11 Best Cheap Hotels in San Diego near SeaWorld

As animal lovers, we love going to SeaWorld. It’s a chance for us to witness the dolphins, sea lions, orcas, and other marine animals. In addition to animal exhibits, the thrilling rides are also super exciting, making it a destination loved by families and travelers of all ages. However, SeaWorld can be expensive, especially if you’re traveling with your loved ones. But that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice your whole trip, as there are many cheap hotels in San Diego near SeaWorld. From hidden gems with surprising amenities to some of the best budget-friendly amenities within easy reach of SeaWorld’s entrance, our carefully curated selections prove that staying near one of the city’s premier attractions.

Handlery Hotel San Diego

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Just a ten-minute drive from the heart of Downtown, we discovered the Handlery Hotel San Diego – a resort-like stay at a relatively affordable price. Set 2 miles from the charming Old Town, this polished hotel sits on lush, landscaped grounds just 5 miles from both the iconic Ocean Beach and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Even SeaWorld is only 6 minutes away.

As we stepped into our room, we were immediately struck by the attractive and modern aesthetic, with a slight industrial chic vibe. The refined decor and exposed wood beams lent an elevated ambiance. For those needing extra space, the suites offer the added comforts of a living room and wet bar.

We were also pleased to discover a wealth of complimentary amenities, including on-site parking and an area shuttle service. To unwind, we spent countless hours by the heated outdoor pool, sipping cocktails from the poolside bar and lounge. And when it was time for a bite, the Postcards American Bistro delivered the perfect comfort food to satisfy our cravings.

Beach Haven

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For a beach getaway in San Diego, take a look at Beach Haven. Its prime location, just one block from the ocean, made it easy to spend our days soaking up the sun and waves. Additionally, the hotel’s bright and cheerful décor, with its blue-and-white color scheme and palm tree accents, instantly put us in a relaxed beach mood.

The rooms here are nothing short of great. We stayed in the Deluxe Room, and it was perfect for our trip. While the standard rooms are suitable for a short stay, we’d recommend upgrading to a studio or suite for longer visits, as these offer the added benefit of a full kitchen.

The hotel’s amenities are also nice. We would head to the heated outdoor pool whenever we needed a refreshing dip, and there was a hot tub too. We also enjoyed using the BBQ grills to cook up some delicious meals.

Cosmopolitan Hotel

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We stepped back in time at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, a historic gem nestled in Old Town San Diego. This 1827 landmark, once the grand residence of Don Juan Bandini, offers a unique blend of history and comfort. Overlooking Presidio Park, the hotel’s prime location offers easy access to San Diego’s attractions. A short drive takes you to the San Diego Zoo, the USS Midway Museum, and SeaWorld.

If you’re looking for motels in San Diego near SeaWorld, this is a great alternative. The hotel’s 10 rooms, nestled on the second floor above the restaurant, are each a testament to the past. We loved how the ornate decor, antique furnishings, and Victorian-style soaking tub transported us to a bygone era. Our mornings began with a delightful treat: freshly baked scones and coffee served in the charming Gaming Parlour. Perfect!

The Cosmopolitan Hotel provides a range of amenities, including free continental breakfast and parking. The on-site restaurant and bar, with its inviting outdoor seating in the orchard courtyard, offer the perfect spot to relax and unwind.

Humphreys Half Moon Inn

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The Humphreys Half Moon Inn is a hidden gem nestled on Shelter Island that perfectly balances convenience with coastal charm. It served as our home base for exploring San Diego’s finest attractions, with SeaWorld and the historic Cabrillo National Monument just under 5 miles away, and the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter a mere 6-mile journey.

Our room embodied the laid-back Southern California lifestyle with its subtle tropical touches. We appreciated the thoughtful amenities, which included a minifridge for our beverages, a microwave for quick snacks, and a coffeemaker for our morning ritual. Meanwhile, the private patio became our favorite spot for evening relaxation.

The resort fee unlocked access to several worthwhile amenities. We made good use of the fitness room to maintain our exercise routine, and the live music club added an unexpected touch of entertainment to our evenings. Aside from that, the outdoor pool area also became our afternoon retreat.

Best Western PLUS Island Palms Hotel & Marina

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We never expected to find such a delightful waterfront retreat in a Best Western, but the Island Palms Hotel & Marina truly surprised us. Perfectly positioned between the airport and downtown San Diego, this property offers so much more than your typical budget hotel experience. Don’t worry, as SeaWorld is just 12 minutes away.

What sets this place apart is its private mega-yacht marina – we spent countless moments watching beautiful boats come and go, and even took advantage of one of the available excursions. The amenities? We made good use of the complimentary bike rentals to explore the area and spent afternoons lounging by not one, but two waterfront pools. The tennis courts provided some active entertainment, and the convenient laundry facilities came in handy during our extended stay.

Our room was comfortable and well-equipped with all the essentials: microwave, mini-fridge, flat-screen TV with premium channels, and reliable free Wi-Fi. We lucked out with a room featuring a private balcony, which became our favorite spot for morning coffee and evening relaxation.

Staypineapple, Hotel Z

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Best Pet-Friendly. Visiting San Diego with your lovely four-legged friend? Then you’ll want to stay at Staypineapple, Hotel Z! This adorable boutique hotel is pet-friendly. As pet owners, we were thrilled to find that our furry friend was welcome too. The hotel provided a comfy bed, water bowl, and treats, making our stay even more enjoyable.

Apart from that, the hotel’s vibrant atmosphere and cheerful decor instantly put us in a good mood. Our room was airy and bright, with plush bedding and luxurious Tommy Bahama bath amenities. We loved the convenience of having WiFi included in the nightly fee, and the free afternoon pineapple treats were so on-brand!

The hotel’s prime location was perfect for exploring San Diego. We easily walked to Petco Park and a variety of fantastic restaurants and bars. SeaWorld? It’s only a 13-minute drive away. Plus, the option to borrow bikes was a great way to see the city.

Kings Inn

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Best Value for Money. The Kings Inn is another highly recommended accommodation. First of all, we have to praise the staff. They were incredibly friendly and welcoming, creating an inviting atmosphere from the moment we checked in. Speaking of, the check-in process was a breeze, and we could immediately go to our room.

Now, our room was everything we imagined. It was clean, airy, and cozy. There was no other place we would go to for relaxation and naps. The bathroom, though simple, was spotless. Best of all, we could wake up to the view of the sparkling pool!

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Yep, the hotel boasts a kidney-shaped pool outside. It’s a refreshing way to cool off on a hot day. Other amenities include on-site restaurants. The Waffle Spot satisfied our cravings with its delicious waffles and classic comfort food, and The Amigo Spot offered a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine, with a variety of flavorful dishes.

Holiday Inn Express San Diego – SeaWorld Area

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We simply can’t talk about the cheapest hotels near Seaworld San Diego without mentioning the Holiday Inn Express San Diego – SeaWorld Area. The location, while in a busy area near the freeway, offered easy access to major attractions. Yes, this includes SeaWorld, which we could reach in just around 10 minutes by car.

While the hotel isn’t directly on the beach, it’s within walking distance of some great restaurants and shops. We enjoyed grabbing a bite at Rubio’s and indulging in some delicious sushi at Sushi Ota. You should try it!

For our stay, we got the Standard Room, and we were pleased with it. We could heat our food using the microwave, and there was a mini-fridge too. We especially loved the high-pressure showerheads. Speaking of which, the hotel’s fitness center and pool were also great amenities to have on hand.

Hilton Garden Inn Old Town/SeaWorld Area

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The Hilton Garden Inn Old Town/SeaWorld Area is a good choice for any budget-friendly San Diego trip, but it’s especially great for those visiting SeaWorld. While not within walking distance, SeaWorld and other popular attractions like the San Diego Zoo and the beach are just a short drive away. We were within walking distance of Old Town State Historic Park, where we enjoyed exploring the shops, restaurants, and historical sites.

While we were at the hotel, we were continuously impressed with the amenities. The free Wi-Fi was faster than we expected, and the heated outdoor pool was our favorite spot to soothe our tired muscles. The fitness room was also well-equipped, and we appreciated the convenience of room service and the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry Market. For dinner, we never went anywhere else besides The Verde Kitchen & Bar.

While there were so many rooms to choose from, we ended up with the King Room. It was spacious and exuded an air of comfort. The plush king-sized bed was a dream to sleep on, and we particularly loved the sofa bed that transformed into a cozy sleeping space. No wonder this place is also named one of the best overall hotels in San Diego near SeaWorld.

The Dana on Mission Bay

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Best for Families. The Dana on Mission Bay is a laid-back hotel with a tropical vibe. It’s a great choice for families, especially if you’re planning a trip to SeaWorld as it’s right next door. We have to admit that the hotel is a bit older, but we think it’s still a great value, especially considering the resort fee, which covers a lot of perks like beach chair and umbrella rentals, bike rentals, and the SeaWorld shuttle.

The resort itself is quite large, with two main buildings: Marina Cove and Water’s Edge. We loved the convenience of having so many amenities on-site, like the beach rentals, pools, and the Firefly Eatery and Bar. The food was decent, and the happy hour was a huge bonus for us.

Since we were looking for something cozy and cheap, we chose the Standard Room with a king-sized bed. It was everything we wanted, and it came with the standards like a fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. We especially loved the balcony, where we could enjoy the beautiful views of the bay.

“With spacious rooms and fantastic amenities, we’re sure your family would have a blast staying here.”

WOW Travel

Speaking of which, you should also consider taking your family on one of these best day trips from San Diego!

Old Town Inn

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Best Overall. When it comes to affordable hotels near SeaWorld San Diego, we think the Old Town Inn is second to none. This is a AAA Two-Diamond property that consistently impresses despite its slightly offbeat location near the freeway. The hotel’s prime location offers the best of both worlds: a short 10-minute walk to the vibrant Old Town San Diego, perfect for sipping margaritas and immersing ourselves in California’s history, and a quick 10-minute drive to the airport, Mission Beach, Belmont Park, and SeaWorld.

During our stay, we were delighted by the complimentary perks, including a delicious deluxe continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, parking, and in-room amenities like DVD players and free movies. The hotel also caters to extended stays and offers a luxurious jacuzzi suite for a truly indulgent experience. Don’t forget to make a splash in the outdoor pool, too!

Our King Room was nothing short of comfortable. It was well-appointed, featuring free toiletries, a private bathroom, a cozy seating area with a flat-screen TV, and all the essentials for a relaxing stay. Although on the smaller side, we still had a great time there.

Our Verdict!

Since there are so many cheap hotels in San Diego near SeaWorld, knowing which one is the best for you can be hard. To make things easier, we’ve categorized some of them based on the following criteria:

• Best Overall: Old Town Inn
• Best for Families: The Dana on Mission Bay
• Best Value for Money: Kings Inn
• Best Pet-Friendly: Staypineapple, Hotel Z

Where to Stay in San Diego Near SeaWorld?

If you’ve never been to SeaWorld before, you should know that there aren’t any hotels within walking distance of it. The closest ones are about a 25-minute walk away. But don’t worry, getting there by car is easy, and there’s a large parking lot on-site.

That said, one of the best neighborhoods in San Diego is SeaWorld. This laid-back beach area is just a short drive from SeaWorld and offers a variety of affordable hotels and vacation rentals. It’s also a great place to relax on the beach, enjoy water sports, or explore the shops and restaurants.

Old Town is also near SeaWorld. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a unique and historic experience. There are various hotels in this neighborhood, including the adorable ones. The restaurants are amazing, too. There are so many choices, serving everything from Mexican food to California cuisine.

While a little further, you should also consider downtown. We recommend Downtown San Diego for travelers who want to be in the heart of the city. It offers a variety of restaurants and shops, as well as easy access to public transportation. Additionally, there are a wide variety of hotels in Downtown San Diego to suit all budgets and preferences. Best of all, it has a lively nightlife scene with tons of bars and clubs.

Need more hotel recommendations? Test your bravery in these most haunted hotels in San Diego! But if you’re obsessed with white sandy beaches, you should take a look at these best hotels in San Diego near La Jolla.

How many hours is enough in SeaWorld San Diego?

To comfortably experience the main attractions and shows at SeaWorld San Diego, plan for at least 6 to 8 hours. This will allow you to see popular shows, explore animal exhibits, and enjoy rides without feeling rushed.

Can I bring a backpack to SeaWorld San Diego?

Yes, you can bring a backpack to SeaWorld San Diego, but be aware that all bags, backpacks, and packages are subject to inspection upon entering the park.

Can we take food inside SeaWorld San Diego?

No, outside food and beverages are generally not allowed at SeaWorld.