolla. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,986 reviews)
"Nice place"

Reviewed on 16 Aug. 2025

San Diego Marriott La Jolla
Hilton San Diego Mission Valley

Hilton San Diego Mission Valley

4 out of 5
901 Camino Del Rio S, San Diego, CA
The price is NZ$243 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
NZ$243
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,904 reviews)
"Cleanliness could have been better but staff was great"

Reviewed on 16 Aug. 2025

Hilton San Diego Mission Valley
See all 1,500 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! (211 reviews)
"Room was clean and bed was comfortable. There was a tiny closet, but no hangers to hang your clothes. We had a large table/counter which I appreciated. The room had a view to the freeway. we had to play with the AC to get the temperature just right and the fan from the AC muffled the noise from the ..."

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2025

Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel
City24 Hotel Little Italy Mission Hills

City24 Hotel Little Italy Mission Hills

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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (85 reviews)
Fabulous!
"What a fabulous place! WOW! We discovered it after going to a place I thought I had reserved and then found out I mistakenly cancelled the reservation! Wow, are we glad that happened! This is one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in at the price point that is asked. Great location (close to ..."

Reviewed on 15 Aug. 2025

City24 Hotel Little Italy Mission Hills
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 which includes a pond, zoo animals and landscape views

San Diego Zoo

4.5/5(26 reviews)

Admire the animal kingdom in all its fascinating glory at one of America’s largest zoos.

San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park

Balboa Park

4.5/5(20 reviews)

Discover endless entertainment possibilities in San Diego’s world-famous urban park.

Balboa Park
Hotel Circle

Hotel Circle

3.5/5(6 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? Visit the shops and charming cafes in this family-friendly area.

Hotel Circle
Fashion Valley Mall

Fashion Valley Mall

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Fashion Valley Mall during your trip to San Diego. Take in the fascinating museums and beautiful sunsets in this walkable area.

Fashion Valley Mall
Snapdragon Stadium

Snapdragon Stadium

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
Westfield UTC

Westfield UTC

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

Westfield UTC

Activities

Beachside Moped Rentals

Beachside Moped Rentals

NZ$248
per adult
Beachside Moped Rentals
LEGOLAND® California Resort

LEGOLAND® California Resort

NZ$132
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
LEGOLAND® California Resort
San Diego City Lights Night Tour

San Diego City Lights Night Tour

NZ$77
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
San Diego City Lights Night Tour
San Diego Explorer Pass: Save up to 50 Percent - Includes USS Midway

San Diego Explorer Pass: Save up to 50 Percent - Includes USS Midway

NZ$207
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
San Diego Explorer Pass: Save up to 50 Percent - Includes USS Midway
Great Scenery

San Diego Sunset Cruise from Mission Bay

NZ$67
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
San Diego Sunset Cruise from Mission Bay
San Diego Whale Watching Tour

San Diego Whale Watching Tour

NZ$119
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
San Diego Whale Watching Tour
See all activities in Central San Diego

Cities near Central San Diego

San Diego

San Diego

Photo by trenton.badillo

Poway

Photo by Michele Butts

La Mesa

Photo by Sabrina Hendrikx

Lemon Grove