San Diego is a brilliantly compact city with lots to do for all cruisers – couples, families or larger groups – so it is worth considering adding a day or two in the city before your ship departs to extend your cruise vacation. Even if you aren’t interested in exploring the city we always highly recommend arriving at least day in advance to give yourself a little cushion in case you experience travel delays.
Another benefit to staying overnight before your cruise is that many of San Diego’s hotels offer free parking and a shuttle to the port, usually with only a one-night stay required. This could be a good option for you to help save some money on the costs of your cruise parking. Even if you aren’t travelling to the city by car, a free shuttle to the port can save a little money if you’ve flown in the night before your cruise.
We’ve rounded up some great options that offer ‘Park & Cruise’ packages and have done a comparison in the table below. As with all our tables, you can filter and sort the information to quickly find a hotel that is perfect for you. Clicking on the name of the hotel will take you to further details below, including reviews so you can find out what other travellers have to say.
Information in the table is correct as of May 2019, but as prices can vary, please ensure you confirm the price before purchasing. There is also a map showing the locations of each hotel at the bottom of the post.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our full disclosure policy here.
| Name | Address Telephone | Star Rating | Prices From ($) | Time to Port | Shuttle to Port | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyndham San Diego Bayside | 1355 N Harbor Drive 619-232-3861 | 4 | 118 | <5-minute walk | N | $79 for 7 days |
| Hilton San Diego Airport/Harbor Island | 1960 Harbor Island Dr 619-291-6700 | 3.5 | 85 | <10-minute drive | Y | Up to 7 days |
| Comfort Inn San Diego at the Harbor | 5102 N Harbor Dr 619-223-8171 | 2.5 | 109 | <10-minute drive | Y | $80 for 7 days Then $9/day |
| Holiday Inn Express Airport-Old Town | 1955 San Diego Ave 409-744-5000 | 2.5 | 100 | <10-minute drive | Y | Up to 14 days |
| Humphreys Half Moon Inn | 2303 Shelter Island Dr 619-224-3411 | 3.5 | 159 | <15-minute drive | N | Up to 10 days |
| Best Western Plus Bayside Inn | 555 W Ash St 619-233-7500 | 3 | 150 | <5-minute drive | Y | Up to 7 days |
| The Dana on Mission Bay | 1710 W Mission Bay Dr 619-222-6440 | 3.5 | 119 | <15-minute drive | Y | Up to 10 days |
| Howard Johnson Inn | 3330 Rosecrans St 619-224-8266 | 2 | 100 | <15-minute drive | Y | For duration of cruise |
| Holiday Inn Bayside | 4875 N Harbor Dr 619-224-3621 | 3 | 119 | <10-minute drive | Y | Up to 10 days |
| Comfort Inn & Suites Beachfront | 2901 Nimitz Blvd 619-224-3655 | 2 | 54 | <10-minute drive | Y | Up to 14 days |
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
Although San Diego is geared toward welcoming visitors and has many hotel rooms to choose from, we recommend you make your reservations in advance, especially during the busy periods for cruises (e.g. school holidays and summer) or during festivals when hotels might be booked up. This will help ensure you are able to get your preferred hotel and room type.
We also recommend you call the hotel you are interested in to check the availability of their ‘Park & Cruise’ packages as there may be a limited number of rooms available with this offer and some hotels may only offer this option if you make the reservation directly with them.
1355 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA, 92101 | 619-232-3861 | Hotel 1 on Map Below | Read Reviews of this 4-Star Hotel | Back to Table
Offering you the chance to all but roll out of bed and be at the cruise terminal, the Wyndham San Diego Bayside is right opposite the cruise terminal. With over 600 rooms of multiple different types, you’ll be sure to find something that will suit. While the parking isn’t included in the hotel stay, it’s well priced and offers amazing convenience.
Amenities at this hotel include complimentary weekday newspaper, fitness centre, pillow menu, and two on-site restaurants.
DISTANCE TO PORT: <5-minute walk
PARKING: $79 for 7 days
SHUTTLE TO PORT: No
BREAKFAST: Extra
POOL: Outdoor
CHECK IN/OUT: 4PM / NOON
1960 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 | 619-291-6700 | Hotel 2 on Map Below | Read Reviews of this 3.5-Star Hotel | Back to Table
Set on a peninsula close to the airport and offering stunning views of San Diego Bay, the Hilton on Harbor Island has much to recommend it. With a car rental desk available if you want to explore further afield, or bicycle rental for getting around the local attractions and an outdoor heated pool and fitness centre to relax by when you return.
DISTANCE TO PORT: <10-minute drive
PARKING: Up to 7 days
SHUTTLE TO PORT: Yes
BREAKFAST: Extra
POOL: Outdoor – Heated
CHECK IN/OUT: 3 PM / NOON
5102 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 | 619-223-8171 | Hotel 3 on Map Below | Read Reviews of this 2.5-Star Hotel | Back to Table
Close to the harbour and with a sundeck overlooking the marina, Comfort Inn offers a smaller hotel a little further out from the port and airport, but still with good access to the major attractions.
Amenities at this hotel include a gift on arrival, sundeck overlooking the marina, premium cable, and coffee/tea maker and fridge in your room.
DISTANCE TO PORT: <10-minute drive
PARKING: Up to 7 days
SHUTTLE TO PORT: Yes
BREAKFAST: Included
POOL: Outdoor
CHECK IN/OUT: 3 PM / 11 AM
READ MORE: Looking for more information to plan your visit to San Diego? Check it out here!
1955 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110 | 619-543-1130 | Hotel 4 on Map Below | Read Reviews of this 2.5-Star Hotel | Back to Table
Offering parking for even a two-week cruise, Holiday Inn is right by the airport and I-5, and equidistant from the city centre and the old town. This could make it your ideal hotel for a short stay before your cruise to take in some of the San Diego sights. With all the conveniences you’d expect including a 24-hour deli and convenience store, this hotel has much to recommend it.
Other amenities include a complimentary shuttle to the Zoo and SeaWorld, games, a fitness centre, business centre, and coffee maker, microwave, and fridge in your room.
DISTANCE TO PORT: <10-minute drive
PARKING: Up to 14 days
SHUTTLE TO PORT: Yes
BREAKFAST: Included
POOL: Outdoor Heated & Whirlpool
CHECK IN/OUT: 4 PM / 11 AM
2303 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 | 619-224-3411 | Hotel 5 on Map Below | Read Reviews of this 3.5-Star Hotel | Back to Table
Located on Shelter Island, which is actually a peninsula, Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn is a boutique hotel situated next to the marina. Offering a secluded location, but remaining within easy reach of all of San Diego’s attractions and with a tropical, Hawaii style feel, this could be the perfect place to enjoy before your cruise.
Amenities include a tropically landscaped pool, gardens and koi pond, live music club, bicycle rental, and fitness centre.
DISTANCE TO PORT: <15-minutes drive
PARKING: Up to 10 days
SHUTTLE TO PORT: No
BREAKFAST: Extra
POOL: Outdoor
CHECK IN/OUT: 4 PM / NOON
555 W Ash St, San Diego, CA 92101 | 619-233-7500 | Hotel 6 on Map Below | Read Reviews of this 3-Star Hotel | Back to Table
With great access to the centre of the city, including Gaslamp Quarter and Little Italy, plus just a few blocks from the bay with attractions like the USS Midway, and of course the cruise terminal for embarkation day, Best Western offers all the essentials for a great stay before your cruise.
Amenities include a fitness centre and spa, and fridge, coffeemaker, and microwave in your room.
DISTANCE TO PORT: <5-minutes drive
PARKING: Up to 7 days
SHUTTLE TO PORT: Yes
BREAKFAST: Included
POOL: Outdoor – Heated
CHECK IN/OUT: 4 PM / 11 AM
READ MORE: Looking for more information to plan your visit to San Diego? Check it out here!
1710 W Mission Bay Dr, San Diego, CA 92109 | 619-222-6440 | Hotel 7 on Map Below | Read Reviews of this 3.5-Star Hotel | Back to Table
The furthest of our hotels from the cruise terminal, but still only a 15-minute drive, Dana could be perfect if you want to visit SeaWorld before your cruise as it is right there on the same peninsula and offers a free shuttle. With on-site watersport and bicycle rentals to allow you to explore and an infinity pool and hot tub to relax in, this waterfront resort could the ideal option.
DISTANCE TO PORT: <15-minute drive
PARKING: Up to 10 days
SHUTTLE TO PORT: Yes
BREAKFAST: Extra
POOL: Outdoor – Infinity
CHECK IN/OUT: 4 PM / 1 PM
3330 Rosecrans St, San Diego, CA 92110| 619-224-8266 | Hotel 8 on Map Below | Read Reviews of this 2-Star Hotel | Back to Table
Located in the Midway District, Howard Johson Inn is almost equidistant from all the options vying for your time in San Diego. Offering comfortable rooms with all the conveniences you would expect and at a price that is hard to beat.
Amenities at this hotel include a shuttle to local attractions, business centre, access to EOS fitness centre, and coffee/tea maker, microwave, and fridge in your room.
DISTANCE TO PORT: <15-minute Drive
PARKING: Up to 7 days
SHUTTLE TO PORT: Yes – $10
BREAKFAST: Included
POOL: Outdoor
CHECK IN/OUT: 3 PM / 11 AM
4875 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 | 619-224-3621 | Hotel 9 on Map Below | Read Reviews of this 3-Star Hotel | Back to Table
Located close to the beach, bay and offering plenty to do even if you don’t want to explore the city, Holiday Inn Bayside has plenty to recommend it. With a great choice of rooms from poolside with private balconies to rooms with bay views, economy rooms to suites, there should be a room to suit your requirements.
Amenities include free beach cruiser bikes, a 9-hole mini-golf course, table tennis, shuffleboard, fitness centre, and fridge and tea/coffee maker in your room.
DISTANCE TO PORT: <10-minutes drive
PARKING: Up to 10 days
SHUTTLE TO PORT: Yes
BREAKFAST: INCLUDED
POOL: Outdoor
CHECK IN/OUT: 4 PM / NOON
2901 Nimitz Blvd, San Diego, CA 92106 | 619-224-3655 | Hotel 10 on Map Below | Read Reviews of this 2-Star Hotel | Back to Table
Offering the basics, including up to two weeks parking, for a great price, the Consulate Hotel is just a couple of blocks from the Bay.
Amenities include underground parking and microwave and fridge for your room (at an additional cost).
DISTANCE TO PORT: <10-minute Drive
PARKING: Up to 14 days
SHUTTLE TO PORT: Yes
BREAKFAST: Included
POOL: Outdoor
CHECK IN/OUT: 3 PM / 11 AM
Looking for more information to plan your visit to San Diego?
You may find these articles helpful.
San Diego Cruise Port Guide
How to Get to San Diego Cruise Terminal
San Diego Cruise Parking Options
Things to See and Do in San Diego
Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission but this does not affect the price to you. Please read our full disclosure policy here.
