Top 4 Places to Stay in Old Town
Updated April 26, 2023
Once part of the Spanish territory before becoming part of the United States after the end of the Mexican-American War in 1848, Old Town is home to original adobe structures from the early 1800s, the oldest mansion in Southern California, as well as the most haunted house in America — The Whaley House. In the present day, Old Town has some of the most authentic Mexican food you can try in all of San Diego, delicious margaritas, and ample opportunity to explore history in the flesh.
With this in mind, we highly recommend spending a few nights in the historic Old Town while on one of our San Diego tours. To make it easier on you, we’ve rounded up a few of our top hotels in Old Town, San Diego:
1. Hacienda Hotel Old Town
Part of the Best Western franchise, the Hacienda Hotel Old Town is just minutes away from Old Town State Park and a short walk to the Old Town Trolley station, which takes you everywhere from Downtown, to East County, UC San Diego, and the Mexico border.
Hacienda Hotel Old Town features rooms complete with free wifi, cable television, a microwave and a mini fridge. Take a dip in the outdoor pool and hot tub as you enjoy the stunning courtyard views. Work out at their fitness facility before you kick off your day too!
One of the biggest perks of the Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town is being able to eat at the on-site restaurant, the Old Town Tequila Factory. Go for an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet in the mornings or dine in the afternoon or evening at the historic Old Town Tequila Factory and enjoy authentic Mexican dishes, special tequilas, and margaritas as you take in the hillside views.
Book your reservation here!
2. Cosmopolitan Hotel
A stay at the Cosmopolitan Hotel is like no other experience! You will get the true bed and breakfast experience and travel back in time to the 1800s by staying in one of the hotel’s 10 Victorian-style bedrooms. The Cosmopolitan Hotel sits on top of the home of San Diego pioneer Juan Bandini. Made in 1827, this adobe home is the second oldest building in Old Town and one of the oldest in all of San Diego.
Each guest room is decorated with antiques from the time, so if you don’t see a TV or a phone — that’s why! There is wifi though, so you can keep Instagram updated on your trip to Old Town. The Cosmopolitan has its original windows from 1869, so if you need to cancel out the noise, they have earplugs handy for you!
Enjoy coffee, tea, and homemade pastries in the old-school saloon, and pay homage to the Old West before you exit to tour the town for the day!
Book your reservation here.
3. Courtyard San Diego Old Town
Another place we recommend to stay in Old Town is Courtyard San Diego Old Town. Just a few minutes from Old Town San Diego, explore all that Old Town has to offer by foot — including authentic cuisine and a look at a town rich with history.
The hotel rooms at the Courtyard have free wifi, cable TV, workstations, and the chance to enjoy either a cup of Starbucks coffee with breakfast or dinner and cocktails from their on-site restaurant, The Bistro.
If you need a break from your Old Town tours, you can take a dip in the outdoor pool or hit the gym to work off the amazing Mexican cuisine you eat!
This hotel was recently remodeled in 2020 and is sure to meet your needs! Book your reservation here.
4. House Rental
If you’re wanting a bit more privacy for your stay in Old Town, you can opt for a house rental. There are many amazing places available to rent for your stay that are right near the heart of Old Town! Two of the favorites we saw on Airbnb and VRBO are below.
Historic San Diego meets Palm Springs Modern
3 beds | 3 baths | sleeps 6
This mid-century modern home has a large deck overlooking Heritage Canyon for you and your friends to chill and chat! Old Town is just a five-minute walk away, Presidio Park is also within walking distance. The house is also centrally located near many of San Diego’s premiere tourist attractions such as Balboa Park, Seaworld San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, Downtown and Gaslamp, and Coronado that are best explored through one of the many San Diego walking tours.
Casa de Mariposa by Bluewater
3 beds | 2 baths | sleeps 8
This stunning Spanish-style home is in the heart of Old Town and comes complete with three beds, two baths, three off-street parking spaces, outdoor courtyard with a hot tub, fireplace, and patio. Worried about what to do in Old Town, San Diego or if you’re close to some the best places to eat in Old Town, San Diego? Casa de Mariposa is also within walking distance to all the restaurants and attractions Old Town has to offer, and is a great central location to visit any place beyond Old Town as well!
If you’d like to have a little help exploring Old Town, we’d love to have you join us on our Tequila,Tacos, and Tombstones tour! See you soon!
Written by:
This blog was written by Aleezah Davenport. Aleezah is a native San Diegan, and a second-generation PLNU alumna. She enjoys exploring the city and taking her girls out for dinner on the cliffs at Sunset Cliffs. Writing about San Diego provides her the opportunity to learn more about the local scene, and share her newfound knowledge about her hometown – two of the things she loves most. She enjoys sharing her passions with readers, and is excited to be writing for a platform that provides fun information to a large audience.
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