I just returned from an incredible trip to San Diego, and I can’t wait to share all the highlights, including my stay at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Mission Bay. From the gorgeous marina views to the resort-style pools, this hotel had everything we needed for the perfect coastal getaway. Plus, it was the ideal home base to explore must-see attractions like Pacific Beach, La Jolla, and downtown San Diego.
Whether you’re planning a relaxing escape or want to explore everything San Diego has to offer, Hyatt Regency Mission Bay is the spot to stay. Here’s the lowdown on our 3-night adventure, where we explored North Park, hiked along the coast in La Jolla, enjoyed local dining, and of course, soaked up some sun at the hotel pool.
Thursday: North Park Adventures and Coastal Views 🌿
We arrived in San Diego at around 1:30 PM and headed straight to Hyatt Regency Mission Bay to drop off our bags. The check-in process was a breeze, and we couldn’t get enough of the beautiful marina views from our room. Sea lions were sunbathing just below our balcony 🦭 — we watched them every day!
After settling in, we explored the North Park neighborhood — which we absolutely LOVED! I’ve heard it’s a bit of a hidden gem from the locals, so SHH let’s keep it our little secret 😜. Our first stop was Love Song Coffee, a cozy spot that served up the yummiest coffees. The Jack Johnson coffee was absolutely delicious (banana, maple, pink salt, coconut chips, espresso + milk). Next, we browsed Pigment, a boutique next door that’s filled with unique home decor and gifts, and then wandered through the aisles of Verbatim Books, a local used bookstore with quirky decor and more books than you’ll ever know what to do with. Before heading out of the area, we made a quick stop at Meet Cute, a queer-owned feminist romance bookshop that had literally every single one of our book club reads and adorable stickers and tchotchkes.
We wrapped up our afternoon exploring the famous Balboa Park, enjoying the stunning gardens and architecture, before heading to Seneca Trattoria for dinner. The rooftop views over the water and downtown were amazing, and the vibe and decor were *chefs kiss*. We got lucky finding a spot at the bar, but definitely expect a wait if you’re looking to grab a table. If I’m being honest, next time I’d just do drinks here, the food was just so-so. Still loved it and would recommend for a cocktail and great views!
We made the mistake of ending the night at Gaslamp Quarter, hoping to find a spot for a night cap. The place we wanted to go ended up being closed, so we thought we’d walk around and explore a bit. This was a mistake because the area we ended up in was honestly quite sketchy at night. We should’ve done a bit more research but it left a bit of a bad taste. We skipped that area the rest of the trip but I’m sure there are some gems to check out next time!
Friday: Hiking La Jolla and Pacific Beach Vibes 🌊
Friday was all about exploring La Jolla and the Pacific Beach (PB) area. We kicked off the morning with an unforgettable hike through La Jolla. Check out this trail, which offers stunning coastal views that you should totally check out for yourself! It was the perfect way for us to see the best of San Diego — from watching sea lions, to experiencing the tide pools and sea caves, this was an absolute must! I highly recommend stopping at the cave store to check out the sea cave. You’ll grab a $10 ticket when you get in and take the 145 steps down to reach the cave. It’s a pretty unique experience you won’t want to miss out on!
After the hike, we spent some time walking through the Bird Rock, stopping by Hermosa Surf for some matcha. The matcha was one of the best I’ve had in awhile. The vibes in Hermosa Surf were perfection — the perfect spot to cool down after our hike. We also stumbled upon Bobbi Rocco nearby, a cute boutique with trendy clothes. Then we made our way to Pacific Beach, where I had to pop into Brandy Melville for a little retail therapy — this was a favorite from my last trip to San Diego along with the next stop ⬇️
We grabbed a sweet treat at The Baked Bear, known for their amazing ice cream sandwiches (highly recommend!) and headed back to Hyatt Regency Mission Bay to recharge before dinner.
For sunset drinks, we attempted to hit up Lahaina Beach House, but it was absolutely packed, so we ended up at Oscar’s Mexican Seafood for dinner. It came highly recommended by a few Uber drivers, and it did not disappoint! Fresh seafood tacos, casual vibes, and excellent service — definitely add this spot to your list.
To round out the night, we checked out a few bars in PB, including PB Shore Club (fun atmosphere), The Grass Skirt (a hidden tiki bar and speakeasy), The Local (a bit dead when we got there but supposed to be very fun a little later), and Open Bar (very college-y, not really our scene). After asking around a bit we learned that people don’t start going out in PB until around 10. But you have to time it right because the lines can get crazy! We went to Grass Skirt around 9:00 after leaving the Local because it was empty. After our one drink at Grass Skirt, we tried to go back to the other bars closer to 11 and the lines were insane. We were tired from a day of exploring so we called it a night after seeing the lines. After all, we felt like old ladies amongst the college and post-grad kids at 28.
Saturday: Poolside Chill and Sunset Sushi 🍣
Saturday was our day to slow down and enjoy the hotel’s amenities. We started the day with brunch at Breakfast Republic in Pacific Beach. Their Bloody Marys (I went for the Jurassic, loaded with extras like bacon) were the perfect start to the day, and the potato omelette and chilaquiles were delicious.
After brunch, we grabbed coffee at Better Buzz Coffee and took a leisurely stroll along the PB boardwalk. People-watching was super fun here!
We walked down Garnet Avenue and checked out Beginning Boutique. It was fun getting to shop there IRL as a typical online shopper, but the fitting room lines were crazy, beware!
In the afternoon, we returned to our lovely hotel, the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay to relax by the pool, sipping on strawberry lemonade cocktails from the pool bar. The hotels three pools are perfect for lounging and sunbathing. We loved that they served drinks from Pelican’s on the Bay. The pool areas are also stocked with Sum Bum pumps which we LOVED!
Before dinner, we enjoyed happy hour at the hotel’s waterfront restaurant, Red Marlin, where we watched boats come and go in the marina. Then we headed to Mission Beach for dinner at Cannonball, an awesome rooftop sushi spot within Belmont Park with incredible ocean views.
After dinner, we called it an early night. I was coming down with a cold, so we opted for a relaxing evening in the hot tub at the hotel with a glass of wine from Pelican’s. It was the perfect way to end our last night in San Diego.
Sunday: Saying Goodbye to San Diego ✈️
Sunday morning came way too fast, and we headed to the airport for an early flight. Before we left HRMB, we grabbed a quick bit at The Market. The perfect spot for a quick bit, The Market offers freshly brewed Starbucks coffee with views of the marina. They had a fabulous breakfast burrito and we enjoyed coffee from there each morning with the gorgeous views from the boardwalk.
While it was a whirlwind trip, we packed in so many amazing experiences. From the unforgettable stay at Hyatt Regency Mission Bay to exploring the best of San Diego’s neighborhoods, we couldn’t have asked for a better getaway.
If you’re planning a San Diego vacation, Hyatt Regency Mission Bay should definitely be on your radar. Its perfect location (also right next to SeaWorld San Diego), luxurious amenities, and proximity to everything you want to see in San Diego make it the ultimate home base for your trip.
A huge thank you to Hyatt Regency Mission Bay for hosting us — we’ll definitely be back soon!
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