Are you looking for an extended stay in San Diego? There are a number of options out there in the market but perhaps the one that makes the most sense in the city and surrounding areas is with a brand called Extended Stay America. Let’s dive into what your options are, what you need to know about each property, and why you would choose one over the other.
Read more about San Diego
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Activities to book in San Diego?
- The top 3 activities in San Diego to book ahead of time are: San Diego Harbor Cruise, USS Midway Skip-The-Line, and San Diego Zoo Skip-The-Line.
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6 Extended Stay America in San Diego hotels
Here are the list of 6 Extended Stay America properties in the city of San Diego and surrounding suburbs. This is a great comparison page for those trying to decide where to plan their extended stay vacation in San Diego.
I’ve broken things down into a few key factors:
- Location
- Property amenities
- Cost
- Reviews
1. San Diego – Hotel Circle
This is a great property that’s conveniently located to give travellers access to all of the top attractions in San Diego. It might not be in the core but in an area that’s surrounded by other hotels and car rental companies.
Location
This is located in Mission Valley and one of the closest properties to the city. Right off of Mission Valley Freeway, you’ll have quick access to the I-5 or Highway 163 that passes through San Diego Zoo.
It’s 13 minutes drive to the airport and Gaslamp Quarter is 13 minutes.
Property amenities
- Non-smoking: All rooms are non-smoking.
- Free grab-and-go breakfast: Jumpstart your day with a breakfast that includes a variety of breakfast bars and muffins, hot cereal, coffee, and tea.
- Fully equipped kitchen: You’ll find a refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, coffee machine, cooking utensils, dishes, and cutlery.
- Parking: Unfortunately parking is $15 per day (if staying 6 nights or less or $5/day if more) so keep that in mind.
- Free wifi: Pretty standard here although some guests have complained that it’s a bit too slow.
- Enhanced wifi: Allows you to stream your favourite movies and tv shows from your personal devices.
- Coin operated laundry facility: Open 24/7 so that is convenient.
- Pet-friendly: Got pets? No problem! Heads up that its $25+tax per day per pet as a cleaning fee. Maximum 2 pets.
Cost
The average cost of 7 nights during shoulder season is: $94.49 USD per night + taxes. Total is $745.16. This is based on the advanced purchase price.
Reviews
On TripAdvisor, it currently has 3.5 stars and #216 of #291 hotels in San Diego.
A common thread to the reviews say that it’s “a no frills hotel” and some being upset that the suites aren’t equipped with an oven, utensils, paper towels, salt, and pepper. Utensils are available at the front desk but you do need to request them. Another reviewer said “You will find this to be a reasonably clean and inexpensive place to stay in a very expensive market.”
2. San Diego – Fashion Valley
Fashion Valley isn’t far from Mission Valley but slightly further north and in a cluster of a number of other hotels. What’s nice about being in this location is that you’re very close to grocery stores, restaurants, the massive Fashion Valley mall, and other shops to make your life easier.
Location
This is located in Fashion Valley and right off Highway 163. While yes it is a little further out from the city, you trade in that distance for the convenience of being in an area that has a big shopping mall complex, and all the shops you need for supplies.
It’s 16 minutes drive to the airport and Gaslamp Quarter is approximately 18 minutes.
Property amenities
- Free grab-and-go breakfast: Jumpstart your day with a breakfast that includes a variety of breakfast bars and muffins, hot cereal, coffee, and tea.
- Fully equipped kitchen: You’ll find a refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, coffee machine, cooking utensils, dishes, and cutlery.
- Parking: Unfortunately parking is $15 per day (if staying 6 nights or less or $5/day if more) so keep that in mind.
- Free wifi: Pretty standard here although some guests have complained that it’s a bit too slow.
- Coin operated laundry facility: Open 24/7 so that is convenient.
- Pet-friendly: Got pets? No problem! Heads up that its $25+tax per day per pet as a cleaning fee. Maximum 2 pets.
Cost
The average cost of 7 nights during shoulder season is: $89.99 USD per night + taxes. Total is $709.72. This is based on the advanced purchase price.
Reviews
On TripAdvisor, it currently has 3 stars and #236 of #291 hotels in San Diego.
The general sentiment about this property is that it’s a little outdated and definitely needs a bit of upgrading. “You get what you pay for” is certainly echoed but on the flip side you also see a lot of guests with positive reviews in terms of being “hassle-free” and “Great amenities, Great Staff, very quiet. By far this is the most accommodating hotel in the area.”
3. San Diego – Mission Valley – Stadium
This property is located in Mission Valley however is a little further north and away from the city. That said, you trade that off for the comfort of having free parking, bonus amenities such as free local calls.
Location
Right off the I-15, you’ll find this Extended Stay America. Conveniently, Dollar Tree, Walmart, and plaza with Starbucks, Smashburger, McDonalds and others are located nearby.
It’s 22 minutes drive to the airport and Gaslamp Quarter is approximately 21 minutes.
Property amenities
- Non-smoking: All rooms are non-smoking.
- Free grab-and-go breakfast: Jumpstart your day with a breakfast that includes a variety of breakfast bars and muffins, hot cereal, coffee, and tea.
- Fully equipped kitchen: You’ll find a refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, coffee machine, cooking utensils, dishes, and cutlery.
- Parking: Parking is free here.
- Free wifi: Pretty standard here although some guests have complained that it’s a bit too slow.
- Coin operated laundry facility: Open 24/7 so that is convenient.
- Pet-friendly: Got pets? No problem! Heads up that its $25+tax per day per pet as a cleaning fee. Maximum 2 pets.
- Local phone calls: All local calls are free.
Cost
The average cost of 7 nights during shoulder season is: $94.49 USD per night + taxes. Total is $745.16. This is based on the advanced purchase price.
Reviews
On TripAdvisor, it currently has 3.5 stars and #199 of #291 hotels in San Diego.
Overall, the feedback from previous guests are positive with comments such as “Low cost but clean in the stadium area of San Diego. Close to MCAS Miramar. Just off the 15. Helpful staff, close to decent restaurants. 15-20 minutes from SAN airport. Very good Vietnamese pho across the street.” and another saying “Great location, clean rooms!”
4. San Diego – Sorrento Mesa
In the neighbourhood of Sorrento Mesa which is also a commercial hub with companies like Qualcomm here, there are quite a number of hotels on the main drag including this Extended Stay America.
Location
This property is further away from the downtown core and north along the 805 and also not far from the I-5. Surrounding the hotel are plenty of strip malls so you won’t have trouble finding food and supplies.
It’s 39 minutes drive to the airport and Gaslamp Quarter is approximately 46 minutes.
Property amenities
- Free grab-and-go breakfast: Jumpstart your day with a breakfast that includes a variety of breakfast bars and muffins, hot cereal, coffee, and tea.
- Fully equipped kitchen: You’ll find a refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, coffee machine, cooking utensils, dishes, and cutlery but note that you do have to go to reception to grab most of these if you do plan on cooking or require basic utensils.
- Parking: Parking is free here.
- Free wifi: Pretty standard here although some guests have complained that it’s a bit too slow.
- Coin operated laundry facility: Open 24/7 so that is convenient.
- Pet-friendly: Got pets? No problem! Heads up that its $25+tax per day per pet as a cleaning fee. Maximum 2 pets.
Cost
The average cost of 7 nights during shoulder season is: $103.49 USD per night + taxes. Total is $816.03. This is based on the advanced purchase price.
Reviews
On TripAdvisor, it currently has 3.5 stars and #220 of #291 hotels in San Diego.
Something that does pop up is the fact that this property is “Dingy, worn, and in major need of renovation” says one guest. A another points out “This is a no frills hotel. It is clean but well dated.”
5. San Diego – Carlsbad Village By The Sea
Now yes this property isn’t technically in San Diego proper, it’s worth noting this hotel because Carlsbad is a great place to consider staying long term because of its proximity to the ocean and having a reputation for being a great place to stay.
Location
Carlsbad is one of my favourite places to stay and visit when going to San Diego mainly because I’d much rather be away from the downtown area where things are congested, there’s traffic, and parking’s a challenge. Carlsbad is where you want to be whether you’re with family or with friends or partner because you have the beach, the downtown area is idyllic with its main strip of shops and restaurants, and it’s just even more laid back than San Diego is.
I love that this location is right off the main street and walking distance to the beach.
It’s 53 minutes drive to the airport and Gaslamp Quarter is approximately 58 minutes.
Property amenities
- Free grab-and-go breakfast: Jumpstart your day with a breakfast that includes a variety of breakfast bars and muffins, hot cereal, coffee, and tea.
- Fully equipped kitchen: You’ll find a refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, coffee machine, cooking utensils, dishes, and cutlery but note that you do have to go to reception to grab most of these if you do plan on cooking or require basic utensils.
- Parking: Parking is free here.
- Free wifi: Pretty standard here although some guests have complained that it’s a bit too slow.
- Enhanced wifi: Allows you to stream your favourite movies and tv shows from your personal devices.
- Coin operated laundry facility: Open 24/7 so that is convenient.
- Pet-friendly: Got pets? No problem! Heads up that its $25+tax per day per pet as a cleaning fee. Maximum 2 pets.
- Swimming pool: One of the few properties that has a full swimming pool.
Cost
The average cost of 7 nights during shoulder season is: $89.99 USD per night + taxes. Total is $700.97. This is based on the advanced purchase price.
Reviews
On TripAdvisor, it currently has 3.5 stars and #32 of #39 hotels in Carlsbad.
This review probably encapsulates this property the best: “I stayed for 4 nights. This is truly no frills hotel. The kitchen is not stocked with cooking stuff. You need to ask the desk. They give you a bin with what you need. No coffee in the room. It in the lobby at 0600. No breakfast. That’s okay. The kitchen cabinets and countertops are old and cheap. The bed is okay.
The hotel is 4 blocks from downtown Carlsbad. So put on your sneakers and walk.”
6. San Diego – Oceanside
The furthest property from San Diego with Extended Stay America is this one. It’s in the town of Oceanside and while you trade off distance from the city, you gain in convenience to the ocean, and price as this is the cheapest property of the bunch.
Location
Just a tad north from Carlsbad is the town of Oceanside which is another picturesque place to stay along the Pacific coast. Slightly different however is that this is a little further inland. That said, it’s much more commercially developed which is why you’ll find a few pretty sizeable strip malls nearby. It is unfortunately not walking distance to the beach.
It’s 57 minutes drive to the airport and Gaslamp Quarter is approximately 1 hour 8 minutes.
Property amenities
- Free grab-and-go breakfast: Jumpstart your day with a breakfast that includes a variety of breakfast bars and muffins, hot cereal, coffee, and tea.
- Fully equipped kitchen: You’ll find a refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, coffee machine, cooking utensils, dishes, and cutlery but note that you do have to go to reception to grab most of these if you do plan on cooking or require basic utensils.
- Parking: Parking is free here.
- Free wifi: Pretty standard here although some guests have complained that it’s a bit too slow.
- Coin operated laundry facility: Open 24/7 so that is convenient.
- Pet-friendly: Got pets? No problem! Heads up that its $25+tax per day per pet as a cleaning fee. Maximum 2 pets.
Cost
The average cost of 7 nights during shoulder season is: $85.49 USD per night + taxes. Total is $668.30. This is based on the advanced purchase price.
Reviews
On TripAdvisor, it currently has 3.5 stars and #17 of #28 hotels in Oceanside.
The general trend across all Extended Stay America hotels is that they’re “nothing fancy but clean and comfortable”. This one is quite serviceable as a place to stay for a longer period of time for your trip but know that you’ll need to reach out to reception to get the things that you need. That said, there are friendly staff with this property that can bring you items to you room if you ask.
What’s your Extended Stay America experience been like? For those thinking about planning a trip to San Diego, got any questions? Make sure to drop your comment down below and we’ll get back to you ASAP!
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