At one of the more enviable locations in San Diego, the 30-story Hilton Bayfront is right on the bay, directly across the street from PETCO Park. It's connected to the San Diego Convention Center and it has its own massive event space that's frequently used for spillover from conferences. The hotel's business-friendly environment includes an on-site UPS store and 1,190 large rooms with desks that are designed to get work done. It's not all meetings and conventions though, and the hotel has a great outdoor terrace with a saltwater pool and a waterslide facing the bay. With expensive food and added fees for Wi-Fi and parking, the Hilton can end up being an costly place to stay, which may deter those who aren't in town for business. Nearby alternatives include the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, on the opposite end of the Convention Center, or the less spectacular Embassy Suites San Diego Bay, which has cheaper rates and free breakfast.

The upscale, family-friendly Paradise Point Resort and Spa is set on a 44-acre island in Mission Bay, a short drive from downtown San Diego and SeaWorld. Housed in bungalows with private patios, the resort’s 462 rooms are spacious and stylish, with subtle nautical decor elements, sleek bathrooms with quartz finishes, and free Wi-Fi. Aside from a mile-long beach and a marina with water sports (for a fee), Paradise Point offers a slew of on-site activities, including five pools, a fitness center, tennis and basketball courts, and daily wellness classes. The spa is a highlight here, complete with private and couples’ massage rooms, saunas, steam rooms, and a courtyard. Food options are good and varied, but many guests find them overpriced. An obligatory resort fee, plus additional charges for some activities and steep parking rates, make some guests feel nickel and dimed. The nearby Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina is another good option in the same price point.

The upscale Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is located near the convention center and draws many business travelers. The hotel features large windows, natural wood, and modern decor, and the 300 rooms have comfortable beds and 42-inch TVs. The Hilton has a small but modern fitness center, a large pool, and an attractive outdoor terrace lounge. A pricey daily breakfast buffet and California-inspired lunch or dinner fare are available at New Leaf Restaurant. Room noise can be an issue -- a common problem for hotels in this neighborhood. Rates are typically fair for this caliber, but the nearby Solamar and Andaz are also worth considering.

This 159-room boutique is one of the sleekest hotels in the Gaslamp Quarter, with a popular rooftop lounge and a sexy wine bar. Rooms are minimally decorated but attractive, with slate-tiled bathrooms and modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi and large flat-screen TVs. Some minibar items are also available for no additional fee, and the rooftop area, with a pool, fire pit, and loungers, is a nice place to hang out.

This 317-room hotel in Mission Valley is a pretty typical chain, with all the San Diego mid-range basics (24-hour fitness center, outdoor pool). Comfortable (if not particularly stylish) rooms have iPod docks and flat-screens, but some face a wall. It's near the University of San Diego, but far from downtown -- you'll have to drive to see any tourist sites.

This 249-room Spanish-Colonial-style resort in the rolling hills near Del Mar is stunning, from the old-world decor to the enormous rooms to the luxurious spa. It features four pools, excellent restaurants, an 18-hole golf course, an Equestrian Center, and free car service in a Mercedes or Cadillac Escalade. But since it's inland, there are no ocean views; consider L'Auberge del Mar for closer proximity to the sand.

The 420-room Hard Rock, located in the hip Gaslamp Quarter, hosts wild parties on weekends at its popular rooftop pool and bar. It's a haven for twenty- and thirty-somethings (including celebrities), and trendy rooms have big flat-screen TVs and high-thread-count sheets. But it's not particularly kid-friendly (420 rooms and a restaurant called Maryjane's where happy hour starts at 4:20...you get the idea), so families should consider the nearby Hotel Solamar.

A sleek lobby, a quality restaurant, a popular rooftop lounge with views of Petco Park, and the street-level Latitude Lounge make this 306-room Marriott in the hip Gaslamp Quarter quite a bit more happening than your average chain hotel. But the rooms, while comfortable, feel somewhat bland and generic. The Hard Rock Hotel around the corner offers more stylish rooms at a slightly higher price point.

Leisure travelers looking for a modern boutique hotel with a cool, beachy vibe and easy access to the Pacific Ocean may want to consider Tower23 Hotel. Rooms range from standard "pads" to suites; many have balconies and at least partial ocean views. Potential guests may want to take note that rooms surrounding the upper courtyard are loud at times, as the spot attracts both hotel guests and non-guests alike. There's no need for a car for those looking to primarily explore the immediate neighborhood of Pacific Beach, with its many restaurants, surf shops, activities, and pier. The hotel also loans out bikes, which are great for exploring the beach path out back. The hotel is often sold out on weekends, despite its hefty price tag. Travelers might also want to check out the Pacific Terrace Hotel.

The two-floor, mid-range 50-room PB Surf Beachside Inn, situated about a block from Pacific Beach, provides petite rooms and the bare essentials for the traveler uninterested in staying indoors. It's a motel-style property, but rooms have modern, Ikea-esque style. They lack ocean views -- for that, guests can head to the rooftop patio, or walk to the sand. The inn doesn't have many features on-site, but guests can access a pool at a nearby sister hotel. Just note that parking is limited.