Nestled between the upscale neighborhood of La Jolla and more casual Mission Beach is Pacific Beach, a neighborhood of contradictions. It is budget-friendly and upscale; action-packed and laid-back; perfect for families, made for young adults, and ideal for business professionals. Essentially it’s a little bit of everything where diverse groups happily coexist. Visitors can enjoy casual shopping and dining along Garnet Avenue or Mission Boulevard, take a leisurely stroll down the boardwalk, sit on the beach and watch the sunset, and hit the lively bar scene at night. In PB you can create any beach vacation you desire; the possibilities are endless.
The Pacific Beach San Diego Hotels
The hotels featured in Pacific Beach are akin to the neighborhood itself, offering equal parts luxury and great value. There are great value franchise hotels such as La Quinta Inn & Suites, which offer amenities like free breakfasts, pools, and great views. There are cool little gems like the Beach Haven Inn – a surfer’s dream with cottage-style rooms, simple amenities, and a prime location within a half-block of the beach. Luxury hotels like Tower 23 is perfect for business and savvy leisure travelers, while the Pacific Terrace Hotel caters to both adult travelers and families looking for an upscale experience.
Who Should Stay in Pacific Beach, San Diego
Young adults who are visiting Pacific Beach for exceptional surf, should visit the popular Tourmaline Surf Beach in North PB. It’s a surfing only beach, making it a prime location for ripping it up on the waves without worrying about endangering swimmers. Notable surf competitions are held here throughout the year, including some sponsored by Revolt Magazine. The Taste of PB, the Brazilian Block Party, and PB Block Party are a few of the festivals that cater to twenty-somethings in the neighborhood. Beach Haven Inn, PB Surf Beachside Inn, and other budget-friendly hotels offer accommodations that are close to the beach.
The most popular section of Pacific Beach is along Garnet Avenue at its epicenter. This area includes the majority of the restaurants, shops, bars, cafés, and coffee shops in the neighborhood. Here, young adults, business professionals, and tourists mingle to enjoy the nightlife. Beachfront luxury accommodations like Tower 23 and Pacific Terrace are within walking distance of the action, which makes this neighborhood a good alternative to Downtown for the upscale traveler who prefers the beach to the bay, but doesn’t want to sacrifice the luxuries high-end hotels provide.
The iconic Crystal Pier is located at the end of Garnet, which is the head of the three-mile boardwalk that leads into Mission Beach. This is also where you’ll find Crystal Pier Hotel with quaint family-friendly bungalows that run along both sides of the pier. Guests can play at the beach all day and literally sleep over the ocean at night. This is and other neighborhood hotels that cater to families offer fun in the sun, whether the budget is large or small.