Hotels

Question

We are coming into visit my son from July 3 - 7th. He is at Camp Pendleton...I guess the south end. If it were you...where would you stay between San Diego and say Dana Point. He does want to golf (Torrey Pines) and most likely would relax and hit some bars. We were going to stay in San Diego downtown area but not sure if that will be easy to go pick him up and then come back and go back to drop off. What would be nice hotels/areas to stay and somewhat close to water as I would just love to look out and see the ocean. We are looking for a nice hotel but not high end expensive.

Answer

For a visit to Camp Pendleton and the San Diego–Dana Point corridor, you have a few good options for hotel locations that balance ocean views, convenience for picking up your son, and access to golf and nightlife. Since you’re looking for nice hotels without going high-end expensive, there are several areas that fit well.

Hotel Areas to Consider

Carlsbad / Encinitas:
- About 20–30 minutes north of Camp Pendleton, Carlsbad and Encinitas offer charming beachside hotels, boutique inns, and condo-style accommodations with ocean views.
- Access to Torrey Pines Golf is reasonable (around 25–30 minutes drive south), and you’ll have easy access to beach walks, casual bars, and restaurants in Encinitas and Carlsbad Village.
- Hotels tend to be mid-range with some offering ocean-view rooms, pools, and patios.
Oceanside / Camp Pendleton vicinity:
- Very close to the south end of Camp Pendleton, minimizing drive time for pickups and drop-offs.
- Hotels here range from chain hotels near the beach to boutique stays near the harbor. You’ll get ocean views at select properties like those near Oceanside Pier or Harbor Drive.
- Good for casual bars, cafes, and some waterfront dining. Slightly farther to Torrey Pines (about 40–50 minutes), but a practical base for minimizing commute to your son.
La Jolla / Pacific Beach / Mission Bay (San Diego North Coast):
- Closer to Torrey Pines Golf, about 15–20 minutes from the course, with easy access to golf reservations and scenic drives along the coast.
- Ocean views, beach access, and plenty of bars and casual restaurants in La Jolla and Pacific Beach. Vibrant nightlife in Pacific Beach especially if your son wants to join for dinner or drinks.
- Drive to Camp Pendleton will be around 40–50 minutes, so it’s manageable if you plan your pick-ups during off-peak traffic times.
Dana Point / Laguna Beach:
- South of Camp Pendleton, closer to Dana Point Harbor. Beautiful oceanfront hotels, boutique resorts, and casual stays overlooking the water.
- Good for a relaxing stay with walks along the harbor and beaches, casual bars, and restaurants. Slightly farther from Torrey Pines (about 50–60 minutes), so may be less convenient for golfing.
- Short drive to Camp Pendleton’s south end for pickups.

Suggested Hotels (Mid-Range, Ocean-View, or Comfortable Stays)

Carlsbad: Cape Rey Carlsbad, Best Western Plus Beach Resort, or West Inn & Suites.
Oceanside: SpringHill Suites Oceanside, Best Western Plus Oceanside, or Holiday Inn Express Oceanside.
La Jolla / Pacific Beach: La Jolla Shores Hotel, Pacific Terrace Hotel, Tower23 Hotel (slightly higher in price but excellent views), or Catamaran Resort.
Dana Point / Laguna: Laguna Cliffs Marriott or The Dana Point Harbor Inn (mid-range ocean views, good casual restaurants nearby).

Tips for Your Trip

Check traffic patterns in the morning and evening; I-5 can get busy between San Diego and Camp Pendleton.
If golfing at Torrey Pines, booking tee times early in the day helps avoid heavier traffic and enjoy cooler temperatures.
Consider a hotel with parking included if you plan to drive frequently between beaches, your son’s base, and golf courses.
For ocean views and a relaxing vibe, north coast options (Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Jolla) generally offer more scenic rooms, while south coast (Dana Point) is quieter and slower-paced.

Overall, for a balance of convenience to Camp Pendleton, beach access, mid-range pricing, and nice hotel amenities, Oceanside or Carlsbad are great choices. La Jolla is ideal if golf at Torrey Pines is a top priority, while Dana Point is best for a serene oceanfront stay with shorter south-end base access.

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