Welcoming Visitors From All Walks of Life

Hillcrest is the vanguard of LGBTQ+ inclusiveness in San Diego. It’s a community brimming with gay nightlife, queer-owned and friendly businesses, and it is the center of Pride celebrations. To stay close to the action, a hotel in or within easy access to Hillcrest is ideal. Lucky, its proximity to downtown, and the many inclusive surrounding neighborhoods, make a worry-free stay a guarantee. If you’re fine being a little out of the fray, welcoming places across San Diego are there to suit your needs.

Many of these welcoming places to stay also have wonderful spaces to say "I do." If your time in San Diego includes a trip down the aisle, discover helpful resources for holding a Rainbow Wedding in San Diego.

The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows

The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows gives retro Palm Springs vibes in the middle of buzzy urban neighborhood North Park. The iconic oasis features a long central pool, where Hollywood starlets once played, and lounging with a drink in hand is the norm. The lavish property offers four room styles and features an on-site American eatery, Hope 46. Pop downstairs to the Mississippi Ballroom to see the fabulous seashell stage, or relax in the light and airy conservatory. (Note: The Lafayette, now under new ownership, is closed until June 2023 for extensive renovations and updates, including eight new bars and restaurants.)

Hillcrest House Bed & Breakfast

Bright, cheerful, and charming, Hillcrest House Bed & Breakfast is your San Diego home-away-from-home. From the 1910 Craftsman-style house to the rooms designed after attributes of city neighborhoods, the look and feel is quintessential San Diego. Located within easy walking distance to all the attractions of Hillcrest, comfy furnishings, complimentary breakfast, and a cozy guest parlor make for a pleasantly memorable stay.

Porto Vista Hotel

The sleek and stylish Porto Vista Hotel resides in one of San Diego’s most pleasant neighborhoods, Little Italy. Authentic restaurants, cafés, and gelaterias line the streets, which are usually occupied by friendly people and adorable dogs.

Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

For those seeking something more "boutique" in San Diego's urban heart, the choices extend to the LEED-certified Hotel Indigo Gaslamp Quarter featuring an eco-friendly rooftop garden. Its location puts visitors at the crossroads of the Gaslamp District and the ever-growing East Village.

The Sofia Hotel

An LGBTQ crowd favorite, the chic Sofia Hotel is situated in a charming 1915 brick building. Named a National Trust Historic Hotel, its modern amenities, sleek décor, and posh guest rooms and VIP suites have the present day looking real good. This hotel prides itself on exquisite service, and it truly delivers.

Andaz San Diego

Andaz San Diego is a sleek and contemporary accommodation boasting a stunning rooftop pool lounge and a street-level bar, where smart cocktails and craft beers rule the day. The hotel's central Gaslamp location puts visitors in the heart of the restaurant and nightclub action.

Handlery Hotel San Diego

Close to Hillcrest and popular attractions like Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, Old Town and SeaWorld San Diego, the Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley is a family-owned and -operated, full-service hotel offering contemporary comfort and a relaxing, friendly ambiance. Their private outdoor garden setting is perfect for intimate receptions and weddings.

HILTON SAN DIEGO MISSION VALLEY

This modern hotel in the heart of Mission Valley is walking distance from numerous restaurants, bistro cafes, brewpubs and shopping, and has easy access to downtown, Little Italy and beyond. The stunning two story lobby sets the stage for the modern, sleek styling found within their 350 luxuriously appointed guestrooms.

The Pearl Hotel

Happily situated in San Diego's sleepier Point Loma area is The Pearl, a hip and updated vintage gem designed with midcentury flair. The 23-room property throws a host of swoon-worthy events that make for a relaxed yet lively vibe, such as the Wednesday Dive-In Movie where films are projected on a screen above the central swimming pool.

Marriot San Diego Gaslamp Quarter

Another TAG Approved hotel, Marriot San Diego Gaslamp Quarter features the swanky ALTITUDE Sky Lounge with views of the skyline and bay. Located in a bustling area with restaurants and shops at an arm’s reach, it’s also close to the trolley line, which makes for easy access to many parts of the city. Stylish, friendly, convenient, and comfortable, this hotel is the whole package.

PARADISE POINT

Whether you’re looking for a do-nothing or a do-everything experience, this island resort in the middle of Mission Bay has what you need. Scattered over 44 acres, the Paradise Point features 462 California bungalow-style rooms amidst tropical gardens and lagoons, plus a mile-long stretch of sandy beaches, five swimming pools, five restaurants, a plush spa, and water and land recreational activities galore.

Catamaran Resort, Hotel & Spa

For a botanical and breezy getaway, the Catamaran Resort Hotel in lively Pacific Beach is your tropical dream. This unique hotel greets guests with a flora-filled lobby leading to the grassy, picturesque backyard and all of Mission Bay. The lush Polynesian-inspired property features bayfront rooms and suites; the Oceana Coastal Kitchen, boasting splashy ocean colors; and come summer, twice-weekly sunset luaus.

Pendry San Diego

Indulge in relaxation at Pendry. With six on-site bars and restaurants and plenty of lounge-worthy spaces, putting your feet up is practically a mandate here. The rooftop pool house showcases sparkling city views of the surrounding Gaslamp Quarter, and rooms are stocked with full minibars. Even its buttoned-up features, like plaid details and copper accents, are paired with a relaxed California cool to keep the atmosphere in the chill zone.

Empress Hotel La Jolla

Upscale and not afraid to show it, La Jolla is a beautiful neighborhood with its own impeccable downtown and enviable ocean views. The Empress Hotel welcomes you in style, with beach-chic décor, spacious rooms, and suites that include separate living rooms, whirlpool tubs, and wet bars. Everyone is welcome, even pets, and as a TAG Approved property, Empress provides LGBTQ diversity and sensitivity training for the staff.

> Find More Places to Stay in San Diego