10 Best San Diego Beachfront Hotels Range From Luxury To Budget

The beach is a both a huge draw for tourists and a big reason why people choose to live in San Diego. It doesn't matter if it's December or July—good weather enables year- round surfing lessons, suntanning and sand castle building. If the beach is going to be the focus of your San Diego vacation, why not fall asleep with ocean breezes? Beachfront hotels can be found all over the county and though you may understandably pay a bit more for the privilege, you won't in a handful of places.

Voted one of America's Top 10 Beaches by the Travel Channel, Coronado Central Beach is right in front of the historic Hotel Del Coronado. Forget your beach gear? This luxury resort, popular with celebrities, politicians and residents, has umbrellas, chairs, boogie boards, surfboards, and volleyballs available for rent as well as a shopping arcade to pick up bathing suits, sunscreen and other necessities. Up the coast in Del Mar, L'Auberge Del Mar offers a private footpath to the beach and a prime location near Del Mar's finest restaurants and shopping. Though not directly on the beach, it's just right across the street from one of the most popular, family-friendly beaches in North County.

Also, on our list of 10 best budget hotels, the Ocean Beach Hotel provides guests with a beachfront experience without breaking the back. It's located in the funky beach neighborhood of Ocean Beach. Walk out on the pier, nosh on burgers or fish tacos, and have a casual beach vacation.

If you're coming to San Diego or a resident looking to staycation, relax at one of the 10 best beachfront hotels.

10 Ocean Beach Hotel San Diego As a boutique hotel literally a few steps away from the beach, the Ocean Beach Hotel does not disappoint. As the name suggests, the hotel is in the neighborhood of Ocean Beach, a funky beach town north of Point Loma and south of Mission Bay. You'll be able to walk to great casual dining, shops and the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier. Guests enjoy free parking and WiFi. Rooms include a refrigerator, microwave, blow dryer, iron and board and the hotel also has a nice courtyard. Visit the hotel website to see the rooftop camera live-stream footage of the beach! Ocean Beach is also one of the best places in San Diego to see a sunset.

9 Cape Rey Carlsbad, A Hilton Resort Recently re-branded, Cape Rey Carlsbad reflects a hip, SoCal lifestyle complete with a location right across from Carlsbad State Beach which is perfect for lounging in the sun, exercise, bird watching and kids. Though one can happily break from the beach and head to LEGOLAND down the street or shop for bargains at the nearby Carlsbad Premium Outlets. The rebranding will focus more on the guest experience in order to expose the tastes, places, products and personalities that make up the surrounding area. The restyled pool area includes private cabanas, adding to the property's new ambience of laid-back luxury. Employees are also now cheerful ambassadors of the area and hotel.

8 Loews Coronado Bay Resort Water, water, everywhere. Situated on a private 15-acre peninsula surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Coronado Bay, Loews Coronado Bay Resort is located minutes from downtown Coronado, a charming resort village, and a short drive to San Diego's world- famous attractions. A destination within a destination, Loews features everything you'd expect from a luxury resort and so much more, including a private 80-slip marina, a soothing spa, enchanting gondola cruises, four restaurants and lounges, basketball and tennis courts, three swimming pools and direct access to the Silver Strand State Beach. If traveling with Fido or Fluffy is in your vacation plans, know that Loews will get a "paws up" from your furry friends.

7 L'Auberge Del Mar Just a quick walk away from one of San Diego's nicest beaches and Del Mar's finest restaurants, the L'Auberge Del Mar is an excellent vacation choice. The resort is reminiscent of a private, coastal estate, offering 112 plush guest rooms and 8 hotel suites with village, garden or coastal views. Some of the luxury hotel amenities offered at L'Auberge include a gorgeous pool overlooking the Pacific, private cabanas, a landscaped footpath to the beach, a state-of-the-art fitness center equipment, two lighted championship tennis courts and a tennis pro for instruction. Kitchen 1540 is onsite and highly regarded for it's Modern American cuisine with Southern influences. Breathe in the sea air at Spa L'Auberge while indulging in massages, body treatments, facials, manicures and pedicures.

6 Catamaran Resort Hotel San Diego Catamaran Resort is a family-friendly, tropical-themed resort located on Mission Bay. The tranquil bay beach is just outside the door, but if you prefer a beach with ocean, walk a 100 yards. From garden view rooms to bay front suites, the 313 rooms have balconies or patios for guests to enjoy the outside. Resort activities include boat cruises, sailing, surfing, water skiing, biking, skating, and more. Kids will love the educational Kids Camp and the video game arcade, while parents unwind in the spa. Dine aboard the Bahia Belle, one of the resort's sternwheelers or at Oceana Coastal Kitchen's outdoor patio or crudo bar. Kids will love the resort parrots, too.

5 Paradise Point Resort & Spa Escape to a private 44-acre island tucked away on gentle Mission Bay yet only minutes from downtown San Diego. Find oodles of activities to choose from whether you're seeking fun and adventure, or rest and relaxation. Spend your day lounging by one of five pools, then roast s'mores with your toes in the sand at a beach bonfire at night. Tap into your adventurous side for some jet skiing, sailing or kayaking or unwind at The Spa while the kids explore the island via beach cruiser or learn to surf the Southern California waves. They even have a water taxi to SeaWorld that goes to the park's private back entrance.

4 Tower 23 Hotel San Diego A gem on the Pacific Beach boardwalk, Tower 23 brings chic to an otherwise casual neighborhood. The minimalist design lends focus to the ocean and beach. JRDN, the trendy hotel restaurant bordering the boardwalk, is popular with locals for not only the ambiance, but the food and specialty cocktails, as well. "Serenity" beds, step-in rain showers, in-room massages, high definition TV, 24-hour room service, and high-end fixtures round out the swanky room amenities. All 44 guest rooms have a private balcony or terrace. WiFi is everywhere, so in theory you can check it even from the beach (near the hotel).

3 La Jolla Shores Hotel La Jolla Shores hotel is right on the affluent neighborhood of La Jolla's most family- friendly beach. Grab a hotel beach chair, towel and umbrella and park yourself on the beach just steps away from your room. It's a popular launch point for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, surf lessons and early morning dog walks. Guests may sign up for beach activities via the front desk. The Shores Restaurant provides California cuisine room service and one of San Diego's best ocean view dining experiences. Newly remodeled beachfront and ocean view rooms, round out the 128 available for short or extended stays. Amenities include WiFi, balconies, eco-friendly bath amenities, in-room recycling, and more. The entire property is non-smoking. There is a small pool and fitness center.

2 La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club Normally a privilege reserved for members of the exclusive La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, the guest accommodations offer up a stay on one of Southern California's only private beaches, where a glass of wine in the sand is perfectly O.K. Guests enjoy all club amenities including tennis courts, a par-3 golf course, heated outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and full service beach catering. Should you want to cook up your own beachside s'mores or hot dogs, a barbecue will be at your service. The eco-friendly rooms provide modern conveniences such as a coffee maker, WiFi, flat-screen TV, safe, air conditioning and more. Not to mention the Marine Room, one of San Diego's best restaurants, is on the property.

1 Hotel Del Coronado The iconic red roof has become one of San Diego's most recognizable symbols. The beachfront Hotel del Coronado is filled with over 120 years of history with guests including 11 Presidents, royalty and countless movie stars. Coronado Island is actually a peninsula connected to Downtown San Diego by the famous Coronado Bridge. Attractions in Balboa Park and conveniences of downtown are also just minutes away. This luxurious National Historic Landmark has unveiled several major enhancements including more ocean view dining, a state-of-the art fitness center with classes held on the beach, as well as a facility just for kids and teens. Beach Village is a new 78 room enclave that offers kitchens, private terraces, and larger living spaces. There is now a Miami-style Del Beach with drink service and equipment rentals.

About Katie Dillon

Katie Dillon originally moved to the seaside community of La Jolla to attend UC San Diego. When the opportunity presented itself, she and her husband set off for a 7 year stint overseas as expats in London and Hong Kong. After traveling the world, they returned to the La Jolla sunshine, with a young daughter in tow. Katie now writes a lifestyle site called La Jolla Mom and is the author of a book called, “Flying With Kids.” Her work can be seen on NBC San Diego, Red Tricycle, Yahoo! Shine and Have Family Will Travel, a Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts blog.