Surfer Beach Hotel

A bright orange and green facade announces this casual beachfront hotel to arriving guests. It’s situated right on the boardwalk overlooking a spot on Pacific Beach that draws surfers and is home to a surfing school. The classic SoCal beach scene here attracts sun- and surf-loving families, couples, and singles from around the world. Beachfront rooms have their own balconies, so it’s not unusual to see guests out there enjoying a drink or the sunset. This older, motel-style property’s saltwater pool is also a popular hangout after days at the beach. The World Famous restaurant next door has been a local icon for generations, so it’s always lively -- especially at happy hour. While the small lobby is bright and pleasant enough with comfortable wicker chairs, guests don’t linger here with the spectacular beach and a world of things to do just outside. This is a quiet, relaxed, and friendly place. 

Location is undoubtedly this hotel’s star attraction. The world-famous Pacific Beach is right across the boardwalk from the hotel’s front door. The beach is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, who come to soak up the sun and catch the waves -- the latter attracting many surfers. The boardwalk stretches over three miles, and is home to many restaurants, bars, and shops -- several choices are next door or just a minute or two away on foot. The Pacific Beach neighborhood is one of San Diego's liveliest areas for nightlife. Several attractions are brief drives away, including SeaWorld (12 minutes) and Belmont Park (eight minutes), San Diego’s historic amusement park. Downtown’s many attractions such as Petco Park and the Gaslamp Quarter are about 20 minutes away by car, as is the San Diego Zoo. The San Diego International Airport is approximately a 20-minute drive, or about an hour by public transportation. A bus stop is about a two-minute walk from the hotel. 

The rooms at Surfer Beach Hotel are generally due for a makeover, but they're bright and pleasant enough due to sliding glass doors or large windows that allow lots of natural light. Walls are beige or white, and carpets sport a teal-and-brown patterned. Bright white duvets top the beds that are backed by light faux suede headboards. Wood furniture in a light veneer is of budget quality, with much of it showing obvious signs of wear. The cramped bathrooms are the most disappointing aspect of the rooms. They have beige tiling, white ceramic pedestal sinks, and small walk-in showers. 

Overall, Standard Rooms (Kings and Double-Doubles) are small at 220 square feet (20 square meters), and even the Junior Suites with sleeper sofas are only 280 square feet (26 square meters). Some other suites are larger, like the Poolside Suites (600 square feet or 55 square meters) that have separate living rooms and kitchenettes. While many past guests have reported their rooms to be clean and tidy, others have complained of general housekeeping and maintenance shortcomings, including musty smells, worn/stained carpets, and dusty furniture. 

Standard amenities include mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and 42-inch flat screen TVs. Select rooms and suites also have microwaves, coffeemakers, and kitchenettes. Half of the rooms have small balconies facing the ocean, and half overlook the pool. The hotel recently added air-conditioning units to the Standard Rooms that don’t face the ocean, but Ocean View Rooms must subsist on cooling ocean breezes (except for the two-bedroom Sunset Suite and select other suites). Guests should note that while most of the rooms are quiet, those nearest the adjacent restaurants can hear ambient noise at times.

This limited service hotel doesn’t have its own restaurant or bar, but a long-time local favorite, the World Famous restaurant, is connected and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It specializes in seafood and hand-cut steaks. Woody’s is another adjacent eatery that serves breakfast, burgers, and coffee drinks, plus it delivers to the hotel. Free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are available in the hotel lobby 24/7.

The hotel's heated salt water pool is open all year. It’s a bit small, but the deep end is over eight feet, and it's surrounded by tables and loungers. Free loaner beach equipment and toys are available on a first-come basis. Parking is guaranteed at the hotel’s lot for a nightly fee, but the lot is small and tight, especially for larger vehicles. The hotel has a safe deposit box and a laundry room for guest use. The Sunset Suite has a huge deck overlooking the ocean that’s used for events. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the property, and pets are welcome with a surcharge.