La Valencia Hotel  

On La Jolla's shoreline in the Village of La Jolla — a beach hotel a 4-minute walk from La Jolla Cove and close to Children's Cove, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and UC San Diego. Pet-friendly and family-friendly, it puts you steps from seaside trails and local galleries.

Historic-feel lodging with 112 air-conditioned rooms that mix classic comforts and simple tech: minibars, DVD players and plasma TVs. Bathrooms come with designer toiletries and hair dryers; rooms include safes, desks and bathrobes. Expect city and seaside glimpses from many windows.

Swim in outdoor (and indoor) pools, soak in the spa tub/hot tub, or keep fit in the on-site fitness center. Concierge, wedding services and a tour desk help plan days and events. Other perks include a poolside bar, two lounges, a coffee shop, babysitting/childcare, laundry/dry cleaning, an elevator for accessibility, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Wake up to sea-breeze mornings and stroll straight to the cove.

Conference space, meeting rooms and a business center make this a solid pick for events. Complimentary wireless internet keeps you connected and express check-out speeds your departure.

Dine at THE MED or the hotel's second restaurant, grab snacks at the coffee shop/café, or order room service during limited hours. Full breakfasts are served daily (6:30–11:00 AM) for a fee, and a poolside bar and two lounges handle cocktails and light bites.