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

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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
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Hillcrest

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

Hillcrest
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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
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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
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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
The price is NZ$272 per night from 16 Aug to 17 Aug
NZ$272
16 Aug - 17 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! (1,901 reviews)
"The best part of this place was the fabulous pool. The staff was helpful and pleasant. The room was adequate, but it could use a facelift. Wall paper was warped towards the floor and our sliding door was stuck. Air conditioning worked very well, and the beds were comfortable. I will stay here again. ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 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 NZ$306 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
NZ$306
24 Aug - 25 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! (1,862 reviews)
"It's kind of old but clean .. Check-in is at 4 p.m. and I arrived two hours early..mostly other hotels let you check-in early if rooms are available but on this one I was asked that if I want to ckeck-in early I had to pay the difference....."

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 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 NZ$274 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
NZ$274
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 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,144 reviews)
"It was a cozy and atmospheric hotel."

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (202 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 Jul. 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 Jul. 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 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 top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Hotel Circle
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
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
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$125
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
96% 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
86% of travellers recommend
San Diego Explorer Pass: Save up to 50 Percent - Includes USS Midway
San Diego Whale Watching Tour

San Diego Whale Watching Tour

NZ$118
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
San Diego Whale Watching Tour
Crossing Borders: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego

Crossing Borders: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego

NZ$155
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Crossing Borders: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego
See all activities in Central San Diego

Cities near Central San Diego

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