San Diego has always been a city that shines — with its perennial sunny skies, ocean breezes and laid-back coastal spirit. Now San Diego is shining brighter for another reason: its commitment to sustainability. Across the region, San Diego hotels and resorts are reimagining what hospitality looks like when it cares for both guests and the planet.
Whether you’re a beach-lover seeking an eco-chic resort, an urban explorer after a LEED-certified stay downtown, or a wellness traveler chasing both comfort and conscience, San Diego makes it easy to rest guilt-free — and wake up inspired.
Mission Bay & the Waterfront
Mission Bay Resort
Few places capture the beauty of responsible coastal living like San Diego Mission Bay Resort. This waterfront retreat doesn’t just overlook the sparkling bay — it actively protects it. The resort has eliminated paper menus, offers biodegradable sunscreen, and supports local beach cleanups in partnership with community groups. Guests can rent bikes or paddleboards right from the property and explore the shoreline gently, without ever starting a car.
Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Just across the bay on the other side of Fiesta Island, Paradise Point Resort & Spa offers its own slice of island paradise. Spread across 44 lush acres, the resort features native landscaping, energy-efficient systems, and on-site conservation efforts. And it's mere steps from lush gardens and rooms to the water. The resort is an immersive experience in balance: hammocks between palms, quiet lagoons filled with wildlife, and staff who take pride in protecting the land that draws visitors here.
Shelter Island & San Diego Bay
Kona Kai Resort & Spa
Over on Shelter Island, Kona Kai Resort & Spa blends Polynesian style with a modern eco-ethos. As a Green Key-certified property, Kona Kai uses water-saving technologies, composts organic waste, and eliminates single-use plastics. Guests can borrow bikes, relax in the outdoor saltwater pool, and dine on locally sourced seafood while watching the harbor shimmer at sunset.
Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Many San Diego bayfront hotels have also joined Clean the Bay initiatives, leading or sponsoring shoreline cleanups that protect the delicate marine ecosystems visitors come to enjoy. Across San Diego Bay and just south of the convention center, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront was a pioneer in hotel-based environmental action by implementing a food waste composting program for its guests and staff starting back in 2010.
La Jolla & North County Coastal
Grande Colonial
A little farther north, sustainability meets sophistication. The Grande Colonial in La Jolla, a historic property dating to 1913, combines Old World charm with modern environmental practices. The hotel’s recycling and energy-reduction programs are paired with locally sourced menus from its restaurant, Nine-Ten — a Michelin-recommended spot celebrating California coastal cuisine.
Fairmont Grand del Mar
To the north near Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar luxury resort also offers a sustainable stay. The resort’s golf course uses reclaimed water in its irrigation system and specialized sensors and systems that reduce water usage both on the grounds and in guest rooms. All green waste is recycled on the property, and the resort’s agronomy team adjusts groundskeeping work to protect native bird and other species that live around the property. There is even a special bottle crusher that turns glass bottles into sand to replenish the bunkers on the championship golf course.
Explore La Jolla & North County Coastal
Mission Valley
At the crossroads of convenience and sustainability sits Mission Valley, one of San Diego’s most accessible and rapidly evolving districts. Known for its central location and easy access to public transit as well as downtown and major attractions like the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego, the neighborhood is home to hotels that are embracing energy efficiency and eco-conscious operations.
Town and Country Resort
The Town and Country Resort leads the way with a vibrant, retro-modern makeover that combines fun and function. The property has integrated sustainable practices throughout its operations — from water-wise landscaping and LED lighting to on-site recycling programs and partnerships with local suppliers. The resort’s 5-acre, parklike grounds encourage walking and gathering outdoors, while its dining venues highlight Southern California flavors with locally sourced ingredients.
Nearby, the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley and Hilton San Diego Mission Valley are taking similar steps, focusing on reduced water consumption, smart climate control systems, and community sustainability partnerships. Travelers staying here enjoy proximity to Old Town, Balboa Park, and the beaches — all just a short trolley or bike ride away.
Mission Valley’s central location makes it a natural choice for visitors who want an eco-friendly base that’s close to everything, without the need for constant driving.