💭 🧳 Whale Hello There, San Diego

💭🧳 Stay, Eat, Explore: San Diego

Ready for this week’s travel scoop? Here’s your guide to Stay, Eat, and Explore in San Diego—where prime whale-watching season runs from December through April.

🌦️ Current weather: 69°F and partly sunny

• 🏛 Fun fact: The glamorous beachfront hotel “Hotel Del Coronado” inspired the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz.

• 📰 In the news: Fog delayed more than 300 flights at San Diego International Airport this weekend »»

Did You Know (San Diego)

You can step aboard the Star of India which is the world’s oldest active sailing ship - built in 1863.

^{(Docked at San Diego’s maritime Museum)}

Where to Stay 🏨🛏️  

Options for every budget! Stay your way—luxury, mid-range, or budget, the choice is yours. Rest easy with these handpicked places to stay.

Luxury Stay ($400+) 💎 

HOTEL DEL CORONADO affectionately known as "The Del," is the iconic beachfront resort blends timeless elegance with modern luxury. Established in 1888, it’s been a favorite for over 135 years, offering a storied past with unmatched ocean views.

⭐️ Guest Grade: 3.5 Stars | 8,153 Reviews

• Location: Coronado Island, minutes from downtown San Diego, with direct beach access.

• Price & Value: Rates from $450/night, reflecting its historic charm and premium amenities.

• Amenities: Ocean-view pools, fine dining, world-class spa, boutique shops, and beachfront yoga.

• Ideal for: Couples, families, and history buffs seeking a unique luxury experience.

👉 Fun Fact: Opened in 1888, it’s one of the oldest wooden structures in the U.S. and a designated National Historic Landmark.

Mid-Range Stay ($200-$400) 💼 

THE US GRANT, stay in a piece of history established in 1910 by the son of President Ulysses S. Grant, this historic hotel combines timeless elegance with modern luxury in downtown San Diego.

⭐️ Guest Grade: 4.5 Stars | 3,003 Reviews

• Location: Centrally located in the Gaslamp Quarter, steps from premier dining, shopping, and entertainment.

• Price & Value: Rates from $305/night—excellent value for a luxury experience in a prime location.

• Amenities: On-site fine dining at Grant Grill, fitness center, and rooms with 9-foot ceilings, custom furnishings, and luxury linens.

• Ideal for: History buffs, couples, and business travelers looking for a unique, upscale stay with historic charm.

👉 Fun Fact: During Prohibition, its Celestial Ballroom was a speakeasy called The Plata Real Nightclub.

Budget Stay ($75-$200) 💸 

COURTYARD by MARRIOTT SAN DIEGO DWONTOWN. Housed in the historic 1928 San Diego Trust & Savings Bank building, this hotel combines historic charm with modern amenities, offering a unique stay in the heart of downtown.

⭐️ Guest Grade: 4.5 Stars | 1,218 Reviews

• Location: Situated in downtown San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, close to top attractions and public transit.

• Price & Value: Rates from $165/night, providing excellent value in a prime location.

• Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant, fitness center, and rooms equipped with refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker.

• Ideal for: Travelers seeking a blend of historic ambiance and modern comfort at an affordable price.

👉 Fun Fact: Originally the San Diego Trust & Savings Bank, built in 1928, the hotel preserves the original bank vaults and marble columns.

Stay Like a Local 🏘️

PENTHOUSE WITH BAY VIEWS - This upscale penthouse in the heart of Little Italy offers two expansive balconies overlooking San Diego Bay and downtown’s iconic skyline.

📍 Location: Little Italy, San Diego

2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | Sleeps 4-6 Guests

⭐️ Guest Grade: 4.93 Stars | 148+ Reviews

🗣️💬 | Guest Vibe Check:

What’s Hot 🔥

• Prime Location: Centrally located in Little Italy, with easy walking access to top restaurants, cafes, and bars.

• Stunning Views: Guests rave about the panoramic views of San Diego Bay, the skyline, and the sunset from the large private patios.

• Luxury Feel: Direct elevator access, sleek modern design, and thoughtful decor give it an upscale vibe.

What’s Not 😬

• Airport Proximity: Located near the flight path of San Diego International Airport—some guests mention occasional noise from planes.

• Parking Challenges: Street parking can be tricky, especially on weekends, though paid lots nearby are available.

• Urban Noise: As expected in a downtown location, light sleepers may hear some city noise or nearby nightlife.

Stay Scorecard 🏅

• Cleanliness ★★★★★

• Comfort ★★★★★

• Location ★★★★★

• Host Communication ★★★★★

• Noise Level ★★★☆☆

🌦️ When to Go

San Diego’s mild climate makes it a great destination year-round, but the best overall time to visit is in fall (September to November), when the weather stays warm, crowds thin out, and hotel prices drop.

• Spring (March to May): Mild temperatures (55°F-69°F) and fewer crowds. Late spring feels like summer without peak-season chaos.

• Summer (June to August): Expect sunny afternoons (61°F-77°F), but beware of May Gray and June Gloom, when cloudy mornings are common due to a coastal marine layer. Crowds are at their peak, and hotel prices rise.

• Fall (September to November): Warm, sunny days with fewer tourists—perfect for enjoying the outdoors.

• Winter (December to February): Cooler (50°F-66°F) with occasional rain, but great for whale watching and indoor attractions.

Pro Tip: If you’re visiting for beach time, avoid early summer mornings during June Gloom unless you like cloudy skies!

Local Inn-sights 🗞️

^{Where to Eat, What to See, & Places to Go}

😀 Heads up: Go to La Jolla early to beat the crowds and explore the tide pools and sea caves.

✨ Don’t miss: The Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market every Saturday features local produce, artisanal foods, and live music.

📅 Mark your calendars:

• ⛳ Sports: Farmers Insurance Open (Jan 22-25)

• 🍷 Food: San Diego Bay Food & Wine Festival (Nov 7-9)

• 🎭 Misc: Comic Con (Jul 24-27)

🌟 🧭 | Out & about 

• 🚶‍♂️Must do activity: Coastal cliffs, rare pines, ocean views—Torrey Pines Reserve is a must-hike. (link)

• 🌟 Unique experience: Explore California’s only land-accessible sea cave with a secret tunnel. (link)

• 🏞️ Free or iconic attraction: Stroll through gardens, museums, and historic architecture in this park (link)

🍽️ 🍷 | Local chowdown

• 🍳 Breakfast: Morning Glory in Little Italy, famous for soufflé pancakes and great coffee cocktails (link)

• 🥪 Lunch: Punch Bowl Social – Not your typical lunch spot! This trendy venue blends dining and entertainment (link)

• 🍷 Dinner: Mister A’s, elegant rooftop dining with stunning skyline views (link)

💬 🫵 | What they don’t tell you

•  🦈 You can swim with leopard sharks—don’t worry, they’re harmless. (link)

• 🌊 The beaches have “bioluminescent waves” during certain times of the year (link)

• 😀 There's a hidden swing with panoramic views of the city (link)

🫵  | Before you go…

Next stop?

🫶  | Thanks for reading

Do you know anyone who would love this email? Refer 3 friends - get 25% off on some travel swag. Your unique referral link to share 👇️ 

Your unique referral link to share: https://newsletter.stayntell.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER_CODE