Much like the rest of the world, San Diego lights up during the holidays. Unlike the rest of the world however, San Diego’s transformation is unique unto itself, with beachy and bright ice-rinks, sunny days mid-December, and sandals with scarves trending among us locals.
No wonder San Diego is a top travel destination for the holidays. Who wouldn’t want to leap feet first into our shorelines when Christmas to New Years sees more swimsuits than any other city? Here, sunburned Santas are embraced, and kids and adults alike can find an ideal destination to vacation.
There’s not much time to spare in holiday vacation planning. From some of our towering downtown hotels to boutique-y beach-side inns, visitors can expect great festivity along with great specials and packages. It’s the season to give, so naturally the top San Diego resorts have decided to grant guests deals worth voyaging to.
Discover the best deals for holiday hotels in San Diego.
Porto Vista Hotel in Little Italy
Our little taste of Italy in San Diego welcomes visitors to stay in a Euro-village of our own. This Thanksgiving at Porto Vista Hotel nestled in Little Italy, accommodations are available for 30% off on Deluxe Rooms with $30 food and beverage or salon credit per night. With promo code Black Friday, guests can ensure a reservation in a quaint space while saving pennies. If you’re planning on staying in San Diego through New Year’s Eve, Porto Vista is offering some more celebratory deals. Through the Stay and Play Package, guests will receive two tickets to the Rooftop Ball and two nights of deluxe accommodations, as well as access to some of top-notch accommodations. Signature Porto Vista amenities include plush bedding ensembles with cotton rich 280 thread count sheets, electronic in-room safes, ergonomic leather chair desks, voicemail and auto-wake-up phone systems, satellite TV, and soft terry bath linens. To book, please call 866.718.9821 or visit the Porto Vista Hotel.
The W Hotel in Downtown
Looking for a trendy spot to kick back and immerse yourself in downtown San Diego lifestyle? Look no further than the W Hotel, located in the midst of our vibrant nightlife, Little Italy, and just a short drive to beaches and the San Diego Zoo. The W San Diego urges their guests to have a hassle-free holiday complete with all that you need to feel at home during your stay. Holidays at the W include rates starting at $149 per night, complimentary hotel parking, two holiday cocktails, a haute holiday ornament, and a late 2pm check out. Guests looking for a true swanky San Diego experience can book online with the HOLIDPKD promo code, valid through December 30th. To book your holiday stay in style, please call 877.782.0104 or visit the W Hotel San Diego.
Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado
Calling all figure skaters and masters of the triple-axel. Hotel Del boasts arguably one of the best ski rinks by the sea. The icy grounds on the water’s edge adds a boost to the long-standing tradition of holiday-fun at Hotel Del. The Sea & Skate package embraces the magic of the season by including hotel accommodations and one free ice-skating session for up to 2 adults and 2 kids, starting at just $225 per night on the weekdays. With the Holiday Escape package, guests can enjoy hotel accommodations, one free ice-skating session for two kids and two adults, and private s’mores on the beach. This year’s theme is “Silver Bells” and will transform the resort into a lit-up paradise with thousands of sparkling white lights. The historic Hotel Del Coronado brings vintage glam into the millennium - without leaving the beach. To book one of these special promotional packages, please call 619.435.6611 or visit Hotel Del Coronado.
The Grand Del Mar in Del Mar
To accommodate top-notch travelers, North County offers the premier resort destination of The Grand Del Mar. Most recently, Grand Del Mar has been awarded the prestigious Forbes Five-Star Hotel honor. As the first hotel in San Diego to receive such high marks, The Grand Del Mar is now a Five Star property and the only one in California to earn three 2012 Five-Star awards for Lodging, Spa and Dining. It’s the kind of vacation destination that doesn’t hold back in spoiling their guests. Each of the 249 guestrooms offer golf course or nature preserve views as well as the creature comforts of an exceptionally well-appointed home. The Grand Del Mar also features 31 spacious suites, including a pair of 2,840-square-foot presidential suites. The holidays are packed with specials at The Grand Del Mar, such as in the Holiday Grandeur Package, available from Nov. 22nd-Dec. 31st. This deal includes overnight accommodations for two and $50 resort credit per stay. The Grand Finale Package, available on Dec. 31st, includes one-night accommodations for two, sparkling wine and savory snacks, a New Year’s Eve seven-course dinner with wine pairings, access to The Grand New Year’s Eve Party, breakfast in bed for two and complimentary overnight valet parking. To book your package, please call 858.314.2000 or visit The Grand Del Mar.
US Grant Hotel in Downtown
Downtown class and San Diego accessibility make this staple hotel a ritzed-up part of our community. The US Grant offers a relaxing stay with 270 rooms and 47 suites laced with 300 count linens, marble bathroom flooring, stone basin sinks, and LCD TVS. This year, The US Grant will host a Thanksgiving Buffet, full of champagne and spiced apple cider, along with live jazz in the Grand Lobby from 12-4pm on Thursday, Nov. 24th. With their 11.11.11 package deal, book your stay by Nov. 21st and receive rates from $190 per night, including a Deluxe Room Upgrade for $11 per night. The promotional offer is valid all the way through January 31, 2012. To book your holiday package, please call 866.716.8136 or visit the US Grant.
Palomar San Diego in Downtown
What’s been known in the past as the Se Hotel, Palomar San Diego has now taken over, inviting visitors to experience the updated hospitality in downtown. Palomar differs from the rest because of its art-filled rooms, and is surrounded by award-winning theaters and nightlife. This season, Palomar San Diego is raising a glass with their Special Holiday Package designed to spread cheer and save money. For an extra dollar, guests to this luxurious space can enjoy deluxe room accommodations, two complimentary cocktails of your choice per night, complimentary hot cocoa in the morning, hosted hot toddies, insider tips from retail therapists and 20% off all in-room spa treatments. The offer is valid from Nov. 15th-Dec. 30th. To book your vacation package, please call 866.604.8229 or visit Palomar San Diego.
Rancho Bernardo Inn in Rancho Bernardo
Rancho Bernardo Inn, the luxurious and spacious grounds in East County, offers a picturesque area to spend the holidays in. Between the luscious spa and the elegant restaurant, it’s a top hospitality choice for the holidays in San Diego. In time for the season, Rancho Bernardo Inn invites the whole family to enjoy December Days & Nights. The package includes a one-night stay with s’mores for the kids, along with breakfast and activities for two adults and two kids. Don’t forget about the photos with Santa, storytelling, gingerbread cookie decorating, caroling, hot cocoa, a life sized gingerbread house and the all new synchronized musical light show all showcased at the Inn. Allow for the treats a la carte to cruise through, including a popcorn cart, sweet treats and special refreshments for grown-ups. To book your holiday getaway, please call 866.928.3859 or visit Rancho Bernardo Inn.
Hard Rock Hotel in Downtown
Famed by its name and its long legacy of housing guests in rock-star inspired accommodations, the Hard Rock Hotel is a perfect plunge into San Diego’s high-energy nightlife scene. And they want everyone to be a part of it this year. The Hard Rock Hotel is offering major savings with their Black Friday promotion, offering rates as low as $99 a night from Nov. 25th-Feb. 29th. A special Twitter promotion through @HardRockSD will reveal a secret code for 50% off rates on Nov. 25th, cutting travel costs in half. In addition, the first ten people to visit the property’s web site and enter the promotion code will have an option to book a $25 package that includes a one-night stay in a studio room, plus a $50 hotel credit. New Year's Eve at the Hard Rock Hotel will also offer celebratory rates. The New Year's Eve bash is set to include plenty of DJs, champagne and all of us festive party goers. Cozying up in one of the guest rooms will provide VIP access for two, starting at just $499. To book your holiday package, call 866.359.3519 or visit Hard Rock Hotel.
Omni Hotel in Downtown
Omni Hotel is prized for its convenient placement next to the Convention Center, but is also prime for anyone who’s not necessarily in town for a conference. The luxurious and contemporary style of the Omni invites visitors from afar to stay this season, exclaiming “Say no to the snow!” in promoting our sunshiny city of San Diego. They’re asking guests to put away their winter coats and enjoy the 2011 Package. It includes overnight deluxe accommodations for two, peppermint margaritas for two at McCormick & Schmick’s, a bottle of sunscreen at check-in, complimentary parking, a 10% off Macy’s gift card for last-minute shopping and a guide to the hottest holiday happenings in San Diego. The package is available from Nov. 20th-Jan. 5th, and starts at just $139 per room, per night. To book your holiday package, call 619.231.6664 or visit Omni Hotel San Diego.
Andaz San Diego Hotel in Downtown
The Andaz Hotel never fails in encompassing the essence of San Diego’s thriving entertainment scene. Packed with energy, youthful spirit, and a sense of culture off the street, Andaz San Diego is a hub of all things thrilling. For the wintertime, Andaz is offering a Gaslamp Wonderland package, available Nov. 11th-Dec. 30th. At just $199, the combo includes one guestroom featuring sleek contemporary designs and modern furnishings, complimentary valet parking each night, a $50 Nordstrom gift card for all the holiday shopping you can handle, and an adult hot chocolate. To book your winter wonderland stay, call 866.907.0704 or visit Andaz San Diego Hotel.
La Costa Resort and Spa in La Costa
La Costa’s charming grounds make for a carefree destination spot that takes on California coastal lifestyle and puts a little luxury in it. The guest rooms and suites are stocked with high-tech amenities that allow guests to play, relax and rejuvenate while away. While staying at La Costa Resort and Spa, enjoy holiday inspired activities and amenities in the Holiday Experience Package. The package includes hotel accommodations, $25 credit valid towards spa or golf, breakfast for two adults, $20 for every $100 spent in La Costa’s retail outlets, hot cocoa or Starbuck’s holiday coffee for two and more. It’s a La Costa deal that showcases all the things we love about the holidays: sweets, warm eats, and quality time with loved ones. To book your package, call 760.438.9111 or visit La Costa Resort and Spa.
La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla
For a historic holiday by the sea, families are encouraged to visit La Valencia Hotel, a part of the La Jolla community since 1926. The European-themed rooms and suites overlooking the Village, along with the tropical gardens and blue ocean horizons, make this a destination point with plenty of extravagance. The La Valencia Holiday Party Package celebrates the season with complimentary valet parking, a champagne toast for all guests, and room specials at $195 per night. The hotel is up for a $10 million renovation, but in the meantime is offering guests a Return to Paradise Package. When you book your stay with the Return to Paradise Package, your trip will be embellished with a daily $75 resort credit, complimentary valet parking and choice of room accommodations. A Partial Ocean View Room at the hotel ranges from $285-$355 per night, while a Full Ocean Facing Room is $385-$455 per night. The Deluxe Full Ocean Facing Rooms range from $465-$535 per night. The packages are available Sunday through Thursday, now through December 22nd. To book your package, call 866.418.2147 or visit La Valencia Hotel.
Discover more of the best San Diego hotels and follow our San Diego holiday guide
