The Best Vacation Rentals to Book in San Diego, California

Vacation rentals in San Diego provide a homey atmosphere and spectacular views
Vacation rentals in San Diego provide a homey atmosphere and spectacular views | Courtesy of Skyline by AvantStay / Expedia
Rachel Eva Lim

Looking for a unique stay? You can’t go wrong with a vacation rental. Sure, they may take a little bit more time to hunt down than simply booking with a popular hotel chain. But these properties often come with a greater sense of privacy, far more space and additional facilities ­– not to mention a cozy, home-away-from-home vibe. If you’re visiting San Diego, check out these gorgeous vacation rentals that have distinctive ambiences and picturesque settings – all bookable on Culture Trip.

1. Sun-kissed apartment, for partial ocean views in Little Italy

Short-term Rental

The light-filled living room at the Luxury Little Italy Loft by Namastay
Courtesy of Luxury Little Italy Loft by Namastay / Expedia

Want to bed down near the trendy restaurants and fashion-forward boutiques in Little Italy? If so, this place is for you. The adorable two-bedroom unit sports a colorful, contemporary-chic design and sleeps up to five guests. There’s a well-equipped kitchen with a full range of shiny amenities, including a stovetop and an oven, for you to whip up any dishes you may fancy. Head to the terrace area to enjoy your meal while soaking up the California sunshine.

2. Charming coastal retreat, for hot tub sundowners in Pacific Beach

Villa, Short-term Rental

The colorful backyard sitting and dining area at the Riviera – Kokomo
Courtesy of Riviera – Kokomo / Expedia

Live by the sea at this beautiful vacation home in Pacific Beach. Set on the picturesque shores of Crown Point Beach, its calling card is an unbeatable waterfront location that offers panoramic vistas of the glistening, deep-blue ocean beyond. You’ll find three bright and breezy bedrooms, a cozy living area and a kitchen. But the greenery-filled backyard is where it’s at – complete with a hot tub and an airy sitting area where you can tuck into a feast al fresco at sunset.

3. Vibrant loft, for central cozy living in Downtown San Diego

Short-term Rental

The lofty living room with bright-orange sofas at the Luxury Loft in the Heart of Downtown
Courtesy of Luxury Loft in the Heart of Downtown / Expedia

If you’re traveling as a couple and want to be in the heart of the action, this air-conditioned loft in the Gaslamp Quarter is the perfect pick. The central location puts you within easy reach of top sights, including Seaport Village, Petco Park, Balboa Park and the San Diego Convention Center, plus stellar restaurants and bars. Besides a living room with plush, eye-catching orange couches, the apartment has kitchen and laundry facilities and a TV with cable service.

5. Stunning seaside property, for seafront scenes in Ocean Beach

Villa

The crisp white living room with ocean views at the House by the Ocean
Courtesy of House by the Ocean / Expedia

Natural beauty reigns supreme at this oceanside hideaway. Other than being a few steps from the beach, it offers picture-perfect sea views from various vantage points around the property – be it the spacious patio or balconies attached to the bedrooms. Amenities include a hot tub, a barbecue grill, a fireplace and a kitchen. The palatial home comes with eight twin beds and fits up to 20 people, making it an excellent base for a large family reunion.

6. Stylish pad, for open-plan parties near Mission Hills

Short-term Rental, Apartment

The living with a mid-century modern vibe at the Guy Street 1 – Avalon 1 – 2 Br Condo
Courtesy of Guy Street 1 – Avalon 1 – 2 Br Condo / Expedia

Want to do some entertaining when you’re in town? Check out this sophisticated stay, which has a breezy, open layout suited for hosting parties. The design blends mid-century modern furniture with a beachy vibe courtesy of jute carpets, rattan chairs and pictures of idyllic seaside destinations on the walls. You’ll find a full-service kitchen, two bedrooms and a sunlit balcony where you can enjoy your morning coffee with a side of crisp, fresh air.

7. Rustic retreat, for a lovely garden patio in Pacific Beach

Villa

The rooftop terrace with a fireplace at the Skyline by AvantStay
Courtesy of Skyline by AvantStay / Expedia

For plenty of outdoor spaces, a minimalist aesthetic and uninterrupted views of the wide-open sky, you can’t go wrong with this five-bedroom, four-bathroom home. You’ll get the run of the whole place – featuring chic light-wood furniture, whitewashed walls and muted pops of color throughout. Unwind on the lush ground-floor patio or one of the multiple balconies spread across three floors. There’s also a kitchen and a huge living room.

8. Cozy apartment, for a deep-soaking tub in Downtown San Diego

Apartment

A light-filled bedroom with city views at the Gorgeous 3 BR Prime Downtown
Courtesy of Gorgeous 3 BR Prime Downtown / Expedia

With its colorful furnishings and cozy vibe, this is a home away from home in the center of town. The space is fitted out with three bedrooms, all of which have expansive windows that let in lots of natural light and provide sweeping views. Need to chill out after a long day of exploring? Relax with a glass of wine in the deep-soaking bathtub, or kick back in the spacious living room as you take in the twinkling lights of the city at night.

9. Large vibrant bolthole, for panoramic city views in Downtown San Diego

Apartment

A pared-back bedroom with city views at the Beautiful 3 Bedroom Luxury Bldg
Courtesy of Beautiful 3 Bedroom Luxury Bldg / Expedia

Those coming to San Diego with a large brood can book a stay at this three-bedroom establishment. Each room comes with a comfortable queen bed and large windows that look out onto the cityscape, and there’s also a kitchen where the entire family can prepare meals together. Design-wise, the warm and welcoming unit is kitted out with vibrant furniture – including dark-blue couches and bright-yellow bar stools – and contemporary artwork.

10. Luxury stay, for amazing skyline vistas in Downtown San Diego

Apartment

The spacious living room with an attached balcony and city views at the Live in the Ultimate Luxury in San Diego
Courtesy of Live in the Ultimate Luxury in San Diego / Expedia

This air-conditioned, two-bedroom property is a convenient stay in the center of San Diego. During the day, you can explore the bustling downtown area and check out popular sights, such as Balboa Park and Seaport Village. Then, as the sun goes down, shake up some cocktails in the fully equipped kitchen and sip on them while gazing out at the views from your balcony. Additional fittings include a deep-soaking bathtub, a TV with cable channels and on-site laundry facilities.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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