Trying to choose a neighbourhood for Airbnb stay

Question

I’m trying to get a better understanding of SD to help me make the right and not me just guessing by looking on a map.

Early Jan we’ll be a family of 4 spending 2 nights in SD. I had chosen an Airbnb in Bankers Hill that ticked all the boxes then host said she wasn’t accepting January bookings now I’m back to the start looking at different areas.

Our priority is the zoo and visiting USS Midway. I was hoping to be close to Balboa Park but we will have a hire car so can be flexible.

I keep second guessing myself of what to consider. We won’t be out really at night as we have younger kids and they’ll be tired. We’ll mostly be sightseeing in the day. Maybe we don’t need to be close to downtown and I should look further out??

Sorry if this post is vague, I don’t mean to be but I spent ages last night on Airbnb and using the map and ended up choosing nowhere.

And hotels are not an option as we don’t do well with being and sleeping in just one room.

Answer

You're not being vague at all — San Diego can feel confusing when you're comparing neighborhoods on a map without actually knowing what each area feels like. The good news is that for your priorities (Zoo + USS Midway + family-friendly + car access), you have several excellent options, and you do *not* need to stay right next to downtown to have a smooth, easy trip.

Since you have younger kids, won’t be out late, and value space and comfort, focusing on calm, central, safe residential neighborhoods is the best approach. Many of these areas offer easy driving to Balboa Park and the waterfront, without the noise or parking hassles of downtown.

Here are some of the best neighborhoods for your situation, with pros and cons:

Bankers Hill (your original choice) — Extremely convenient to the Zoo and Balboa Park, quiet, walkable, close to downtown without being in it. Parking can be tight depending on your exact street, but overall a top choice.
Hillcrest — Very close to Balboa Park and the Zoo, lively yet safe, lots of food options, and easy parking depending on the street. A bit busier than Bankers Hill but still very family-friendly.
Mission Hills — One of the best choices for families. Beautiful homes, safe, quiet, close to both the Zoo and downtown by car, and typically easier parking. Very central without feeling urban.
North Park — Still close to Balboa Park, vibrant without being overwhelming, great for daytime food and coffee. Slightly farther from the USS Midway but still only 10–15 minutes by car. A very popular Airbnb area.
South Park — Calm, charming, walkable, and very family-oriented. Close to Balboa Park’s quieter southern end. Slightly longer drive to the waterfront, but still easy.
Point Loma / Liberty Station — Excellent for families. More suburban, easy parking, close to the airport and Midway museum, and still only about 15 minutes to the Zoo. Great if you prefer quieter evenings and more space.
La Jolla (Village or Shores) — Farther from the Midway (about 20–25 minutes), but very safe, scenic, quiet, and excellent for families. Great if you want a beach morning and then city sights later. Usually offers great Airbnb homes.

If you'd like to avoid downtown noise and traffic, it's totally fine to stay a bit farther away — everything in central San Diego is pretty close by car. The Zoo and Midway are only about 10–20 minutes from most of the neighborhoods listed above.

If you prefer the *closest* neighborhoods to your two main attractions, consider choosing from one of these:

Bankers Hill
Hillcrest
Mission Hills
North Park
Point Loma / Liberty Station

These will give you the best combination of convenience, safety, quiet evenings, and family-friendly Airbnbs. You won’t feel isolated, but you also won’t have to deal with downtown crowds or late-night noise.

Bottom line: with a rental car, you don’t need to be within walking distance of the Zoo or Midway. Focus on a neighborhood that feels calm and comfortable, with easy parking and good home-style accommodations. Mission Hills, Liberty Station, or Hillcrest are fantastic starting points and often easier to book than Bankers Hill.

Trying to choose a neighbourhood for Airbnb stay

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