North Central San Diego Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo by trenton.badillo
Photo by trenton.badillo
Photo by trenton.badillo
Photo by trenton.badillo
Photo by trenton.badillo
Photo by trenton.badillo
Photo by trenton.badillo
Photo by trenton.badillo
Photo by trenton.badillo
Photo by trenton.badillo

Where to stay in North Central San Diego

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Carmel Valley

Beaches and abundant dining options are well-reviewed features of Carmel Valley. Make a stop by top sights like Meadows Del Mar Golf Club while you're exploring the area.

Carmel Valley
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Rancho Peñasquitos

Rancho Peñasquitos is popular for its ample dining options, and you might make a stop by Rancho Penasquitos Tennis Center, a top place to visit in the area.

Rancho Peñasquitos
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Black Mountain Ranch

Black Mountain Ranch might not have many top sights, but Black Mountain Open Space Park and Carmel Mountain Plaza are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Black Mountain Ranch
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Pacific Highlands Ranch

When in Pacific Highlands Ranch, you can plan a visit to Del Mar Horse Park and Del Mar Racetrack, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Pacific Highlands Ranch
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Torrey Highlands

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Torrey Highlands and surrounding area, you can visit Del Mar Horse Park and Carmel Mountain Plaza.

Torrey Highlands
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Del Mar Mesa

While Del Mar Mesa may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and Torrey Pines Golf Course.

Del Mar Mesa
DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego - Del Mar

DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego - Del Mar

4 out of 5
11915 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA
The price is AU$228 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
AU$228
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Diego. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,356 reviews)
"Everthing is great"

Reviewed on 4 Aug. 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego - Del Mar
Wyndham San Diego Bayside

Wyndham San Diego Bayside

4 out of 5
1355 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA
The price is AU$308 per night from 3 Sept to 4 Sept
AU$308
3 Sept - 4 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Diego. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (5,810 reviews)
"Great location good service, clean room, and beautiful bayside view."

Reviewed on 6 Aug. 2025

Wyndham San Diego Bayside
The Dana on Mission Bay

The Dana on Mission Bay

3.5 out of 5
1710 W Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA
The price is AU$292 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
AU$292
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in San Diego. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, a marina, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,613 reviews)
"I liked it cause it felt like being in a cottage type feel"

Reviewed on 7 Aug. 2025

The Dana on Mission Bay
See all 11,644 properties in North Central San Diego
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Little Italy Inn - Limited Service Apart Hotel

Little Italy Inn - Limited Service Apart Hotel

2.5 out of 5
1736 State St, San Diego, CA
Stay at this aparthotel in San Diego. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Port of San Diego and USS Midway Museum ...
7.6/10 Good! (33 reviews)
"The room was just what I needed for my stay. The pictures of the view and balcony are very deceiving because all of the rooms you can stay in like a hotel are on the first floor, I never opened my curtains because my view was the next building about 8 feet away. However, the bed was comfortable and ..."

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2025

Little Italy Inn - Limited Service Apart Hotel
Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort

Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort

4 out of 5
3075 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA
Stay at this 4-star beach condo in Carlsbad. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,458 reviews)
"Spent one night while visiting family. Relaxed in the pool and hot tub. Easy access to beach down some steps. Able to borrow beach toys and chairs from the hotel kiosk at the bottom of the stairs. Great visit."

Reviewed on 7 Aug. 2025

Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort
Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel

Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel

2.5 out of 5
819 University Ave, San Diego, CA
Stay at this aparthotel in San Diego. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and housekeeping. Popular attractions San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (209 reviews)
"Room was clean and bed was comfortable. There was a tiny closet, but no hangers to hang your clothes. We had a large table/counter which I appreciated. The room had a view to the freeway. we had to play with the AC to get the temperature just right and the fan from the AC muffled the noise from the ..."

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2025

Uptown Inn by Vantaggio - Limited Service Apart-Hotel
See all properties in North Central San Diego
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

San Diego Zoo which includes a pond, zoo animals and landscape views

San Diego Zoo

4.5/5(26 reviews)

One of the largest zoos in America housing around 4000 creatures, San Diego Zoo offers an enchanting and educational experience for visitors of all ages.

San Diego Zoo
San Diego Convention Center

San Diego Convention Center

4.5/5(13 reviews)

During your trip, find out what's happening in San Diego Convention Center, a top convention centre in San Diego. Experience the area's entertainment choices and acclaimed art galleries.

San Diego Convention Center
Mission Bay showing a beach

Mission Bay

4/5(10 reviews)

Mission Bay is San Diego’s vast and beautiful outdoor playground with great weather and calm waters that seem made for watersports.

Mission Bay
Petco Park

Petco Park

4.5/5(10 reviews)

Purchase a hot dog and watch the San Diego Padres, California’s southernmost Major League Baseball team, play on their home field.

Petco Park
Mission Beach

Mission Beach

4/5(30 reviews)

A seaside village and a popular spot for holiday-makers for over a century, which today still retains its antique charm.

Mission Beach
SeaWorld

SeaWorld

4/5(12 reviews)

A fun family favourite, where you can get up close to the local marine life, enjoy fun rides and be wowed by the performances.

SeaWorld

Activities

LEGOLAND® California Resort

LEGOLAND® California Resort

AU$115
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
LEGOLAND® California Resort
San Diego City Lights Night Tour

San Diego City Lights Night Tour

AU$70
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
San Diego City Lights Night Tour
San Diego Explorer Pass: Save up to 50 Percent - Includes USS Midway

San Diego Explorer Pass: Save up to 50 Percent - Includes USS Midway

AU$190
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
San Diego Explorer Pass: Save up to 50 Percent - Includes USS Midway
Great Scenery

San Diego Sunset Cruise from Mission Bay

AU$61
per adult
78% of travellers recommend
San Diego Sunset Cruise from Mission Bay
San Diego Whale Watching Tour

San Diego Whale Watching Tour

AU$109
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
San Diego Whale Watching Tour
Crossing Borders: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego

Crossing Borders: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego

AU$142
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Crossing Borders: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego
See all activities in North Central San Diego

Cities near North Central San Diego

San Diego

San Diego