Best hotel for family in October

Question

Looking for hotel for family kids aged 7/10 for 5 nights in October. Plan to do sea world, zoo, hopefully a padres playoff game, and beaches. Any suggestions/recommendations greatly appreciated! Will have rental car.

Answer

Great question! For a family trip in October in San Diego — especially with SeaWorld, the Zoo, possibly a Padres game, and beach time on your agenda — staying around Mission Bay or Mission Beach tends to give the best mix of convenience and kid-friendly amenities.

Here are some top hotel recommendations + things to consider, plus tips for your 5-night stay:

San Diego Mission Bay Resort – Right on Mission Bay, and one of SeaWorld’s partner hotels. Very family-friendly: lots of space to relax, waterfront dining, and easy access to SeaWorld, the bay, and other attractions.
Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina – A resort feel, with multiple pools (including slides), kid-friendly water activities, and a marina where you can rent kayaks or paddleboards. Very well suited for active families.
The Dana on Mission Bay – A more relaxed, resort-style hotel: two heated pools, a private marina, and water-sport rentals on-site. Very convenient to SeaWorld (walking or very short drive) and also relatively close to the zoo and beaches.
Paradise Point Resort & Spa – A favorite for families. Set on Mission Bay, the resort has bungalow-style rooms, lots of pools, and evening activities (like fire pits), plus water rentals.
Hampton Inn & Suites by SeaWorld – A budget-friendly, clean, modern option. Includes free breakfast, an outdoor pool, and is very close to SeaWorld, the Zoo, and other family spots.
Best Western Inn & Suites San Diego – Zoo/SeaWorld Area – Very family-oriented: they have two-bedroom suites, bunk beds, a heated pool, and a hot breakfast.

Why Mission Bay / Bay-area hotels are a great pick:

You’re super close to SeaWorld, which means short travel times early in the morning (great for beating lines).
Easy access to water-based recreation (kayaks, paddleboards) so the kids can play without having to drive far.
Reasonable drive times to the San Diego Zoo (usually 10-20 minutes, depending on traffic) and to some of the nicer beaches.
Relaxed, resort-style environment which is great for winding down after busy park days.

Other Considerations:

If you want a “classic” San Diego beach feel, Pacific Beach is another option. But beach hotels there may be more “party”-oriented or less resort-y, depending on where you stay.
Given you have a rental car, parking will be easier to manage, so you don’t have to worry as much about staying “on top” of all the attractions.
In October, things like water temperature are milder and the crowds at SeaWorld and other attractions are more manageable, so having base at a relaxing bay-area resort is especially valuable.

My Recommendation: Stay at San Diego Mission Bay Resort or Hyatt Regency Mission Bay. These give you a great mix of “resort fun,” pool time, and easy access to all the kid-centric highlights — SeaWorld, the zoo, the bay — without being too far for a Padres game or beach day.

If you want to splurge a bit for more island-resort vibes, Paradise Point is amazing for families. And if budget or breakfasts matter, Hampton Inn or Best Western Inn & Suites offer really solid value.

Enjoy your trip — October is a fantastic time for San Diego with great weather, fewer crowds, and plenty of family fun!